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.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
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
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
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
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
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).
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
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).
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
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
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
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
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
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
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
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
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
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
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