Story/place-Kanpur.
Aug 26, 2010,
KANPUR: Two persons were arrested in Ghatampur for killing a peacock. A carcass of the national bird was seized from them on Wednesday.
"Rajpal and Gappu, residents of Rewna village and belonging to Kanjar tribe, who had killed the peacock on Wednesday, were arrested from Sarganwa village," police official Vinod Mishra said. One of their accomplices identified as Indra Kumar of Rewna village, is absconding, he added.
The two have admitted that they have been killing peacocks since several years for meat and feathers.
The two were spotted by the villagers, who informed a police team patrolling in the area.
A case under Section 9/91 of the Wildlife Protection Act has been registered against the three persons.
The peacock is protected under Section 51 (1-A) of the Wildlife Protection Act-1972 and its hunting and killing is prohibited. However, its feathers and fat, used in the treatment of arthritis, fetch a good amount.
The two arrested persons have been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Wildlife Protection Act, Mishra said.
Meanwhile, the locals informed that the unauthorised killing of peacocks by the people particularly of `Kanjar' tribe is going on for a long time in the area. Ram Kishore of Sargawan village informed the police after witnessing the killing the peacock on Wednesday.
Explaining the methods to trap the birds, Kishore said, "Usually, the peacocks follow a track for breeding in an area where is accumulated or tall and thick groves of trees are present. The poachers hide at the strategic positions and use catapults to kill the birds." A grown up peacock yields more than one-and-half kilogram of flesh, while its feathers are also a prized item. Trapping a peacock is both easy and lucrative, as they can not fly long distances, he added.
Only on August 3, a man was arrested with a dead peacock near Kanpur Central railway station, under Rail Bazaar police station limits. He was identified as Ram Chandra, a native of Rampur Kalan in Sitapur.
Peacock comes under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act-1972:
* Section 9 of the Act prohibits hunting of wild animals and birds specified in Schedule I, II, III and IV.
The classification has been made keeping in mind the significance and population of the wildlife. Those highly threatened find a place in Schedule I.
Section 51 of the Act prescribes a maximum imprisonment of six years, Rs 25,000 as fine or both for hunting animals and birds specified under Schedule I.
Poor enforcement
The officials of the wildlife department admit that though the punitive measures under law are exhaustive, the enforcement is very poor. A case is registered under the Wildlife Protection Act but it never reaches court because of lack of evidence. Even if the case reaches the court, lack of awareness about Wildlife Act provisions invariably results in miscarriage of justice.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Veerappan's lair could soon be new sanctuary for tigers
Story/place-Chennai.
Aug 27, 2010,
CHENNAI: The Sathyamangalam wildlife sanctuary in western Tamil Nadu may soon be declared a tiger reserve. The move came after Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh wrote to chief minister M Karunanidhi in July suggesting that the area be converted into a tiger reserve since several tiger sightings have been reported from there.
"Since the area is contiguous with the forests of Chamrajanagar-Bandipur-Mudumalai, it has tremendous potential to hold a source population of tigers. The area can pick up readily with Central assistance under Project Tiger," Ramesh wrote.
The request, which has already been moved to the state environment and forests department, is being processed, confirmed state environment and forests secretary Debendranath Sarangi. "We are actively pursuing it right now," he said. "But the procedure is a long-drawn one and involves implementation of a host of restrictions. After all, a tiger reserve receives maximum security and protection. But, a census of the tiger population in that area has already been carried out by the Wildlife Institute of India," he added. Principal chief conservator of forests and chief wildlife warden R Sundarraju said the survey had been done, but the report was yet to be received.
Located in Erode district in the area where the Western Ghats meet the Eastern Ghats, Sathymangalam was for a long time the haunt of slain brigand Veerappan. However, in recent years, as reported by TOI in 2009, at least 10 tigers were spotted in these forests, possibly because the area has remained largely undisturbed through the years.
According to state chief conservator of forests Dr V N Singh, the census was only a preliminary survey to justify the establishment of a tiger reserve. "The results are very promising. The population here seems quite healthy too." The reserve's core area is likely to be in the Moyar valley.
sourced-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjunglretreat.com
Aug 27, 2010,
CHENNAI: The Sathyamangalam wildlife sanctuary in western Tamil Nadu may soon be declared a tiger reserve. The move came after Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh wrote to chief minister M Karunanidhi in July suggesting that the area be converted into a tiger reserve since several tiger sightings have been reported from there.
"Since the area is contiguous with the forests of Chamrajanagar-Bandipur-Mudumalai, it has tremendous potential to hold a source population of tigers. The area can pick up readily with Central assistance under Project Tiger," Ramesh wrote.
The request, which has already been moved to the state environment and forests department, is being processed, confirmed state environment and forests secretary Debendranath Sarangi. "We are actively pursuing it right now," he said. "But the procedure is a long-drawn one and involves implementation of a host of restrictions. After all, a tiger reserve receives maximum security and protection. But, a census of the tiger population in that area has already been carried out by the Wildlife Institute of India," he added. Principal chief conservator of forests and chief wildlife warden R Sundarraju said the survey had been done, but the report was yet to be received.
Located in Erode district in the area where the Western Ghats meet the Eastern Ghats, Sathymangalam was for a long time the haunt of slain brigand Veerappan. However, in recent years, as reported by TOI in 2009, at least 10 tigers were spotted in these forests, possibly because the area has remained largely undisturbed through the years.
According to state chief conservator of forests Dr V N Singh, the census was only a preliminary survey to justify the establishment of a tiger reserve. "The results are very promising. The population here seems quite healthy too." The reserve's core area is likely to be in the Moyar valley.
sourced-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjunglretreat.com
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Govt decides not to split forest services
Story/place-New delhi.
New Delhi, August 22, 2010
The Indian Forest Service (IFS) will not be split into two — one each for wildlife and forestry. The suggestion of separation had come from a committee of National Board for Wildlife headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. “The ministry has declined splitting the forest services into two,” said the country’s Director General of Forests P.J. Dalip Kumar. “The reason that wildlife conservation has to take support from forest conservation only.”
The ministry’s decision comes as a sigh of relief for IFS officers, who man India’s most dense forests and endangered species in remote areas. They feared that the split would undermine the importance of their service.
“We had never advocated for splitting the service,” a senior IFS officer said. “But we always wanted that a separate department of forests should be created in the ministry to be headed by an IFS officer.”
Number of wildlife expert such as Valmik Thapar, Belinda Wright and Bittu Sehgal had advocated splitting of the service for better protection of endangered species. But, the ministry believes the splitting will create more problems than providing solution.
In a bid to improve the IFS, the government has decided to start three fellowship programmes in the 12-plan starting from 2012.
They would be ‘Hari Singh Fellowship’ for new officers and ‘SK Fellowship’ and ‘C. Ranganath Fellowship’ for officials in different levels in the cadre.
Under Hari Singh Fellowship, officials found to be having extraordinary interest and aptitude for wildlife, would be selected for specialised training at the Wildlife Institute of India.
“The aim of this fellowship is to catch them young, because once they join administrative work and other duties; it becomes difficult to go back to study,” Kumar said.
For the mid-career officers have food field knowledge, the ministry will have SK Fellowship for specialisation in any forestry disciplines. In C. Ranganath fellowship, the ministry will support the selected officers with grants for liberal travel, equipment, to engage research assistance and travel abroad to study abroad.
source-Hindustan Times
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
New Delhi, August 22, 2010
The Indian Forest Service (IFS) will not be split into two — one each for wildlife and forestry. The suggestion of separation had come from a committee of National Board for Wildlife headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. “The ministry has declined splitting the forest services into two,” said the country’s Director General of Forests P.J. Dalip Kumar. “The reason that wildlife conservation has to take support from forest conservation only.”
The ministry’s decision comes as a sigh of relief for IFS officers, who man India’s most dense forests and endangered species in remote areas. They feared that the split would undermine the importance of their service.
“We had never advocated for splitting the service,” a senior IFS officer said. “But we always wanted that a separate department of forests should be created in the ministry to be headed by an IFS officer.”
Number of wildlife expert such as Valmik Thapar, Belinda Wright and Bittu Sehgal had advocated splitting of the service for better protection of endangered species. But, the ministry believes the splitting will create more problems than providing solution.
In a bid to improve the IFS, the government has decided to start three fellowship programmes in the 12-plan starting from 2012.
They would be ‘Hari Singh Fellowship’ for new officers and ‘SK Fellowship’ and ‘C. Ranganath Fellowship’ for officials in different levels in the cadre.
Under Hari Singh Fellowship, officials found to be having extraordinary interest and aptitude for wildlife, would be selected for specialised training at the Wildlife Institute of India.
“The aim of this fellowship is to catch them young, because once they join administrative work and other duties; it becomes difficult to go back to study,” Kumar said.
For the mid-career officers have food field knowledge, the ministry will have SK Fellowship for specialisation in any forestry disciplines. In C. Ranganath fellowship, the ministry will support the selected officers with grants for liberal travel, equipment, to engage research assistance and travel abroad to study abroad.
source-Hindustan Times
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Needed: wildlife rescue centre at Chandrapur
Story/place-CHANDRAPUR.
Aug 23,
The absence of a proper facility where stressed and injured animals rescued from the wild could be treated was once again felt after an ailing tigress died of prolonged illness and senility in Tadoba-Andhari (TATR) a few days back.
Despite the recommendation of (NTCA) to shift the tigress to a suitable facility where constant attention of a veterinary officer would be available, officials failed to find such place for the critically ailing beast anywhere in Vidarbha.
The ailing tigress, named Zarina, was kept in TATR and was treated by a team of veterinary doctors from Chandrapur. A team comprising expert wildlifers monitored her condition. Zarina stayed in the small squeeze cage for one-and-a-half months. After examining the condition of the tigress during treatment, the NTCA team had ruled out her release into the wild.
But she needed to be shifted to a place where constant attention of a veterinary officer was available. Her weak health was a constraint for long journey. The authorities looked for facilities like Maharajbagh Zoo, Seminary Hills in Nagpur and in Chandrapur, but none was found suitable. A written statement issued by TATR said Maharajbagh zoo was unable to receive Zarina because of restriction under zoo regulations and inadequate veterinary care facility. Absence of suitable enclosure, vicinity to children's park and residential area were constraints for shifting her to Rambagh area in Chandrapur. Even Seminary Hills at Nagpur did not have suitable enclosure and has high disturbance level.
Thus, all three locations were ruled out and Zarina was kept in a small squeeze cage and treated in TATR. "We have strongly recommended establishment of wildlife rescue centre in district in our report forwarded to NTCA. Man-animal conflict in Chandrapur district is high and the case of Zarina was not the first one. Hence, a permanent facility is badly needed in Chandrapur," said member of NTCA team and senior conservationist Kishor Rithe. He claimed that such a facility would also provide employment to over two dozen local people.
Rithe, however, lamented the lack of political will in building of such a facility. "When it is some other developmental issue, politicians are hyperactive in pushing the project. However, when it comes to wildlife protection, politicians are least interested," said Rithe. He appealed to the MLAs and MP in the district to take up the issue.
Notably, the issue of building rescue centre for wildlife in Chandrapur in pending since 2008. More than two dozen predators, including many tiger cubs, were captured in forests of Chandrapur and shifted either to Maharajbagh zoo in Nagpur and elsewhere during last two and half years.
Former forest minister had assured then in legislative assembly to build a wildlife rescue centre during winter session of 2008. It is almost two years now, but the forest department has failed to build the facility so far.
Chandrapur forest circle has forwarded a proposal to build a wildlife rescue centre here a couple of months back. CF, Chandrapur circle, GRK Rao agreed that there is a proposal of building a wildlife rescue centre in Chandrapur.
"We have marked a land aside here for the rescue centre. The facility will have large enclosures and other amenities to treat and nurse at least eight wild animals at once. The proposal has been forwarded office and its clearance is awaited
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
SOURCED BY JIMSJUNGLERETREAT.COM
Aug 23,
The absence of a proper facility where stressed and injured animals rescued from the wild could be treated was once again felt after an ailing tigress died of prolonged illness and senility in Tadoba-Andhari (TATR) a few days back.
Despite the recommendation of (NTCA) to shift the tigress to a suitable facility where constant attention of a veterinary officer would be available, officials failed to find such place for the critically ailing beast anywhere in Vidarbha.
The ailing tigress, named Zarina, was kept in TATR and was treated by a team of veterinary doctors from Chandrapur. A team comprising expert wildlifers monitored her condition. Zarina stayed in the small squeeze cage for one-and-a-half months. After examining the condition of the tigress during treatment, the NTCA team had ruled out her release into the wild.
But she needed to be shifted to a place where constant attention of a veterinary officer was available. Her weak health was a constraint for long journey. The authorities looked for facilities like Maharajbagh Zoo, Seminary Hills in Nagpur and in Chandrapur, but none was found suitable. A written statement issued by TATR said Maharajbagh zoo was unable to receive Zarina because of restriction under zoo regulations and inadequate veterinary care facility. Absence of suitable enclosure, vicinity to children's park and residential area were constraints for shifting her to Rambagh area in Chandrapur. Even Seminary Hills at Nagpur did not have suitable enclosure and has high disturbance level.
Thus, all three locations were ruled out and Zarina was kept in a small squeeze cage and treated in TATR. "We have strongly recommended establishment of wildlife rescue centre in district in our report forwarded to NTCA. Man-animal conflict in Chandrapur district is high and the case of Zarina was not the first one. Hence, a permanent facility is badly needed in Chandrapur," said member of NTCA team and senior conservationist Kishor Rithe. He claimed that such a facility would also provide employment to over two dozen local people.
Rithe, however, lamented the lack of political will in building of such a facility. "When it is some other developmental issue, politicians are hyperactive in pushing the project. However, when it comes to wildlife protection, politicians are least interested," said Rithe. He appealed to the MLAs and MP in the district to take up the issue.
Notably, the issue of building rescue centre for wildlife in Chandrapur in pending since 2008. More than two dozen predators, including many tiger cubs, were captured in forests of Chandrapur and shifted either to Maharajbagh zoo in Nagpur and elsewhere during last two and half years.
Former forest minister had assured then in legislative assembly to build a wildlife rescue centre during winter session of 2008. It is almost two years now, but the forest department has failed to build the facility so far.
Chandrapur forest circle has forwarded a proposal to build a wildlife rescue centre here a couple of months back. CF, Chandrapur circle, GRK Rao agreed that there is a proposal of building a wildlife rescue centre in Chandrapur.
"We have marked a land aside here for the rescue centre. The facility will have large enclosures and other amenities to treat and nurse at least eight wild animals at once. The proposal has been forwarded office and its clearance is awaited
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
SOURCED BY JIMSJUNGLERETREAT.COM
Second leopard captured on Tirumala footpath
Story/place-Andhra Pradesh
August 23, 2010
After a wait of over four weeks, wildlife authorities captured the second leopard that had been causing panic in Tirumala in the early hours of Monday.
The leopard landed itself in one of the traps set up by the authorities in the vicinity of the Gali Gopuram. The trap was laid with a dog as live bait.
A couple of days ago, the animal — which had been stalking devotees along the footpath to the temple — gave forest personnel the slip when it went into the fenced area
Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) deer park, halfway on the footpath, by clinging on to the swaying branches of bordering trees. It vanished in the dark after the on-duty forest personnel scared it away.
Following the capture of the leopard, wildlife authorities shifted it to the S.V. Zoo Park at Tirupati after giving it a tranquilliser shot.
chief conservator of forests (Tirupati Wildlife Management Circle) P. Mallikarjuna Rao said a final decision regarding the relocation of the animal would be taken after doctors completed the required medical tests.
‘Continue restrictions'
Though the ‘trapping' operations had stopped with the leopard's capture, Mr. Rao said the TTD should continue restrictions on the trekking hours of pilgrims during the night so as to facilitate the free movement and breeding of nocturnal animals.
Mr. Rao emphasised the need to shift the deer park to another place.
Asked whether the captured leopard was the same one that was suspected to be on the prowl on the footpath, he said the screening tests vis-à-vis the matching of the pug marks, gender and age were in progress.
source-thehindu.com
sourced by: jimsjungleretreat.com
August 23, 2010
After a wait of over four weeks, wildlife authorities captured the second leopard that had been causing panic in Tirumala in the early hours of Monday.
The leopard landed itself in one of the traps set up by the authorities in the vicinity of the Gali Gopuram. The trap was laid with a dog as live bait.
A couple of days ago, the animal — which had been stalking devotees along the footpath to the temple — gave forest personnel the slip when it went into the fenced area
Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) deer park, halfway on the footpath, by clinging on to the swaying branches of bordering trees. It vanished in the dark after the on-duty forest personnel scared it away.
Following the capture of the leopard, wildlife authorities shifted it to the S.V. Zoo Park at Tirupati after giving it a tranquilliser shot.
chief conservator of forests (Tirupati Wildlife Management Circle) P. Mallikarjuna Rao said a final decision regarding the relocation of the animal would be taken after doctors completed the required medical tests.
‘Continue restrictions'
Though the ‘trapping' operations had stopped with the leopard's capture, Mr. Rao said the TTD should continue restrictions on the trekking hours of pilgrims during the night so as to facilitate the free movement and breeding of nocturnal animals.
Mr. Rao emphasised the need to shift the deer park to another place.
Asked whether the captured leopard was the same one that was suspected to be on the prowl on the footpath, he said the screening tests vis-à-vis the matching of the pug marks, gender and age were in progress.
source-thehindu.com
sourced by: jimsjungleretreat.com
Friday, August 20, 2010
2 held with cobra venom worth Rs 20 lakh
Story/place-New Delhi.
New Delhi:
Two elderly persons were arrested in the city for allegedly possessing 285 grams of King Cobra venom, which is valued at over Rs 20 lakh in the international market. Anil Jain (65), a mechanical engineer, and Mudhasu Vaker Rao (56) were apprehended from Northwest Delhi’s Kewal Park on Saturday on the basis of a tip-off, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northwest) N S Bundela said.
Two plastic bottles of the venom were recovered, the police said. A case under relevant sections of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 was registered against them.
“They were arrested following investigations after information was received about their involvement in illegal wildlife trade. We came to know that they were coming to Kewal Park area to sell the venom,” he said.
DCP Bundela said during interrogation, the accused told the police that one Harish supplied the venom to them, and they planned to sell it at a higher rate. “They also informed us that the third accused, Harish, promised to pay Rs 20 lakh if they could find a party to buy it,” he said. Efforts are on to arrest Harish, who is absconding.
Rao, an Indore resident, is into seed processing while Jain, a Jalandhar resident, is in the business of liaisioning work.
High-value poison
USE: Venom from poisonous snakes like the cobra are used to create antivenom for their bites. It is also used for making certain medicines and are expensive.
PROCESS: Injected with the venom, animals undergo an immune response, producing antibodies against the venom’s active molecule which can then be harvested from the animal’s blood to treat their poison.
source-indianexpress.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
New Delhi:
Two elderly persons were arrested in the city for allegedly possessing 285 grams of King Cobra venom, which is valued at over Rs 20 lakh in the international market. Anil Jain (65), a mechanical engineer, and Mudhasu Vaker Rao (56) were apprehended from Northwest Delhi’s Kewal Park on Saturday on the basis of a tip-off, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northwest) N S Bundela said.
Two plastic bottles of the venom were recovered, the police said. A case under relevant sections of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 was registered against them.
“They were arrested following investigations after information was received about their involvement in illegal wildlife trade. We came to know that they were coming to Kewal Park area to sell the venom,” he said.
DCP Bundela said during interrogation, the accused told the police that one Harish supplied the venom to them, and they planned to sell it at a higher rate. “They also informed us that the third accused, Harish, promised to pay Rs 20 lakh if they could find a party to buy it,” he said. Efforts are on to arrest Harish, who is absconding.
Rao, an Indore resident, is into seed processing while Jain, a Jalandhar resident, is in the business of liaisioning work.
High-value poison
USE: Venom from poisonous snakes like the cobra are used to create antivenom for their bites. It is also used for making certain medicines and are expensive.
PROCESS: Injected with the venom, animals undergo an immune response, producing antibodies against the venom’s active molecule which can then be harvested from the animal’s blood to treat their poison.
source-indianexpress.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
three held for killing elephant; two tusks seized
Story/place- Tamil Nadu
Mon, Aug 9 11:40 PM
Krishnagiri (TN), Aug 9
Three members of an elephant poaching gang were arrested and two tusks seized from them here today. The three had killed a male elephant a few days ago in the Anchetty forest range and removed the tusks, District Forest Officer A K Ulaganathan said adding a search was on for another member of the gang.
Raman, Kotharaj and Basavappa of Vannathupatti village in Anchetty forest range were arrested following investigations by a special team formed after the carcass of a male elephant was found a couple of days ago by forest personnel on a regular patrol near Pannikizhakku Reserved forest in Anchetty. Based on information given by them, forest department officials unearthed two tusks which were buried in a remote area of their village.
Both the tusks measured 150 cms in length and 37 cms in girth with a total weight of 25 kgs, Ulaganathan said.
source-in.news.yahoo.com
sourced by - jimsjungleretreat.com
Mon, Aug 9 11:40 PM
Krishnagiri (TN), Aug 9
Three members of an elephant poaching gang were arrested and two tusks seized from them here today. The three had killed a male elephant a few days ago in the Anchetty forest range and removed the tusks, District Forest Officer A K Ulaganathan said adding a search was on for another member of the gang.
Raman, Kotharaj and Basavappa of Vannathupatti village in Anchetty forest range were arrested following investigations by a special team formed after the carcass of a male elephant was found a couple of days ago by forest personnel on a regular patrol near Pannikizhakku Reserved forest in Anchetty. Based on information given by them, forest department officials unearthed two tusks which were buried in a remote area of their village.
Both the tusks measured 150 cms in length and 37 cms in girth with a total weight of 25 kgs, Ulaganathan said.
source-in.news.yahoo.com
sourced by - jimsjungleretreat.com
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Wildlife board okays community conservation reserves.
Story/place-bangalore
Aug 12, 2010,
BANGALORE: State Board for has cleared the formation of a three-community conservation reserve and has agreed to declare Rangayana Durga near Davangere as a wildlife sanctuary.
The board, which met in the city on Wednesday under the aegis of Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, has also given its consent for construction of residential quarters for lower-level staff on the fringes of wildlife sanctuaries.
Yeddyurappa also gave his consent to extend Rs 1 lakh ex-gratia for temporary staff retiring as forest watchers and guards, as they were deprived of other retirment benefits. This would be drawn from the fund.
However, the decision to declare Kapathgudda and Chincholi as wildlife sanctuaries was deferred.
FOREST OFFICIALS TAKEN TO TASK: The forest department officials came under fire by the chief minister when some MLAs had opposed the proposal to form community conservation reserves at Aghanashini, Bedthi and Dandeli Hornbill. The MLAs mistook the proposal as formation of sanctuaries and felt that people would not be allowed entry into the areas.
However, ex-officio members of the board came to the rescue of the officials and explained to the chief minister that gram panchayats in the areas surrounding these reserves would join hands with the forest department to protect teh region. This initiative was different from the formation of sanctuaries. Following this, the proposal was given the green signal.
RANGAYYANA DURGA: A go-ahead was also given to the setting up of a windmill in the Rangayana Durga wildlif sanctuary. The region has a rich antelope population. Hence, the windmill project was being opposed by forest secretary and the locals. However, officials said that the opposition was politically motivated, and the project was cleared.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sorced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Aug 12, 2010,
BANGALORE: State Board for has cleared the formation of a three-community conservation reserve and has agreed to declare Rangayana Durga near Davangere as a wildlife sanctuary.
The board, which met in the city on Wednesday under the aegis of Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, has also given its consent for construction of residential quarters for lower-level staff on the fringes of wildlife sanctuaries.
Yeddyurappa also gave his consent to extend Rs 1 lakh ex-gratia for temporary staff retiring as forest watchers and guards, as they were deprived of other retirment benefits. This would be drawn from the fund.
However, the decision to declare Kapathgudda and Chincholi as wildlife sanctuaries was deferred.
FOREST OFFICIALS TAKEN TO TASK: The forest department officials came under fire by the chief minister when some MLAs had opposed the proposal to form community conservation reserves at Aghanashini, Bedthi and Dandeli Hornbill. The MLAs mistook the proposal as formation of sanctuaries and felt that people would not be allowed entry into the areas.
However, ex-officio members of the board came to the rescue of the officials and explained to the chief minister that gram panchayats in the areas surrounding these reserves would join hands with the forest department to protect teh region. This initiative was different from the formation of sanctuaries. Following this, the proposal was given the green signal.
RANGAYYANA DURGA: A go-ahead was also given to the setting up of a windmill in the Rangayana Durga wildlif sanctuary. The region has a rich antelope population. Hence, the windmill project was being opposed by forest secretary and the locals. However, officials said that the opposition was politically motivated, and the project was cleared.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sorced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Puma skin found in parcel sent by post from U.S
Story/place-kolkata.
August 16, 2010
It is an endangered species; illegal to indulge in its trade
It was labelled as a rug, being sent from the United States to India through the U.S. Postal Service. But when the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) officials opened the parcel at Kolkata's Foreign Post Office on August 7 they discovered the full skin of what is suspected to be a puma.
The puma, otherwise known as a mountain cat or cougar, is native to North America. It is an endangered species and falls under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which makes it illegal to indulge in international trade of specimens or animal parts.
“Initially, we thought it might be a lynx, which is an Appendix II animal. We thought the sender might have just forgotten to include his CITES permission document,” said Rina Mitra, additional director of the WCCB.
Trade in a species listed in Appendix II is not completely banned, but is only allowed under strict regulation. “But then we did further testing and discovered that it seems to be the skin of a puma, which is an Appendix I animal.”
Since the parcel had been declared as a “rug”, it was clear that this was a deliberate effort to sneak the skin into the country illegally, she said.
The WCCB officials had conducted the special operation after receiving a tip off that parts of a big cat were being transported through post.
“Over the last two years, we have been seeing a lot more consignments of illegal wildlife trade in the postal services,” said Ms. Mitra, adding that while most of the illegal trade through the post was of wildlife parts being smuggled out of the country, this was the first big seizure of an inbound parcel.
source-thehindu.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
August 16, 2010
It is an endangered species; illegal to indulge in its trade
It was labelled as a rug, being sent from the United States to India through the U.S. Postal Service. But when the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) officials opened the parcel at Kolkata's Foreign Post Office on August 7 they discovered the full skin of what is suspected to be a puma.
The puma, otherwise known as a mountain cat or cougar, is native to North America. It is an endangered species and falls under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which makes it illegal to indulge in international trade of specimens or animal parts.
“Initially, we thought it might be a lynx, which is an Appendix II animal. We thought the sender might have just forgotten to include his CITES permission document,” said Rina Mitra, additional director of the WCCB.
Trade in a species listed in Appendix II is not completely banned, but is only allowed under strict regulation. “But then we did further testing and discovered that it seems to be the skin of a puma, which is an Appendix I animal.”
Since the parcel had been declared as a “rug”, it was clear that this was a deliberate effort to sneak the skin into the country illegally, she said.
The WCCB officials had conducted the special operation after receiving a tip off that parts of a big cat were being transported through post.
“Over the last two years, we have been seeing a lot more consignments of illegal wildlife trade in the postal services,” said Ms. Mitra, adding that while most of the illegal trade through the post was of wildlife parts being smuggled out of the country, this was the first big seizure of an inbound parcel.
source-thehindu.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
cull ordes on wild boarsmir ayoob ali
story/place-hyderabad
Aug 16, 2010
HYDERABAD: Buckling under pressure from farmer lobbies, the chief wildlife warden (CWW) has authorized divisional forest officers (DFOs) to kill the wild boar, a commonly found animal in the wild that is accused of destroying crops.
The permission granted last week is perhaps the first of its kind in AP for culling a wild animal. The order issued by CWW also says that the DFOs could assign the job of culling wild boars to hunters and others. Though the CWW has put certain conditions for the killing of the animal, wildlife experts believe that since the authorization is for the entire state and transferable to hunters, the possibility of its misuse becomes huge.
A wild boar which belongs to the Suidae biological family, that also includes domestic pigs, is known for rampaging agricultural and horticultural crops. In some cases, the animal has also attacked and killed humans. The nocturnal animal roves in groups of about 20 and with its pair of sharp extended canines could dig up ground to extract tubers and roots. It mostly eats nuts, berries, carrion, refuse, insects, small reptiles, etc. The districts of Chittoor, Anantapur, Kurnool, Adilabad, Mahbubnagar, and West Godavari are affected by wild boar forays. Farmers have been killing wild boars by setting up snares and fencing of fields by live electrical wires.
According to sources, reports of crop damage by wild boars first came from Chittoor, the home district of minister for forest and environment Ramchandra Reddy, about six months ago. It was claimed that the wild boars have eaten away nearly two third of the groundnut seedlings in the district. The Chittoor district DFO was given permission to deal suitably to what was termed as wild boar menace. Soon after, the CWW was told that the problem is not restricted to Chittoor alone and he should therefore include the entire state in his order. Faced with an unprecedented situation, CWW Hitesh Malhotra reportedly sought direction from the government which quickly responded that since the problem is widespread he should give orders to all his field officers to cull the animal.
According to wildlife experts, the order should not have been so sweeping in nature. The government should have asked the department to deal with the wild boar problem on a case-by-case basis. There are certain districts from where no complaint of wild boar attack has been reported. Though the CWW has struck a few notes of caution in his orders such as the presence of a range officer during the culling of the animal by hunters, declaring the dead animal property of the government and burying the body three feet under the ground, experts believe that such guidelines are not practical. The DFO would not be able to spare a range officer (RO) on every wild boar hunting expedition and even if the RO is assigned the job he would not be able to keep a tab on the hunters. The hunters could be killing many animals but claiming that they have hunted only a few of them.
Experts believe that the permission would lead to massacre of wild boars. However, defending the decision a forest department officer said that it has been given only on an experimental basis. The forest department would review the situation next year and decide the future course of action. But it is anybody's guess how many wild boars will be gone for ever till then.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Aug 16, 2010
HYDERABAD: Buckling under pressure from farmer lobbies, the chief wildlife warden (CWW) has authorized divisional forest officers (DFOs) to kill the wild boar, a commonly found animal in the wild that is accused of destroying crops.
The permission granted last week is perhaps the first of its kind in AP for culling a wild animal. The order issued by CWW also says that the DFOs could assign the job of culling wild boars to hunters and others. Though the CWW has put certain conditions for the killing of the animal, wildlife experts believe that since the authorization is for the entire state and transferable to hunters, the possibility of its misuse becomes huge.
A wild boar which belongs to the Suidae biological family, that also includes domestic pigs, is known for rampaging agricultural and horticultural crops. In some cases, the animal has also attacked and killed humans. The nocturnal animal roves in groups of about 20 and with its pair of sharp extended canines could dig up ground to extract tubers and roots. It mostly eats nuts, berries, carrion, refuse, insects, small reptiles, etc. The districts of Chittoor, Anantapur, Kurnool, Adilabad, Mahbubnagar, and West Godavari are affected by wild boar forays. Farmers have been killing wild boars by setting up snares and fencing of fields by live electrical wires.
According to sources, reports of crop damage by wild boars first came from Chittoor, the home district of minister for forest and environment Ramchandra Reddy, about six months ago. It was claimed that the wild boars have eaten away nearly two third of the groundnut seedlings in the district. The Chittoor district DFO was given permission to deal suitably to what was termed as wild boar menace. Soon after, the CWW was told that the problem is not restricted to Chittoor alone and he should therefore include the entire state in his order. Faced with an unprecedented situation, CWW Hitesh Malhotra reportedly sought direction from the government which quickly responded that since the problem is widespread he should give orders to all his field officers to cull the animal.
According to wildlife experts, the order should not have been so sweeping in nature. The government should have asked the department to deal with the wild boar problem on a case-by-case basis. There are certain districts from where no complaint of wild boar attack has been reported. Though the CWW has struck a few notes of caution in his orders such as the presence of a range officer during the culling of the animal by hunters, declaring the dead animal property of the government and burying the body three feet under the ground, experts believe that such guidelines are not practical. The DFO would not be able to spare a range officer (RO) on every wild boar hunting expedition and even if the RO is assigned the job he would not be able to keep a tab on the hunters. The hunters could be killing many animals but claiming that they have hunted only a few of them.
Experts believe that the permission would lead to massacre of wild boars. However, defending the decision a forest department officer said that it has been given only on an experimental basis. The forest department would review the situation next year and decide the future course of action. But it is anybody's guess how many wild boars will be gone for ever till then.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Monday, August 9, 2010
stop patrolling by tourists in tiger reserves Madhya Pradesh
Story/place-madhya pradesh
09 2010.
The Union Environment and Forests Ministry has asked Madhya Pradesh to immediately withdraw its order, allowing tourists to patrol tiger reserves.
In a letter to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said he was “shocked” by the order. “This goes against the spirit of the Wildlife Protection Act. Poachers in the garb of tourists may find out about sensitive routes,” Ramesh said in the letter. Pointing to the death a tigress that was run over by a tourist in Bandhavgarh recently, Ramesh emphasised that “field patrolling is a specialised job”.
MP had passed an order, stating that for a fee tourists should be allowed to walk and patrol in tiger reserves. Up to four tourists above the age of 14 can be part of one patrolling party. This despite a 2006 amendment to the Wildlife Protection Act stating that core areas within tiger reserves have to be left inviolate.
source-indianexpress.com
source by jimsjungleretreat.com
09 2010.
The Union Environment and Forests Ministry has asked Madhya Pradesh to immediately withdraw its order, allowing tourists to patrol tiger reserves.
In a letter to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said he was “shocked” by the order. “This goes against the spirit of the Wildlife Protection Act. Poachers in the garb of tourists may find out about sensitive routes,” Ramesh said in the letter. Pointing to the death a tigress that was run over by a tourist in Bandhavgarh recently, Ramesh emphasised that “field patrolling is a specialised job”.
MP had passed an order, stating that for a fee tourists should be allowed to walk and patrol in tiger reserves. Up to four tourists above the age of 14 can be part of one patrolling party. This despite a 2006 amendment to the Wildlife Protection Act stating that core areas within tiger reserves have to be left inviolate.
source-indianexpress.com
source by jimsjungleretreat.com
Illegal capture of a leopard near Gurgaon.
story/place. Aravallis,near gurgaon
Aug 6, 2010, recent incident last month in the Aravallis, near Gurgaon, where a leopard ate the pet dog of a farmhouse owner, typifies everything about the big cat. And the illegal capture and brouhaha that followed typifies everything about public attitude regarding the animal.
This much is clear: leopards commonly come to human habitations (in this case, even if a couple of kilometres from Gurgaon), their favourite prey is dogs (as amply highlighted in Jim Corbett's writings), they are not inclined to kill people, and, they are extremely adaptable (which is why they occur from the tree-line to dry forests and why their numbers have not dwindled despite hundreds being killed for illegal wildlife trade). That they are given to hanging around human settlements unobtrusively was illustrated here as well — although the mother was with two cubs and an adult, they drew little attention until she picked on a prized pet.
Our own reaction always is one of misplaced panic; people almost always equate any leopard with a man-eater, which, therefore must be put down or removed. Actually this reaction only worsens the otherwise harmless situation.
In Maharashtra, where high densities of leopards (9 in 100 sqkm) live among population densities of more than 300 people per sqkm in rich irrigated cropland, shows that the cats are not at all inclined to attack people although they routinely visit houses to take dogs and goats. But as was the case in Gurgaon, even across the country, leopards are routinely picked up from where we do not want them and released in forested areas without any thought to the consequence of our actions.
Such animals normally home back and can travel upto 50km in a week. One leopard, Ajoba, around five years old, walked 120km from the Malshej Ghats to Mumbai, crossing a railway line and the Mumbai-Agra highway and taking 25 days to make this long journey. He also went into the populated Vasai Industrial estate, tracked down because of his GPS collar, but no attacks were reported though he fed on the stray dogs there.
Mumbai has forests at its northern edges, which are home to leopards. These are also the reservoirs of drinking water that Mumbai is dependent on and because of the mushrooming buildings around the forests, there is constant public pressure on the forest department to trap the animals even if only sighted. Earlier, each year, around 20 leopards used to be trapped, mostly around the edges of the forests and released in the core areas of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. We saw, that around the same time, a large number of attacks on people was reported, mostly near release sites. Leopards let loose in unfamiliar territory try and home back and in their stressed, hungry state, probably go for the easiest prey in the crowded areas they pass — children. These attacks further the chain reaction, and more and more leopards are trapped as people panic and these are again released elsewhere, packed off to zoos or at worst, declared man-eaters and killed.
To end this meaningless spiral and check casualties, we have to make sure that these arbitrary captures and releases stop. If we leave leopards undisturbed, they continue to use a very small area — around 20sqkm — and are not inclined to cause harm to humans. In fact, a mother teaches her cubs for more than a year how to avoid people, how to hunt even if they are living in a human-dominated landscape. It is important that the mother is not taken away at this point. This lesson ought to have been learnt from a recent episode in Corbett. Months after a tigress was killed by hunters, the inexperienced and untrained cub began frequenting villages for goats, endangering himself and attacking those who came in his way.
That is not to say that leopards can be welcomed in our midst. As those who share their living space with wildlife say, the best approach is maintaining respect and distance: ensuring that one keeps out of the animal's way.
How do we do that? Building high fences does not help, as these animals are extremely agile. Moreover, high walls may stop leopards from escaping when confronted by people and thus force them to attack in self-defence. We have to remember that leopards are as scared of us as we are of them. The first response of a leopard when it realizes that people are around is to hide and flee. It attacks in panic when it finds itself surrounded or cornered. The best way to deal with a chance encounter with a leopard is to allow the animal a little space and time.
Of course, nothing like it if one can avoid a chance encounter in the first place. The trick is to ensure that one does not surprise a leopard. For example, if one is going out in the night, one should announce one's presence by talking or singing loudly.
A few other simple measures also help. As evident in the Gurgaon case, stray dogs are an invite to the leopard. Dogs, goats and calves must be driven into secure enclosures well before nightfall. Ideally, enclosures must be some distance from homes, as leopards will venture close and will stop visiting only when they realize no food is available. If meat is to be disposed of, especially from kitchens that feed many, it must be covered adequately and thrown far away from the home.
A little mutual respect and common sense will go a long way to reduce conflict and save lives on both sides.
The writer is a wildlife biologist and heads Project Waghoba, a research effort to study the man-animal conflict situation in Maharashtra.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Aug 6, 2010, recent incident last month in the Aravallis, near Gurgaon, where a leopard ate the pet dog of a farmhouse owner, typifies everything about the big cat. And the illegal capture and brouhaha that followed typifies everything about public attitude regarding the animal.
This much is clear: leopards commonly come to human habitations (in this case, even if a couple of kilometres from Gurgaon), their favourite prey is dogs (as amply highlighted in Jim Corbett's writings), they are not inclined to kill people, and, they are extremely adaptable (which is why they occur from the tree-line to dry forests and why their numbers have not dwindled despite hundreds being killed for illegal wildlife trade). That they are given to hanging around human settlements unobtrusively was illustrated here as well — although the mother was with two cubs and an adult, they drew little attention until she picked on a prized pet.
Our own reaction always is one of misplaced panic; people almost always equate any leopard with a man-eater, which, therefore must be put down or removed. Actually this reaction only worsens the otherwise harmless situation.
In Maharashtra, where high densities of leopards (9 in 100 sqkm) live among population densities of more than 300 people per sqkm in rich irrigated cropland, shows that the cats are not at all inclined to attack people although they routinely visit houses to take dogs and goats. But as was the case in Gurgaon, even across the country, leopards are routinely picked up from where we do not want them and released in forested areas without any thought to the consequence of our actions.
Such animals normally home back and can travel upto 50km in a week. One leopard, Ajoba, around five years old, walked 120km from the Malshej Ghats to Mumbai, crossing a railway line and the Mumbai-Agra highway and taking 25 days to make this long journey. He also went into the populated Vasai Industrial estate, tracked down because of his GPS collar, but no attacks were reported though he fed on the stray dogs there.
Mumbai has forests at its northern edges, which are home to leopards. These are also the reservoirs of drinking water that Mumbai is dependent on and because of the mushrooming buildings around the forests, there is constant public pressure on the forest department to trap the animals even if only sighted. Earlier, each year, around 20 leopards used to be trapped, mostly around the edges of the forests and released in the core areas of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. We saw, that around the same time, a large number of attacks on people was reported, mostly near release sites. Leopards let loose in unfamiliar territory try and home back and in their stressed, hungry state, probably go for the easiest prey in the crowded areas they pass — children. These attacks further the chain reaction, and more and more leopards are trapped as people panic and these are again released elsewhere, packed off to zoos or at worst, declared man-eaters and killed.
To end this meaningless spiral and check casualties, we have to make sure that these arbitrary captures and releases stop. If we leave leopards undisturbed, they continue to use a very small area — around 20sqkm — and are not inclined to cause harm to humans. In fact, a mother teaches her cubs for more than a year how to avoid people, how to hunt even if they are living in a human-dominated landscape. It is important that the mother is not taken away at this point. This lesson ought to have been learnt from a recent episode in Corbett. Months after a tigress was killed by hunters, the inexperienced and untrained cub began frequenting villages for goats, endangering himself and attacking those who came in his way.
That is not to say that leopards can be welcomed in our midst. As those who share their living space with wildlife say, the best approach is maintaining respect and distance: ensuring that one keeps out of the animal's way.
How do we do that? Building high fences does not help, as these animals are extremely agile. Moreover, high walls may stop leopards from escaping when confronted by people and thus force them to attack in self-defence. We have to remember that leopards are as scared of us as we are of them. The first response of a leopard when it realizes that people are around is to hide and flee. It attacks in panic when it finds itself surrounded or cornered. The best way to deal with a chance encounter with a leopard is to allow the animal a little space and time.
Of course, nothing like it if one can avoid a chance encounter in the first place. The trick is to ensure that one does not surprise a leopard. For example, if one is going out in the night, one should announce one's presence by talking or singing loudly.
A few other simple measures also help. As evident in the Gurgaon case, stray dogs are an invite to the leopard. Dogs, goats and calves must be driven into secure enclosures well before nightfall. Ideally, enclosures must be some distance from homes, as leopards will venture close and will stop visiting only when they realize no food is available. If meat is to be disposed of, especially from kitchens that feed many, it must be covered adequately and thrown far away from the home.
A little mutual respect and common sense will go a long way to reduce conflict and save lives on both sides.
The writer is a wildlife biologist and heads Project Waghoba, a research effort to study the man-animal conflict situation in Maharashtra.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Thursday, August 5, 2010
india,nepal agreement on wildlife conservation
story/place-new delhi
July 30, 2010
India and Nepal have agreed to strengthen their respective National Action Plans under the Global Tiger Forum for tiger conservation in a time-bound implementation.
The resolution is the outcome of the Fourth Nepal-India Consultative meeting on Trans-Boundary Biodiversity Conservation held earlier this month.
As per the resolution, the two countries will strengthen the capacity building of the personnel involved in tiger and wildlife conservation and protection under the Forum. The implementation of projects for rhinos, elephants and other endangered species will also be strengthened.
The resolution signed on Thursday further focuses on establishing a joint monitoring arrangement using standardised protocols in selected landscapes and ensuring reciprocal actions, including restoration of corridors using voluntary relocation.
The two countries will explore funding opportunities to strengthen bilateral conservation efforts and develop institutional mechanism for regular monitoring, interaction and reporting at the field, regional and national levels.
The areas identified for bilateral cooperation are: Suklapthanta-Lagga Bagga-Piliphit; Bardia-Katerniaghat –Khata; Dudhwa-Dhangadhi-Laljhadi; Valmiki-Chitwan-Parsa; Banke-Suhelwa and Kosi Tappu.
It was also that diplomatic channels would be used, wherever necessary, to resolve problems and issues pertaining to trans-boundary biodiversity conservation.
source-thehindu.com
source by jimsjungleretreat.com
July 30, 2010
India and Nepal have agreed to strengthen their respective National Action Plans under the Global Tiger Forum for tiger conservation in a time-bound implementation.
The resolution is the outcome of the Fourth Nepal-India Consultative meeting on Trans-Boundary Biodiversity Conservation held earlier this month.
As per the resolution, the two countries will strengthen the capacity building of the personnel involved in tiger and wildlife conservation and protection under the Forum. The implementation of projects for rhinos, elephants and other endangered species will also be strengthened.
The resolution signed on Thursday further focuses on establishing a joint monitoring arrangement using standardised protocols in selected landscapes and ensuring reciprocal actions, including restoration of corridors using voluntary relocation.
The two countries will explore funding opportunities to strengthen bilateral conservation efforts and develop institutional mechanism for regular monitoring, interaction and reporting at the field, regional and national levels.
The areas identified for bilateral cooperation are: Suklapthanta-Lagga Bagga-Piliphit; Bardia-Katerniaghat –Khata; Dudhwa-Dhangadhi-Laljhadi; Valmiki-Chitwan-Parsa; Banke-Suhelwa and Kosi Tappu.
It was also that diplomatic channels would be used, wherever necessary, to resolve problems and issues pertaining to trans-boundary biodiversity conservation.
source-thehindu.com
source by jimsjungleretreat.com
Assam empowers Forest Department use Fire arms to protect its natural heritage
Story/Place-Assam
the Government of Assam has passed a notification to equip state Forest Department personnel with fire arms to ensure better protection to its forests and wildlife, particularly rhinos.
The order released by the Governor’s office, last month, indicates that the decision was taken to tackle mounting threats to forests and wildlife in protected areas and reserved forests. Its provisions apply to all forest officers from frontline staff to the seniormost members of the Department.
Forest authorities have often argued that under-equipped frontline staff are at a disadvantage when fighting against organised poaching gangs.
“We have been waiting for this order for a long time. When we approached the state Chief Minister Shri Tarun Gogoi and the state Forest Minister Shri Rockybul Hussain, they were very supportive and agreed on the need for this order, to help protect our wildlife,” said VK Bisnoi, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (General) and Head of Forest Force, Government of Assam.
The order also provides immunity to forest officials from prosecution without prior sanction, in case of firing incidents. However, suspect firing incidents will be investigated upon through a Majesterial Enquiry, and criminal proceedings can be initiated against erring officials if the use of fire arms is proven as “unnecessary, unwarranted and excessive”.
source-wildlifetrustofindia.org
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
the Government of Assam has passed a notification to equip state Forest Department personnel with fire arms to ensure better protection to its forests and wildlife, particularly rhinos.
The order released by the Governor’s office, last month, indicates that the decision was taken to tackle mounting threats to forests and wildlife in protected areas and reserved forests. Its provisions apply to all forest officers from frontline staff to the seniormost members of the Department.
Forest authorities have often argued that under-equipped frontline staff are at a disadvantage when fighting against organised poaching gangs.
“We have been waiting for this order for a long time. When we approached the state Chief Minister Shri Tarun Gogoi and the state Forest Minister Shri Rockybul Hussain, they were very supportive and agreed on the need for this order, to help protect our wildlife,” said VK Bisnoi, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (General) and Head of Forest Force, Government of Assam.
The order also provides immunity to forest officials from prosecution without prior sanction, in case of firing incidents. However, suspect firing incidents will be investigated upon through a Majesterial Enquiry, and criminal proceedings can be initiated against erring officials if the use of fire arms is proven as “unnecessary, unwarranted and excessive”.
source-wildlifetrustofindia.org
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
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