Story/place-Bangladesh
SRIMONGAL, Bangladesh — Sitesh Ranjan Deb says his transformation from hunter to conservationist was triggered 20 years ago when he was attacked by a Himalayan black bear while out stalking deer.
Sitesh, from northeastern Bangladesh, stumbled on the sleeping beast. It lashed out, severely damaging his face and one eye, and only emergency surgery saved his life.
During many long months of recovery, Sitesh decided to give up hunting -- his family's profession for generations -- in favour of saving ill and endangered animals.
He has since become the nation's leading conservationist, devoted to saving what remains of the Lawachara forest, a threatened national reserve near his home.
"I lost one eye in that attack, but it changed the way I wanted to relate to wildlife," he told AFP at his home in Srimongal, where he runs a renowned animal rescue centre.
"Many of the species I grew up with -- wild boars, leopards -- are hardly ever seen now. These animals are in their last days.
"Illegal logging has damaged the forest so much there is no food for the animals. Unless we act now, they'll be gone forever in a few years."
Sitesh, 62, nurses injured wild animals brought to him by villagers back to health and also appears regularly on television shows campaigning for better public attitudes towards wild animals.
If possible, he releases the animals back into the jungle, while others he keeps in his small zoo -- including two hand-raised Himalayan black bears after the mother was killed, a 5.5 metre (18 foot) python and a rare albino fishing cat.
Even Sitesh's family home is filled with animals, the more "difficult cases" which need 24-hour care. Two jungle cat cubs, a baby python and a badly-injured Slow Loris (a primate species) are currently in residence.
"So far, I've freed more than 1,000 animals and that's not counting 2,000 birds," he said, displaying photographs of many former patients.
For some animals, such as the two hand-reared two-year-old bears, who have lived with Sitesh since their mother was beaten to death by local villagers, his zoo may be their final home.
"I can't set the bears free as the jungles are no longer large enough to provide them with food and there are too many poachers," he said sadly, as he fed Rambo and Jumbo slices of pumpkin.
Some 200 kilometres (125 miles) northeast of the capital Dhaka, Lawachara forest was once home to more than 460 species of animal, according to the government.
But decades of illegal logging and human encroachment for farming mean only 1,250 hectares (five square miles) of forest now remain, and even there, the tree-cover is not dense enough to support many species.
Experts say it has shrunk by 90 percent as a three-fold increase in Bangladesh's population in the last four decades has taken its toll, turning previously dense forest into small islands surrounded by villages.
According to the local forest ranger, A.K.M Azharul Islam, well-organised illegal logging gangs are making it difficult for his team to protect the remaining forest.
"There are so many illegal loggers and they're armed with sophisticated weapons -- I've only got 18 men and we're mostly unarmed," he said. "In June, three forest rangers were beaten up and seriously injured by loggers."
Islam says Sitesh helps the forest rangers -- tipping them off with any intelligence about poachers or when villagers may be killing endangered wildlife.
"I've never seen anyone so dedicated to nursing wild animals, he helps us when animals are found hurt by illegal loggers or poachers," Islam said.
At Sitesh's mini-zoo, a baby python -- which he hand-raised on insects after workers found it in a tea plantation -- is ready to be released, and he carefully carries the three-foot-long snake deep into the remaining jungle.
Every time he frees an animal, he invites local politicians, journalists and forestry officials to draw attention to the plight of the forest and its inhabitants.
"To save these valuable gifts of nature, you don't need to go to anyone else for help. You just do it," he said, as he nonchalantly flipped the baby python away and watched it glide into the jungle.
source-google.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Drinking sewage water kills 10 Zoo Blackbucks
Story/place-New delhi
NEW DELHI: Ten blackbucks have died in the Delhi zoo after consuming sewage water that had flowed back into their enclosure due to a blockage in the sewer line. While zoo authorities are blaming floods in the Yamuna for the incident and claim things are now under control, sources claim the actual toll was around 18. All animals died due to intestinal infection.
The zoo has two blackbuck enclosures with about 70 animals in one and 65 in the other. The area is marred with several pools of stagnant water that appeared during the rains. The zoo has a direct pipe that leads to the Yamuna through which it disposes of its sewage. However, the line was reportedly blocked.
"Channel no. 15 has been blocked so all the waste water has been flowing back to the zoo. We lost six blackbucks on Sunday while four had died last week. The post mortem revealed intestinal infection and consequent haemorrhaging," said zoo director A K Agnihotri.
Agnihotri said the problem was restricted to the blackbuck enclosure and had occurred this year due to the massive amount of rainfall and flooding in the river. "We have been carrying out lime spraying in the affected areas. Delhi Jal Board has also set up pumps to drain out the water. Some other animals were also sick but they are being treated for infection," he added.
Sources also said that the sewer line was blocked due to work taking place in a trunk sewer. "The line from the zoo connects the main trunk sewer that was being rehabilitated. Because of that, it had to be kept completely dry and therefore the zoo's connection was blocked. It was rectified on Monday and the sewage is being disposed of now," said sources.
However, DJB officials said that the particular trunk sewer had been blocked for the past 10 years or so and the zoo had another line that was taking its sewage to the Yamuna directly. It was this line had got blocked, they said.
"The Ring Road sewer has been closed for the past 10 years and is now in the process of being rehabilitated. The zoo has been emptying its sewage directly into the river through a line that is not ours. However, they approached us when this problem cropped up during the monsoon season and we have set up pumps to drain out water," said an official.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
NEW DELHI: Ten blackbucks have died in the Delhi zoo after consuming sewage water that had flowed back into their enclosure due to a blockage in the sewer line. While zoo authorities are blaming floods in the Yamuna for the incident and claim things are now under control, sources claim the actual toll was around 18. All animals died due to intestinal infection.
The zoo has two blackbuck enclosures with about 70 animals in one and 65 in the other. The area is marred with several pools of stagnant water that appeared during the rains. The zoo has a direct pipe that leads to the Yamuna through which it disposes of its sewage. However, the line was reportedly blocked.
"Channel no. 15 has been blocked so all the waste water has been flowing back to the zoo. We lost six blackbucks on Sunday while four had died last week. The post mortem revealed intestinal infection and consequent haemorrhaging," said zoo director A K Agnihotri.
Agnihotri said the problem was restricted to the blackbuck enclosure and had occurred this year due to the massive amount of rainfall and flooding in the river. "We have been carrying out lime spraying in the affected areas. Delhi Jal Board has also set up pumps to drain out the water. Some other animals were also sick but they are being treated for infection," he added.
Sources also said that the sewer line was blocked due to work taking place in a trunk sewer. "The line from the zoo connects the main trunk sewer that was being rehabilitated. Because of that, it had to be kept completely dry and therefore the zoo's connection was blocked. It was rectified on Monday and the sewage is being disposed of now," said sources.
However, DJB officials said that the particular trunk sewer had been blocked for the past 10 years or so and the zoo had another line that was taking its sewage to the Yamuna directly. It was this line had got blocked, they said.
"The Ring Road sewer has been closed for the past 10 years and is now in the process of being rehabilitated. The zoo has been emptying its sewage directly into the river through a line that is not ours. However, they approached us when this problem cropped up during the monsoon season and we have set up pumps to drain out water," said an official.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Goods train mows downs 7 elephants
Story/place-West Bengal
JALPAIGURI: A goods train speeding at 70kmph through the Dooars, large tracts of which are a go-slow zone, ploughed into a herd of elephants on a clear, moonlit night, killing seven of them - the highest number of elephant deaths in a single railway accident in the country.
What became immediately clear within hours of the Wednesday 11.30pm accident was that the driver seemed to have done nothing to prevent such a high casualty - three adult females, two young elephants, an adult tusker and a calf. The accident spot is in the middle of tea gardens and there are no tall trees to obstruct vision. That, along with the fact that the moon was out, would make it very difficult to not spot the animals trudging down the tracks, foresters said.
The force of the impact, which took place 1.5km from Banerhat station in Jalpaiguri district, tossed five elephants off the tracks. The carcasses lay scattered in a 250-metre radius, with bones sticking out at grotesque angles and blood turning the tracks red. One of them had got entangled in the wheels, leaving the huge body broken and turning the flesh into a pulpy mass. For hours later, villagers could hear the death cries of the elephants.
Two of the animals, grievously injured, managed to limp off the tracks. In the morning, they were found a few hundred metres away, shivering, as they fought the agony of slow death. Both died by the time they were taken to Gorumara National Park and the Khuttimari range for treatment.
"This is murder and not an accident. Had the train maintained a controllable speed, the driver could have slammed the brakes after hitting the first elephant. Straightaway, six jumbos would have been saved. Strong steps should be taken against the driver and the railways," said Animesh Basu of the Himalayan Nature and Adventure Foundation.
The train, officials said, was travelling at 70kmph but the claim was disputed by some wildlife organizations, who said the speed was likely to be 90kmph if the damage was any indicator. The speed limit for trains in the Doors' protected zones is between 20kmph and 40kmph. The accident spot, however, isn't in that zone.
By the time five elephants had been cut down, an adult female turned around to charge the train, claimed forest officials. The driver panicked on seeing this, and instead of slamming on the brakes, revved the train. "The train hit the elephant at full impact, dragging it for nearly 300 metres. The body got so badly entangled in the wheels that the driver had to reverse to Banerhat station," said Subhas Chandra Ghosh, ranger, Binnaguri Wildlife Squad.
Like in earlier such cases, the railways refused to take blame. On Thursday, a railway official gave a technical explanation. "The accident occurred between two tea gardens, which is not a protected zone. There are no forests in the vicinity. We are supposed to maintain a speed limit only in protected zones," the official said.
The statement ignores the fact that elephants - unaware of administrative demarcations of forest and field - pass through the area regularly as they go from one forest tract to another. "In fact, there are two distinct elephant corridors in the zone. Only three months back, an elephant had been run over in a nearby garden. We had protested then as well, but the railways refused to learn a lesson," said Subhashish Ghosh, of the Dooars Nature Lovers' Association. The herd was crossing over to the Reti forest from the Moraghat jungle tract when the accident took place. The two forests are separated by two tea gardens - Moraghat and Binnaguri - and the NJP-Alipurduar tracks cut through the estates.
"We have lodged an FIR against the railways with Banerhat police station and have also lodged a complaint with the Malbazar RPF and GRP," said Kalyan Das, DFO, Jalpaiguri. According to sources, WWF has decided to file a case in Supreme Court to stop train movement on the NJP-Alipurduar Junction route.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
JALPAIGURI: A goods train speeding at 70kmph through the Dooars, large tracts of which are a go-slow zone, ploughed into a herd of elephants on a clear, moonlit night, killing seven of them - the highest number of elephant deaths in a single railway accident in the country.
What became immediately clear within hours of the Wednesday 11.30pm accident was that the driver seemed to have done nothing to prevent such a high casualty - three adult females, two young elephants, an adult tusker and a calf. The accident spot is in the middle of tea gardens and there are no tall trees to obstruct vision. That, along with the fact that the moon was out, would make it very difficult to not spot the animals trudging down the tracks, foresters said.
The force of the impact, which took place 1.5km from Banerhat station in Jalpaiguri district, tossed five elephants off the tracks. The carcasses lay scattered in a 250-metre radius, with bones sticking out at grotesque angles and blood turning the tracks red. One of them had got entangled in the wheels, leaving the huge body broken and turning the flesh into a pulpy mass. For hours later, villagers could hear the death cries of the elephants.
Two of the animals, grievously injured, managed to limp off the tracks. In the morning, they were found a few hundred metres away, shivering, as they fought the agony of slow death. Both died by the time they were taken to Gorumara National Park and the Khuttimari range for treatment.
"This is murder and not an accident. Had the train maintained a controllable speed, the driver could have slammed the brakes after hitting the first elephant. Straightaway, six jumbos would have been saved. Strong steps should be taken against the driver and the railways," said Animesh Basu of the Himalayan Nature and Adventure Foundation.
The train, officials said, was travelling at 70kmph but the claim was disputed by some wildlife organizations, who said the speed was likely to be 90kmph if the damage was any indicator. The speed limit for trains in the Doors' protected zones is between 20kmph and 40kmph. The accident spot, however, isn't in that zone.
By the time five elephants had been cut down, an adult female turned around to charge the train, claimed forest officials. The driver panicked on seeing this, and instead of slamming on the brakes, revved the train. "The train hit the elephant at full impact, dragging it for nearly 300 metres. The body got so badly entangled in the wheels that the driver had to reverse to Banerhat station," said Subhas Chandra Ghosh, ranger, Binnaguri Wildlife Squad.
Like in earlier such cases, the railways refused to take blame. On Thursday, a railway official gave a technical explanation. "The accident occurred between two tea gardens, which is not a protected zone. There are no forests in the vicinity. We are supposed to maintain a speed limit only in protected zones," the official said.
The statement ignores the fact that elephants - unaware of administrative demarcations of forest and field - pass through the area regularly as they go from one forest tract to another. "In fact, there are two distinct elephant corridors in the zone. Only three months back, an elephant had been run over in a nearby garden. We had protested then as well, but the railways refused to learn a lesson," said Subhashish Ghosh, of the Dooars Nature Lovers' Association. The herd was crossing over to the Reti forest from the Moraghat jungle tract when the accident took place. The two forests are separated by two tea gardens - Moraghat and Binnaguri - and the NJP-Alipurduar tracks cut through the estates.
"We have lodged an FIR against the railways with Banerhat police station and have also lodged a complaint with the Malbazar RPF and GRP," said Kalyan Das, DFO, Jalpaiguri. According to sources, WWF has decided to file a case in Supreme Court to stop train movement on the NJP-Alipurduar Junction route.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Tiger skin seized from post parcel at airport
Story/place-Chennai.
CHENNAI: In a first, air customs officers at airport on Friday seized a tiger skin sent from London as parcel.
The tiger skin was 8 feet long from head to tail and 6 feet wide from leg to leg. The body was 2.10 feet in width, said a customs press release.
The parcel was detained by the air intelligence unit of customs under suspicion that it might contain contraband. But it turned out to be a tiger skin when the parcel was opened. The parcel was addressed to a person in Chennai.
Wild Life Crime Control Bureau has confirmed that the skin and skull is genuine and that it belonged to an Indian tiger.
Customs Commissioner R Periasami said the skin was seized after we found that it is a violation of wildlife protection Act. Investigation is on to trace the person who sent it. It might have been sent abroad from India years ago, he said.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
CHENNAI: In a first, air customs officers at airport on Friday seized a tiger skin sent from London as parcel.
The tiger skin was 8 feet long from head to tail and 6 feet wide from leg to leg. The body was 2.10 feet in width, said a customs press release.
The parcel was detained by the air intelligence unit of customs under suspicion that it might contain contraband. But it turned out to be a tiger skin when the parcel was opened. The parcel was addressed to a person in Chennai.
Wild Life Crime Control Bureau has confirmed that the skin and skull is genuine and that it belonged to an Indian tiger.
Customs Commissioner R Periasami said the skin was seized after we found that it is a violation of wildlife protection Act. Investigation is on to trace the person who sent it. It might have been sent abroad from India years ago, he said.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
India elected as Secretary of Interpol Wildlife crime group
Story/place-New delhi.
NEW DELHI: India has been elected for the post of secretary in the Wildlife Crime Working Group of the Interpol for the first time.
The election took place during seventh International Conference on Environmental Crime at the Interpol General Secretariat in Lyon, France held between September 13-17, official sources said.
Additional Director Wildlife Crime Control Bureau Rina Mitra will be representing India in the post.
India will hold the position for a period of four years. The United Kingdom has been elected for the post of Chair.
The Wildlife Crime Working Group comprises all the 188 member countries of Interpol and works under the framework of Environmental Crime Committee which identifies emerging patterns and trends in the field of environmental crime enforcement.
All member countries elect four officials Chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary and treasurer for a period of four year.
The group meets annually to discuss issues regarding wildlife crime and identify emerging trends in the illegal trade of flora and fauna.
The group focuses the expertise and experience of law enforcement officers of the member countries on wildlife crime like the poaching, trafficking, or possession of legally protected flora and fauna
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
NEW DELHI: India has been elected for the post of secretary in the Wildlife Crime Working Group of the Interpol for the first time.
The election took place during seventh International Conference on Environmental Crime at the Interpol General Secretariat in Lyon, France held between September 13-17, official sources said.
Additional Director Wildlife Crime Control Bureau Rina Mitra will be representing India in the post.
India will hold the position for a period of four years. The United Kingdom has been elected for the post of Chair.
The Wildlife Crime Working Group comprises all the 188 member countries of Interpol and works under the framework of Environmental Crime Committee which identifies emerging patterns and trends in the field of environmental crime enforcement.
All member countries elect four officials Chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary and treasurer for a period of four year.
The group meets annually to discuss issues regarding wildlife crime and identify emerging trends in the illegal trade of flora and fauna.
The group focuses the expertise and experience of law enforcement officers of the member countries on wildlife crime like the poaching, trafficking, or possession of legally protected flora and fauna
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Leopards finding it tough to survive poaching
Story/place-Lucknow.
Sep 18, 2010,
LUCKNOW: The unabated leopard deaths are continuing in the country. The anti-poaching cell of Uttarakhand forest department seized two leopard skins on Wednesday night from Chakrata in Dehradun district. In 2010, there have been about 130 leopard deaths. Most of them have been reported from Uttarakhand and UP.
The Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), agency which has been helping forest departments in UP and Uttarakhand in seizures and wildlife crime cases, estimates 81 leopard deaths to have been reported from Uttarakhand alone in 2010. The agency's database also shows more than 35 leopards to have been, reportedly, killed by poachers.
According to the figures released by the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) in 2008, country did not have more than 11,000 leopards. The number is constantly going down since then. "Leopards live on the periphery of forests and that makes them more vulnerable," said a UP forest official.
Leopard conservation in the country is more or less clubbed with that of tigers, as quite a big number of leopards exist in tiger reserves. But no effort has been made, as yet, to go for a leopard census to arrive at an exact number of leopards existing within and outside the protected areas. Conservationists feel this has affected the systematic protection of leopards.
Leopard faces the severest backlash from humans and grave threat from poachers. The declining prey base and shrinking habitat forces the big cat to venture out of the forest area. When it attacks humans and livestock it faces a backlash. The experts are of the view that ill-will which rises in the human communities in and around forest areas, after leopard attacks them or their cattle, supports poaching and poisoning of leopards.
Leopard is a versatile cat which is not selective about its habitat. Maximum number of leopards are found in UP, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
Meanwhile, Uttarakhand forest department also seized a leopard cat skin and a Himalayan black bear gall bladder. Two local persons have been arrested in connection with the seizure. A case under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 has been registered against the accused at Chakrata forest division.
All three species, leopard (Panthera pardus), leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) and Himalayan black bear (Ursus thibetanus) are listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act. Any crime involving these species is punishable with imprisonment for a term between three to seven years and also with a fine of not less than Rs 10,000.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Sep 18, 2010,
LUCKNOW: The unabated leopard deaths are continuing in the country. The anti-poaching cell of Uttarakhand forest department seized two leopard skins on Wednesday night from Chakrata in Dehradun district. In 2010, there have been about 130 leopard deaths. Most of them have been reported from Uttarakhand and UP.
The Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), agency which has been helping forest departments in UP and Uttarakhand in seizures and wildlife crime cases, estimates 81 leopard deaths to have been reported from Uttarakhand alone in 2010. The agency's database also shows more than 35 leopards to have been, reportedly, killed by poachers.
According to the figures released by the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) in 2008, country did not have more than 11,000 leopards. The number is constantly going down since then. "Leopards live on the periphery of forests and that makes them more vulnerable," said a UP forest official.
Leopard conservation in the country is more or less clubbed with that of tigers, as quite a big number of leopards exist in tiger reserves. But no effort has been made, as yet, to go for a leopard census to arrive at an exact number of leopards existing within and outside the protected areas. Conservationists feel this has affected the systematic protection of leopards.
Leopard faces the severest backlash from humans and grave threat from poachers. The declining prey base and shrinking habitat forces the big cat to venture out of the forest area. When it attacks humans and livestock it faces a backlash. The experts are of the view that ill-will which rises in the human communities in and around forest areas, after leopard attacks them or their cattle, supports poaching and poisoning of leopards.
Leopard is a versatile cat which is not selective about its habitat. Maximum number of leopards are found in UP, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
Meanwhile, Uttarakhand forest department also seized a leopard cat skin and a Himalayan black bear gall bladder. Two local persons have been arrested in connection with the seizure. A case under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 has been registered against the accused at Chakrata forest division.
All three species, leopard (Panthera pardus), leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) and Himalayan black bear (Ursus thibetanus) are listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act. Any crime involving these species is punishable with imprisonment for a term between three to seven years and also with a fine of not less than Rs 10,000.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Forest dept to be modernized, says Filipe Neri
Story/place-Panaji.
Sep 18, 2010
PANAJI: Minister for forests Filipe Neri Rodrigues on Friday presented 30 motorcycles and helmets to field personnel of the forest department at Panaji in a bid to enhance mobility for protection of forests and for conservation of wildlife.
While the responsibilities of the forest department have increased manifold over the last 25 years, its front-line staff have not increased proportionately. Rodrigues said that funds from the CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestration Fund Management and Planning Authority) have provided an opportunity to improve the infrastructure of the department by way of improving working conditions of frontline staff such as guards and foresters.
The forest minister impressed upon the officers the need to strengthen forest protection besides improving checking systems and devising the latest mechanisms, by virtue of which the menace of tree cutting can be minimized and eliminated in the long run. He also called upon forest department officers to maintain effective coordination so that the targets fixed for the department are achieved.
Rodrigues said that walkie-talkies and wireless sets and mobiles have also been provided to the field staff for quick communication and response. The minister asked the frontline staff not to misuse their two-wheelers and to be vigilant against forest violations in their areas.
Rodrigues said that the funds utilized for the purpose have been drawn from CAMPA and the same are to be used for compensatory afforestation and other related security enhancing purposes. The state government had deposited 140 crore with the CAMPA, out of which 12 crore will be released every year for the next five years.
The principal chief conservator of forests Shashi Kumar later told TOI that this year, 150 hectares of degraded forest land will be afforested. Kumar said the department will undertake other work under CAMPA like soil and water conservation, avenue plantations, procurement of computers to promote e-governance, research and overall improvement of the infrastructure of the forest department.
Further, Rodrigues said that the independent " Van Bhavan" will soon come into the state to house the state forest department. The department also has plans to purchase ten jeeps and five mini trucks for patrolling purposes and animal rescues.
The principal chief conservator of forests, conservator of forests, deputy conservators of forests and assistant conservator of forests were among those present at the function.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Sep 18, 2010
PANAJI: Minister for forests Filipe Neri Rodrigues on Friday presented 30 motorcycles and helmets to field personnel of the forest department at Panaji in a bid to enhance mobility for protection of forests and for conservation of wildlife.
While the responsibilities of the forest department have increased manifold over the last 25 years, its front-line staff have not increased proportionately. Rodrigues said that funds from the CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestration Fund Management and Planning Authority) have provided an opportunity to improve the infrastructure of the department by way of improving working conditions of frontline staff such as guards and foresters.
The forest minister impressed upon the officers the need to strengthen forest protection besides improving checking systems and devising the latest mechanisms, by virtue of which the menace of tree cutting can be minimized and eliminated in the long run. He also called upon forest department officers to maintain effective coordination so that the targets fixed for the department are achieved.
Rodrigues said that walkie-talkies and wireless sets and mobiles have also been provided to the field staff for quick communication and response. The minister asked the frontline staff not to misuse their two-wheelers and to be vigilant against forest violations in their areas.
Rodrigues said that the funds utilized for the purpose have been drawn from CAMPA and the same are to be used for compensatory afforestation and other related security enhancing purposes. The state government had deposited 140 crore with the CAMPA, out of which 12 crore will be released every year for the next five years.
The principal chief conservator of forests Shashi Kumar later told TOI that this year, 150 hectares of degraded forest land will be afforested. Kumar said the department will undertake other work under CAMPA like soil and water conservation, avenue plantations, procurement of computers to promote e-governance, research and overall improvement of the infrastructure of the forest department.
Further, Rodrigues said that the independent " Van Bhavan" will soon come into the state to house the state forest department. The department also has plans to purchase ten jeeps and five mini trucks for patrolling purposes and animal rescues.
The principal chief conservator of forests, conservator of forests, deputy conservators of forests and assistant conservator of forests were among those present at the function.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Satpuda Foundation on Wildlife Board
Story/place-Nagpur
NAGPUR: Satpuda Foundation, a NGO working for tiger and forest conservation in the Satpuda landscape in Central India for the past 10 years, has been nominated on the National Board for Wild Life (NBWL) headed by prime minister Manmohan Singh, and also on its standing panel headed by environment minister Jairam Ramesh. The orders of Satpuda Foundation's nomination were issued on Friday. The NBWL is the apex wildlife body in India. Its standing panel is responsible for wildlife conservation and development.
It frames policies, advises Central and state governments and makes recommendations on setting up sanctuaries, national parks and other PAs or matters related to restriction of activities in those areas and development of wildlife. The new NBWL was constituted on September 4 in New Delhi but the official notification was issued on Thursday.
The two-year term of earlier NBWL had ended in 2009. The NBWL consists of eminent experts like Valmik Thapar, Brijendra Singh, M K Ranjit Sinh, Bittu Sahgal and A J T Johnsingh. Satpuda Foundation is headed by Kishor Rithe. The honour has come to a NGO in Central India for the first time. "This is a great honour for hundreds of volunteers, well-wishers and Satpuda staff, who are working to make our 'green mission' possible in Satpuda landscape," a delighted Rithe, also one of foundation's followers.
Foundation has worked on many innovative education, conservation and research projects at the grassroots and also at the policy level. "There are very few NGOs which could effectively work at both levels so effectively," said P M Lad, former chief wildlife warden of Madhya Pradesh. "SF will go a long way because of committed people and dedicated leadership," he added. Maharashtra's head of forest force (HoFF) A K Joshi and PCCF (wildlife) D C Pant and others also expressed happiness at the nomination. Conservationists Gopal Thosar, Dilip Gode, Ramesh Ladkhedkar, Prafulla Bhambhurkar and others have congratulated Rithe.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
NAGPUR: Satpuda Foundation, a NGO working for tiger and forest conservation in the Satpuda landscape in Central India for the past 10 years, has been nominated on the National Board for Wild Life (NBWL) headed by prime minister Manmohan Singh, and also on its standing panel headed by environment minister Jairam Ramesh. The orders of Satpuda Foundation's nomination were issued on Friday. The NBWL is the apex wildlife body in India. Its standing panel is responsible for wildlife conservation and development.
It frames policies, advises Central and state governments and makes recommendations on setting up sanctuaries, national parks and other PAs or matters related to restriction of activities in those areas and development of wildlife. The new NBWL was constituted on September 4 in New Delhi but the official notification was issued on Thursday.
The two-year term of earlier NBWL had ended in 2009. The NBWL consists of eminent experts like Valmik Thapar, Brijendra Singh, M K Ranjit Sinh, Bittu Sahgal and A J T Johnsingh. Satpuda Foundation is headed by Kishor Rithe. The honour has come to a NGO in Central India for the first time. "This is a great honour for hundreds of volunteers, well-wishers and Satpuda staff, who are working to make our 'green mission' possible in Satpuda landscape," a delighted Rithe, also one of foundation's followers.
Foundation has worked on many innovative education, conservation and research projects at the grassroots and also at the policy level. "There are very few NGOs which could effectively work at both levels so effectively," said P M Lad, former chief wildlife warden of Madhya Pradesh. "SF will go a long way because of committed people and dedicated leadership," he added. Maharashtra's head of forest force (HoFF) A K Joshi and PCCF (wildlife) D C Pant and others also expressed happiness at the nomination. Conservationists Gopal Thosar, Dilip Gode, Ramesh Ladkhedkar, Prafulla Bhambhurkar and others have congratulated Rithe.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Monday, September 20, 2010
This year, 130 leopards poached in India
Story/place-new delhi
New Delhi: Watching a leopard stroll on sun-beaten tracks at dusk is a sight that never fades away, yet these big cats are now in danger in India.
At least 130 leopards have been poached this year, say experts calling the figures "alarming".
Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra recorded the highest number of leopard deaths, stated the NGO Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI).
There have been reports of 240 leopard deaths so far.
Across the country, 17 leopards were killed in man-animal conflict, 19 died in road accidents, eight were shot dead by the forest department, six died in rescue operations, two killed by other big cats, while 58 more were found dead, says WPSI.
The rest of the deaths are feared to have been caused by poaching.
Uttarakhand has seen a spurt in leopard deaths. Twenty-nine leopards were poached, four killed in man-animal conflict, including three that were shot dead by the forest department. Fifteen leopard skins and bones were seized.
"Thirty-one more leopards were found dead in the state. Some died of natural causes, but others may have died in conflict. We don't have proof," said Tito Joseph of the WPSI. Seven more died in road accidents.
A census in 2007 showed 2,300 leopards in the state.
"We are compiling a report as part of the tiger census this year which will reveal the latest figure of leopards," Paramjit Singh, chief conservator of forests of Uttarakhand
There is no record of the total number of this agile and stealthy predator in India. They are protected by Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, the highest protection provided to wild animals.
Fifteen leopards were poached in Maharashtra, 13 in Uttar Pradesh and 12 in Karnataka. Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Assam and Himachal Pradesh have also seen leopard deaths in man-animal conflicts.
The buffer areas of wildlife sanctuaries have been the main poaching grounds. Some of these places have seen intense man-animal conflict.
Among big cats, leopards are the most adaptable. They are skilled climbers. Wildlife enthusiasts swear by the exquisite grace with which the animal sways while disappearing into the forests.
Each year, a large number of these endangered animals face unnatural deaths.
In 2009, some 160 cases of poaching and body parts seizures were recorded.
In 2008, the figure was 157, according to the NGO.
Some members of Haryana's Bawaria tribe are alleged to be involved in organised poaching and operate across a vast areas in and around wildlife sanctuaries. They are expert hunters.
"These people (Bawaria poachers) know only how to hunt. They don't have anything else to do. So they kill them for money. It's business," said Singh.
"Poachers from other states also come in two- or three-member groups," he said.
Tito said there are different types of poachers: "One type is organised like the Bawarias.
"Another type is opportunistic - for instance, one who faces the threat of leopard attacks. He will poison the animal and skin it. When he gets a chance he will sell it.
"The third type looks to hunt other animals but will kill a leopard if there is an opportunity."
source-zeenews.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
New Delhi: Watching a leopard stroll on sun-beaten tracks at dusk is a sight that never fades away, yet these big cats are now in danger in India.
At least 130 leopards have been poached this year, say experts calling the figures "alarming".
Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra recorded the highest number of leopard deaths, stated the NGO Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI).
There have been reports of 240 leopard deaths so far.
Across the country, 17 leopards were killed in man-animal conflict, 19 died in road accidents, eight were shot dead by the forest department, six died in rescue operations, two killed by other big cats, while 58 more were found dead, says WPSI.
The rest of the deaths are feared to have been caused by poaching.
Uttarakhand has seen a spurt in leopard deaths. Twenty-nine leopards were poached, four killed in man-animal conflict, including three that were shot dead by the forest department. Fifteen leopard skins and bones were seized.
"Thirty-one more leopards were found dead in the state. Some died of natural causes, but others may have died in conflict. We don't have proof," said Tito Joseph of the WPSI. Seven more died in road accidents.
A census in 2007 showed 2,300 leopards in the state.
"We are compiling a report as part of the tiger census this year which will reveal the latest figure of leopards," Paramjit Singh, chief conservator of forests of Uttarakhand
There is no record of the total number of this agile and stealthy predator in India. They are protected by Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, the highest protection provided to wild animals.
Fifteen leopards were poached in Maharashtra, 13 in Uttar Pradesh and 12 in Karnataka. Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Assam and Himachal Pradesh have also seen leopard deaths in man-animal conflicts.
The buffer areas of wildlife sanctuaries have been the main poaching grounds. Some of these places have seen intense man-animal conflict.
Among big cats, leopards are the most adaptable. They are skilled climbers. Wildlife enthusiasts swear by the exquisite grace with which the animal sways while disappearing into the forests.
Each year, a large number of these endangered animals face unnatural deaths.
In 2009, some 160 cases of poaching and body parts seizures were recorded.
In 2008, the figure was 157, according to the NGO.
Some members of Haryana's Bawaria tribe are alleged to be involved in organised poaching and operate across a vast areas in and around wildlife sanctuaries. They are expert hunters.
"These people (Bawaria poachers) know only how to hunt. They don't have anything else to do. So they kill them for money. It's business," said Singh.
"Poachers from other states also come in two- or three-member groups," he said.
Tito said there are different types of poachers: "One type is organised like the Bawarias.
"Another type is opportunistic - for instance, one who faces the threat of leopard attacks. He will poison the animal and skin it. When he gets a chance he will sell it.
"The third type looks to hunt other animals but will kill a leopard if there is an opportunity."
source-zeenews.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Monday, September 13, 2010
More tigers to be radio collared
Story/place-kolkata.
Aug 27, 2010,
KOLKATA: Four to eight Bengal tigers will be fitted with radio collars and released in a small patch of the Sunderbans by this year-end to study the behaviour of big cats that inhabit the mangrove forests.
It will also aid in a more accurate estimation of the tiger count as the current figure of 275 tigers is widely disputed. Speaking to TOI on the sidelines of a symposium on the future of Bengal tiger, Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve director Pradeep Vyas admitted that the figure was a guesstimate. "Radio collar tracking and camera trapping are scientific means that allow a more accurate estimation than pug mark readings," Vyas said
The programme is also crucial to determine if the mangrove tigers protect territorial rights as fiercely as tigers elsewhere or have diffused and overlapping territories due to the peculiar nature of their habitation. "Precious little is known about the behaviour of Bengal tigers in the Sunderbans and wildlife researchers from all over the country are eagerly looking forward to the project," said wildlife activist Bittu Sahgal.
While tiger experts believe big cats in the Sunderbans behave no differently than those elsewhere, field officers in the Sunderbans have long held that inundation of the forest floors by tides twice a day has led to diffused territories shared by tigers.
"Tigers are aggressively territorial solitary animals. A dominant male constantly patrols his territory to ward off rivals. Tigers mark their territory by spraying urine on trees, bushes and rocks in their area and also leave scratch marks on trees and on the ground. However, there is a belief that in the Sunderbans, tides wash away such markings and hence territorial dominance may not be as fierce. Whether it is true can be determined once the movement of radio collared tigers are analyzed," said legendary tiger man Fateh Singh Rathore.
Two tigers that were fitted with radio collars in the Sunderbans earlier this year are already being tracked via satellite at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). The territory of 35 sq km covered by one of these collared tigers has left foresters stunned as they expected tigers in the Sunderbans to remain restricted to a much smaller area. "It moved into Bangladesh. We do not know if it had originally strayed into Indian territory from Bangladesh or it has now strayed across the border. The tiger crossed its command area despite the presence of enough prey. Whether this is an aberration or general behaviour can be ascertained when more tigers are radio-collared," Vyas said.
The German radio collars that cost around Rs 4 lakh will be funded by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, formerly Project Tiger.
The official said male and female tigers will be trapped beginning October to fit them with radio collars. "Usually, male and female territories overlap in the breeding season. But at other times, both guard their territory zealously with the male tiger being more assertive. The year-long project will reveal whether the tigers here behave in a similar manner," said Bangladeshi tiger researcher Monirul H Khan.
A caption to the photograph accompanying the story "Call for stricter poaching laws" erroneously mentions Pradip Vyas, director of Sunderban Biosphere Reserve, as S S Bisht. The error is regretted.
sorced-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Aug 27, 2010,
KOLKATA: Four to eight Bengal tigers will be fitted with radio collars and released in a small patch of the Sunderbans by this year-end to study the behaviour of big cats that inhabit the mangrove forests.
It will also aid in a more accurate estimation of the tiger count as the current figure of 275 tigers is widely disputed. Speaking to TOI on the sidelines of a symposium on the future of Bengal tiger, Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve director Pradeep Vyas admitted that the figure was a guesstimate. "Radio collar tracking and camera trapping are scientific means that allow a more accurate estimation than pug mark readings," Vyas said
The programme is also crucial to determine if the mangrove tigers protect territorial rights as fiercely as tigers elsewhere or have diffused and overlapping territories due to the peculiar nature of their habitation. "Precious little is known about the behaviour of Bengal tigers in the Sunderbans and wildlife researchers from all over the country are eagerly looking forward to the project," said wildlife activist Bittu Sahgal.
While tiger experts believe big cats in the Sunderbans behave no differently than those elsewhere, field officers in the Sunderbans have long held that inundation of the forest floors by tides twice a day has led to diffused territories shared by tigers.
"Tigers are aggressively territorial solitary animals. A dominant male constantly patrols his territory to ward off rivals. Tigers mark their territory by spraying urine on trees, bushes and rocks in their area and also leave scratch marks on trees and on the ground. However, there is a belief that in the Sunderbans, tides wash away such markings and hence territorial dominance may not be as fierce. Whether it is true can be determined once the movement of radio collared tigers are analyzed," said legendary tiger man Fateh Singh Rathore.
Two tigers that were fitted with radio collars in the Sunderbans earlier this year are already being tracked via satellite at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). The territory of 35 sq km covered by one of these collared tigers has left foresters stunned as they expected tigers in the Sunderbans to remain restricted to a much smaller area. "It moved into Bangladesh. We do not know if it had originally strayed into Indian territory from Bangladesh or it has now strayed across the border. The tiger crossed its command area despite the presence of enough prey. Whether this is an aberration or general behaviour can be ascertained when more tigers are radio-collared," Vyas said.
The German radio collars that cost around Rs 4 lakh will be funded by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, formerly Project Tiger.
The official said male and female tigers will be trapped beginning October to fit them with radio collars. "Usually, male and female territories overlap in the breeding season. But at other times, both guard their territory zealously with the male tiger being more assertive. The year-long project will reveal whether the tigers here behave in a similar manner," said Bangladeshi tiger researcher Monirul H Khan.
A caption to the photograph accompanying the story "Call for stricter poaching laws" erroneously mentions Pradip Vyas, director of Sunderban Biosphere Reserve, as S S Bisht. The error is regretted.
sorced-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
No death for maneaters
Story/place-New delhi.
August 31, 2010
First Published: 01:09 IST(31/8/2010)
Last Updated: 01:11 IST(31/8/2010)
None of the human killing tigers in the fields of Pilibhit will face death, the government has decided. Instead, they will be relocated deep into the forest having strong prey base. Uttar Pradesh's forest department officials have identified a tigress with a cub in Kishanpur area and another
tiger near Pilibhit believed to be behind slaughter of seven persons in the last one month.
All the victims were killed when they ventured inside the forest area to collect wild vegetables, which proliferate during monsoon. Their partially eaten bodies were discovered after their family members reported them missing.
Similar tiger-related human deaths have been reported from Ranthambore, Rajasthan and Tadoba reserve in Maharashtra.
Heavy rains this monsoon can be a probable reason. "In Kishanpur area, the tigress and her cub had been spotted near the sugarcane cultivation (which looks green like a grassland for tigers)," said Rajesh Gopal, member secretary of National Tiger Conservation Authority, who will be visiting Pilibhit to oversee the operations to catch the killer tigers.
NCTA officials, who have reviewed reports from Rajasthan and Maharashtra, said: "In none of the cases tiger entered a human habitation and attacked a person. It was only when a person confronted the tiger in fields or fringe forestland, the big cat attacked."
The NCTA has already called experts from Wildlife Institute of India and Wildlife Trust of India to monitor the relocation, likely to start this week.
source-hindustantimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
August 31, 2010
First Published: 01:09 IST(31/8/2010)
Last Updated: 01:11 IST(31/8/2010)
None of the human killing tigers in the fields of Pilibhit will face death, the government has decided. Instead, they will be relocated deep into the forest having strong prey base. Uttar Pradesh's forest department officials have identified a tigress with a cub in Kishanpur area and another
tiger near Pilibhit believed to be behind slaughter of seven persons in the last one month.
All the victims were killed when they ventured inside the forest area to collect wild vegetables, which proliferate during monsoon. Their partially eaten bodies were discovered after their family members reported them missing.
Similar tiger-related human deaths have been reported from Ranthambore, Rajasthan and Tadoba reserve in Maharashtra.
Heavy rains this monsoon can be a probable reason. "In Kishanpur area, the tigress and her cub had been spotted near the sugarcane cultivation (which looks green like a grassland for tigers)," said Rajesh Gopal, member secretary of National Tiger Conservation Authority, who will be visiting Pilibhit to oversee the operations to catch the killer tigers.
NCTA officials, who have reviewed reports from Rajasthan and Maharashtra, said: "In none of the cases tiger entered a human habitation and attacked a person. It was only when a person confronted the tiger in fields or fringe forestland, the big cat attacked."
The NCTA has already called experts from Wildlife Institute of India and Wildlife Trust of India to monitor the relocation, likely to start this week.
source-hindustantimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Call to shift rail tracks from Walayar forests
Story/place-walayar.
31 august
PALAKKAD: The Wildlife Protection Society of India (South India) has urged Southern Railway to shift one the railway tracks from the Walayar forests to save wild animals from getting hit by trains.
In a letter to the General Manager, Southern Railway, here on Monday, S. Guruvayurappan, project officer and coordinator of the organisation, said the ‘B' line should be shifted parallel to National Highway no. 47. Steps such as electric fencing and digging of trenches had failed to keep away the animals from the tracks.
The society, in letters to the Chief Conservators of Forests of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, also opposed the move to fire bullet-less noise guns and use of smoke to scare away animals from entering human settlements in Palakkad district.
“The smoking method to keep away elephants uses a combination of elephant dung, red chilly and tobacco leaves tied in paddy straw. It can burn five to eight hours. It will be burnt at different locations to keep away elephants. The irritating sensation from the smoke will keep away the elephants. It also keeps away other wildlife, including birds and smaller mammals. Thus, no animal will come near this smoke. But the effectiveness of this method varies from place to place. But the method is an unethical practice as it keeps away wildlife from forest area. This cannot be justified,” the letter said.
Smoke and noise guns were used in Assam and in some African countries to scare away animals. These methods not only irritated the animals and birds but also made elephants run amuck. They would thus cause more damage to human life and property. Such methods were in violation of many Acts and rules, such as the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, the letter said.
source-news-enviskerala.blogspot.com/
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
31 august
PALAKKAD: The Wildlife Protection Society of India (South India) has urged Southern Railway to shift one the railway tracks from the Walayar forests to save wild animals from getting hit by trains.
In a letter to the General Manager, Southern Railway, here on Monday, S. Guruvayurappan, project officer and coordinator of the organisation, said the ‘B' line should be shifted parallel to National Highway no. 47. Steps such as electric fencing and digging of trenches had failed to keep away the animals from the tracks.
The society, in letters to the Chief Conservators of Forests of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, also opposed the move to fire bullet-less noise guns and use of smoke to scare away animals from entering human settlements in Palakkad district.
“The smoking method to keep away elephants uses a combination of elephant dung, red chilly and tobacco leaves tied in paddy straw. It can burn five to eight hours. It will be burnt at different locations to keep away elephants. The irritating sensation from the smoke will keep away the elephants. It also keeps away other wildlife, including birds and smaller mammals. Thus, no animal will come near this smoke. But the effectiveness of this method varies from place to place. But the method is an unethical practice as it keeps away wildlife from forest area. This cannot be justified,” the letter said.
Smoke and noise guns were used in Assam and in some African countries to scare away animals. These methods not only irritated the animals and birds but also made elephants run amuck. They would thus cause more damage to human life and property. Such methods were in violation of many Acts and rules, such as the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, the letter said.
source-news-enviskerala.blogspot.com/
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Committee formed to ensure inscription of western ghats sites on World Heritage List
Story/place-Pune.
Sep 2, 2010,
PUNE: The ministry of environment and forests has constituted a Western ghats natural heritage management committee, which will deal with matters relating to inscription and management of the Western ghats serial sites.
Serial sites are a group of sites which represent the same cultural or natural type even though they are not in one area. The Western Ghats' nomination consists of sites spread across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
The committee will ensure successful inscription of 39 Western ghats sites on the World heritage list. Of the 39 sites, four are in Sahyadri and known as: the Kas plateau, Koyna wildlife sanctuary, Chandoli national park and Radhanagri wildlife sanctuary.
The newly-formed committee will provide guidance for effective conservation, protection and management of natural heritage of the Western ghats. It will also oversee the management systems, including protection and integrity of the serial sites included in the Western ghats nomination dossier.
Vinod B Mathur, dean, Wildlife Institute of India (WII), and also member of the Western ghats natural heritage management committee, told TOI that the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Switzerland, is sending a team of experts to India in October, 2010, to evaluate India's proposal to inscribe the Western ghats on the World heritage list. It is as per the decision taken during the 34th session of the World Heritage Committee, held in July-August 2010 in Brazil.
"It would be a big feather in India's cap if the 39 sites in the Western ghats are inscribed on the World heritage list in 2011. All the 39 sites are biologically very rich from biodiversity conservation point,'' he said.
According to him, the committee will basically strengthen co-ordination and co-operation between states of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, in which the 39 sites are located.
Most of the serial sites are national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, tiger reserves and reserved forests. These are under legal protection of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, Indian Forest Act, 1927 and also under provisions of other relevant policy guidelines and advisories issued by the ministry of environment and forests.
India's tentative list of Natural Heritage Properties to be inscribed on the Unesco world heritage list, was submitted to World Heritage Centre Unesco, Paris, in 2006 by Mathur, who was the task co-ordinator, and by other team members.
Jagdish Krishnaswamy, senior fellow, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment (ATREE), and member of the committee said the committee will look into matters pertaining to natural heritage management of Western ghats. It will look at long term framework management of these sites. The committee will also ensure that the World heritage attributes are conserved and not changed.
"Once these sites are inscribed on the World heritage list, it will help in protection from land use change and other developmental activities. It will be a prestigious issue,'' he said.
Monuments inscribed on the World heritage list attain international status. This increases visitors' flow, both domestic and foreign, which contributes to the economic growth of the region and the monument receives special attention in terms of management, conservation and protection.
Presently, this list has 704 Cultural sites, 180 Natural sites and 27 Mixed sites from 151 countries. India has 25 Cultural sites and 5 Natural sites on the World Heritage List.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Sep 2, 2010,
PUNE: The ministry of environment and forests has constituted a Western ghats natural heritage management committee, which will deal with matters relating to inscription and management of the Western ghats serial sites.
Serial sites are a group of sites which represent the same cultural or natural type even though they are not in one area. The Western Ghats' nomination consists of sites spread across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
The committee will ensure successful inscription of 39 Western ghats sites on the World heritage list. Of the 39 sites, four are in Sahyadri and known as: the Kas plateau, Koyna wildlife sanctuary, Chandoli national park and Radhanagri wildlife sanctuary.
The newly-formed committee will provide guidance for effective conservation, protection and management of natural heritage of the Western ghats. It will also oversee the management systems, including protection and integrity of the serial sites included in the Western ghats nomination dossier.
Vinod B Mathur, dean, Wildlife Institute of India (WII), and also member of the Western ghats natural heritage management committee, told TOI that the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Switzerland, is sending a team of experts to India in October, 2010, to evaluate India's proposal to inscribe the Western ghats on the World heritage list. It is as per the decision taken during the 34th session of the World Heritage Committee, held in July-August 2010 in Brazil.
"It would be a big feather in India's cap if the 39 sites in the Western ghats are inscribed on the World heritage list in 2011. All the 39 sites are biologically very rich from biodiversity conservation point,'' he said.
According to him, the committee will basically strengthen co-ordination and co-operation between states of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, in which the 39 sites are located.
Most of the serial sites are national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, tiger reserves and reserved forests. These are under legal protection of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, Indian Forest Act, 1927 and also under provisions of other relevant policy guidelines and advisories issued by the ministry of environment and forests.
India's tentative list of Natural Heritage Properties to be inscribed on the Unesco world heritage list, was submitted to World Heritage Centre Unesco, Paris, in 2006 by Mathur, who was the task co-ordinator, and by other team members.
Jagdish Krishnaswamy, senior fellow, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment (ATREE), and member of the committee said the committee will look into matters pertaining to natural heritage management of Western ghats. It will look at long term framework management of these sites. The committee will also ensure that the World heritage attributes are conserved and not changed.
"Once these sites are inscribed on the World heritage list, it will help in protection from land use change and other developmental activities. It will be a prestigious issue,'' he said.
Monuments inscribed on the World heritage list attain international status. This increases visitors' flow, both domestic and foreign, which contributes to the economic growth of the region and the monument receives special attention in terms of management, conservation and protection.
Presently, this list has 704 Cultural sites, 180 Natural sites and 27 Mixed sites from 151 countries. India has 25 Cultural sites and 5 Natural sites on the World Heritage List.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Wildlife dept unhappy
Story/place-Nagpur.
Sep 4, 2010
NAGPUR: The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) will have to revise the report submitted to mitigate damage to wildlife and corridor for four-laning of NH-6 in 80 km patch in Bhandara and Gondia forest divisions.
According to sources, wildlife officials have expressed reservations on the report submitted to the forest department on August 17 by NHAI. The report was prepared by two consultants â€" RN Indurkar, former PCCF for wildlife and SS Deshpande, retired ACF.
On Friday evening, Naresh Wadetwar, project director of NHAI and VP Brahmankar, director (technical), gave a presentation before wildlife officials on the report submitted by the experts. CCF Nandkishore, who was appointed by the Centrally Empowered Committee (CEC) to inspect the four-laning work, CCF (wildlife) AK Saxena, CCF (territorial) Krishna Mohan and ACF Kishore Mishrikotkar were present.
Saxena refused to go into the details and said things will be cleared only after site visit to be conducted soon. Nandkishore said, "We gave our remarks on the report and it will subsequently come in the minutes of the meeting."
It is learnt that the wildlife officials are not happy with the report. They feel that the mitigative measures suggested by the experts are insufficient and don`t match with what had been suggested by the CCF (wildlife) in his report submitted to the CEC on August 17, 2009.
Although the NHAI has been recommended to construct eight underpasses of 10 feet height and 20 feet width in every two km forest patch in vulnerable areas, sources said there is basic defect in the underpasses and forest officials feel same size underpasses cannot be a prescription on all the patches. It should be site-specific.
Sources said officials are annoyed with the report as there is no commitment about running expenses on perpetuity maintenance of fencing, water conservation and other mitigative measures recommended in the report for wildlife. The NHAI will bear one-time cost but there is no mention about continuous funds to secure wildlife important stretches where mitigation will be done.
Wadetwar said it was just a presentation as officials wanted to know how things will be. "At this juncture, even I don`t know what the officials have in mind. The report has been prepared by experts suggested by the forest officials," Wadetwar said.
Nandkishore, in his report to the CEC, had suggested minimum 10-13 underpasses for wildlife i.e. 2 to 3 between Sirpur-Nawatola; Maramjob-Duggipar; Duggipar-Bamhni and 1 to 2 between Soundad-Sendurwafa and Mundipar-Sakoli. However, the NHAI experts have recommended only one underpass in each of these patches.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Sep 4, 2010
NAGPUR: The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) will have to revise the report submitted to mitigate damage to wildlife and corridor for four-laning of NH-6 in 80 km patch in Bhandara and Gondia forest divisions.
According to sources, wildlife officials have expressed reservations on the report submitted to the forest department on August 17 by NHAI. The report was prepared by two consultants â€" RN Indurkar, former PCCF for wildlife and SS Deshpande, retired ACF.
On Friday evening, Naresh Wadetwar, project director of NHAI and VP Brahmankar, director (technical), gave a presentation before wildlife officials on the report submitted by the experts. CCF Nandkishore, who was appointed by the Centrally Empowered Committee (CEC) to inspect the four-laning work, CCF (wildlife) AK Saxena, CCF (territorial) Krishna Mohan and ACF Kishore Mishrikotkar were present.
Saxena refused to go into the details and said things will be cleared only after site visit to be conducted soon. Nandkishore said, "We gave our remarks on the report and it will subsequently come in the minutes of the meeting."
It is learnt that the wildlife officials are not happy with the report. They feel that the mitigative measures suggested by the experts are insufficient and don`t match with what had been suggested by the CCF (wildlife) in his report submitted to the CEC on August 17, 2009.
Although the NHAI has been recommended to construct eight underpasses of 10 feet height and 20 feet width in every two km forest patch in vulnerable areas, sources said there is basic defect in the underpasses and forest officials feel same size underpasses cannot be a prescription on all the patches. It should be site-specific.
Sources said officials are annoyed with the report as there is no commitment about running expenses on perpetuity maintenance of fencing, water conservation and other mitigative measures recommended in the report for wildlife. The NHAI will bear one-time cost but there is no mention about continuous funds to secure wildlife important stretches where mitigation will be done.
Wadetwar said it was just a presentation as officials wanted to know how things will be. "At this juncture, even I don`t know what the officials have in mind. The report has been prepared by experts suggested by the forest officials," Wadetwar said.
Nandkishore, in his report to the CEC, had suggested minimum 10-13 underpasses for wildlife i.e. 2 to 3 between Sirpur-Nawatola; Maramjob-Duggipar; Duggipar-Bamhni and 1 to 2 between Soundad-Sendurwafa and Mundipar-Sakoli. However, the NHAI experts have recommended only one underpass in each of these patches.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
China to help India in protecting sits big cat
Story/place-
September 03, 2010
Under attack for not cracking down on use of tiger bones and body parts in Chinese traditional medicine, China today agreed to share "actionable intelligence" with India. An Indian Environment and Forests delegation, which held talks with their Chinese counterparts for the past five days, came
back today on an optimistic note on Chinese seriousness in cracking down to end trafficking of tiger parts.
"While acknowledging the poaching and illegal trafficking of wildlife products including tiger body parts as the biggest threat to wildlife conservation in the region, both the countries have shown willingness and agreed to share intelligence besides nominating Nodal Officers for sharing of real time information," an official statement issued at the end of the visit said.
China has shown considerable interest in joining the Global Tiger Forum, the only intergovernmental international body working for Tiger conservation in the region, it said.
Indian officials believe that China's support for Tiger conservation is crucial as the demand for Tiger parts, especially bones is believed to be the main reason for poaching of Tigers in India and other parts of the world.
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh had in January this year blamed the growing demand for tiger and leopard parts in China for poaching of big cats in India.
The Indian delegation said both the countries have expressed willingness to share experiences and best practices in the management of Protected Areas (PAs) including Tiger Reserves, training and capacity building of PA managers, scientists and technicians in use of modern technologies for effective management of Protected Areas.
The two sides also stressed the need for collaborative investigation into the backward and forward linkages of wildlife crimes and deal with organised criminal syndicates operating in the region. Organising joint awareness programmes on wildlife enforcement to sensitise the personnel of various agencies manning the international borders was identified a priority area for cooperation.
Both the sides were also convinced that bilateral cooperation in wildlife matters needed to be strengthened through regular periodic bilateral exchange of delegations," the statement said.
The Indian delegation headed by A K Srivastava, Inspector General of Forests, held talks with a number of Chinese officials from the Management Office for Import and Export of Endangered Species and Department of Wildlife Conservation, State Forestry Administration of China.
Indian officials said both the countries have given their consent for the renewal of the MOU on the 1995 Tiger conservation which calls for efforts on both sides to stop poaching. The protocol gets renewed every five years.
source-hindustantimes.com
sourced by jumsjungleretreat.com
September 03, 2010
Under attack for not cracking down on use of tiger bones and body parts in Chinese traditional medicine, China today agreed to share "actionable intelligence" with India. An Indian Environment and Forests delegation, which held talks with their Chinese counterparts for the past five days, came
back today on an optimistic note on Chinese seriousness in cracking down to end trafficking of tiger parts.
"While acknowledging the poaching and illegal trafficking of wildlife products including tiger body parts as the biggest threat to wildlife conservation in the region, both the countries have shown willingness and agreed to share intelligence besides nominating Nodal Officers for sharing of real time information," an official statement issued at the end of the visit said.
China has shown considerable interest in joining the Global Tiger Forum, the only intergovernmental international body working for Tiger conservation in the region, it said.
Indian officials believe that China's support for Tiger conservation is crucial as the demand for Tiger parts, especially bones is believed to be the main reason for poaching of Tigers in India and other parts of the world.
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh had in January this year blamed the growing demand for tiger and leopard parts in China for poaching of big cats in India.
The Indian delegation said both the countries have expressed willingness to share experiences and best practices in the management of Protected Areas (PAs) including Tiger Reserves, training and capacity building of PA managers, scientists and technicians in use of modern technologies for effective management of Protected Areas.
The two sides also stressed the need for collaborative investigation into the backward and forward linkages of wildlife crimes and deal with organised criminal syndicates operating in the region. Organising joint awareness programmes on wildlife enforcement to sensitise the personnel of various agencies manning the international borders was identified a priority area for cooperation.
Both the sides were also convinced that bilateral cooperation in wildlife matters needed to be strengthened through regular periodic bilateral exchange of delegations," the statement said.
The Indian delegation headed by A K Srivastava, Inspector General of Forests, held talks with a number of Chinese officials from the Management Office for Import and Export of Endangered Species and Department of Wildlife Conservation, State Forestry Administration of China.
Indian officials said both the countries have given their consent for the renewal of the MOU on the 1995 Tiger conservation which calls for efforts on both sides to stop poaching. The protocol gets renewed every five years.
source-hindustantimes.com
sourced by jumsjungleretreat.com
SC to decide on night traffic in tiger reserves
Story/place-New delhi.
06, 2010
The Supreme Court is likely to decide whether to allow night traffic through tiger reserves or not by this week. The decision can impact tiger protection as night traffic is not allowed in several tiger reserves because of its adverse impact on wildlife and the accidents that kill
animals.
The Karnataka government in 2009 had banned movement of vehicles, except a few buses, on the national highway connecting the state with Kerala and passing through Bandipur tiger reserve.
The Kerala government first appealed against the decision in Karnataka high court and lost.
In May 2010, the Supreme Court gave some reprieve when it allowed traffic in convoys to pass through the Bandipur tiger reserve, a move opposed by local wildlife and tiger experts.
"Many tigers have either died or have been fatally injured by vehicles on the highway in Bandipur," said a local wildlife expert.
"Moreover, there is an alternate route to the highway which is just a few km longer."
NGOs have submitted data on how high speed vehicles passing through national highways can disturb wildlife habitat apart from causing accidents.
Incidents of death of tiger and elephants by high speed vehicles passing through wildlife sanctuaries have been reported from across India.
"The light of the vehicles blind the animals and they get trapped leading to their death," an expert said.
Wildlife experts say the apex court's decision will have huge ramifications as night traffic is now allowed in several reserves.
The ministry of environment and forest has also advocated either ban on night traffic or speed restrictions in wildlife areas.
These issues are likely to come before the apex court when it hears the case on Monday.
source-hindustantimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
06, 2010
The Supreme Court is likely to decide whether to allow night traffic through tiger reserves or not by this week. The decision can impact tiger protection as night traffic is not allowed in several tiger reserves because of its adverse impact on wildlife and the accidents that kill
animals.
The Karnataka government in 2009 had banned movement of vehicles, except a few buses, on the national highway connecting the state with Kerala and passing through Bandipur tiger reserve.
The Kerala government first appealed against the decision in Karnataka high court and lost.
In May 2010, the Supreme Court gave some reprieve when it allowed traffic in convoys to pass through the Bandipur tiger reserve, a move opposed by local wildlife and tiger experts.
"Many tigers have either died or have been fatally injured by vehicles on the highway in Bandipur," said a local wildlife expert.
"Moreover, there is an alternate route to the highway which is just a few km longer."
NGOs have submitted data on how high speed vehicles passing through national highways can disturb wildlife habitat apart from causing accidents.
Incidents of death of tiger and elephants by high speed vehicles passing through wildlife sanctuaries have been reported from across India.
"The light of the vehicles blind the animals and they get trapped leading to their death," an expert said.
Wildlife experts say the apex court's decision will have huge ramifications as night traffic is now allowed in several reserves.
The ministry of environment and forest has also advocated either ban on night traffic or speed restrictions in wildlife areas.
These issues are likely to come before the apex court when it hears the case on Monday.
source-hindustantimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Tiger death: Cops build case against foresters
Story/place-Panaji.
Sep 8, 2010
PANAJI: Though the government has rejected permission to the police department to prosecute three forest department officials for the alleged torture and confinement of an accused, Suryakant Majik during investigation into a tiger killing case in Keri last year, the police are trying to pursue the case afresh.
The Valpoi police investigated the case against three of officials â€" assistant conservator of forests Anil Shetgaonkar, and range forest officers Paresh Parab and Tulshidas Wadkar â€" after Majik filed a complaint of harassment. The trio was booked in August last year under Section 325 for causing grievous hurt, Section 342 for wrong confinement, and Section 34 for criminal conspiracy , all under the IPC.
When the police sought permission for the prosecution of the three officials, additional principal chief conservator of forest (APCCF) Shashi Kumar had moved a file for rejection of the request.
"The government approved the APCCF's request a few months ago," a source said while adding that the decision was taken due to a lack of medical evidence to prove charges while the accused were in detention.
"The filing of the case alleging torture and harassment itself raised doubts about its veracity as doctors attending to the suspect had said there were no injuries suggesting torture. The case appear to be politically motivated," the source said. Incidentally, environmentalists and wildlife lovers had also raised suspicions about the charges.
Sources at the Valpoi police station confirmed that permission is being sought to prosecute the three officials. As per rules, a government nod is required to act against government employees. "There is evidence in the case," a police source maintained, while denying that the case was politically motivated.
Majik's charges against the officials had brought the tiger poaching case to a standstill for some time last year. However, the forest department stood by its officials on the ground that they were performing their duty under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 in connection with the killing of an animal notified under Schedule one. The APCCF had also stated that the officials were performing their duty.
It may be recalled that the tiger had been trapped and shot in a cashew plantation in February last year. In a breakthrough following the interrogation of some suspects, forest department officials found remains of tiger bones and other body parts in May and June last year.
Samples of the remains were sent to the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun for analysis. Reports confirmed that they belonged to the tiger.
Meanwhile, the forest department had filed a chargesheet against five persons, including four from the Majik community of Keri, in the court of judicial magistrate first class, Valpoi.
Charges included killing of a Schedule one animal, attempt to destroy evidence, and illegal use of weapons.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Sep 8, 2010
PANAJI: Though the government has rejected permission to the police department to prosecute three forest department officials for the alleged torture and confinement of an accused, Suryakant Majik during investigation into a tiger killing case in Keri last year, the police are trying to pursue the case afresh.
The Valpoi police investigated the case against three of officials â€" assistant conservator of forests Anil Shetgaonkar, and range forest officers Paresh Parab and Tulshidas Wadkar â€" after Majik filed a complaint of harassment. The trio was booked in August last year under Section 325 for causing grievous hurt, Section 342 for wrong confinement, and Section 34 for criminal conspiracy , all under the IPC.
When the police sought permission for the prosecution of the three officials, additional principal chief conservator of forest (APCCF) Shashi Kumar had moved a file for rejection of the request.
"The government approved the APCCF's request a few months ago," a source said while adding that the decision was taken due to a lack of medical evidence to prove charges while the accused were in detention.
"The filing of the case alleging torture and harassment itself raised doubts about its veracity as doctors attending to the suspect had said there were no injuries suggesting torture. The case appear to be politically motivated," the source said. Incidentally, environmentalists and wildlife lovers had also raised suspicions about the charges.
Sources at the Valpoi police station confirmed that permission is being sought to prosecute the three officials. As per rules, a government nod is required to act against government employees. "There is evidence in the case," a police source maintained, while denying that the case was politically motivated.
Majik's charges against the officials had brought the tiger poaching case to a standstill for some time last year. However, the forest department stood by its officials on the ground that they were performing their duty under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 in connection with the killing of an animal notified under Schedule one. The APCCF had also stated that the officials were performing their duty.
It may be recalled that the tiger had been trapped and shot in a cashew plantation in February last year. In a breakthrough following the interrogation of some suspects, forest department officials found remains of tiger bones and other body parts in May and June last year.
Samples of the remains were sent to the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun for analysis. Reports confirmed that they belonged to the tiger.
Meanwhile, the forest department had filed a chargesheet against five persons, including four from the Majik community of Keri, in the court of judicial magistrate first class, Valpoi.
Charges included killing of a Schedule one animal, attempt to destroy evidence, and illegal use of weapons.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
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