Story/ Place- Nagpur
Vijay Pinjarkar Oct 3, 2011, 03.58AM IST
NAGPUR: While recent lynching of Navegaon National Park tigress in Bhakru Tola in Chhattisgarh by a furious mob came as a rude shock, there is a good news from Melghat - sighting of six new cubs has thrilled wildlife buffs and officials.
"In the past couple of months, tigresses with two cubs (around 6-8 months) each have been recorded in camera traps by the field staff in Sonala range in Ambabarwa wildlife sanctuary, part of Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR), Dhakna and Raipur ranges," revealed an overjoyed AK Mishra, field director and chief conservator of forests (CCF), MTR.
He adds, two months ago, driver of a forest vehicle sighted a tiger with a kill in Semadoh tourism zone. He also recorded the movements on his mobile. However, several such claims are not considered unless authenticated.
Tigers have always remain elusive in MTR, fondly called as the 'Kipling Country' and known for its mystifying landscape with high hills and deep valleys. Sighting of cubs in three places at a time makes big news in Melghat. Till now, such reports in the region could be heard only from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in Chandrapur district which has a distinction of producing 12-15 tiger cubs every year.
Melghat, where sighting of tigers is like cracking jokes, has made a major turnaround over the last two years. The last such record of tiger sighting was in February 2009 from Narnala where a tigress with three cubs was sighted. "With the new additions, we expect tiger numbers to go up to 50-55," Mishra says. However, the NTCA-WII estimation of 2010 puts the tiger count in Melghat at 39.
About the success, Mishra says strengthening protection and group patrolling, awareness among villagers by distributing pamphlets and educating them and imposing curbs on grazing have led to improving the situation.
"Controlling forest fires is our big successes. From 7.5% with 401 cases, the number of incidents has been brought down to 3.2% with 177 cases," said Mishra.
"In the past two years, we seized around 500 cattle and filed cases in the court against illicit grazers. Such measures are yielding results," Mishra says. The field director said relocation of three villages - Barukheda, Amona and Nagartas in Wan sanctuary and partial relocation of Vairat and Churni villages in Melghat sanctuary has also helped in reducing grazing pressure of 4,500 cattle.
In 2006, MTR in Amravati was rated as 'poor'. However, in 2011, it has bounced back and has been graded as 'good' by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Wildlife Institute of India (WII). The result of 2011 management effective evaluation (MEE) puts MTR in line with high-profile reserves like Corbett, Dudhwa, Ranthambore and Manas.
Even tiger conservationist Kishore Rithe, who works in Melghat, admits protection mechanism has been revamped and is very systematic despite shortage of trained and good staff. "Villages in core are willing to resettle. If MTR hands over tourism management to communities, it will help improve livelihoods and thus increase public support for tigers," he adds.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Friday, October 7, 2011
Mansinghdeo sanctuary's endless wait continues
Story/Place - Nagpur
Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN Oct 2, 2011, 12.08PM IST
NAGPUR: It took 17 years for the state government to notify the Mansinghdeo Wildlife Sanctuary. Now that it has been done, it might as well take another 17 for the wildlife wing of forest department to take possession of sanctuary from Forest Development Corporation (FDCM) and territorial wing. The sanctuary was notified nearly elevent months ago on November 2, 2010, but is still lying unprotected.
Mansinghdeo, spread over 183 sq km, will add real value to Pench tiger reserve with which it shares the boundary. Pench is the smallest reserve of India with an area of just 256 sq km. Yet, even efforts to begin legal process to take over the sanctuary are lacking. There is no firm assurance form senior forest officials about when that would happen.
At present, the sanctuary area is being looked after by the staff of FDCM and Nagpur forest division whose 41 compartments (9,914.93 hectares) and 23 compartments (7,370.95 hectares) respectively have been assigned to Mansinghdeo.
A K Saxena, additional principal chief conservator of forests (APCCF), East (Nagpur), said, "My stand is clear. I have no problem in taking over the sanctuary provided requisite staff is provided. It is not my baby at this moment." S K Sood, managing director of FDCM, said: "We are ready to hand over the area and have been writing to the wildlife wing since February. There is no justification to keep the area with us any more. The FDCM board has also approved it."
On controversy about the timber and bamboo felled after the sanctuary notification, Sood said there was no controversy as felling was done as per approved working plan. Delay in receiving the sanctuary notification led to the mess, he admitted. "We will approach Supreme Court's centrally empowered committee (CEC) to get permission to remove felled material," Sood told TOI.
Even C R Gajbhiye, chief conservator of forests (CCF), Nagpur territorial circle, said there was no problem from his side. Three posts of range forest officers (RFOs) would be allotted from Aurangabad Circle, 11 posts of foresters and 61 posts of forest guards have been created by reorganising surplus cadre. All the posts have been transferred but posting orders will have to be issued by the government.
When head of forest force (HoFF) A K Joshi was asked about the delay, he said posting of staff was definitely an issue but even without that security and protection had not been hampered. "We hope to improve the situation after ongoing recruitment of forest guards. Besides, 221 foresters will be promoted as RFOs. Once the process is completed, staff will not be a problem," he said.
Sources said if staff was one issue, dispute over the felled timber inside the sanctuary after notification is another. Wildlife wing officials said the area should be handed over by FDCM to territorial department first and then to the wildlife department. Experts said this is just bureaucratic time pass. In 1994-95, 15 compartments of FDCM, which were included in Chaprala sanctuary, were directly taken over by the wildlife wing.
Experts asked if there were no problems on anyone's side, why things were not moving. No meeting has been held till now to discuss issues facing Mansinghdeo. It was time officials started putting barriers, increase patrolling, data collection to prepare inventory and start preparing management plan of the sanctuary.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN Oct 2, 2011, 12.08PM IST
NAGPUR: It took 17 years for the state government to notify the Mansinghdeo Wildlife Sanctuary. Now that it has been done, it might as well take another 17 for the wildlife wing of forest department to take possession of sanctuary from Forest Development Corporation (FDCM) and territorial wing. The sanctuary was notified nearly elevent months ago on November 2, 2010, but is still lying unprotected.
Mansinghdeo, spread over 183 sq km, will add real value to Pench tiger reserve with which it shares the boundary. Pench is the smallest reserve of India with an area of just 256 sq km. Yet, even efforts to begin legal process to take over the sanctuary are lacking. There is no firm assurance form senior forest officials about when that would happen.
At present, the sanctuary area is being looked after by the staff of FDCM and Nagpur forest division whose 41 compartments (9,914.93 hectares) and 23 compartments (7,370.95 hectares) respectively have been assigned to Mansinghdeo.
A K Saxena, additional principal chief conservator of forests (APCCF), East (Nagpur), said, "My stand is clear. I have no problem in taking over the sanctuary provided requisite staff is provided. It is not my baby at this moment." S K Sood, managing director of FDCM, said: "We are ready to hand over the area and have been writing to the wildlife wing since February. There is no justification to keep the area with us any more. The FDCM board has also approved it."
On controversy about the timber and bamboo felled after the sanctuary notification, Sood said there was no controversy as felling was done as per approved working plan. Delay in receiving the sanctuary notification led to the mess, he admitted. "We will approach Supreme Court's centrally empowered committee (CEC) to get permission to remove felled material," Sood told TOI.
Even C R Gajbhiye, chief conservator of forests (CCF), Nagpur territorial circle, said there was no problem from his side. Three posts of range forest officers (RFOs) would be allotted from Aurangabad Circle, 11 posts of foresters and 61 posts of forest guards have been created by reorganising surplus cadre. All the posts have been transferred but posting orders will have to be issued by the government.
When head of forest force (HoFF) A K Joshi was asked about the delay, he said posting of staff was definitely an issue but even without that security and protection had not been hampered. "We hope to improve the situation after ongoing recruitment of forest guards. Besides, 221 foresters will be promoted as RFOs. Once the process is completed, staff will not be a problem," he said.
Sources said if staff was one issue, dispute over the felled timber inside the sanctuary after notification is another. Wildlife wing officials said the area should be handed over by FDCM to territorial department first and then to the wildlife department. Experts said this is just bureaucratic time pass. In 1994-95, 15 compartments of FDCM, which were included in Chaprala sanctuary, were directly taken over by the wildlife wing.
Experts asked if there were no problems on anyone's side, why things were not moving. No meeting has been held till now to discuss issues facing Mansinghdeo. It was time officials started putting barriers, increase patrolling, data collection to prepare inventory and start preparing management plan of the sanctuary.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
7-foot python rescued near JNU
Story/ Place - New Delhi
TNN Oct 2, 2011, 06.51AM IST
NEW DELHI: A seven-foot python sun-bathing on a compound wall on Nelson Mandela Marg was rescued by Wildlife SOS on Saturday. During the over-three-hour rescue operation, the reptile climbed a tree and a fire engine had to be summoned to pull it down.
This is the fifth python rescue in the city in the last one month. Earlier, pythons were rescued from Sarita Vihar, Tughlaqabad, IGI Airport and Vikaspuri. The forest department , however, does not recognize Delhi as a habitat for pythons , making their rehabilitation in the city a huge problem.
Wildlife SOS received multiple calls on Saturday morning , reporting the presence of the snake on the crowded road. "There was a huge crowd when we reached the spot. The snake was draped on a compound wall across the road from DLF Emporio Mall in Vasant Kunj. The Wildlife SOS team led by Harshad Solanki had quite a task at hand, especially because the snake was huge and got frightened by the presence of so many people," said Abhishek Narayanan , project coordinator (rescue, conservation and education).
The python was obviously in no mood to give up easily and tried to attack the rescue team twice. Finally, the rescuers managed to catch the snake and carried it back in a large cotton sack. "The large python is suspected to have come from the neighboring JNU forest," said Narayanan.
Wildlife volunteers say the number of python sightings in Delhi has gone up considerably in the past few months. "In JNU, a lot of construction is taking place and much of the green cover has been destroyed , causing a loss of habitat . A lot of snakes and small mammals have been displaced in this exercise and the python could have easily come from there," said a source.
Delhi forest department officials say records show that Delhi is not a natural habitat for pythons but accept that they are being frequently sighted in the capital.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
TNN Oct 2, 2011, 06.51AM IST
NEW DELHI: A seven-foot python sun-bathing on a compound wall on Nelson Mandela Marg was rescued by Wildlife SOS on Saturday. During the over-three-hour rescue operation, the reptile climbed a tree and a fire engine had to be summoned to pull it down.
This is the fifth python rescue in the city in the last one month. Earlier, pythons were rescued from Sarita Vihar, Tughlaqabad, IGI Airport and Vikaspuri. The forest department , however, does not recognize Delhi as a habitat for pythons , making their rehabilitation in the city a huge problem.
Wildlife SOS received multiple calls on Saturday morning , reporting the presence of the snake on the crowded road. "There was a huge crowd when we reached the spot. The snake was draped on a compound wall across the road from DLF Emporio Mall in Vasant Kunj. The Wildlife SOS team led by Harshad Solanki had quite a task at hand, especially because the snake was huge and got frightened by the presence of so many people," said Abhishek Narayanan , project coordinator (rescue, conservation and education).
The python was obviously in no mood to give up easily and tried to attack the rescue team twice. Finally, the rescuers managed to catch the snake and carried it back in a large cotton sack. "The large python is suspected to have come from the neighboring JNU forest," said Narayanan.
Wildlife volunteers say the number of python sightings in Delhi has gone up considerably in the past few months. "In JNU, a lot of construction is taking place and much of the green cover has been destroyed , causing a loss of habitat . A lot of snakes and small mammals have been displaced in this exercise and the python could have easily come from there," said a source.
Delhi forest department officials say records show that Delhi is not a natural habitat for pythons but accept that they are being frequently sighted in the capital.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Wildlife Week gets enthusiastic start
Story/ Place - Kanpur
TNN Oct 1, 2011, 10.47PM IST
KANPUR: The first day of the Wildlife Week was celebrated with much fervour and enthusiasm on the zoo premises on Saturday.
To mark the celebrations, a wildlife awareness rally was taken out from Nawabganj police station to the Kanpur Zoo. The rally was flagged off by district forest officer BR Ahirwar. Vice chancellor, CSMU, Ashok Kumar was the chief guest on the occasion. He was given a guard of honour by the NCC cadets. Hundreds of students from various schools participated in the rally. The students held placards in their hands that read 'protect wildlife and save humanity'.
As the day proceeded, various competitions were held. A group discussion on wildlife conservation was held for students of junior and senior classes. Deekshapal and Ali from Bright Angels School emerged as winners of the group discussion in the senior category.
While Children House Public School won first place in the environment awareness rally, Nitin Gupta and Rohit Singh Chandel bagged first and second places respectively in the frog race. In the three-legged race, Sumit Yadav and Rishabh Singh from Visually Impaired School bagged the first position. The students who emerge winners in various competitions will be awarded prizes on the last day of the Wildlife Week
Zoo director Praveen Rao informed: "Around 300 students participated on the first day of the week. On the fifth day of the Wildlife Week, a musical chair event will be organised for teachers."
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
TNN Oct 1, 2011, 10.47PM IST
KANPUR: The first day of the Wildlife Week was celebrated with much fervour and enthusiasm on the zoo premises on Saturday.
To mark the celebrations, a wildlife awareness rally was taken out from Nawabganj police station to the Kanpur Zoo. The rally was flagged off by district forest officer BR Ahirwar. Vice chancellor, CSMU, Ashok Kumar was the chief guest on the occasion. He was given a guard of honour by the NCC cadets. Hundreds of students from various schools participated in the rally. The students held placards in their hands that read 'protect wildlife and save humanity'.
As the day proceeded, various competitions were held. A group discussion on wildlife conservation was held for students of junior and senior classes. Deekshapal and Ali from Bright Angels School emerged as winners of the group discussion in the senior category.
While Children House Public School won first place in the environment awareness rally, Nitin Gupta and Rohit Singh Chandel bagged first and second places respectively in the frog race. In the three-legged race, Sumit Yadav and Rishabh Singh from Visually Impaired School bagged the first position. The students who emerge winners in various competitions will be awarded prizes on the last day of the Wildlife Week
Zoo director Praveen Rao informed: "Around 300 students participated on the first day of the week. On the fifth day of the Wildlife Week, a musical chair event will be organised for teachers."
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
''Wild India' to raise awareness on biodiversity
Story/ Place - Pune
TNN Oct 1, 2011, 01.34PM IST
PUNE: The Wildlife Week will be observed in the city from October 1 to 7 with the holding of 'Wild India' wherein various programmes have been organised to raise awareness on biodiversity.
Organised by Nature Walk and Creative Foundation, Wild India will include nature walks, audio-visual presentations, photography exhibition and film screenings. The programmes will be held at the Balgandharva Rangmandir and Indradhanu auditorium in Rajendranagar.
The nature walks will be conducted by senior botanist S D Mahajan, the audio-visual presentation on Karnataka's biodiversity by Anuj Khare, the heritage walk by Sharvey Dhongde from the Indian National Trust For Art and Cultural Heritage, Pune, the session on the Nagzira wildlife sanctuary by Kiran Purandare and a slide-show on the Tadoba tiger reserve by Nitin Kakodkar.
A nature quiz, screening of award-winning Indian documentaries on wildlife and a photography exhibition are other highlights of the week-long event.
Senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde will inaugurate the photography exhibition on October 5 at the Balgandharva Kala Dalan. The exhibition will be on till October 7, from 10 am to 8 pm. Khare said, "We are inviting entries on themes like urban and local biodiversity and natural heritage. A panel of judges will select the best photographs for display.
Our volunteers will be present at the venue to guide guests through every photograph that will be accompanied with informative charts and trivia."
The event is supported by the forest department, the PMC and various NGOs.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
TNN Oct 1, 2011, 01.34PM IST
PUNE: The Wildlife Week will be observed in the city from October 1 to 7 with the holding of 'Wild India' wherein various programmes have been organised to raise awareness on biodiversity.
Organised by Nature Walk and Creative Foundation, Wild India will include nature walks, audio-visual presentations, photography exhibition and film screenings. The programmes will be held at the Balgandharva Rangmandir and Indradhanu auditorium in Rajendranagar.
The nature walks will be conducted by senior botanist S D Mahajan, the audio-visual presentation on Karnataka's biodiversity by Anuj Khare, the heritage walk by Sharvey Dhongde from the Indian National Trust For Art and Cultural Heritage, Pune, the session on the Nagzira wildlife sanctuary by Kiran Purandare and a slide-show on the Tadoba tiger reserve by Nitin Kakodkar.
A nature quiz, screening of award-winning Indian documentaries on wildlife and a photography exhibition are other highlights of the week-long event.
Senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde will inaugurate the photography exhibition on October 5 at the Balgandharva Kala Dalan. The exhibition will be on till October 7, from 10 am to 8 pm. Khare said, "We are inviting entries on themes like urban and local biodiversity and natural heritage. A panel of judges will select the best photographs for display.
Our volunteers will be present at the venue to guide guests through every photograph that will be accompanied with informative charts and trivia."
The event is supported by the forest department, the PMC and various NGOs.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Project Tiger on endangered list
Story/ Place - New Delhi
Chetan Chauhan, Hindustan Times
New Delhi, September 29, 2011
India’s first wildlife protection programme — Project Tiger — launched 38 years ago may cease to be if the planning commission’s move to downsize centrally sponsored schemes is accepted.
The panel has asked the environment ministry to merge Project Tiger, initiated by Prime Minister
Indira Gandhi in 1973, with other programmes such as the Project Elephant to have one scheme for wildlife protection from the next fiscal. The project was started even before the environment ministry came into existence.
There was need to protect endangered species specific to states, including lions and rhinos, panel’s environment adviser Indrani Chandrasekharan told the mini
Nine non-official members of the National Board for Wildlife, headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, have termed the move retrograde.
“All of us are of a unanimous opinion that such a merger would adversely impact our efforts to conserve... our national animal, the tiger,” the members said in a letter to panel’s deputy chairperson Montek Singh Ahluwalia.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority, which administers Project Tiger, got more than Rs600 crore in the 11th plan. The effort is said to be one of the main reasons for tiger population seeing an increase in 2011, after witnessing a decline for almost seven years.
source by hindustantimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Chetan Chauhan, Hindustan Times
New Delhi, September 29, 2011
India’s first wildlife protection programme — Project Tiger — launched 38 years ago may cease to be if the planning commission’s move to downsize centrally sponsored schemes is accepted.
The panel has asked the environment ministry to merge Project Tiger, initiated by Prime Minister
Indira Gandhi in 1973, with other programmes such as the Project Elephant to have one scheme for wildlife protection from the next fiscal. The project was started even before the environment ministry came into existence.
There was need to protect endangered species specific to states, including lions and rhinos, panel’s environment adviser Indrani Chandrasekharan told the mini
Nine non-official members of the National Board for Wildlife, headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, have termed the move retrograde.
“All of us are of a unanimous opinion that such a merger would adversely impact our efforts to conserve... our national animal, the tiger,” the members said in a letter to panel’s deputy chairperson Montek Singh Ahluwalia.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority, which administers Project Tiger, got more than Rs600 crore in the 11th plan. The effort is said to be one of the main reasons for tiger population seeing an increase in 2011, after witnessing a decline for almost seven years.
source by hindustantimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Monday, August 29, 2011
ristine Kuntala waterfalls turns into dumping yard
Story/Place - Hyderabad
Sudipta Sengupta Aug 28, 2011,
HYDERABAD: From being a picturesque site with pristine surroundings, the Kuntala waterfalls in Adilabad has now turned into a foul-smelling open dump yard. Environmentalists familiar with this area rue how this 147-feet-tall waterfall, the highest in Andhra Pradesh, is now lost in stink and garbage littered around. this once peaceful weekend holiday destination.
The lack of surveillance by local forest officials has further worsened matters, they allege, with revellers from neighbouring districts using the eco-tourism site to indulge in unscrupulous activities.
"The first thing that catches your eye as you walk into the area is the sight of people consuming alcohol around the waterfall. There are bottles, food packets and other junk strewn all over. It is absolutely appalling," said city-based wildlife activist Diya Banerjee, who recently visited the waterfall. She added, "In fact, locals appointed to watch over the tourist spot too seemed to be having a good time. Nobody seemed bothered about the mess."
With the Kuntala waterfall located in the dense Nirmal forest, not too far away from the Kawal wildlife sanctuary, environmentalists fear that these activities, if not checked, can impact the rich bio-diversity of the region. Pointing out how this 'sensitive' forest zone is home to a large number of birds and wild animals, such as langurs, they said it was important to look after its upkeep to ensure a proper ecological balance. "But unfortunately, most eco-tourism sites across AP are in a similar condition, thanks to the negligence of concerned authorities," said Farida Tampal, state director of World Wildlife Foundation-India (WWF).
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
No docs to treat state's 257 tigers
Story/Place - Indor,
Kundan Pandey, TNN Aug 28, 2011,
INDORE: Madhya Pradesh has 257 tigers, but is without a wildlife doctor. This fact has come to light through an RTI application.
The applicant, RTI activist Ajay Dubey, had sought details about a wildlife doctor in Madhya Pradesh, but forest department failed to furnish them on the pretext that the documents of the doctors currently employed with the department were not available with it. Dubey, who filed the application in June, 2011, said that the doctors available with the department were not qualified to handle wildlife. All that the department could provide in answer to the RTI application was the list of five doctors: Dr Sandeep Gupta, Dr Atul Gupta, Dr Sandeep Kumar Agrawal, Dr Jitendra Kumar Jatav and Dr Akhilesh Mishra.
However, these doctors, said Dubey have not attended the specialized course in wildlife from IVRI (Indian Veterinary Research Institute) Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. Dubey said, "IVRI Bareilly is the only institute in the country which trains veterinarians in wildlife and provides enough exposure in handling animals in the wild. However, the RTI activist said that none of the doctors have undergone the requisite training at IVRI. He further criticised the state government for not appointing an expert for treating wildlife.
As per government data, there are nine national parks and 25 sanctuaries in the state. Also the issue of Ratapani being given the status of a sanctuary is still pending. Retired chief conservator of forest (wildlife) PM Lad said treatment of wild animals including tigers needs expertise and normal veterinary doctors cannot understand and deal with the problem of big cats. He further stated that that the basic reason why wildlife doctors shy away from taking up government jobs is because of unattractive salary packages. "Abroad, wildlife doctors are paid well," said Lad.
A veterinary doctors working with the forest department of Madhya Pradesh said on the condition of anonymity that there is a bit more exposure in the IVRI. When asked why the people are not joining forest department, he said that the poor salary structure discourages them to take up government jobs like wildlife doctor.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests H S Pawla claimed that the department has wildlife doctors. "The certificates might not have been with the department at the time of RTI, therefore they must have not been made available," he said. As regards hiring veterinary doctors from Madhya Pradesh Veterinary Department, he said there were no doctors with veterinary department so they hired three doctors recently on contract basis.
Tigers died or disappeared in Madhya Pradesh from 2006 to 2010: Panna Tiger Reserve - 24, Kanha Tiger Reserve - 29.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Forest dept seeks direction from govt
Story/Place - Panaji,
TNN | Aug 29, 2011,
PANAJI: The forest department has sought direction from the state government whether it should grant clearances under the Forest Conservation Act (FCA) for the operation of mines or refer all the cases to the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL).
Any mining lease operating within the 10-km zone from the border of any sanctuary or national park has to get clearances under the FCA from the Centre and approval of the state chief wildlife warden.
The issue has arisen after Goa state pollution control board ( GSPCB) suspended the operations of 35 mining companies for not providing requisite approvals from the chief wildlife warden and clearance under the FCA.
"Considering a Supreme Court order, we don't know whether we (forest department) have to grant clearances to mining companies or if we should refer all the cases to the national board for wildlife, hence we have asked direction from the government," said sources in the forest department
An apex court order dated 2006 had ruled that the ministry of environment and forest should refer the matter of clearance of mining leases to the standing committee of the NBWL under Section 5(b) and 5(c) (ii) of the Wild life (Protection) Act.
The office of additional principle chief conservator of forest has sought advice from the state government in the matter.
The clearances are valid till the end of the 20-year mining leases; once the mining lease is renewed mining companies have to apply for fresh clearances from the forest department.
In all cases where environment clearances have already been granted within the 10-km zone from the boundary of sanctuary and national park, the forest department wants to have clear directions from the government for granting clearances to mining companies said sources in forest department
Sources also said that according to the environment clearance there is a clause which mentions that the forest department should give clearances before mining operations commence.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Rusty Spotted Cat is new addition
Rusty Spotted Cat is new addition to cat species in Corbett Park Rusty Spotted Cat is new addition to cat species in Corbett Park Submitted by admin2 on Fri,
Story/Place - New Delhi
08/12/2011,
NetIndian News Network New Delhi, August 12, 2011
Advertisement
ADVERTISEMENT The Rusty Spotted Cat (Felis rubiginosa) is a new addition to the list of cat species in Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand.
The cat is a highly endangered species, which has been accorded the highest statutory protection under schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, besides appendix I of the CITES.
The species is little smaller than the domestic cat with a rufescent or fawn grey coat. It is targeted by professional track hunters for its valuable fur.This cat is endemic to India and Sri Lanka, and has been reported mainly in the Western Ghats, besides possibly in some pockets of Jammu and Central India. During the recent country level estimation of tigers and co-predators (in 2010), its presence has also been reported in the western areas of Pilibhit.Corbett Tiger Reserve has the unique distinction of being among the first nine tiger reserves where Project Tiger was launched in 1973. The reserve and its landscape, especially around Morghati, Pakhro and nearby areas harbour a number of cat species like Jungle Cat and Leopard Cat, besides a very high density of tiger.
Advertisement
ADVERTISEMENTThe current tiger occupancy as per the assessment of 2010 in the Corbett Block covers an area of 2287 sq.km. with an estimate of 214 (190-239 tigers). The Corbett area has the highest tiger density in the world (9.4 tigers per 100 sq.km.) at the landscape scale.The rare and elusive Rusty Spotted Cat was photographed by a research team of the Wildlife Institute of India at a camera trap station on the road on July 28 and August 3, 2011, near the well-known Morghati Forest Rest House within the reserve, an official press release added
source-netindian.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Story/Place - New Delhi
08/12/2011,
NetIndian News Network New Delhi, August 12, 2011
Advertisement
ADVERTISEMENT The Rusty Spotted Cat (Felis rubiginosa) is a new addition to the list of cat species in Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand.
The cat is a highly endangered species, which has been accorded the highest statutory protection under schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, besides appendix I of the CITES.
The species is little smaller than the domestic cat with a rufescent or fawn grey coat. It is targeted by professional track hunters for its valuable fur.This cat is endemic to India and Sri Lanka, and has been reported mainly in the Western Ghats, besides possibly in some pockets of Jammu and Central India. During the recent country level estimation of tigers and co-predators (in 2010), its presence has also been reported in the western areas of Pilibhit.Corbett Tiger Reserve has the unique distinction of being among the first nine tiger reserves where Project Tiger was launched in 1973. The reserve and its landscape, especially around Morghati, Pakhro and nearby areas harbour a number of cat species like Jungle Cat and Leopard Cat, besides a very high density of tiger.
Advertisement
ADVERTISEMENTThe current tiger occupancy as per the assessment of 2010 in the Corbett Block covers an area of 2287 sq.km. with an estimate of 214 (190-239 tigers). The Corbett area has the highest tiger density in the world (9.4 tigers per 100 sq.km.) at the landscape scale.The rare and elusive Rusty Spotted Cat was photographed by a research team of the Wildlife Institute of India at a camera trap station on the road on July 28 and August 3, 2011, near the well-known Morghati Forest Rest House within the reserve, an official press release added
source-netindian.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Monday, August 1, 2011
Story/Place - India
last year, says a report, ‘Status of tigers, co-predators and prey in India-2010,' released here on Thursday by Jagdish Kishwan, Additional Director-General (Wildlife), Ministry of Environment and Forests.
“The estimated population of 1, 706 individual tigers represents a 20 per cent increase from the last survey in 2006, which estimated a number of 1,411 tigers. The increase is based on the survey of additional areas as well as an increase in the number of tigers within high-density populations,'' the report said.
The assessment of tigers, co-predators and prey included 17 States with tiger population and involved 4, 77, 000 work-days by forest staff and 37, 000 work-days by professional biologists, making it the largest exercise of its kind in the world. It is done once every four years and is a collaborative initiative between the National Tiger Conservation Authority, the Wildlife Institute of India, tiger States and outside expertise.
“The increase in the numbers is due to the fact that tiger populations in Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Karnataka have shown an increase in their density.
The inclusion of Sunderbans, some portions of the North-East and parts of Maharashtra have also contributed to the increase and the methodology consisted of a double sampling approach,” noted Mr. Kishwan.
But despite the good news, the report warns that tigers are still in danger due to an overall 12.6 per cent loss of habitat, which means that more tigers are being squeezed into smaller areas, which could lead to a lack of dispersal and consequent loss of genetic exchange between populations, and an increase in human-tiger conflict.
“Human wildlife conflict has been one of the major issues that we need to work around to ensure that not just tigers but other endangered species have a chance of flourishing.
The Ministry of Environment and Forests is also looking at amending and bringing in harsher penalties for those caught under the Wildlife Act. We will also bring in the eco tourism guidelines very soon.”
Lead author of the report, Dr. Y. V. Jhala, said: “The loss of corridors does not bode well for the tiger. Poaching can wipe out individual tiger populations, but these can be re-established by reintroductions as has been done in the Sariska and Panna reserves.
However, once habitats are lost, it is almost impossible to claim them back for restoration. We found that tigers require good forests and prey, along with undisturbed breeding areas, for long-term term survival.”
source-thehindu.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
last year, says a report, ‘Status of tigers, co-predators and prey in India-2010,' released here on Thursday by Jagdish Kishwan, Additional Director-General (Wildlife), Ministry of Environment and Forests.
“The estimated population of 1, 706 individual tigers represents a 20 per cent increase from the last survey in 2006, which estimated a number of 1,411 tigers. The increase is based on the survey of additional areas as well as an increase in the number of tigers within high-density populations,'' the report said.
The assessment of tigers, co-predators and prey included 17 States with tiger population and involved 4, 77, 000 work-days by forest staff and 37, 000 work-days by professional biologists, making it the largest exercise of its kind in the world. It is done once every four years and is a collaborative initiative between the National Tiger Conservation Authority, the Wildlife Institute of India, tiger States and outside expertise.
“The increase in the numbers is due to the fact that tiger populations in Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Karnataka have shown an increase in their density.
The inclusion of Sunderbans, some portions of the North-East and parts of Maharashtra have also contributed to the increase and the methodology consisted of a double sampling approach,” noted Mr. Kishwan.
But despite the good news, the report warns that tigers are still in danger due to an overall 12.6 per cent loss of habitat, which means that more tigers are being squeezed into smaller areas, which could lead to a lack of dispersal and consequent loss of genetic exchange between populations, and an increase in human-tiger conflict.
“Human wildlife conflict has been one of the major issues that we need to work around to ensure that not just tigers but other endangered species have a chance of flourishing.
The Ministry of Environment and Forests is also looking at amending and bringing in harsher penalties for those caught under the Wildlife Act. We will also bring in the eco tourism guidelines very soon.”
Lead author of the report, Dr. Y. V. Jhala, said: “The loss of corridors does not bode well for the tiger. Poaching can wipe out individual tiger populations, but these can be re-established by reintroductions as has been done in the Sariska and Panna reserves.
However, once habitats are lost, it is almost impossible to claim them back for restoration. We found that tigers require good forests and prey, along with undisturbed breeding areas, for long-term term survival.”
source-thehindu.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Tiger cub killed after being hit by unidentified vehicle
29/07/2011
Story/ place - Dhela
by an unidentified vehicle in Dhela range of Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) in Ramanagar, a forest official today said.The carcass of the three-month-old female tiger cub was found lying in a pool of blood last night, Warden of CTR Umesh Tiwari said.A postmortem report today revealed that head injury was the cause of the death of the tiger cub,
source-news.in.msn.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Story/ place - Dhela
by an unidentified vehicle in Dhela range of Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) in Ramanagar, a forest official today said.The carcass of the three-month-old female tiger cub was found lying in a pool of blood last night, Warden of CTR Umesh Tiwari said.A postmortem report today revealed that head injury was the cause of the death of the tiger cub,
source-news.in.msn.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Flood-struck jumbo calf finds home at Kaziranga
Story-Place - Trzpur
TNN Jul 25, 2011, 11.38am IST
JORHAT: Forest officials on Sunday rescued an elephant calf from Nameri National Park, located about 35 km from Tezpur town in Sonitpur district, and relocated it to the wildlife rehabilitation centre in Kaziranga National Park for treatment. The four-month calf, which got separated from its herd during the recent wave of floods, was stranded in the Sirusa area of the famous elephant reserve.
''Our forest staff found the calf around 6 am in the Sirusa area. The calf got separate from its herd more than a week ago and could not leave the area because of the floods. When the forest staff found the animal, it was too weak to walk. It appeared that the calf had not eaten for many days," said Abhijit Bhawal, in-charge of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, Kaziranga.
"As soon as we received the report, we rushed to the spot and started treating the animal. It was important to relocate the calf to our centre for treatment," he added.
Officials of the Kaziranga Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre rescued two other elephant calves from Nadua reserve forest and Kordoiguri area during the last few weeks. Forest officials said both the incidents occurred due to the floods. Forest staff rescued another elephant calf from Nadua reserve forest located at the boundary of the Nameri national park on July 6 and it's now undergoing treatment at Biswanath Chariali in Sonitpur district. The rehabilitation centre officials said calf that was rescued on Sunday had sustained injuries at its right foot.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
TNN Jul 25, 2011, 11.38am IST
JORHAT: Forest officials on Sunday rescued an elephant calf from Nameri National Park, located about 35 km from Tezpur town in Sonitpur district, and relocated it to the wildlife rehabilitation centre in Kaziranga National Park for treatment. The four-month calf, which got separated from its herd during the recent wave of floods, was stranded in the Sirusa area of the famous elephant reserve.
''Our forest staff found the calf around 6 am in the Sirusa area. The calf got separate from its herd more than a week ago and could not leave the area because of the floods. When the forest staff found the animal, it was too weak to walk. It appeared that the calf had not eaten for many days," said Abhijit Bhawal, in-charge of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, Kaziranga.
"As soon as we received the report, we rushed to the spot and started treating the animal. It was important to relocate the calf to our centre for treatment," he added.
Officials of the Kaziranga Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre rescued two other elephant calves from Nadua reserve forest and Kordoiguri area during the last few weeks. Forest officials said both the incidents occurred due to the floods. Forest staff rescued another elephant calf from Nadua reserve forest located at the boundary of the Nameri national park on July 6 and it's now undergoing treatment at Biswanath Chariali in Sonitpur district. The rehabilitation centre officials said calf that was rescued on Sunday had sustained injuries at its right foot.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Story/Place - Mumbai
The two fishermen arrested on Saturday in connection with the flamingo killings near Charkop, were granted bail on Sunday and asked to report to the Charkop police station for 15 days for questioning. The accused, Yashwant and Prabhakar Bhandari, had been booked under Schedule IV, annex 26 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and were produced by sub-inspector Gopal Bhosale of the Charkop police station at the holiday court in Bandra under Metropolitan Magistrate Joshi.
“Since they are first-time offenders and it is a bailable offence, they were granted conditional bail,” said Bhosale. Flamingos are protected under Schedule IV, Annex 26 of the WPA, 1972, and the sections under which the two suspects are booked are 39 and 51.
Senior police inspector R J Bandekar confirmed that Yashwant possessed a licence for his double-barrel rifle used to kill the flamingos. “It was a sports rifle and Yashwant said he had never used it before. We are trying to ascertain if it is true and are collecting more evidence besides the pictures clicked by a photographer who witnessed the incident,” he said.
fish caught in the nets set up by the fishermen. He didn’t even have a hunting licence. He claims that the flamingos were killed by accident. We are investigating all the possibilities,” said an officer.
The maximum punishment for the offence is three years in jail or a fine of Rs 21,000 or both. The mangroves near Charkop, where the incident took place, line the banks of the Gorai creek. Though the area is home to many bird species, it is not monitored by the forest department. Also, there are no specific monitoring plans for flamingos, which are migrant birds visiting the city for only two to three months a year.
sourced-indianexpress.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
The two fishermen arrested on Saturday in connection with the flamingo killings near Charkop, were granted bail on Sunday and asked to report to the Charkop police station for 15 days for questioning. The accused, Yashwant and Prabhakar Bhandari, had been booked under Schedule IV, annex 26 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and were produced by sub-inspector Gopal Bhosale of the Charkop police station at the holiday court in Bandra under Metropolitan Magistrate Joshi.
“Since they are first-time offenders and it is a bailable offence, they were granted conditional bail,” said Bhosale. Flamingos are protected under Schedule IV, Annex 26 of the WPA, 1972, and the sections under which the two suspects are booked are 39 and 51.
Senior police inspector R J Bandekar confirmed that Yashwant possessed a licence for his double-barrel rifle used to kill the flamingos. “It was a sports rifle and Yashwant said he had never used it before. We are trying to ascertain if it is true and are collecting more evidence besides the pictures clicked by a photographer who witnessed the incident,” he said.
fish caught in the nets set up by the fishermen. He didn’t even have a hunting licence. He claims that the flamingos were killed by accident. We are investigating all the possibilities,” said an officer.
The maximum punishment for the offence is three years in jail or a fine of Rs 21,000 or both. The mangroves near Charkop, where the incident took place, line the banks of the Gorai creek. Though the area is home to many bird species, it is not monitored by the forest department. Also, there are no specific monitoring plans for flamingos, which are migrant birds visiting the city for only two to three months a year.
sourced-indianexpress.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
SC clears denotification of GIB sanctuary
Story/Place - NagPur
Vijay Pinjarkar Jul 24, 2011,
NAGPUR: Finally, the Supreme Court has cleared the long-pending denotification of Great Indian Bustard (GIB) Sanctuary at Nannaj in Solapur district. From 8,496 sq km earlier, the sanctuary will now be restricted to 1,222 sq km.
The SC decision came on Friday. However, MK Rao, chief conservator of forest ( CCF) for Pune wildlife circle, said, "The detailed order is awaited but we've heard that the SC has allowed our prayer. The committee on rationalization of boundaries of national parks and sanctuaries of ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) had recommended an area of 1,222 sq km," Rao told TOI on Sunday.
The matter was pending in the court since 2006. On October 20, 2008, the SC had directed the committee for rationalization of boundaries to recommend the area of the GIB sanctuary. Accordingly, a committee headed by VB Sawarkar, ex-director of Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, recommended denotification of two sanctuaries in Maharashtra on the precondition of declaring some new sanctuaries.
The news sanctuaries that were to be declared included Mansinghdeo at Nagpur (183 sq km), Rajmachi, Thane, Pune, Alibaug (122.96 sq km), Sudhagarh-Tamni, Western Ghats (220.18 sq km), Tipagarh, Gadchiroli (52.4 sq km), Kopela-Koramarka, Gadchiroli (90.93 sq km), and Isapur Bird Sanctuary, Yavatmal (121.55 sq km). Of these, only Mansinghdeo has been declared as a sanctuary.
The central committee had visited Bhimashakar and GIB sanctuaries from November 29 to December 2, 2009, to study the Maharashtra government's proposal to denotify these two sanctuaries.
The drastic decrease in GIB area from 8,496 sq km to 1,222 sq km will bring protected area (PA) network in the state from 4.97% to 2.6% i.e. from 15,332 sq km to 8,059 sq km - a sharp drop of 60.55%. As per the recommendation of WII, PA area should be 5% of the total land area of the state.
Pune-based Dr Pramod Patil, who works for conservation of the grassland birds and also runs the GIB Foundation, hailed the court verdict. "While establishing the GIB sanctuary in 1979, it was a mistake by authorities to include such a huge area under PA network. After the enforcement of wildlife laws became stricter, people started feeling the heat and the public opinion turned against GIBs, harming the cause," said Dr Patil.
Dr Patil added that now problems of locals will be solved. "A separate area for GIBs will help strike a balance between development and conservation. Now, the department should focus on how GIBs can be conserved," said Dr Patil.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Vijay Pinjarkar Jul 24, 2011,
NAGPUR: Finally, the Supreme Court has cleared the long-pending denotification of Great Indian Bustard (GIB) Sanctuary at Nannaj in Solapur district. From 8,496 sq km earlier, the sanctuary will now be restricted to 1,222 sq km.
The SC decision came on Friday. However, MK Rao, chief conservator of forest ( CCF) for Pune wildlife circle, said, "The detailed order is awaited but we've heard that the SC has allowed our prayer. The committee on rationalization of boundaries of national parks and sanctuaries of ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) had recommended an area of 1,222 sq km," Rao told TOI on Sunday.
The matter was pending in the court since 2006. On October 20, 2008, the SC had directed the committee for rationalization of boundaries to recommend the area of the GIB sanctuary. Accordingly, a committee headed by VB Sawarkar, ex-director of Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, recommended denotification of two sanctuaries in Maharashtra on the precondition of declaring some new sanctuaries.
The news sanctuaries that were to be declared included Mansinghdeo at Nagpur (183 sq km), Rajmachi, Thane, Pune, Alibaug (122.96 sq km), Sudhagarh-Tamni, Western Ghats (220.18 sq km), Tipagarh, Gadchiroli (52.4 sq km), Kopela-Koramarka, Gadchiroli (90.93 sq km), and Isapur Bird Sanctuary, Yavatmal (121.55 sq km). Of these, only Mansinghdeo has been declared as a sanctuary.
The central committee had visited Bhimashakar and GIB sanctuaries from November 29 to December 2, 2009, to study the Maharashtra government's proposal to denotify these two sanctuaries.
The drastic decrease in GIB area from 8,496 sq km to 1,222 sq km will bring protected area (PA) network in the state from 4.97% to 2.6% i.e. from 15,332 sq km to 8,059 sq km - a sharp drop of 60.55%. As per the recommendation of WII, PA area should be 5% of the total land area of the state.
Pune-based Dr Pramod Patil, who works for conservation of the grassland birds and also runs the GIB Foundation, hailed the court verdict. "While establishing the GIB sanctuary in 1979, it was a mistake by authorities to include such a huge area under PA network. After the enforcement of wildlife laws became stricter, people started feeling the heat and the public opinion turned against GIBs, harming the cause," said Dr Patil.
Dr Patil added that now problems of locals will be solved. "A separate area for GIBs will help strike a balance between development and conservation. Now, the department should focus on how GIBs can be conserved," said Dr Patil.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Hoshiarpur leopard death: Cops arrest three for laying snares
Story/Place - Amritsar,
AMRITSAR: The Hoshiarpur police on Saturday arrested three persons for laying snares in the jungles in which a leopard was caught, and died while being rescued on Friday.
Chief Wildlife Warden, Punjab, Gurbaz Singh and District Forest Officer (wildlife) Satnam Singh said that they conducted the inquiries and found that the accused — Pyare Lal, Gurdial and Tarsem, all residents of Khnagwari village in the Dholbaha range of the district — had laid the snares to trap wild animals. The leopard, which had strayed from the jungles of Himachal Pradesh, got entangled in it and died of exhaustion and stress.
‘Make Punjabi first language in Chandigarh’
AMRITSAR: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee chief Avtar Singh Makkar on Saturday shot off a letter to Punjab Governor and Administrator, Chandigarh, Shivraj Patil, demanding that the Punjabi be made the first language in the Union Territory (UT). He said that Chandigarh has a majority of Punjabi population and the city is associated closely with the psyche of the Punjabis. “The language should be primarily used in the all official work of the UT. It should be made the first language'', demanded Makkar.
KAPURTHALA: Around 100 persons were taken ill in the Kesri Bagh area after they drank the contaminated water supplied by the municipal corporation in the locality on Saturday.
Most of those taken ill were vomiting and complained about stomach pain and diarrhoea. Three patients were referred to Jalandhar hospitals while another 15 were admitted to Civil Hospital Kapurthala. Civil Hospital, SMO, Dr Guriqbal Singh said that a door-to-door survey was being conducted and teams of the doctors have been deputed in the area. Also chlorine tablets were being distributed among the residents
source-source-indianexpress.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
AMRITSAR: The Hoshiarpur police on Saturday arrested three persons for laying snares in the jungles in which a leopard was caught, and died while being rescued on Friday.
Chief Wildlife Warden, Punjab, Gurbaz Singh and District Forest Officer (wildlife) Satnam Singh said that they conducted the inquiries and found that the accused — Pyare Lal, Gurdial and Tarsem, all residents of Khnagwari village in the Dholbaha range of the district — had laid the snares to trap wild animals. The leopard, which had strayed from the jungles of Himachal Pradesh, got entangled in it and died of exhaustion and stress.
‘Make Punjabi first language in Chandigarh’
AMRITSAR: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee chief Avtar Singh Makkar on Saturday shot off a letter to Punjab Governor and Administrator, Chandigarh, Shivraj Patil, demanding that the Punjabi be made the first language in the Union Territory (UT). He said that Chandigarh has a majority of Punjabi population and the city is associated closely with the psyche of the Punjabis. “The language should be primarily used in the all official work of the UT. It should be made the first language'', demanded Makkar.
KAPURTHALA: Around 100 persons were taken ill in the Kesri Bagh area after they drank the contaminated water supplied by the municipal corporation in the locality on Saturday.
Most of those taken ill were vomiting and complained about stomach pain and diarrhoea. Three patients were referred to Jalandhar hospitals while another 15 were admitted to Civil Hospital Kapurthala. Civil Hospital, SMO, Dr Guriqbal Singh said that a door-to-door survey was being conducted and teams of the doctors have been deputed in the area. Also chlorine tablets were being distributed among the residents
source-source-indianexpress.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
2 fishermen arrested for killing flamingos
Two fishermen were arrested in the city on charges of poaching flamingos on Saturday. The accused have been booked under relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and the Indian Arms Act.
Yashwant Bandari and associate Prabhakar Bhandari were booked after a local resident who suspected them of killing flamingos took their photographs.
Gautam Singh, a local resident, had seen some men with guns, standing knee deep in the mangrove muck on Friday. He informed the police that he had seen three dead flamingos, which he suspected were killed by ‘gun shots’.
The Charkop police showed the photographs clicked by Singh to local informers. The first lead came when an informer identified one of them as a local fisherman who owns a weapon. The search led police to Yashwant Bhandari’s house at 2 pm on Saturday.
R J Bhandekar, senior police inspector with the Charkop police station, confirmed the arrests. On questioning, Yashwant told the cops that he had used his new hunting weapon, a double barrel Indian rifle, on the migrant birds.
source-indianexpress.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Yashwant Bandari and associate Prabhakar Bhandari were booked after a local resident who suspected them of killing flamingos took their photographs.
Gautam Singh, a local resident, had seen some men with guns, standing knee deep in the mangrove muck on Friday. He informed the police that he had seen three dead flamingos, which he suspected were killed by ‘gun shots’.
The Charkop police showed the photographs clicked by Singh to local informers. The first lead came when an informer identified one of them as a local fisherman who owns a weapon. The search led police to Yashwant Bhandari’s house at 2 pm on Saturday.
R J Bhandekar, senior police inspector with the Charkop police station, confirmed the arrests. On questioning, Yashwant told the cops that he had used his new hunting weapon, a double barrel Indian rifle, on the migrant birds.
source-indianexpress.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Leopard dies allegedly due to negligence of wildlife officials
Story/Place - Hoshiarpur,
Harpreet Kaur, Hindustan Times
A leopard, which had strayed in a village in Dholbaha forest range on Friday, died allegedly due to negligence of the wildlife officials. How ill trained the department is when it comes to the rescue of accidently trapped animals, came to light on Friday when the rescue team took almost
two hours just to administer a tranquilizer to the wild cat. Minutes after it was injected with anesthesia and trapped in a net, it died.
Eye witness said that the official gun refused to go off due to rust. Moreover, the staff had just a single dart to administer anesthesia to the leopard which had got entangled in a zizyphus tree. A missed shot could have left the animal struggling for much longer.
Around 12 in the noon, when it was put in a cage, the leopard had almost collapsed. On reaching the veterinary hospital in Hoshiarpur, the officers declared it dead. It was estimated to be three and a half year old.
The leopard entered village Khangwari-20 kilometres from Dholbaha, some time in the night but villagers spotted it in the morning. "As soon as we saw it, we informed the department", said Kandi Vikas Manch president Karnail Singh. DFO (Wildlife) Satnam Singh, however claimed he received the information around 8.30am and had reached the site in an hour.
According to him, the animal died of shock and heat stroke. Denying negligence on part of the officials, he said the staff acted as quickly as it could. "You can not use the gun on animals recklessly", he quipped.
Wildlife conservator Ratnakumar, who was told about the death on his way to Hoshiarpur, said the department would find out if there was any lapse on the part of local officers. "Let the autopsy report first ascertain the cause of death. We'll take action if negligence is proved", he said. As for other inadequacies, he said the matter would be taken up with higher authorities..
The death of the leopard has sparked off anger in animal lovers. Rattan, a conservationist from Himachal Pardesh, who arrived in Khangwari on being informed about the presence of the animal, alleged that the department had mishandled the operation.
"The officials took too much time to rescue the animal. It was appalling to see that the gun they had brought was not in a working order". He also criticized the police for not controlling the crowd which he claimed "overstressed" the animal.
Sukhdeep Singh Bajwa, a former honorary wildlife warden squarely blamed the officials for the incident. "In the last 14 months, five wild cats have died in Hoshiarpur and Ropar forest ranges which is very shocking. What is the use of spending millions on a separate wildlife wing if our precious animals were to die out like this", he remarked.
"It is sad that the department does not have a veterinary expert and has to seek the services of the veterinary department in time of need", he added. Another former wildlife warden Gunraj Singh too was critical of the way the whole operation was handled.
"The officers kept fiddling with their phones even as the animal struggled for life. A timely action could have saved its life", he said.
source-hindustantimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Harpreet Kaur, Hindustan Times
A leopard, which had strayed in a village in Dholbaha forest range on Friday, died allegedly due to negligence of the wildlife officials. How ill trained the department is when it comes to the rescue of accidently trapped animals, came to light on Friday when the rescue team took almost
two hours just to administer a tranquilizer to the wild cat. Minutes after it was injected with anesthesia and trapped in a net, it died.
Eye witness said that the official gun refused to go off due to rust. Moreover, the staff had just a single dart to administer anesthesia to the leopard which had got entangled in a zizyphus tree. A missed shot could have left the animal struggling for much longer.
Around 12 in the noon, when it was put in a cage, the leopard had almost collapsed. On reaching the veterinary hospital in Hoshiarpur, the officers declared it dead. It was estimated to be three and a half year old.
The leopard entered village Khangwari-20 kilometres from Dholbaha, some time in the night but villagers spotted it in the morning. "As soon as we saw it, we informed the department", said Kandi Vikas Manch president Karnail Singh. DFO (Wildlife) Satnam Singh, however claimed he received the information around 8.30am and had reached the site in an hour.
According to him, the animal died of shock and heat stroke. Denying negligence on part of the officials, he said the staff acted as quickly as it could. "You can not use the gun on animals recklessly", he quipped.
Wildlife conservator Ratnakumar, who was told about the death on his way to Hoshiarpur, said the department would find out if there was any lapse on the part of local officers. "Let the autopsy report first ascertain the cause of death. We'll take action if negligence is proved", he said. As for other inadequacies, he said the matter would be taken up with higher authorities..
The death of the leopard has sparked off anger in animal lovers. Rattan, a conservationist from Himachal Pardesh, who arrived in Khangwari on being informed about the presence of the animal, alleged that the department had mishandled the operation.
"The officials took too much time to rescue the animal. It was appalling to see that the gun they had brought was not in a working order". He also criticized the police for not controlling the crowd which he claimed "overstressed" the animal.
Sukhdeep Singh Bajwa, a former honorary wildlife warden squarely blamed the officials for the incident. "In the last 14 months, five wild cats have died in Hoshiarpur and Ropar forest ranges which is very shocking. What is the use of spending millions on a separate wildlife wing if our precious animals were to die out like this", he remarked.
"It is sad that the department does not have a veterinary expert and has to seek the services of the veterinary department in time of need", he added. Another former wildlife warden Gunraj Singh too was critical of the way the whole operation was handled.
"The officers kept fiddling with their phones even as the animal struggled for life. A timely action could have saved its life", he said.
source-hindustantimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Spurt in crop damage cases due to wildlife in state
Story/Place - Nagpur,
Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN Jul 19, 2011,
NAGPUR: Animals suffer when humans enter their habitat, so it is that people suffer when animals enter their homes and fields. Official figures show that government is doling out more and more towards compensation for crop damage, but very little thought is being given to control the menace.
The spurt in crop depredation cases in the state over the years calls for a corrective policy to balance conservation with the livelihood of people.
In the last 11 months, from April 2010 to February 2011, 17,725 cases of crop damage by wild animals were reported, a threefold increase in crop damage cases compared to last year, which was 5,182.
In 2010-11, Rs 2.13 crore was paid to farmers as compensation as compared to Rs 60.83 lakh in 2009-10. The figures for last five years show that of the 15 wildlife and territorial circles, Kolhapur, Yavatmal, Nagpur, Aurangabad and Chandrapur are the most vulnerable, with highest number of crop depredation cases.
In 2010-11, Aurangabad recorded 6,882 cases of crop damage followed by 5,413 in Yavatmal, 1,466 each in Nagpur and Kolhapur and 1,105 in Chandrapur. In 2009-10, this was 1,859, 828, 702, 471 and 829 respectively in the above circles. The number may be more, as many cases are not reported owing to tedious procedure and delay in payment of compensation. Two year earlier, in 2008-09, Aurangabad had reported 28,357 cases of crop depradation, many of which were blamed on ingress of elephants from neighbouring southern states.
Forest officials say increasing crop damage cases indicate herbivore population like wild boars, black bucks, nilgais, deer and bison is on the rise. However, conservationists say this is not wholly true.
Prafulla Bhamburkar, manager, Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), says nilgais, popularly called as rohis, and wild boars are main source of crop damage. These species are prolific breeders.
The population of nilgais is multiplying as there are no predators left to kill nilgais. Cheetah was a good predator for nilgais but it has gone extinct. Also, Nilgais stay close to the villages and in adjoining scrub forests, where tigers are rarely seen, says Bhamburkar. The solution, he says, is that the government should provide subsidy to farmers to encourage solar fencing around farms.
Conservationist Kundan Hate says crop damage and cattle kill cases are inversely linked. "Where there is presence of predators, cattle kill cases have gone up and crop damage cases are less," he said.
Take for example Bhiwapur in Umred tehsil. With tiger numbers going up, 15 cattle kills were reported in 2010-11 while crop damage cases were only 5. Contrarily, in Katol, 196 cases of crop damage were reported during the same period while there was only one cattle kill.
Paoni RFO Anil Waghmare agrees with Hate. He says in 2010-11, his range recorded two cases of crop damage while 7 cattle kills were reported. Paoni being adjacent to Pench tiger reserve, there is presence of carnivores.
The destruction in Kolhapur was also due to straying of elephants from Karnataka to Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri districts.
Chandrapur villagers complained, "Fed up with large-scale crop destruction by wild animals, we've stopped cultivation. Getting compensation from the government is a tedious job. We don't want government's agriculture package but they should subsidize solar fencing for our farms," said Vinayak Bhalavi of Navargaon in Sindewahi.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN Jul 19, 2011,
NAGPUR: Animals suffer when humans enter their habitat, so it is that people suffer when animals enter their homes and fields. Official figures show that government is doling out more and more towards compensation for crop damage, but very little thought is being given to control the menace.
The spurt in crop depredation cases in the state over the years calls for a corrective policy to balance conservation with the livelihood of people.
In the last 11 months, from April 2010 to February 2011, 17,725 cases of crop damage by wild animals were reported, a threefold increase in crop damage cases compared to last year, which was 5,182.
In 2010-11, Rs 2.13 crore was paid to farmers as compensation as compared to Rs 60.83 lakh in 2009-10. The figures for last five years show that of the 15 wildlife and territorial circles, Kolhapur, Yavatmal, Nagpur, Aurangabad and Chandrapur are the most vulnerable, with highest number of crop depredation cases.
In 2010-11, Aurangabad recorded 6,882 cases of crop damage followed by 5,413 in Yavatmal, 1,466 each in Nagpur and Kolhapur and 1,105 in Chandrapur. In 2009-10, this was 1,859, 828, 702, 471 and 829 respectively in the above circles. The number may be more, as many cases are not reported owing to tedious procedure and delay in payment of compensation. Two year earlier, in 2008-09, Aurangabad had reported 28,357 cases of crop depradation, many of which were blamed on ingress of elephants from neighbouring southern states.
Forest officials say increasing crop damage cases indicate herbivore population like wild boars, black bucks, nilgais, deer and bison is on the rise. However, conservationists say this is not wholly true.
Prafulla Bhamburkar, manager, Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), says nilgais, popularly called as rohis, and wild boars are main source of crop damage. These species are prolific breeders.
The population of nilgais is multiplying as there are no predators left to kill nilgais. Cheetah was a good predator for nilgais but it has gone extinct. Also, Nilgais stay close to the villages and in adjoining scrub forests, where tigers are rarely seen, says Bhamburkar. The solution, he says, is that the government should provide subsidy to farmers to encourage solar fencing around farms.
Conservationist Kundan Hate says crop damage and cattle kill cases are inversely linked. "Where there is presence of predators, cattle kill cases have gone up and crop damage cases are less," he said.
Take for example Bhiwapur in Umred tehsil. With tiger numbers going up, 15 cattle kills were reported in 2010-11 while crop damage cases were only 5. Contrarily, in Katol, 196 cases of crop damage were reported during the same period while there was only one cattle kill.
Paoni RFO Anil Waghmare agrees with Hate. He says in 2010-11, his range recorded two cases of crop damage while 7 cattle kills were reported. Paoni being adjacent to Pench tiger reserve, there is presence of carnivores.
The destruction in Kolhapur was also due to straying of elephants from Karnataka to Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri districts.
Chandrapur villagers complained, "Fed up with large-scale crop destruction by wild animals, we've stopped cultivation. Getting compensation from the government is a tedious job. We don't want government's agriculture package but they should subsidize solar fencing for our farms," said Vinayak Bhalavi of Navargaon in Sindewahi.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Monday, July 18, 2011
On trail of India's lost amphibians
Story/ Place - Mumbai,
Simit BhagatSimit Bhagat, TNN 2011,
MUMBAI: After scouring forests and marshlands across the nation trying to locate rarely sighted amphibians, wildlife researchers and naturalists, who are part of the Lost Amphibians of India (LAI) initiative, will share their findings today at a press conference in Navi Mumbai.
LAI is a search taking place simultaneously in 16 states for 67 amphibian species that have been 'missing' for a period ranging from 16 years to 169 years. Around 24 teams of researchers and nationalists are involved in the project.
Dr Caesar Sen Gupta, who is a member of the expedition teams from Mumbai, said, the aim of the project is to locate species that have not been spotted since their first sighting.
"Until now, five species of amphibians have been rediscovered in the eight expeditions, carried out mainly in the Western Ghats and the Northeast." LAI rediscovered rare frog species, including the Chalazodes bubble-nest frog, Anamalai dot frog, Dehradun stream frog, Silent Valley tropical frog, and the Elegant tropical frog. Each of these species was last seen decades ago, and had been classified 'missing'.
Dr S D Biju, the programme coordinator of LAI, said, "For a successful conservation programme, we first need to know what we have to save.
The fact that these species were rediscovered gives us hope that all is not lost. We have gathered more data on other lost species." With around 341 recorded species, India can be called a 'global hub of amphibians'. On the flip side, however, over 40% of Indian amphibians are facing extinction. LAI hopes to garner more support and spread awareness in the coming months. Monsoon is the best time for such expeditions, and the teams have planned 20 more field trips before the rainy season ends.
According to experts, amphibians are indicator species and act as environmental barometers, making them an important part of the ecosystem. The roles they play-from controlling the population of insects and the spread of disease to humans and crops-are an important part of the ecology.
Massive habitat loss is one of the main threats that amphibians in India face. "The aim of the project is not only to find our lost amphibians, but also to see how we can conserve and protect their habitats," Biju added.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Simit BhagatSimit Bhagat, TNN 2011,
MUMBAI: After scouring forests and marshlands across the nation trying to locate rarely sighted amphibians, wildlife researchers and naturalists, who are part of the Lost Amphibians of India (LAI) initiative, will share their findings today at a press conference in Navi Mumbai.
LAI is a search taking place simultaneously in 16 states for 67 amphibian species that have been 'missing' for a period ranging from 16 years to 169 years. Around 24 teams of researchers and nationalists are involved in the project.
Dr Caesar Sen Gupta, who is a member of the expedition teams from Mumbai, said, the aim of the project is to locate species that have not been spotted since their first sighting.
"Until now, five species of amphibians have been rediscovered in the eight expeditions, carried out mainly in the Western Ghats and the Northeast." LAI rediscovered rare frog species, including the Chalazodes bubble-nest frog, Anamalai dot frog, Dehradun stream frog, Silent Valley tropical frog, and the Elegant tropical frog. Each of these species was last seen decades ago, and had been classified 'missing'.
Dr S D Biju, the programme coordinator of LAI, said, "For a successful conservation programme, we first need to know what we have to save.
The fact that these species were rediscovered gives us hope that all is not lost. We have gathered more data on other lost species." With around 341 recorded species, India can be called a 'global hub of amphibians'. On the flip side, however, over 40% of Indian amphibians are facing extinction. LAI hopes to garner more support and spread awareness in the coming months. Monsoon is the best time for such expeditions, and the teams have planned 20 more field trips before the rainy season ends.
According to experts, amphibians are indicator species and act as environmental barometers, making them an important part of the ecosystem. The roles they play-from controlling the population of insects and the spread of disease to humans and crops-are an important part of the ecology.
Massive habitat loss is one of the main threats that amphibians in India face. "The aim of the project is not only to find our lost amphibians, but also to see how we can conserve and protect their habitats," Biju added.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
The woods are lovely, but dark and deep?
Story/Place - India
Anahita Mukherji, TNN Jul 17, 2011, 06.38am IST
Tags:
India's forest cover has been increasing, says the government. But the government might just be fudging the figures. According to a research paper called 'Cryptic Destruction of India's Native Forests', written by two Indian scientists and a colleague from Australia, the exact opposite has been happening — our forest cover has been decreasing.
While the country's latest 'Status of Forest Report 2009' claims a 5% growth in the country's forest cover between 1997 and 2007, the research paper calls the government's bluff by pointing out that large chunks of this cover were actually made up of exotic tree plantations such as eucalyptus and acacia. When the plantations were subtracted from the total forest cover, the figures showed a 1.5-2.7% shrinking of India's natural forests each year. More ominously, the paper adds that "India has already lost 80% of its native forest cover".
While plantations form a large part of India's afforestation effort, environmentalists say that a row of planted trees cannot be called a forest. Quite on the contrary, plantations are often referred to as ecological deserts. They're made up of a single species, while natural forests are multi-canopied, consisting of an undergrowth of leaf litter, bushes and shrubs, small, shade-loving trees and taller trees that form the roof of the forest. "It's impossible to replace what has evolved over thousands of years," says Stalin D, director (projects) for Vanashakti, a conservation organization.
According to PK Sen, executive director of the Ranthambore Foundation, natural forests support associated species — those that depend on each other. The clearing of forests then, which are later replaced by plantations, often results in the extinction of several species of flora and fauna. Kamaljit S Bawa adds in his book Conservation Biology — A Primer for South Asia that "in past geological periods, the loss of species eventually balanced out or exceeded the evolution of new species. However, current rates of extinction are 100 to 1,000 those of past rates".
Conservationist Belinda Wright says the country is currently witnessing a dramatic loss of forest corridors which link one protected area with another. "Because of the destruction, animal and plant populations cannot move from one area to another, leading to the isolation of those populations. That eventually leads to the extinction of species," she says. Wright adds that the loss of forest corridors also results in mananimal conflict.
source - timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Anahita Mukherji, TNN Jul 17, 2011, 06.38am IST
Tags:
India's forest cover has been increasing, says the government. But the government might just be fudging the figures. According to a research paper called 'Cryptic Destruction of India's Native Forests', written by two Indian scientists and a colleague from Australia, the exact opposite has been happening — our forest cover has been decreasing.
While the country's latest 'Status of Forest Report 2009' claims a 5% growth in the country's forest cover between 1997 and 2007, the research paper calls the government's bluff by pointing out that large chunks of this cover were actually made up of exotic tree plantations such as eucalyptus and acacia. When the plantations were subtracted from the total forest cover, the figures showed a 1.5-2.7% shrinking of India's natural forests each year. More ominously, the paper adds that "India has already lost 80% of its native forest cover".
While plantations form a large part of India's afforestation effort, environmentalists say that a row of planted trees cannot be called a forest. Quite on the contrary, plantations are often referred to as ecological deserts. They're made up of a single species, while natural forests are multi-canopied, consisting of an undergrowth of leaf litter, bushes and shrubs, small, shade-loving trees and taller trees that form the roof of the forest. "It's impossible to replace what has evolved over thousands of years," says Stalin D, director (projects) for Vanashakti, a conservation organization.
According to PK Sen, executive director of the Ranthambore Foundation, natural forests support associated species — those that depend on each other. The clearing of forests then, which are later replaced by plantations, often results in the extinction of several species of flora and fauna. Kamaljit S Bawa adds in his book Conservation Biology — A Primer for South Asia that "in past geological periods, the loss of species eventually balanced out or exceeded the evolution of new species. However, current rates of extinction are 100 to 1,000 those of past rates".
Conservationist Belinda Wright says the country is currently witnessing a dramatic loss of forest corridors which link one protected area with another. "Because of the destruction, animal and plant populations cannot move from one area to another, leading to the isolation of those populations. That eventually leads to the extinction of species," she says. Wright adds that the loss of forest corridors also results in mananimal conflict.
source - timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Green pigeon stays as state bird
Story/Place - Pune,
TNN Jun 29, 2011,
PUNE: The Forest Owlet, a critically endangered species, will not be the state bird. Instead, the green pigeon will continue to hold the pride of place.
A proposal tabled by the Bombay Natural History Society to give the honour to the Forest Owlet was unanimously rejected by the State Wildlife Board on Tuesday.
The meeting, chaired by chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, resolved that there was no need for the change, but agreed to initiate steps to conserve the Forest Owlet.
Several NGOs felt the bird would be better protected if it was given the status.
Chavan said he would soon forward the state government's proposal to declare five new sanctuaries to the union government. These are Rajmachi in Thane-Alibaug, Sudhagarh-Tamni in the Western Ghats, Tipagarh in Gadchiroli, Kopela-Kolamarka in Gadchiroli and Isapur bird sanctuary in Yavatmal.
The meeting cleared the proposal to recruit forest guards, provide vehicles to range forest officers and granted them permission to use ammunition after sunset.
The State Board for Wildlife, Maharashtra government comprises prominent conservation NGOs like Satpuda Foundation, Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra of Chiplun and the BNHS.
"The decision to recruit more forest guards and provide vehicles to forest range officers is welcome. The chief minister also talked about purchasing 100 vehicles for the forest range officers," Nishant Kale, member of Satpuda Foundation, told TOI.
It was also decided to allow forest guards and forest officers to fully focus on wild life conservation and forest safety and not manage eco-tourism.
Kale said that the proposal for a nature interpretation centre, a leopard rescue centre and laying of electric lines in Ahmednagar district inside the bustard sanctuary will be taken up after the denotification process. The area is proposed to be reduced from about 8, 500 square km to around 1,222 square km.
The proposal to laying a transmission line through Sanjay Gandhi National Park was rejected and the members said renewable energy sources should be explored. The proposal to lay a 400 KV transmission line in Matheran was not decided upon.
"This is an eco-sensitive zone and it is not under any sanctuary. The Wildlife Board of India will take a decision," he said.
A proposal from a private company seeking forest land near Phansad wildlife sanctuary was also rejected.
The meeting granted permission for repairing the electric lines passing through the Tungareshwar wildlife sanctuary. The proposal will now go to the Central Wildlife Board and has to get an approval from the Central Empowered Committee. All development projects in the 10 km radius of wildlife sanctuaries have to get a nod from this committee constituted by the Supreme Court, said Kale.
Bhau Katdare, founder of Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra of Chiplun, said the board will meet twice in a year. Tuesday's meeting was held after 28 months.
sourced-timesofindia.indiatimes
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
TNN Jun 29, 2011,
PUNE: The Forest Owlet, a critically endangered species, will not be the state bird. Instead, the green pigeon will continue to hold the pride of place.
A proposal tabled by the Bombay Natural History Society to give the honour to the Forest Owlet was unanimously rejected by the State Wildlife Board on Tuesday.
The meeting, chaired by chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, resolved that there was no need for the change, but agreed to initiate steps to conserve the Forest Owlet.
Several NGOs felt the bird would be better protected if it was given the status.
Chavan said he would soon forward the state government's proposal to declare five new sanctuaries to the union government. These are Rajmachi in Thane-Alibaug, Sudhagarh-Tamni in the Western Ghats, Tipagarh in Gadchiroli, Kopela-Kolamarka in Gadchiroli and Isapur bird sanctuary in Yavatmal.
The meeting cleared the proposal to recruit forest guards, provide vehicles to range forest officers and granted them permission to use ammunition after sunset.
The State Board for Wildlife, Maharashtra government comprises prominent conservation NGOs like Satpuda Foundation, Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra of Chiplun and the BNHS.
"The decision to recruit more forest guards and provide vehicles to forest range officers is welcome. The chief minister also talked about purchasing 100 vehicles for the forest range officers," Nishant Kale, member of Satpuda Foundation, told TOI.
It was also decided to allow forest guards and forest officers to fully focus on wild life conservation and forest safety and not manage eco-tourism.
Kale said that the proposal for a nature interpretation centre, a leopard rescue centre and laying of electric lines in Ahmednagar district inside the bustard sanctuary will be taken up after the denotification process. The area is proposed to be reduced from about 8, 500 square km to around 1,222 square km.
The proposal to laying a transmission line through Sanjay Gandhi National Park was rejected and the members said renewable energy sources should be explored. The proposal to lay a 400 KV transmission line in Matheran was not decided upon.
"This is an eco-sensitive zone and it is not under any sanctuary. The Wildlife Board of India will take a decision," he said.
A proposal from a private company seeking forest land near Phansad wildlife sanctuary was also rejected.
The meeting granted permission for repairing the electric lines passing through the Tungareshwar wildlife sanctuary. The proposal will now go to the Central Wildlife Board and has to get an approval from the Central Empowered Committee. All development projects in the 10 km radius of wildlife sanctuaries have to get a nod from this committee constituted by the Supreme Court, said Kale.
Bhau Katdare, founder of Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra of Chiplun, said the board will meet twice in a year. Tuesday's meeting was held after 28 months.
sourced-timesofindia.indiatimes
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Greens roar with delight at tigers' permanent status
Story/Place-Panaji,
TNN Jun 30, 2011,
PANAJI: Protection of the flagship species like tiger in Mhadei wildlife sanctuary is a golden opportunity for Goa not only to conserve the big cat but also halt the spreading tentacles of destruction, say environmental activists. Carving out a tiger reserve in the eco-sensitive region will lead to focused protection of the tiger as well as the entire ecology. "This is a great opportunity for Goa to protect the region's lifeline, River Mhadei from diversion," says Bicholim-based activist, Ramesh Gawas.
Concurring with him, Sujeet Dongre, co-ordinator, centre for environmental education (CEE) said, "The status of the project tiger site will certainly enhance the level of protection even as it enjoys a certain status as a wildlife sanctuary. And the state will receive more funding for focused protection of the tiger and consequently the surrounding environment," he added. Some environmentalists are satisfied that the status of the flagship species is no longer that of a visitor to the state.
Says Clinton Vaz, co-ordinator of wild Goa, an NGO. "It is now official that they are residents of Goa," he said. Jairam Ramesh, union minister of environment and forest had referred to the resident status of the Goa tiger in his letter to chief minister Digambar Kamat. But some are aware of the Goa government's lack of seriousness in mooting a proposal for a tiger reserve. "It is very reluctant about it only because of mining interests," Gawas said. The preliminary report that the samples of tiger bones found in the Keri poaching case did not belong to the big cat was an indication of it. "Secondly, it was the Centre that had to prod the state to submit a proposal on the tiger reserve," Gawas added. Agrees Vaz, "The people have been crying hoarse for a long time that the tiger is a resident of Goa," he said. Sawant said that on-field evidence gathered by wildlife lovers suggests that Goa may have more big cats than is assumed. "Tigers have existed in Goa since time immemorial," he said.
Environmentalists believe that the next step is to work together. "Both sides (people and the forest department) are now accepting the fact that tigers are residents of Goa," says Vaz. But Siddarth Karapurkar, a Margao-based social activist said that people's protection should be woven into habitat protection. "They have lived for centuries and are better forest protectors than the forest department," he said. Activists in Bicholim and Sattari are also satisfied about Tuesday's development. "The proposal should have come much earlier, but it should not be delayed to allow further destruction," Amrut Singh of the Animal Rescue Squad said. He and various other activists said that the Swami Vivekanand Paryawaran Sanghatana, Keri, headed by Rajendra Kerkar, and the Bombay Natural History Society had contributed in creating awareness about the issue. "The government has to respond immediately as there are several benefits to the state," Gawas concluded.
sourced-timesofindia.indiatimes
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
TNN Jun 30, 2011,
PANAJI: Protection of the flagship species like tiger in Mhadei wildlife sanctuary is a golden opportunity for Goa not only to conserve the big cat but also halt the spreading tentacles of destruction, say environmental activists. Carving out a tiger reserve in the eco-sensitive region will lead to focused protection of the tiger as well as the entire ecology. "This is a great opportunity for Goa to protect the region's lifeline, River Mhadei from diversion," says Bicholim-based activist, Ramesh Gawas.
Concurring with him, Sujeet Dongre, co-ordinator, centre for environmental education (CEE) said, "The status of the project tiger site will certainly enhance the level of protection even as it enjoys a certain status as a wildlife sanctuary. And the state will receive more funding for focused protection of the tiger and consequently the surrounding environment," he added. Some environmentalists are satisfied that the status of the flagship species is no longer that of a visitor to the state.
Says Clinton Vaz, co-ordinator of wild Goa, an NGO. "It is now official that they are residents of Goa," he said. Jairam Ramesh, union minister of environment and forest had referred to the resident status of the Goa tiger in his letter to chief minister Digambar Kamat. But some are aware of the Goa government's lack of seriousness in mooting a proposal for a tiger reserve. "It is very reluctant about it only because of mining interests," Gawas said. The preliminary report that the samples of tiger bones found in the Keri poaching case did not belong to the big cat was an indication of it. "Secondly, it was the Centre that had to prod the state to submit a proposal on the tiger reserve," Gawas added. Agrees Vaz, "The people have been crying hoarse for a long time that the tiger is a resident of Goa," he said. Sawant said that on-field evidence gathered by wildlife lovers suggests that Goa may have more big cats than is assumed. "Tigers have existed in Goa since time immemorial," he said.
Environmentalists believe that the next step is to work together. "Both sides (people and the forest department) are now accepting the fact that tigers are residents of Goa," says Vaz. But Siddarth Karapurkar, a Margao-based social activist said that people's protection should be woven into habitat protection. "They have lived for centuries and are better forest protectors than the forest department," he said. Activists in Bicholim and Sattari are also satisfied about Tuesday's development. "The proposal should have come much earlier, but it should not be delayed to allow further destruction," Amrut Singh of the Animal Rescue Squad said. He and various other activists said that the Swami Vivekanand Paryawaran Sanghatana, Keri, headed by Rajendra Kerkar, and the Bombay Natural History Society had contributed in creating awareness about the issue. "The government has to respond immediately as there are several benefits to the state," Gawas concluded.
sourced-timesofindia.indiatimes
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Satellites to track Sariska's big cats,
Story/Place-Rajasthan,
IANS Jul 14, 2011,
Tigers in Rajasthan's Sariska Tiger Reserve may soon be connected with a satellite, enabling foresters to keep a constant watch on their movement. The system will be a first for India, that too, in a place where the big cats had once vanished.
The satellite system is being planned as the earlier installed radio collars, connected to a wireless system, failed to track the location of some tigers which had gone missing from the reserve in Alwar district, over 140 km from state capital Jaipur.
One of the tigers, called ST-1, which had disappeared from the forest department's radar
last year, was found dead after allegedly being poisoned by residents of a nearby village.
Currently, the reserve has two tigers and three tigresses.
"The shifting of some other tigers is being planned to accommodate a growing population of big cats at Ranthambore National Park; so we have decided to introduce a better tracking system in Sariska," a forest department officer, who did not like to be named because of official rules, told us.
The radio collars currently in use are the hi-tech Very High Frequency (VHF) tracking device strapped around the neck of the big cats.
But now the government is proposing to go in for global positioning system (GPS)-linked radio collars.
Under the new system, 10 wireless towers will be installed at the reserve. The radio collars will be connected to these towers, which will send signals to a satellite connected with a control room being set up in Sariska.
"This control room will give us constant information about tigers' movements in and around Sariska," said the officer.
He said a detailed project report has been sent to the union ministry of environment and forests. "The project is likely to cost around Rs.50 million," the officer added.
Sources said after radio collars were found to be ineffective, the department had launched a system to manually track the big cats.
"Foresters and some guards remain in the field for tracking. It is such a vast area that they too find it difficult to keep proper watch on straying tigers," said the officer.
However, wildlife experts are somewhat skeptical about the new system.
"I am of the opinion that the GPS collars are not suitable for the tigers. There have been some instances in other countries where the wild cats have tried to chew up the external antenna, following which the satellite link got snapped," Babu Lal Jaju, Rajasthan incharge of the NGO People for Animals, told us.
During 2004-05, the forest department and the state government faced all-round criticism over the disappearance of tigers from Sariska.
A report produced in March 2005 by the Wildlife Institute of India confirmed that there were no tigers left in the Sariska reserve at all. Poaching was found to be a reason for the dwindling tiger population.
Facing flak from different quarters, the state government decided to relocate tigers from Ranthambore National Park in Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan to Sariska.
The Sariska Tiger Reserve, originally a hunting preserve of the erstwhile princely state of Alwar, was declared a wildlife reserve in 1955.
In 1978, it was declared a Tiger Reserve. The total area of the park is 866 sq km. Some of the wildlife found in the reserve include leopards, jungle cats, hyenas, jackals, chital, sambars, langurs, wild boar, four-horned deer and many species of birds.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
IANS Jul 14, 2011,
Tigers in Rajasthan's Sariska Tiger Reserve may soon be connected with a satellite, enabling foresters to keep a constant watch on their movement. The system will be a first for India, that too, in a place where the big cats had once vanished.
The satellite system is being planned as the earlier installed radio collars, connected to a wireless system, failed to track the location of some tigers which had gone missing from the reserve in Alwar district, over 140 km from state capital Jaipur.
One of the tigers, called ST-1, which had disappeared from the forest department's radar
last year, was found dead after allegedly being poisoned by residents of a nearby village.
Currently, the reserve has two tigers and three tigresses.
"The shifting of some other tigers is being planned to accommodate a growing population of big cats at Ranthambore National Park; so we have decided to introduce a better tracking system in Sariska," a forest department officer, who did not like to be named because of official rules, told us.
The radio collars currently in use are the hi-tech Very High Frequency (VHF) tracking device strapped around the neck of the big cats.
But now the government is proposing to go in for global positioning system (GPS)-linked radio collars.
Under the new system, 10 wireless towers will be installed at the reserve. The radio collars will be connected to these towers, which will send signals to a satellite connected with a control room being set up in Sariska.
"This control room will give us constant information about tigers' movements in and around Sariska," said the officer.
He said a detailed project report has been sent to the union ministry of environment and forests. "The project is likely to cost around Rs.50 million," the officer added.
Sources said after radio collars were found to be ineffective, the department had launched a system to manually track the big cats.
"Foresters and some guards remain in the field for tracking. It is such a vast area that they too find it difficult to keep proper watch on straying tigers," said the officer.
However, wildlife experts are somewhat skeptical about the new system.
"I am of the opinion that the GPS collars are not suitable for the tigers. There have been some instances in other countries where the wild cats have tried to chew up the external antenna, following which the satellite link got snapped," Babu Lal Jaju, Rajasthan incharge of the NGO People for Animals, told us.
During 2004-05, the forest department and the state government faced all-round criticism over the disappearance of tigers from Sariska.
A report produced in March 2005 by the Wildlife Institute of India confirmed that there were no tigers left in the Sariska reserve at all. Poaching was found to be a reason for the dwindling tiger population.
Facing flak from different quarters, the state government decided to relocate tigers from Ranthambore National Park in Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan to Sariska.
The Sariska Tiger Reserve, originally a hunting preserve of the erstwhile princely state of Alwar, was declared a wildlife reserve in 1955.
In 1978, it was declared a Tiger Reserve. The total area of the park is 866 sq km. Some of the wildlife found in the reserve include leopards, jungle cats, hyenas, jackals, chital, sambars, langurs, wild boar, four-horned deer and many species of birds.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
3 elephants electrocuted in north Indian sanctuary
Story/Place-Lucknow
(AP) – Jul 8, 2011
LUCKNOW, India (AP) — Three elephants were electrocuted at a wildlife sanctuary in northern India, apparently after they uprooted a utility pole and were caught in its wires, a forest official said Friday.
The charred bodies of the elephants entangled in the wires were found Friday at the Dudhwa National Park in Uttar Pradesh state, Vijay Pandey said.
The elephants appeared to be part of a herd moving through the park in the Himalayan foothills, Pandey said.
He said veterinarians will conduct autopsies on the elephants before they are buried in the park.
The park is about 155 miles (250 kilometers) southeast of Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh.
India's wild elephant population is estimated at about 26,000.
Although the threat to elephants in India is not as dramatic as that facing tigers, the steady decline of their population worries wildlife activists.
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(AP) – Jul 8, 2011
LUCKNOW, India (AP) — Three elephants were electrocuted at a wildlife sanctuary in northern India, apparently after they uprooted a utility pole and were caught in its wires, a forest official said Friday.
The charred bodies of the elephants entangled in the wires were found Friday at the Dudhwa National Park in Uttar Pradesh state, Vijay Pandey said.
The elephants appeared to be part of a herd moving through the park in the Himalayan foothills, Pandey said.
He said veterinarians will conduct autopsies on the elephants before they are buried in the park.
The park is about 155 miles (250 kilometers) southeast of Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh.
India's wild elephant population is estimated at about 26,000.
Although the threat to elephants in India is not as dramatic as that facing tigers, the steady decline of their population worries wildlife activists.
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Goa should protect its forests and wildlife, says Amte
Story/Place-Goa
Rajendra P Kerkar, TNN Jul 9,
KERI: Goans need to protect its forest and wildlife to ensure that their state remains beautiful. Indiscriminate felling of trees and increased encroachments are destroying natural habitats of wild animals forcing them to enter areas of human settlement. Man and wild animal conflict is on the rise and before it reaches the summit, we have to work for conservation and protection of wildlife said Prakash Amte, a well-known social reformer from Hemalkasa of Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra.
He was speaking at an interview by Narayan Desai at DinanathMangueshkar auditorium at Kala Academy, Panaji. The programme was organized by Swami Vivekanand Smruti Sangh, Keri-Sattari to mark the Silver Jubilee of its existence.
Prakash Amte and his wife Mandakini Amte were chief guests at the valedictory function. The duo won the Magsaysay Award in 2008 for community leadership for enhancing the capacity of the Madia Gond to adapt positively and other interventions through dedicated social service in forested areas of Hemalkasa. They have worked for the upliftment of the community by providing amenities of health, education and creating social awareness since 1973.
He stated that every Goan should come forward to take responsibility of the child struggling for education. He mentioned Ajit Malkarnekar as the first Goan to contribute in the work started by Baba Amte.
He invited Goans to visit Hemalkasa for first-hand experience of Lok Biradari project. The programme was coordinated by Ajay Vaidya. Raosaheb Rane, the president of the Silver Jubilee celebration briefed the crowd about the work of Swami Vivekanand Smruti Sangh. The speaker of the Goa legislative assembly Pratapsingh Rane presided over the function.
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Rajendra P Kerkar, TNN Jul 9,
KERI: Goans need to protect its forest and wildlife to ensure that their state remains beautiful. Indiscriminate felling of trees and increased encroachments are destroying natural habitats of wild animals forcing them to enter areas of human settlement. Man and wild animal conflict is on the rise and before it reaches the summit, we have to work for conservation and protection of wildlife said Prakash Amte, a well-known social reformer from Hemalkasa of Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra.
He was speaking at an interview by Narayan Desai at DinanathMangueshkar auditorium at Kala Academy, Panaji. The programme was organized by Swami Vivekanand Smruti Sangh, Keri-Sattari to mark the Silver Jubilee of its existence.
Prakash Amte and his wife Mandakini Amte were chief guests at the valedictory function. The duo won the Magsaysay Award in 2008 for community leadership for enhancing the capacity of the Madia Gond to adapt positively and other interventions through dedicated social service in forested areas of Hemalkasa. They have worked for the upliftment of the community by providing amenities of health, education and creating social awareness since 1973.
He stated that every Goan should come forward to take responsibility of the child struggling for education. He mentioned Ajit Malkarnekar as the first Goan to contribute in the work started by Baba Amte.
He invited Goans to visit Hemalkasa for first-hand experience of Lok Biradari project. The programme was coordinated by Ajay Vaidya. Raosaheb Rane, the president of the Silver Jubilee celebration briefed the crowd about the work of Swami Vivekanand Smruti Sangh. The speaker of the Goa legislative assembly Pratapsingh Rane presided over the function.
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Friday, July 1, 2011
Tungareshwar wildlife sanctuary
. The proposal will now go to the Central Wildlife Board and has to get an approval from the Central Empowered Committee. All development projects in the 10 km radius of wildlife sanctuaries have to get a nod from this committee constituted by the Supreme Court, said Kale.
Bhau Katdare, founder of Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra of Chiplun, said the board will meet twice in a year. Tuesday's meeting was held after 28 months.
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Bhau Katdare, founder of Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra of Chiplun, said the board will meet twice in a year. Tuesday's meeting was held after 28 months.
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Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Bhadra river bore the brunt of mining
Story/Place-Kudremukh.
H M Aravind, TNN Jun 23, 2011,
CHIKMAGALUR: Mining for iron ore has caused extensive damage in the eco-sensitive Western Ghats near Kudremukh. Studies have revealed that a whopping 15 million tons of sediment has entered the Bhadra river and reservoir and over 50% of the sediment consists of mined waste material.
What's worse, it'll take years to fix this problem. In the early 1980s, when mining was on, environmentalists and wildlife activists were aghast at the pollution of forest land known for its biodiversity. After the Supreme Court stopped mining in rain forests of Kudremukh in December 2005, it became widely known that Bhadra river had been at the receiving end all the while.
Managing trustee of the NGO Wildlife First Praveen Bhargav, whose organization petitioned the apex court against mining in Kudremukh, told TOI: "The tragedy is that mining infrastructure at Kudremukh hasn't been dismantled."
Commissioned in 1965, the Bhadra dam is located about 70km downstream of Gangdikal nestled in Kudremukh National Park where three rivers — Tunga, Bhadra and Netravathi — originate. Declared a reserved forest in 1916 by the British, the park is the second-largest declared wildlife protected area spread over 600 sqkm in the Western Ghats.
Owing to mining for about three decades, the river is polluted along the banks till the dam. The worst affected are aquatic creatures, D V Girish of the Bhadra Wildlife Conservation Trust, said. "The breeding cycle of aquatic creatures has changed. We cannot quantify the damage cause to people," he said.
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H M Aravind, TNN Jun 23, 2011,
CHIKMAGALUR: Mining for iron ore has caused extensive damage in the eco-sensitive Western Ghats near Kudremukh. Studies have revealed that a whopping 15 million tons of sediment has entered the Bhadra river and reservoir and over 50% of the sediment consists of mined waste material.
What's worse, it'll take years to fix this problem. In the early 1980s, when mining was on, environmentalists and wildlife activists were aghast at the pollution of forest land known for its biodiversity. After the Supreme Court stopped mining in rain forests of Kudremukh in December 2005, it became widely known that Bhadra river had been at the receiving end all the while.
Managing trustee of the NGO Wildlife First Praveen Bhargav, whose organization petitioned the apex court against mining in Kudremukh, told TOI: "The tragedy is that mining infrastructure at Kudremukh hasn't been dismantled."
Commissioned in 1965, the Bhadra dam is located about 70km downstream of Gangdikal nestled in Kudremukh National Park where three rivers — Tunga, Bhadra and Netravathi — originate. Declared a reserved forest in 1916 by the British, the park is the second-largest declared wildlife protected area spread over 600 sqkm in the Western Ghats.
Owing to mining for about three decades, the river is polluted along the banks till the dam. The worst affected are aquatic creatures, D V Girish of the Bhadra Wildlife Conservation Trust, said. "The breeding cycle of aquatic creatures has changed. We cannot quantify the damage cause to people," he said.
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Note of caution on forest owlet as state bird
Story/Place-Nagapur
Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN Jun 27, 2011,
NAGPUR: Ahead of the state wildlife board (SWB) meeting on Tuesday, a section of board members, birders, nature lovers and conservationists have cautioned against the move to declare forest owlet as the state bird of Maharashtra.
The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) demand to change the state bird from green pigeon to forest owlet has been included in the 20-point agenda that will be discussed at the SWB meeting to be held in Mumbai.
However, conservationists and experts have sounded a note of caution. City birder Tarun Balpande and others have launched a signature campaign against the BNHS move. "We will submit a memorandum to chief wildlife warden SK Khetarpal on Monday, opposing the move. Forest owlet is endemic bird so why should it be exposed to threats by declaring it a state bird?" Balpande asked.
forest owlet? Why not other endemic birds like lesser floricons, great Indian bustards (GIBs) or vultures be named as state birds," Balpande questioned.
Veteran conservationist Gopal Thosar too opposed the idea. "I see no reason to declare forest owlet as the state bird. Bringing the species into limelight will not be worthy. What difference we could make by declaring green pigeon as the state bird? There is no protection and the state bird continues to be poached for meat," remarked Thosar.
Bird expert and ex-chief wildlife warden of Madhya Pradesh PM Lad said the state bird should be a beautiful common bird in a region, easily seen by any interested person, especially school children, throughout the state. "How can a bird which is extremely rare and endemic to a small area be a state bird of Maharashtra?" Lad asked.
"Forest owlet is a rare bird. Once it is declared a state bird, there will be pressure from VIP tourists to sight the bird, causing disturbance. It is a well-known fact that disturbance caused by owlet researchers resulted in disappearance of the species in Nandurbar district. We should not commit that mistake again," said Lad.
Nishikant Kale of Nature Conservation Society, Amravati (NCSA) feels the bird is already the pride of Maharashtra. It is not seen easily anywhere else in India. The BNHS should concentrate on conservation of the bird rather than going in for declaring it a state bird.
"If eminent ornithologist Salim Ali would have been alive, he would have never agreed to such a proposal which may expose this rare bird to avoidable dangers," Lad said.
Naturalist Kundan Hate said that it will be too immature to touch such a sensitive issue. "Have all the wildlife issues pending with the government or challenges exhausted that they are now mulling to change the status of state bird?" he asked.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN Jun 27, 2011,
NAGPUR: Ahead of the state wildlife board (SWB) meeting on Tuesday, a section of board members, birders, nature lovers and conservationists have cautioned against the move to declare forest owlet as the state bird of Maharashtra.
The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) demand to change the state bird from green pigeon to forest owlet has been included in the 20-point agenda that will be discussed at the SWB meeting to be held in Mumbai.
However, conservationists and experts have sounded a note of caution. City birder Tarun Balpande and others have launched a signature campaign against the BNHS move. "We will submit a memorandum to chief wildlife warden SK Khetarpal on Monday, opposing the move. Forest owlet is endemic bird so why should it be exposed to threats by declaring it a state bird?" Balpande asked.
forest owlet? Why not other endemic birds like lesser floricons, great Indian bustards (GIBs) or vultures be named as state birds," Balpande questioned.
Veteran conservationist Gopal Thosar too opposed the idea. "I see no reason to declare forest owlet as the state bird. Bringing the species into limelight will not be worthy. What difference we could make by declaring green pigeon as the state bird? There is no protection and the state bird continues to be poached for meat," remarked Thosar.
Bird expert and ex-chief wildlife warden of Madhya Pradesh PM Lad said the state bird should be a beautiful common bird in a region, easily seen by any interested person, especially school children, throughout the state. "How can a bird which is extremely rare and endemic to a small area be a state bird of Maharashtra?" Lad asked.
"Forest owlet is a rare bird. Once it is declared a state bird, there will be pressure from VIP tourists to sight the bird, causing disturbance. It is a well-known fact that disturbance caused by owlet researchers resulted in disappearance of the species in Nandurbar district. We should not commit that mistake again," said Lad.
Nishikant Kale of Nature Conservation Society, Amravati (NCSA) feels the bird is already the pride of Maharashtra. It is not seen easily anywhere else in India. The BNHS should concentrate on conservation of the bird rather than going in for declaring it a state bird.
"If eminent ornithologist Salim Ali would have been alive, he would have never agreed to such a proposal which may expose this rare bird to avoidable dangers," Lad said.
Naturalist Kundan Hate said that it will be too immature to touch such a sensitive issue. "Have all the wildlife issues pending with the government or challenges exhausted that they are now mulling to change the status of state bird?" he asked.
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Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Manas sanctuary is no longer in danger
Story/Place-Assm,
IANS | Jun 22, 2011
(Thinkstock photos/Getty Images) The Unesco Tuesday removed the "in danger" tag from Assam's famed Manas National Park, a World Heritage site, reflecting the revival of the formerly beleaguered sanctuary home to tigers, elephants and the one horned rhinoceroses. The Manas sanctuary, a national park, a tiger reserve, an elephant and a biosphere reserve, was listed as a World Heritage site in 1985. In 1992, it was declared a World Heritage site in Danger due to severe damages to the ecosystem during the civil unrest of the 1980s and early 1990s. The decision to remove the 'in danger' tag was announced during the ongoing 35th Session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) in Paris, the NGO Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) said in a statement from Paris. "India scores a winning goal for Manas," said Jagdish Kishwan, additional director general (wildlife) of the environment and forests ministry. "Inscription of a site in the List of World Heritage in Danger has two sides to it. One, it draws global attention to the problems faced by the site, which is beneficial; the second, it indicates a pending threat that the site could be deleted as a World Heritage completely if appropriate measures are not taken to restore it," said Vivek Menon, regional director south Asia of the NGO International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and a member of the Indian delegation to the session. Till date, the WHC has deleted two sites from the World Heritage List altogether. These include the Arabian Oryx Sanctuary in Oman, delisted in 2007, and Dresden Elbe Valley in Germany, in 2009. "Fortunately for Manas, this fate was averted, thanks to the local people, the government and the forest department authorities. IFAW-WTI is proud to have been of assistance and to have pioneered numerous conservation activities here under the initiative 'Bringing Manas Back' to its former glory," Menon, who is also executive director of WTI, added. The decision on the World Heritage status of Manas was an outcome of voting by 22 member countries to the World Heritage Committee. An independent review on the status was done by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) to apprise the committee on the present situation in Manas. The turnaround in Manas' fate came about in early 2000s. The political situation in the area began improving and culminated in the creation of the Autonomous Bodoland Territorial Council under the Bodo Accord (February 2003).
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IANS | Jun 22, 2011
(Thinkstock photos/Getty Images) The Unesco Tuesday removed the "in danger" tag from Assam's famed Manas National Park, a World Heritage site, reflecting the revival of the formerly beleaguered sanctuary home to tigers, elephants and the one horned rhinoceroses. The Manas sanctuary, a national park, a tiger reserve, an elephant and a biosphere reserve, was listed as a World Heritage site in 1985. In 1992, it was declared a World Heritage site in Danger due to severe damages to the ecosystem during the civil unrest of the 1980s and early 1990s. The decision to remove the 'in danger' tag was announced during the ongoing 35th Session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) in Paris, the NGO Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) said in a statement from Paris. "India scores a winning goal for Manas," said Jagdish Kishwan, additional director general (wildlife) of the environment and forests ministry. "Inscription of a site in the List of World Heritage in Danger has two sides to it. One, it draws global attention to the problems faced by the site, which is beneficial; the second, it indicates a pending threat that the site could be deleted as a World Heritage completely if appropriate measures are not taken to restore it," said Vivek Menon, regional director south Asia of the NGO International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and a member of the Indian delegation to the session. Till date, the WHC has deleted two sites from the World Heritage List altogether. These include the Arabian Oryx Sanctuary in Oman, delisted in 2007, and Dresden Elbe Valley in Germany, in 2009. "Fortunately for Manas, this fate was averted, thanks to the local people, the government and the forest department authorities. IFAW-WTI is proud to have been of assistance and to have pioneered numerous conservation activities here under the initiative 'Bringing Manas Back' to its former glory," Menon, who is also executive director of WTI, added. The decision on the World Heritage status of Manas was an outcome of voting by 22 member countries to the World Heritage Committee. An independent review on the status was done by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) to apprise the committee on the present situation in Manas. The turnaround in Manas' fate came about in early 2000s. The political situation in the area began improving and culminated in the creation of the Autonomous Bodoland Territorial Council under the Bodo Accord (February 2003).
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Tiger reserve tag likely for Kawwal wildlife sanctuary
Story/Place-Hyderabad,
TNN Jun 20, 2011,
HYDERABAD: Assembly Speaker Nadendla Manohar on Monday said that the Centre had in principle agreed to accord tiger reserve status for Kawwal wildlife sanctuary in Adilabad district.
Kawwal wildlife sanctuary, situated 260 km from here, was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1965 and is the oldest one in the state. This would be the second tiger reserve in the state after the Nagarjunasagar tiger reserve.
The Speaker, who is the chairman of AP legislature committee on wildlife and forests, said the central and state governments had promptly responded to their pleas on this issue. He said a request to
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced
TNN Jun 20, 2011,
HYDERABAD: Assembly Speaker Nadendla Manohar on Monday said that the Centre had in principle agreed to accord tiger reserve status for Kawwal wildlife sanctuary in Adilabad district.
Kawwal wildlife sanctuary, situated 260 km from here, was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1965 and is the oldest one in the state. This would be the second tiger reserve in the state after the Nagarjunasagar tiger reserve.
The Speaker, who is the chairman of AP legislature committee on wildlife and forests, said the central and state governments had promptly responded to their pleas on this issue. He said a request to
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced
l State wildlife board may clear pending projects
Vijay Pinjarkar, Jun 21, 2011
Story/place-Nagpur,
NAGPUR: Finally, the state board for wild life (SBWL), the highest body to plan, guide and make policies regarding wildlife in the state, will meet on June 28, after a gap of 28 months. The last meeting of the SBWL was held on February 20, 2009. As per norms it should meet every six months.
According to sources, the SBWL meeting will be held at Sahyadri guest house at Malabar Hills, Mumbai. It will be chaired by chief minister Prithviraj Chavan. The board was reconstituted in March 2010, yet no meeting was held. In the past few years, it has been observed that the SBWL meets only when some projects involving diversion of protected area (PA) needs clearance.
The meeting will also clear list of honorary district wildlife wardens. The terms of all honorary wardens in the state expired a few years ago. The demand to declare forest owlet instead of green pigeon as the state bird as raised by Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) will also come up in the meeting.
Sources said the SBWL will also discuss development projects in the 10 km radius of wildlife sanctuaries like Phansad, Bustard Sanctuary, Nannaj, Gautala, and laying of transmission line through Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Borivali. It is also expected to clear tarring of road inside Painganga sanctuary in Yavatmal and survey in Radhanagri sanctuary.
One of the SBWL members Kishor Rithe has put up the demand to identify corridors and declare six new protected areas (PAs). The Committee on Rationalisation of Boundaries of National Parks and Sanctuaries of ministry of environment and forest (MoEF) has recommended denotification of GIB sanctuary in Solapur and Bhimashankar in Pune subject to declaration of six new sanctuaries.
Of these, till now only Mansinghdeo (183 sq km) has been declared a sanctuary. The other sanctuaries include Rajmachi in Thane-Alibagh (122.96 sq km), Sudhagarh-Tamni in Western Ghats (220.18 sq km), Tipagarh in Gadchiroli (52.4 sq km), Kopela-Kolamarka in Gadchiroli (90.93 sq km) and Isapur bird sanctuary in Yavatmal (121.55 sq km).
With denotification of GIB sanctuary from 8,496.44 sq km to 1,222.61 sq km, PA area in the state will decrease from 4.97% to 2.6% ie from 15,332.49 sq km to 8,058.66 sq km. As per the recommendation of Wildlife Institute of India (WII), 5% of the total land area of state should be under PA network.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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Story/place-Nagpur,
NAGPUR: Finally, the state board for wild life (SBWL), the highest body to plan, guide and make policies regarding wildlife in the state, will meet on June 28, after a gap of 28 months. The last meeting of the SBWL was held on February 20, 2009. As per norms it should meet every six months.
According to sources, the SBWL meeting will be held at Sahyadri guest house at Malabar Hills, Mumbai. It will be chaired by chief minister Prithviraj Chavan. The board was reconstituted in March 2010, yet no meeting was held. In the past few years, it has been observed that the SBWL meets only when some projects involving diversion of protected area (PA) needs clearance.
The meeting will also clear list of honorary district wildlife wardens. The terms of all honorary wardens in the state expired a few years ago. The demand to declare forest owlet instead of green pigeon as the state bird as raised by Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) will also come up in the meeting.
Sources said the SBWL will also discuss development projects in the 10 km radius of wildlife sanctuaries like Phansad, Bustard Sanctuary, Nannaj, Gautala, and laying of transmission line through Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Borivali. It is also expected to clear tarring of road inside Painganga sanctuary in Yavatmal and survey in Radhanagri sanctuary.
One of the SBWL members Kishor Rithe has put up the demand to identify corridors and declare six new protected areas (PAs). The Committee on Rationalisation of Boundaries of National Parks and Sanctuaries of ministry of environment and forest (MoEF) has recommended denotification of GIB sanctuary in Solapur and Bhimashankar in Pune subject to declaration of six new sanctuaries.
Of these, till now only Mansinghdeo (183 sq km) has been declared a sanctuary. The other sanctuaries include Rajmachi in Thane-Alibagh (122.96 sq km), Sudhagarh-Tamni in Western Ghats (220.18 sq km), Tipagarh in Gadchiroli (52.4 sq km), Kopela-Kolamarka in Gadchiroli (90.93 sq km) and Isapur bird sanctuary in Yavatmal (121.55 sq km).
With denotification of GIB sanctuary from 8,496.44 sq km to 1,222.61 sq km, PA area in the state will decrease from 4.97% to 2.6% ie from 15,332.49 sq km to 8,058.66 sq km. As per the recommendation of Wildlife Institute of India (WII), 5% of the total land area of state should be under PA network.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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Tribals fear loss of home
Story/Place-Brahmagiri,
TNN Jun 18, 2011,
BRAHMAGIRI (Kodagu): "Are you from the government?'' asks Kuliya, a Yarava tribal, when anyone visits their tiny hamlets set in secluded forests. Uncertainty is writ large on his face, he does not want to trust visitors. Even tourists frequenting the village, located in the foothills of the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, are looked at with suspicion.
Fear and uncertainty stalks not only Kuliya, but also Chikki, Moti, Bola, Kariya and other indigenous tribals of Kodagu. ``Some politicians visited our place yesterday (Thursday) and told us that we would be chased out of the forest soon. If we want to stay longer, they asked us to support their agitation. Why is that?'' asks Kariya.
Tribals fear they will be displaced and denied their seasonal source of income from firewood, tamarind, gooseberry, wild fruits and other minor forest produce.
Praveen Bhargav, a wildlifer, said people who are against the World Heritage tag have also launched propaganda against NGOs working in the Western Ghats, saying they get huge funds from Unesco and other foreign organizations for conservation. "Actually it is the Karnataka government which will benefit, though not directly, as Unesco will provide funds to the Centre as per the UN pact,'' he added.
Kodagu home to wildlife
Kodagu has a national park (Rajiv Gandhi National Park, Nagarahole) and three wildlife sanctuaries -- Brahmagiri, Pushpagiri and Talacauvery -- which are proposed for world heritage tags. The forest is tropical wet evergreen and tropical semi-evergreen. The small district has the highest concentration of elephants in the country, and possesses around 30 tigers and over 100 Black King cobras.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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TNN Jun 18, 2011,
BRAHMAGIRI (Kodagu): "Are you from the government?'' asks Kuliya, a Yarava tribal, when anyone visits their tiny hamlets set in secluded forests. Uncertainty is writ large on his face, he does not want to trust visitors. Even tourists frequenting the village, located in the foothills of the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, are looked at with suspicion.
Fear and uncertainty stalks not only Kuliya, but also Chikki, Moti, Bola, Kariya and other indigenous tribals of Kodagu. ``Some politicians visited our place yesterday (Thursday) and told us that we would be chased out of the forest soon. If we want to stay longer, they asked us to support their agitation. Why is that?'' asks Kariya.
Tribals fear they will be displaced and denied their seasonal source of income from firewood, tamarind, gooseberry, wild fruits and other minor forest produce.
Praveen Bhargav, a wildlifer, said people who are against the World Heritage tag have also launched propaganda against NGOs working in the Western Ghats, saying they get huge funds from Unesco and other foreign organizations for conservation. "Actually it is the Karnataka government which will benefit, though not directly, as Unesco will provide funds to the Centre as per the UN pact,'' he added.
Kodagu home to wildlife
Kodagu has a national park (Rajiv Gandhi National Park, Nagarahole) and three wildlife sanctuaries -- Brahmagiri, Pushpagiri and Talacauvery -- which are proposed for world heritage tags. The forest is tropical wet evergreen and tropical semi-evergreen. The small district has the highest concentration of elephants in the country, and possesses around 30 tigers and over 100 Black King cobras.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Capturing the beauty of wildlife and nature
Story/Place-Bangalore,
Posted on Jun 14, 2011 at 02:41pm IST
BANGALORE: Nature Lounge will host a photo exhibtion Imprints in India (Bangalore) where they will be inviting photographers to showcase their work under the theme of Nature and Wildlife at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath from 10.30 am to 7 pm. Imprints is the portrayal of nature in its raw form.
It is an effort to showcase nature and wildlife in untouched form to the people and help them engage with mother earth. The photographers will bring to you an exhibit that beautifully combines the colours and hues of the nature.
There are two in-house photographers, who will be showcasing their work.
Apart from the in-house photographers, participants will be able to showcase fifteen frames under the same theme. Currently, seven frame slots are available.
The showcase will host approximately fifty limited edition frames printed on archival canvas. Each frame will be up for sale accompanied by a certificate of authentication personally signed by the artist. There would be interactive sessions with photographers and naturalists during the showcase.
Part of the proceeds from sale of art work will be used by IndiaSocial for uplifting lives of underprivileged people in India.
Below are the details of how a photographer can book a frame slot with Nature Lounge and get their art work showcased.
Eight frame slots have been booked so far.
Each photo should have the longest edge of maximum 24 inches.
Each photo will be charged at Rs 2,500 ( discount at Rs1,800 in case of multiple slots) for showcase in the gallery. (This does not include printing, framing and transporting the photo ) ■ If the photographers require printing to be done, each photo will be charged at approximately Rs 2,500 for printing and framing. (This charge is separate from the gallery showcase charge).
The printing will be done on archival canvas which is assured to last for generations and framed without glass covering for true natural representation.
Each photo will be put up for sale with the price recommendation from the artist.
The show is targeted at art buyers, collectors, bureaucrats, and High Networth Individuals (HNIs) apart from photographers.Once an artwork is sold, eighty per cent of the sale price will be given back to the art owner.
Total cost to the photographer per photograph will come up to Rs 2,500 (gallery rent) plus Rs 2,500 (printing and framing) plus 20 per cent of sale amount.
At all times, the artist has complete ownership of their artwork and Nature Lounge has no claims for it at anytime. This is indeed a unique opportunity for all aspiring and professional photographers to showcase their art work. For more details contact 09880944665� �
Sourced-ibnlive.in.com
Sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Posted on Jun 14, 2011 at 02:41pm IST
BANGALORE: Nature Lounge will host a photo exhibtion Imprints in India (Bangalore) where they will be inviting photographers to showcase their work under the theme of Nature and Wildlife at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath from 10.30 am to 7 pm. Imprints is the portrayal of nature in its raw form.
It is an effort to showcase nature and wildlife in untouched form to the people and help them engage with mother earth. The photographers will bring to you an exhibit that beautifully combines the colours and hues of the nature.
There are two in-house photographers, who will be showcasing their work.
Apart from the in-house photographers, participants will be able to showcase fifteen frames under the same theme. Currently, seven frame slots are available.
The showcase will host approximately fifty limited edition frames printed on archival canvas. Each frame will be up for sale accompanied by a certificate of authentication personally signed by the artist. There would be interactive sessions with photographers and naturalists during the showcase.
Part of the proceeds from sale of art work will be used by IndiaSocial for uplifting lives of underprivileged people in India.
Below are the details of how a photographer can book a frame slot with Nature Lounge and get their art work showcased.
Eight frame slots have been booked so far.
Each photo should have the longest edge of maximum 24 inches.
Each photo will be charged at Rs 2,500 ( discount at Rs1,800 in case of multiple slots) for showcase in the gallery. (This does not include printing, framing and transporting the photo ) ■ If the photographers require printing to be done, each photo will be charged at approximately Rs 2,500 for printing and framing. (This charge is separate from the gallery showcase charge).
The printing will be done on archival canvas which is assured to last for generations and framed without glass covering for true natural representation.
Each photo will be put up for sale with the price recommendation from the artist.
The show is targeted at art buyers, collectors, bureaucrats, and High Networth Individuals (HNIs) apart from photographers.Once an artwork is sold, eighty per cent of the sale price will be given back to the art owner.
Total cost to the photographer per photograph will come up to Rs 2,500 (gallery rent) plus Rs 2,500 (printing and framing) plus 20 per cent of sale amount.
At all times, the artist has complete ownership of their artwork and Nature Lounge has no claims for it at anytime. This is indeed a unique opportunity for all aspiring and professional photographers to showcase their art work. For more details contact 09880944665� �
Sourced-ibnlive.in.com
Sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Silencewildlife gets louder through film on
Story/Place-Bangalore.,
TNN Jun 9, 2011,
BANGALORE: Illegalities do not stop with mining in Bellary. The government's plan to build massive steel plants, initiated during the Global Investors' Meet (GIM), is a rising concern among locals and wildlife experts in the district.
The proposed plan for Rs 33,000-crore steel plant near Daroji is just one among many on the list. For, it will be located a compound away from the sloth bear sanctuary that is reportedly Asia's only habitat for sloth bears and the endangered yellow-throated bulbul, among others.
The 16-minute documentary, `Please bear with us' by Maya Jaydeep and Kestur Vasuki released on Wednesday, tries to create a public forum to break the uneasy silence on this project presently awaiting clearance from the National Wildlife Board. The proposed location for the plant is within the eco-sensitive area of the sanctuary.
Lokayukta N Santosh Hegde who released the documentary said it illustrated a `major problem in the area and reflects the attitude of people in governance'. "I found many irregularities even during my first trip to Bellary. Our first report on mining submitted to the government in December 2008 had a dedicated chapter on Daroji sanctuary. Some of the species have already disappeared and many may follow suit in the long run if we don't change our attitude," he said.
Kannada poet and writer Chandrasekhar Kambar who spent considerable part of his life in these areas, said: "It's nothing but suicide. We are killing ourselves through such development."
MINING REPORT THIS WEEKEND
Lokayukta's second report on mining will be out this month-end. "It's almost complete. There should be no further delay," Justice Hegde said.
"There must be some sanity in mining. Iron ore export must stop. My first report had suggested this but export has only `purpotedly' stopped. I deliberately use the word. Earlier, it used to be transported through Mangalore port, now it's only changed track __ from Bellary border to Chennai via Anantpur," he said.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
TNN Jun 9, 2011,
BANGALORE: Illegalities do not stop with mining in Bellary. The government's plan to build massive steel plants, initiated during the Global Investors' Meet (GIM), is a rising concern among locals and wildlife experts in the district.
The proposed plan for Rs 33,000-crore steel plant near Daroji is just one among many on the list. For, it will be located a compound away from the sloth bear sanctuary that is reportedly Asia's only habitat for sloth bears and the endangered yellow-throated bulbul, among others.
The 16-minute documentary, `Please bear with us' by Maya Jaydeep and Kestur Vasuki released on Wednesday, tries to create a public forum to break the uneasy silence on this project presently awaiting clearance from the National Wildlife Board. The proposed location for the plant is within the eco-sensitive area of the sanctuary.
Lokayukta N Santosh Hegde who released the documentary said it illustrated a `major problem in the area and reflects the attitude of people in governance'. "I found many irregularities even during my first trip to Bellary. Our first report on mining submitted to the government in December 2008 had a dedicated chapter on Daroji sanctuary. Some of the species have already disappeared and many may follow suit in the long run if we don't change our attitude," he said.
Kannada poet and writer Chandrasekhar Kambar who spent considerable part of his life in these areas, said: "It's nothing but suicide. We are killing ourselves through such development."
MINING REPORT THIS WEEKEND
Lokayukta's second report on mining will be out this month-end. "It's almost complete. There should be no further delay," Justice Hegde said.
"There must be some sanity in mining. Iron ore export must stop. My first report had suggested this but export has only `purpotedly' stopped. I deliberately use the word. Earlier, it used to be transported through Mangalore port, now it's only changed track __ from Bellary border to Chennai via Anantpur," he said.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
l High-tech cameras to monitor wildlife in Maharashtra forests
Story/Place-Pune
PTI Jun 11, 2011, 11.26pm IST
PUNE: The Maharashtra government has decided to install infrared cameras in jungles to ensure continuous monitoring of nocturnal animals in order to collect data that can be used to improve wildlife management in the state.
The first such cameras, perched upon trees, were recently installed in forest areas of Pune and Solapur to track the movement pattern of mammals and birds to aid effective conservation measures.
"The movement of animals at night cannot be supervised by us...these self-operated cameras would come handy to detect the intricacies and behavioural pattern of warm-blooded animals (mammals and birds with fixed body temperature) when they approach the waterholes," Maharashtra conservator of forests (Wildlife) M K Rao said.
He said the electro-magnetic cameras, purchased with a central government grant, could produce a "good data" with photographic evidences to corroborate many things about the animals which are still unknown, throwing light on the mysteries of wildlife.
Four IR cameras with in-built sensors were installed near forest waterholes on a trial basis in the forests of Pune and Solapur to track the movement of animals as they pass through their range.
The IR cameras have a great utility value in conservation measures. They can be of help in projecting population of wildlife and the number of species in a particular area, Rao said.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
PTI Jun 11, 2011, 11.26pm IST
PUNE: The Maharashtra government has decided to install infrared cameras in jungles to ensure continuous monitoring of nocturnal animals in order to collect data that can be used to improve wildlife management in the state.
The first such cameras, perched upon trees, were recently installed in forest areas of Pune and Solapur to track the movement pattern of mammals and birds to aid effective conservation measures.
"The movement of animals at night cannot be supervised by us...these self-operated cameras would come handy to detect the intricacies and behavioural pattern of warm-blooded animals (mammals and birds with fixed body temperature) when they approach the waterholes," Maharashtra conservator of forests (Wildlife) M K Rao said.
He said the electro-magnetic cameras, purchased with a central government grant, could produce a "good data" with photographic evidences to corroborate many things about the animals which are still unknown, throwing light on the mysteries of wildlife.
Four IR cameras with in-built sensors were installed near forest waterholes on a trial basis in the forests of Pune and Solapur to track the movement of animals as they pass through their range.
The IR cameras have a great utility value in conservation measures. They can be of help in projecting population of wildlife and the number of species in a particular area, Rao said.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Monday, June 6, 2011
Three tiger cubs Bor's new guests
Vijay Pinjarkar /, May 31, 2011, 04.53am IST
NAGPUR: The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Wildlife Institute of India (WII) have estimated the presence of 12 tigers in and around the Bor wildlife sanctuary, 60 km from Nagpur, but the number may be pegged at 15, with three new cubs being sighted recently.
A tigress with two-month-old three cubs - one male and two females - was first sighted in the Bor sanctuary by the field staff in March in the sanctuary's 'no-go' zone. The news was kept under wraps to ensure safety of the animals. The cubs are healthy and now four months old.
The entry of new tiger cubs shows that the 62 sq km Bor is becoming a breeding ground for tigers with cubs being born every year. In 2008, a tigress with three cubs, then one more tigress with two cubs in 2009, followed by another tigress with a cub in 2010 and three cubs in 2011.
Talking to TOI, A Ashraf, field director and conservator of forests, Pench tiger reserve, said this seems to be the first litter of the tigress. "Better protection, good prey base and availability of water are three key factors why Bor is becoming a safe haven for tigers," Ashraf stressed.
The results of the 2010 national tiger assessment, conducted nationally every four years by the NTCA and WII, says that Bor has 12 tigers in the 560 sq km area. However, experts say most of the tigers are Bor residents and move in the 10-15 km periphery of the sanctuary.
"Even if the tiger presence is shown in the 560 sq km area around Bor, it is the result of WII's extrapolation technique implemented on the basis of data collected from a high tiger density area," conservationists explained.
It is not only the tigers that have been multiplying but the herbivore population has also seen a jump. During a visit, flock of peacocks, herds of chital, nilgais, wild boars and sambars and a variety of bird species were sighted.
Although improved wildlife sightings in Bor is a good indication, the sanctuary needs enhanced protection and habitat management, especially in the forest areas surrounding it. The biggest threat that Bor faces today is from forest fires. Tendu collection in the 5 km area around the sanctuary needs to be banned completely. This season around 800 hectares of forest was destroyed in the ground fire.
Source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Sourced by jimsjungleretreat
NAGPUR: The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Wildlife Institute of India (WII) have estimated the presence of 12 tigers in and around the Bor wildlife sanctuary, 60 km from Nagpur, but the number may be pegged at 15, with three new cubs being sighted recently.
A tigress with two-month-old three cubs - one male and two females - was first sighted in the Bor sanctuary by the field staff in March in the sanctuary's 'no-go' zone. The news was kept under wraps to ensure safety of the animals. The cubs are healthy and now four months old.
The entry of new tiger cubs shows that the 62 sq km Bor is becoming a breeding ground for tigers with cubs being born every year. In 2008, a tigress with three cubs, then one more tigress with two cubs in 2009, followed by another tigress with a cub in 2010 and three cubs in 2011.
Talking to TOI, A Ashraf, field director and conservator of forests, Pench tiger reserve, said this seems to be the first litter of the tigress. "Better protection, good prey base and availability of water are three key factors why Bor is becoming a safe haven for tigers," Ashraf stressed.
The results of the 2010 national tiger assessment, conducted nationally every four years by the NTCA and WII, says that Bor has 12 tigers in the 560 sq km area. However, experts say most of the tigers are Bor residents and move in the 10-15 km periphery of the sanctuary.
"Even if the tiger presence is shown in the 560 sq km area around Bor, it is the result of WII's extrapolation technique implemented on the basis of data collected from a high tiger density area," conservationists explained.
It is not only the tigers that have been multiplying but the herbivore population has also seen a jump. During a visit, flock of peacocks, herds of chital, nilgais, wild boars and sambars and a variety of bird species were sighted.
Although improved wildlife sightings in Bor is a good indication, the sanctuary needs enhanced protection and habitat management, especially in the forest areas surrounding it. The biggest threat that Bor faces today is from forest fires. Tendu collection in the 5 km area around the sanctuary needs to be banned completely. This season around 800 hectares of forest was destroyed in the ground fire.
Source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Sourced by jimsjungleretreat
Gavane in operation without wildlife clearance for 4 years
Story/Place-
Rajendra P Kerkar, May 31, 2011, 05.38am IST
KERI: For four years a mining lease under TC No. 31/55 in Gavane, Ambeli and Shelpi-khurd villages of Sattari was operating without obtaining clearances under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, from the competent authority.
On April 15, 2011, mines and geology director Arvind Lolienkar directed Chowgule and company to stop all mining operations with immediate effect at the mine.
Earlier, on April 11, assistant geologist Deepak Mayenkar and other officials from the department conducted an inspection of the mine and it was found that though the environment clearance was obtained from the ministry of environment and forests on May 17, 2007, no clearance under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 was obtained.
It was also observed that the consent under the Water and Air Acts had expired and not been renewed till the time of inspection.
When contacted, Chowgule and company deputy manager SY Wakhale said, "Presently, we have stopped all mining activity at Gavane. We have already done required formalities for availing wildlife clearance and the consents under Water and Air Acts from the Goa state pollution control board to resume the mine."
Forests deputy conservator monitoring and evaluation Cedric D'Souza said, "We have received the letter from the mining company for obtaining the clearance under the Wildlife Protection Act. It is now under process."
Rajesh Gaonkar and other Gavane villagers had submitted a memorandum to Bicholim deputy collector that mining activities were being carried out without taking the necessary permissions.
On January 27, 2010, Khotode panchayat talathi Anand Narulkar brought to the notice of the Sattari mamlatdar that illegal conversion was done by Chowgule mining company on the government revenue land under survey No. 22 and 23 of Gavane.
Valpoi activist Vishwas Prabhu, working to curb illegal mining in Sattari said, "Allowing mining very close to Mhadei wildlife sanctuary will create a lot of environmental and wildlife problems. At the cost of ecology no such mining activity should be allowed."
Source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Rajendra P Kerkar, May 31, 2011, 05.38am IST
KERI: For four years a mining lease under TC No. 31/55 in Gavane, Ambeli and Shelpi-khurd villages of Sattari was operating without obtaining clearances under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, from the competent authority.
On April 15, 2011, mines and geology director Arvind Lolienkar directed Chowgule and company to stop all mining operations with immediate effect at the mine.
Earlier, on April 11, assistant geologist Deepak Mayenkar and other officials from the department conducted an inspection of the mine and it was found that though the environment clearance was obtained from the ministry of environment and forests on May 17, 2007, no clearance under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 was obtained.
It was also observed that the consent under the Water and Air Acts had expired and not been renewed till the time of inspection.
When contacted, Chowgule and company deputy manager SY Wakhale said, "Presently, we have stopped all mining activity at Gavane. We have already done required formalities for availing wildlife clearance and the consents under Water and Air Acts from the Goa state pollution control board to resume the mine."
Forests deputy conservator monitoring and evaluation Cedric D'Souza said, "We have received the letter from the mining company for obtaining the clearance under the Wildlife Protection Act. It is now under process."
Rajesh Gaonkar and other Gavane villagers had submitted a memorandum to Bicholim deputy collector that mining activities were being carried out without taking the necessary permissions.
On January 27, 2010, Khotode panchayat talathi Anand Narulkar brought to the notice of the Sattari mamlatdar that illegal conversion was done by Chowgule mining company on the government revenue land under survey No. 22 and 23 of Gavane.
Valpoi activist Vishwas Prabhu, working to curb illegal mining in Sattari said, "Allowing mining very close to Mhadei wildlife sanctuary will create a lot of environmental and wildlife problems. At the cost of ecology no such mining activity should be allowed."
Source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Story/Place-Bangalore,Jayadevan PK & Sangeetha Kandavel, May 31, 2011,
BANGALORE/CHENNAI: India's wildlife and forest management officials are finding a new way of dealing with endangered fauna - by using simple but effective technology tools such as radio sensor tagging that helps in tracking the movement and breeding of these animals. A pitched battle is being waged by conservationists, the government and non-government organisations to save India's national animal, the magnificent tiger, from extinction and technology is at the centre of the efforts being made. Simple technology is being used extensively to estimate, track and protect the remaining 1,706 tigers across the country.
• To the surprise and dismay of many, the 2006 tiger census said there were only 1,411 tigers left in the country. The 2010 census found the numbers going up to 1706 but habitats were shrinking rapidly. The technology aided census has been useful in coming up with a fairly realistic number that drives home the gravity of the problem, which was hitherto little known. Until the 'project tiger' efforts of 2006, tiger habitats in India were relatively unknown. With the use of remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS), the government was able to identify potential tiger habitats. In the same project, with the use of camera traps, reliable population estimation of this elusive species was made. "These are landmark developments in integrating technology with mainstream conservation," said PR Sinha, director, Wild Life Institute of India.
During the survey, officials used radio telemetry, satellite tracking, geographical information systems and global positioning systems to count tigers. In the first phase of the Rs 9.1-crore tiger census, field data was collected by trained people. In the second phase, tiger habitats were analysed using satellite data while in the third, hi-tech cameras were installed at strategic points to count tigers. "This was a massive exercise we undertook in which technology played a major role," says Sinha. Nearly six lakh square kilometres of forest was assessed in 17 states using remote sensing data.
The Wild Life Institute of India is also helping authorities to prosecute offenders by churning out forensic data. "We do DNA analysis and other forensic studies to help law enforcement nail poachers," he added.
source-economictimes.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
BANGALORE/CHENNAI: India's wildlife and forest management officials are finding a new way of dealing with endangered fauna - by using simple but effective technology tools such as radio sensor tagging that helps in tracking the movement and breeding of these animals. A pitched battle is being waged by conservationists, the government and non-government organisations to save India's national animal, the magnificent tiger, from extinction and technology is at the centre of the efforts being made. Simple technology is being used extensively to estimate, track and protect the remaining 1,706 tigers across the country.
• To the surprise and dismay of many, the 2006 tiger census said there were only 1,411 tigers left in the country. The 2010 census found the numbers going up to 1706 but habitats were shrinking rapidly. The technology aided census has been useful in coming up with a fairly realistic number that drives home the gravity of the problem, which was hitherto little known. Until the 'project tiger' efforts of 2006, tiger habitats in India were relatively unknown. With the use of remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS), the government was able to identify potential tiger habitats. In the same project, with the use of camera traps, reliable population estimation of this elusive species was made. "These are landmark developments in integrating technology with mainstream conservation," said PR Sinha, director, Wild Life Institute of India.
During the survey, officials used radio telemetry, satellite tracking, geographical information systems and global positioning systems to count tigers. In the first phase of the Rs 9.1-crore tiger census, field data was collected by trained people. In the second phase, tiger habitats were analysed using satellite data while in the third, hi-tech cameras were installed at strategic points to count tigers. "This was a massive exercise we undertook in which technology played a major role," says Sinha. Nearly six lakh square kilometres of forest was assessed in 17 states using remote sensing data.
The Wild Life Institute of India is also helping authorities to prosecute offenders by churning out forensic data. "We do DNA analysis and other forensic studies to help law enforcement nail poachers," he added.
source-economictimes.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Sunday, May 29, 2011
World Wildlife Fund bats for responsible wood trade
Story/Place-Jaipur
Rachna Singh, May 29, 2011,
JAIPUR: A three-day conference on 'Responsible wood trade, forest certification and market links' to build capacities of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the processing sectors of Rajasthan, Kerala, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh is underway in the city. The conference, which brought major stakeholders from wood and handicraft industry, and the World Wildlife Fund, was organised here as the city has become a ub for export of handicraft items. "This was the first time a mass awareness programme was planned for the SMEs in Jaipur and the city being the hub of export handicraft items was chosen as a prime location for organising the conference," T R Manoharan, head of Forest Programme India, said. The conference, which began on May 27, was in line with a project supported by the European Commission under its SWITCH ASIA programme. "A major objective of this project is to build capacity among SMEs in wood processing sectors of Rajasthan, Kerala, and Uttar Pradesh to provide certified sustainable forest products to national and international markets," Manoharan said. The conference organised during the International Year of the Forests saw a series of meetings with industry experts and resource persons speaking on issues ranging from responsible sourcing of wood to forest certification, legal compliance and environmental regulation in the export market of India's wood products. Art and design improvement techniques and methods of reusing and recycling the wood waste were also discussed that would help reduce wood consumption and hence reduce the cost. The experts gave focus on a new WWF report which says policymakers and business leaders must quickly back a bold target to stop forest loss as part of efforts to conserve biodiversity and fight climate change. The WWF's 'Living Forests Report', examines the drivers of deforestation and identifies the opportunities to shift from business as usual to a new model of sustainability, which can benefit government, business and communities.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Rachna Singh, May 29, 2011,
JAIPUR: A three-day conference on 'Responsible wood trade, forest certification and market links' to build capacities of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the processing sectors of Rajasthan, Kerala, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh is underway in the city. The conference, which brought major stakeholders from wood and handicraft industry, and the World Wildlife Fund, was organised here as the city has become a ub for export of handicraft items. "This was the first time a mass awareness programme was planned for the SMEs in Jaipur and the city being the hub of export handicraft items was chosen as a prime location for organising the conference," T R Manoharan, head of Forest Programme India, said. The conference, which began on May 27, was in line with a project supported by the European Commission under its SWITCH ASIA programme. "A major objective of this project is to build capacity among SMEs in wood processing sectors of Rajasthan, Kerala, and Uttar Pradesh to provide certified sustainable forest products to national and international markets," Manoharan said. The conference organised during the International Year of the Forests saw a series of meetings with industry experts and resource persons speaking on issues ranging from responsible sourcing of wood to forest certification, legal compliance and environmental regulation in the export market of India's wood products. Art and design improvement techniques and methods of reusing and recycling the wood waste were also discussed that would help reduce wood consumption and hence reduce the cost. The experts gave focus on a new WWF report which says policymakers and business leaders must quickly back a bold target to stop forest loss as part of efforts to conserve biodiversity and fight climate change. The WWF's 'Living Forests Report', examines the drivers of deforestation and identifies the opportunities to shift from business as usual to a new model of sustainability, which can benefit government, business and communities.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
New guidelines to resettle tribals near tiger parks
Story/Place-New Delhi
May 28, 2011, 02.03am IST Tags:
NEW DELHI: Scarred by the controversy over the environment ministry's attempt to brazenly relocate tribals from wildlife sanctuaries and parks, Jairam Ramesh has now proposed guidelines to resettle people specifically from tiger reserves.
The environment ministry had to withdraw the controversial regulations when it came under flak from tribal groups and re-issue a fresh set of rules.
The guidelines issued on Friday are specifically intended for tiger reserves. The relocation of people from tiger reserves as well as other sanctuaries has always been a controversial process but this got mired in greater conflict when the Forest Rights Act was promulgated. Just before the Act was enacted, the environment ministry moved swiftly to amend the Wildlife Protection Act and create a special dispensation for tiger reserves as different from other wildlife parks and sanctuaries.
The overlap of the two laws created a piquant situation requiring the government to get the existing wildlife parks and sanctuaries to be re-christened as 'critical wildlife habitats' if the forest department wanted to keep them free of people through a process set in the Forest Rights Act. This process is yet to begin.
For the tiger-bearing areas – whether national parks or sanctuaries – the environment ministry is required to get them declared as 'tiger reserves' by demarcating the lands and resettling people after settling the rights of the people under the Forest Rights Act.
The regulations are intended to set a formal protocol for such relocations from the identified tiger reserves. In the last meeting of the apex National Tiger Conservation Authority, several non-official members had raised concerns about cases where rights of the people were not respected while attempting to relocate them and declare the site as tiger reserve.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
May 28, 2011, 02.03am IST Tags:
NEW DELHI: Scarred by the controversy over the environment ministry's attempt to brazenly relocate tribals from wildlife sanctuaries and parks, Jairam Ramesh has now proposed guidelines to resettle people specifically from tiger reserves.
The environment ministry had to withdraw the controversial regulations when it came under flak from tribal groups and re-issue a fresh set of rules.
The guidelines issued on Friday are specifically intended for tiger reserves. The relocation of people from tiger reserves as well as other sanctuaries has always been a controversial process but this got mired in greater conflict when the Forest Rights Act was promulgated. Just before the Act was enacted, the environment ministry moved swiftly to amend the Wildlife Protection Act and create a special dispensation for tiger reserves as different from other wildlife parks and sanctuaries.
The overlap of the two laws created a piquant situation requiring the government to get the existing wildlife parks and sanctuaries to be re-christened as 'critical wildlife habitats' if the forest department wanted to keep them free of people through a process set in the Forest Rights Act. This process is yet to begin.
For the tiger-bearing areas – whether national parks or sanctuaries – the environment ministry is required to get them declared as 'tiger reserves' by demarcating the lands and resettling people after settling the rights of the people under the Forest Rights Act.
The regulations are intended to set a formal protocol for such relocations from the identified tiger reserves. In the last meeting of the apex National Tiger Conservation Authority, several non-official members had raised concerns about cases where rights of the people were not respected while attempting to relocate them and declare the site as tiger reserve.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Wildlife related crimes come down
Story/Place-Bangalore,
May 29, 2011,
BANGALORE: The Forest Department have said crime against wildlife has reduced in the State. This is attributed to the anti-poaching camps organised in villages around all reserved forest areas and wildlife sanctuaries. However, the taste for deer meat has led to the department taking more stringent measures.
A matter of envy for other states which are combating with the shortage of field staff for their sanctuaries, the anti-poaching groups are full in the state with vacancies in single digit numbers. "There were several cases of poaching registered a few years back. After the camps, the cases of capturing animals for trade has drastically lessened," said Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Swaminath M H.
When asked about an upward trend in cases registered in this year, he said that the poaching is now mainly restricted to hunting for meat. "Cases are regularly registered against villagers living around the sanctuaries or reserved forest areas where they hunt deer once in a few months. We have been talking to them and hope to veer them off from this habit," he explained. The two big cases in the last one year were the arrest of an interstate gang operating in Bandipur when they tried selling tiger skin but the other and more recent incident put the Forest Department on alert: student selling deer meat to Dubai.
"In that case, a student posing as visitor to the BRT range used to hunt spotted deer and hide it in the car. Once smuggled out, he would cut the meat into pieces and export it to Dubai," said Swaminath. After that incident, the Forest Department is alert to the problems and has asked its staff to inspect vehicles vigorously.
source-ibnlive.in.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
May 29, 2011,
BANGALORE: The Forest Department have said crime against wildlife has reduced in the State. This is attributed to the anti-poaching camps organised in villages around all reserved forest areas and wildlife sanctuaries. However, the taste for deer meat has led to the department taking more stringent measures.
A matter of envy for other states which are combating with the shortage of field staff for their sanctuaries, the anti-poaching groups are full in the state with vacancies in single digit numbers. "There were several cases of poaching registered a few years back. After the camps, the cases of capturing animals for trade has drastically lessened," said Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Swaminath M H.
When asked about an upward trend in cases registered in this year, he said that the poaching is now mainly restricted to hunting for meat. "Cases are regularly registered against villagers living around the sanctuaries or reserved forest areas where they hunt deer once in a few months. We have been talking to them and hope to veer them off from this habit," he explained. The two big cases in the last one year were the arrest of an interstate gang operating in Bandipur when they tried selling tiger skin but the other and more recent incident put the Forest Department on alert: student selling deer meat to Dubai.
"In that case, a student posing as visitor to the BRT range used to hunt spotted deer and hide it in the car. Once smuggled out, he would cut the meat into pieces and export it to Dubai," said Swaminath. After that incident, the Forest Department is alert to the problems and has asked its staff to inspect vehicles vigorously.
source-ibnlive.in.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Friday, May 27, 2011
Online effort fetches over 1 lakh trees for wildlife areas in
Story/place-Udaipur,
PTI | 12:05 PM,May 08,2011
Yash Shethia, Team leader of FES working around Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary in Udaipur says it is a long-term initiative that aims at regeneration of local forest and communities living there."We work with local communities to have a good forest.Kumbhalgarh forest protects eastern part of Rajasthan from desertification. So, this effort has implications beyond wildlife also," says Shethia.Local types of tress are mainly planted in these areas, apart from economically viable options like bamboo, which can also be used in building houses by locals.The idea began when in June 2010, Pradip Shah, founder of CRISIL, a credit rating agency, was gifted a garden of 100 trees planted in his honour in Israel for technical assistance that he provided to a rating agency there."Tree planting creates low-skill jobs, and benefits current and future generations, has a direct impact on carbon reduction, restoring forests, improving wildlife habitats, and upgrading water catchment areas, and offer flowers, fruit fodder and fuel for local communities and all living creatures," says Shah.The philosophy is to help each interested individual to offset carbon emissions caused by him and his family or friends by using electricity, air-conditioners, aeroplanes etc. The cost of planting a tree is Rs 50."The per capita carbon emission in India is currently around 1.2 tonnes per annum, expected to rise to 2-2.5 tonnes by 2020 and 3-3.5 tonnes by 2030. A large tree inhales 20.3 kgs of carbon-dioxide in a year and exhales enough oxygen for a family of four for a year," says Shah.People have the option on the website to calculate the amount of carbon emitted due to them and they can also calculate the number of trees needed to offset this emission.The United Nations Environment Program has recognised efforts of Grow-Trees.com and has declared it as official partner in its 'Billion Tree Campaign'.For the future, says Shah, the target is to plant ten lakh trees and increase the plantations in cities by partnering with schools and colleges there.
Source-ibnlive.in.com
Sourced by jimsjungleretreat
PTI | 12:05 PM,May 08,2011
Yash Shethia, Team leader of FES working around Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary in Udaipur says it is a long-term initiative that aims at regeneration of local forest and communities living there."We work with local communities to have a good forest.Kumbhalgarh forest protects eastern part of Rajasthan from desertification. So, this effort has implications beyond wildlife also," says Shethia.Local types of tress are mainly planted in these areas, apart from economically viable options like bamboo, which can also be used in building houses by locals.The idea began when in June 2010, Pradip Shah, founder of CRISIL, a credit rating agency, was gifted a garden of 100 trees planted in his honour in Israel for technical assistance that he provided to a rating agency there."Tree planting creates low-skill jobs, and benefits current and future generations, has a direct impact on carbon reduction, restoring forests, improving wildlife habitats, and upgrading water catchment areas, and offer flowers, fruit fodder and fuel for local communities and all living creatures," says Shah.The philosophy is to help each interested individual to offset carbon emissions caused by him and his family or friends by using electricity, air-conditioners, aeroplanes etc. The cost of planting a tree is Rs 50."The per capita carbon emission in India is currently around 1.2 tonnes per annum, expected to rise to 2-2.5 tonnes by 2020 and 3-3.5 tonnes by 2030. A large tree inhales 20.3 kgs of carbon-dioxide in a year and exhales enough oxygen for a family of four for a year," says Shah.People have the option on the website to calculate the amount of carbon emitted due to them and they can also calculate the number of trees needed to offset this emission.The United Nations Environment Program has recognised efforts of Grow-Trees.com and has declared it as official partner in its 'Billion Tree Campaign'.For the future, says Shah, the target is to plant ten lakh trees and increase the plantations in cities by partnering with schools and colleges there.
Source-ibnlive.in.com
Sourced by jimsjungleretreat
Elephant countries form 'E-8' action group
Story/Place-New Delhi
AFP | May 24, 2011, 06.42pm IST
NEW DELHI: Eight countries with the largest number of elephants met for the first on Tuesday in New Delhi to plot new strategies to protect the animal.
"Delegates represent two-thirds of the world's wild elephant population," Indian environment minister Jairam Ramesh told the inaugural gathering of the Elephant-8 group.
"From poaching for their ivory to habitat loss, every issue to conserve the elephant needs to be addressed."
Wildlife experts say both the African and Asian elephant face numerous threats and a combined effort from all countries was needed to ensure the animal's long-term survival.
The meeting was attended by delegates from Botswana, Congo, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Thailand.
India is home to an estimated 25,000 Asian elephants but their numbers are falling due to poaching and habitat destruction.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
AFP | May 24, 2011, 06.42pm IST
NEW DELHI: Eight countries with the largest number of elephants met for the first on Tuesday in New Delhi to plot new strategies to protect the animal.
"Delegates represent two-thirds of the world's wild elephant population," Indian environment minister Jairam Ramesh told the inaugural gathering of the Elephant-8 group.
"From poaching for their ivory to habitat loss, every issue to conserve the elephant needs to be addressed."
Wildlife experts say both the African and Asian elephant face numerous threats and a combined effort from all countries was needed to ensure the animal's long-term survival.
The meeting was attended by delegates from Botswana, Congo, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Thailand.
India is home to an estimated 25,000 Asian elephants but their numbers are falling due to poaching and habitat destruction.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
The Tiger Paradox: Tiger area shrinks, number increases
Story/Place-Kolkata
Subhro Niyogi, TNN | May 17, 2011, 03.12pm IST
KOLKATA: Call it a tiger paradox. The number of tigers in India has increased from 1,411 to 1,706 in four years but the total no. of tiger area has shrunk from 9 million hectare to 7 million hectare. Tiger estimation based on camera trap and DNA testing was done after a gap of four years and new areas such as Sunderbans and parts of Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and North-east were included for the first time.
Despite that, south India and terrai region in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh accounted for about 40% of tigers in India. South India now has the highest concentration of tigers anywhere in the world in a region whereas Corbett with around 220 tigers having highest tiger density in a reserve. There was no change in number of big cats in central India, touted as tiger capital, with decline in their numbers in Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Jharkhand and an increase in Maharashtra, which has surprised wildlife experts.
"We don't agree with the number as of now," said PS Pable, MP's chief wildlife warden. There was also dissent on the estimation from Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Sunderbans, who doubted the methodology of the study. There were 150 tigers in Sunderbans as compared to 70 in present estimation.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Subhro Niyogi, TNN | May 17, 2011, 03.12pm IST
KOLKATA: Call it a tiger paradox. The number of tigers in India has increased from 1,411 to 1,706 in four years but the total no. of tiger area has shrunk from 9 million hectare to 7 million hectare. Tiger estimation based on camera trap and DNA testing was done after a gap of four years and new areas such as Sunderbans and parts of Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and North-east were included for the first time.
Despite that, south India and terrai region in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh accounted for about 40% of tigers in India. South India now has the highest concentration of tigers anywhere in the world in a region whereas Corbett with around 220 tigers having highest tiger density in a reserve. There was no change in number of big cats in central India, touted as tiger capital, with decline in their numbers in Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Jharkhand and an increase in Maharashtra, which has surprised wildlife experts.
"We don't agree with the number as of now," said PS Pable, MP's chief wildlife warden. There was also dissent on the estimation from Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Sunderbans, who doubted the methodology of the study. There were 150 tigers in Sunderbans as compared to 70 in present estimation.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Youths collecting tendu from Nagzira held
Story/Place-Nagpur,
May 9, 2011,
NAGPUR: Three youths were nabbed inside Nagzira wildlife sanctuary while collecting tendu leaves on Sunday. This has put a big question mark over protection inside the sanctuary.
According to sources, the youths from Pitezari village near Nagzira gate, were caught collecting tendu leaves on tiger trail in sanctuary's core area. The spot is several kilometres from the Pitezari gate.
Wildlife laws prohibit collection of tendu from inside a protected area. Actually, no tendu collection can be allowed three kilometres from the sanctuary boundary. Nagzira is set to be upgraded into a full-fledged tiger reserve.
The incident took place when additional principal chief conservator of forests (APCCF) for wildlife A K Saxena and other officials were on a visit of Nagzira on Sunday. Forest officials have not yet filed any primary offence report (POR) against the youths whose names were kept under wraps for being locals. However, the officials are trying to book the contractor who must have prompted the youths to enter the sanctuary to collect tendu leaves.
The youths were caught plucking tendu leaves for the second consecutive day. Sources said the youths entered the sanctuary in the wee hours and collected tendu in area prohibited even for tourists. They moved out after 11 am when tourist movement came to a standstill.
Meanwhile, officials have launch a hunt for accused involved in killing a wild boar on the periphery of Nagzira three days ago. The kingpin, Indrakumar Sahare of Dhanori, is absconding. He was earlier working as daily wager (van majoor) with the sanctuary.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
May 9, 2011,
NAGPUR: Three youths were nabbed inside Nagzira wildlife sanctuary while collecting tendu leaves on Sunday. This has put a big question mark over protection inside the sanctuary.
According to sources, the youths from Pitezari village near Nagzira gate, were caught collecting tendu leaves on tiger trail in sanctuary's core area. The spot is several kilometres from the Pitezari gate.
Wildlife laws prohibit collection of tendu from inside a protected area. Actually, no tendu collection can be allowed three kilometres from the sanctuary boundary. Nagzira is set to be upgraded into a full-fledged tiger reserve.
The incident took place when additional principal chief conservator of forests (APCCF) for wildlife A K Saxena and other officials were on a visit of Nagzira on Sunday. Forest officials have not yet filed any primary offence report (POR) against the youths whose names were kept under wraps for being locals. However, the officials are trying to book the contractor who must have prompted the youths to enter the sanctuary to collect tendu leaves.
The youths were caught plucking tendu leaves for the second consecutive day. Sources said the youths entered the sanctuary in the wee hours and collected tendu in area prohibited even for tourists. They moved out after 11 am when tourist movement came to a standstill.
Meanwhile, officials have launch a hunt for accused involved in killing a wild boar on the periphery of Nagzira three days ago. The kingpin, Indrakumar Sahare of Dhanori, is absconding. He was earlier working as daily wager (van majoor) with the sanctuary.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
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