A terrible train of accidents
It is
more than six years now that the railway track running through the forests and
protected areas in North Bengal was converted from meter gauge to broad gauge.
Scores of wild animals including elephants, gaur and leopards have been crushed
under trains that have been speeding along this corridor. Accidents were
happening even before the gauge conversion but then the speeds were limited and
the number of trains were less.
No solution seems in view and to say
then that Gorumara, Jaldapara, Chapramari and Buxa are protected areas makes no
sense, because the animals here have no protection. Nearly a dozen and a half
elephants have been mowed down in these PAs and adjoining forests by trains
here and nothing has been done about it. Some of the solutions suggested over
the years are outright laughable and non-implementable. These include
suggestions by the court a few years ago to light up the tracks using solar
lighting so that the train drivers will be able to see the elephants. More
recently the West Bengal Forest Department has been advised to construct rail
under and over passes to allow safe passage to wildlife in a few places along
the 160 kms track.
The other suggestions have been of
the temporary band-aid types - clear vegetation along the tracks to increase
visibility; employ trackers with walkie-talkies to keep an eye on elephant
movement; increase co-ordination between forest and railway staff and slow down
the speed of trains at night when most of the accidents seem to happen. It is a
telling comment that the concerned authorities have not managed to implement
even these simple ideas. Conservation groups have suggested that all nighttime
train traffic be stopped on this route or that the line be diverted to avoid
the vulnerable areas. This might be a small price to pay to prevent the death
of an endangered animal, but even this appears to be non-acceptable. When
villages that predate the creation of PAs by 100s of years can be relocated in
the interest of wildlife, there is no reason the same can’t be done for these
rail tracks that are much more recent and have proven to be hugely detrimental
to wildlife.
Killing an elephant attracts the
highest punishment under the law. There is much breast beating, for instance,
when animals are killed by poachers or in retaliatory killings by villagers who
are victims of elephant depredation. There are demands for stricter punishment,
for immediate arrests and calls for the Central Bureau of Investigation to look
into the matter.
We know exactly what is happening on
the rail tracks in North Bengal. A similarly distressing situation exists in
neighbouring Assam, which has the dubious distinction of maximum elephant
deaths in train accidents (there are four stories on elephants and train
accidents in this issue of the PA Update alone).
The scene of ‘crime’ is known, the actors are known and yet no action is
taken: killing of wildlife is clearly a
lesser crime when committed by a particular set of actors. This is the story in
different forms in different parts of the country. Some are more equal than
others and wildlife, certainly, is at the bottom of that pile!
Wildlife
and RTI activist
murdered
in Gujarat
It
is just as we were going to press that we got the shocking news of the murder
of wildlife and Right to Information (RTI) activist from Gujarat, Amit Jethva.
He was shot dead by unidentified assailants outside the High Court in Ahmedabad
on the 20th of July. Jethva was President of the Gir Nature Club and
had been campaigning passionately for the protection of the forests and animals
of Gir.
We strongly condemn this killing and
hope that the perpetrators will be brought to book soon. We also express our
heartfelt condolences to his family and close ones.
NEWS FROM INDIAN STATES
Plan to relocate Chenchu
tribe from Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam TR
The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has
chalked out a detailed plan to relocate 1,000 families of the Chenchu tribal
community from the Nagarjungsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve. The tribals are to
be relocated to the fringe areas of the reserve and as per present norms, every
family is being offered Rs 10 lakh for the
relocation.
Anthropologists
have expressed concern that the hunter-gatherer community may be unable to
adjust to the new circumstances and the environment they are moved into.
The
MoEF had also recently hired 400 young Chenchu boys as forest guards to protect
the forests of the reserve.
Source: Rashme
Sehgal, ‘MoEF plans to uproot tribals to save tigers’, www.asianage.com, 30/06/10
Drunk drivers pose threat to wildlife in Nagarjunsagar
Srisailam TR
A study conducted by the Andhra Pradesh
Forest Department has revealed that there is considerable wildlife mortality in
the Nagarjunsagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) on account of road accidents.
Three leopards and four sloth bears were killed recently in such incidents.
There is a serious problem of drunken driving at night and this is said to be
the main cause of the wildlife deaths as well.
Vehicular
traffic that is stopped from 9 pm to 6 am throughout the year on the road to
Srisailam is allowed during festivals like Maha Shivaratri, Ugadi and
Kartikamasam. The highest number of road kills were recorded between March and
April and between July and December.
Source: ‘Drunk drivers pose threat to animals in tiger
reserve’, Deccan Chronicle, 02/05/10.
Contact: Field Director, Nagarjunasagar - Srisailam Tiger Reserve, Srisailam Dam (East) – 512103, Andhra Pradesh, Tel: 08524-286089 / 286140(R). Fax: 08524-286071
Railway
advisory to restrain elephant deaths in Assam
The Railway Board has issued advisories to prevent
train accidents that have been frequently killing elephants in Assam.
The
matter was discussed in a meeting in May held between officials of the
Northeast Frontier (NF) Railway and the state forest department (FD). The FD
expressed concern over the increasing cases of elephant deaths in train
accidents in Assam. The Chief Wildlife Warden informed the railway authorities
of the February 28 incident where despite information being passed on to the
railway stationmaster at Azara on the movement of elephants in the area,
nothing was done. A female elephant had died in the incident after being hit by
a train at Deepor Beel. Responding to the
FD’s concern the NF Railway said the Railway Board had issued advisories aimed
at preventing accidents. These involve the suggested engagement of elephant
trackers equipped with mobile phone/walkie-talkies to receive/pass on
information regarding presence of elephant herds around tracks. Separate
wireless communication facility would be provided at the stations falling
within the vulnerable areas identified.
The
FD would also inform the railways about the locations where speed restrictions
are required in the state. There are eight locations, which have been
identified as vulnerable so far. Of these, two sites are in Guwahati, two in
Karbi Anglong and one each in Digboi, Goalpara, Nagaon areas and in the Gibbon
Wildlife Sanctuary. The Railways have, however, requested for a review on this
issue as such curbs might affect train movement.
It
has also been decided that the zonal railways in consultation with the FD will
identify the vulnerable areas and arrange need-based cleaning of vegetation on
either side of tracks. Pantry car staff will also be advised not to throw
edible waste in the vulnerable areas as it might attract elephants and increase
chances of accidents. Announcements are also to be made at stations near
vulnerable locations advising passengers not to throw such waste. The train
drivers, guards, station masters would be sensitised on wildlife conservation
during periodical refresher courses at nominated zonal railway training
centres.
About
37 per cent of the total cases of elephant mortality owing to train hits in the
country is in Assam alone. This is the highest in the country followed by West
Bengal, Uttarakhand and Jharkhand. Seven elephants have been already killed by
trains in Assam this year. (Also see PA
Updates Vol XIV, No. 3 and Vol XIII, No. 5)
Source: Roopak Goswami, ‘Rail advisory to curb jumbo deaths’, The Telegraph, 17/05/10
CBI probe into wildlife
contraband haul at Guwahati airport
A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
probe has been ordered into the seizure
of 20 kg of tiger parts and skeletons worth Rs 5 crore from Guwahati airport in
the month of June. 555 kilograms of pangolin scales were also part of the
seizure. There were a total of four seizures in the span of five days from the
airport and railway station in Guwahati. This is considered indicative of the
fact that Guwahati is becoming a major hub for smugglers transporting wildlife
products to neighbouring countries.
The
recently seized consignment came from Dimapur in Nagaland and officials suspect
that the tigers may have been poached in the Kaziranga National Park. The
sender and the addressee were the same in all the cases. They were coming from
Nagaland and destined for Manipur’s Imphal West district. Officials said that
such consignments go directly from Dimapur to Manipur and then to Myanmar. The
68 day Manipur blockade had forced them to be sent through Guwahati this time.
Source: ‘Wildlife seizure in Assam, again’, The Times of India, 21/06/10
‘Govt
orders CBI probe into seizure of tiger parts in Guwahati’, www.deccanherald.com 23/06/10
Speed restriction on NH-37
through Kaziranga NP
The Assam government has ordered a speed limit of
40kmph on vehicles using the National Highway – 37 through the Kaziranga NP.
The move is aimed at ensuring the safety of the animals that are forced to move
to higher ground in the Karbi Anglong hills during the floods.
The government has also prohibited carrying of
fire-arms, bows, arrows and other weapons. Stopping heavy vehicles in front of
eating joints and blowing of horn in the areas close to the park will also not
be allowed.
Recent
flooding and subsequent inundation of the Kaziranga NP has, as in previous
years, forced animals to cross the NH-37 to reach the dry highlands in Karbi
Anglong hills. (Also see PA Updates Vol
XVI, No. 1; Vol XIV, No. 6; Vol XIII, Nos. 6, 2 &1 and Vol XI, Nos. 6 &
4)
Source: ‘Speed limits set for vehicles in KNP’, www.sentinelassam.com, 21/06/10
Contact: Director, Kaziranga NP, PO Bokakhat, Dist. Golaghat – 785612, Assam. Tel: 03776-268095(O), 268086®
Locals protest killing of a
youth by Kaziranga NP staff
People of Silveta area under Bokakhat subdivision of
Golaghat district have demanded a high level inquiry into the killing of Rahul
Kutum by the Kaziranga National Park (KNP) forest guards. He along with three
others were shot dead in the Bogpur area of the national park on May 21.
Local
people have claimed that Kutum was fraudulently declared a poacher. They have
alleged that one Hariprasad Dolley of Agoratoli area had helped the KNP
officials in planning the killing.
Following
a complaint from the family members of Rahul Kutum, the Bokakhat police
arrested Dolley under section 302 of the Indian Penal code in charge of murder
and produced him in court that sent him to the jail.
Source: ‘Poacher killing: Protest in Kaziranga National Park', The Sentinel, 01/06/10
Manas Tiger
Reserve Information System
The environmental NGO Aaranyak in
collaboration with the Forest Department (FD) of the Bodoland Territorial
Council (BTC) has developed an information database for the Manas Tiger Reserve
called the Manas Tiger Reserve Information System (MANTRIS).
It is a web-based Geographical
Information System (GIS) that will be of immense help for park managers and
stakeholders besides nature and wildlife enthusiasts. It contains detailed
information on all aspects of the tiger reserve including administrative
centers, forest boundary, land use pattern, drainage, forest villages, NGO
locations, roads network, elephant points, golden langur points, and a digital
elevation model (topographic model) of the tiger reserve.
The
project was financially supported by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund
(CEPF) and is the first of its kind web-based information software on any of
the protected areas in the North East of the country.
The
software is now available in digital format with Aaranyak which has plans to
make it available on the internet subject to approval of the FD. The digital
copy of MANTRIS is available for conservation agencies on request.
Contact: Dr. Bibhab
Kumar Talukdar, Aaranyak, 50 Samanwoy Path (Survey), PO: Beltola, Guwahati
- 781028, Assam. Tel: 0361-2230250. Fax: 2228418. Email: bibhab@aaranyak.org
Director,
Manas NP, PO Barpeta Rd. Dist. Barpeta – 781315, Assam. Tel: 03666 – 261413.
Fax: 232253 / 260253
Chief Wildlife Warden –
Assam, Rehabari, Guwahati – 781008, Assam. Tel: 0361-2566064. Fax 2547386
BIHAR
Dolphin mitras in Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary
The
Bihar government has decided to appoint 20 Gangetic dolphin mitras (friends) in an attempt to stop
their poaching in the state. These will be appointed in 20 selected villages
along the 50 km stretch of the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary in
Bhagalpur district. These are villages where there have been reports of dolphin
hunting. Senior forest officials said that the mitras will be appointed for 10 months and would be given Rs 500
per month as a ‘source of encouragement’ for saving the dolphins and creating
awareness among the villagers.
The initiative of the state government
follows the killing in May of four dolphins near Patna. (Also see PA Updates Vol XV, No. 6, Vol XII, No. 2
and No. 43)
Source:
‘Friends for dolphins’, The Telegraph,
15/05/10.
Contact:
DFO, Banka Forest Division, I/c Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin WLS,
Banka, Dist. Bhagalpur, Bihar. Tel: 06424 -232216
‘Amitabh Route’ in Gir
interests tourists
Filmstar Amitabh Bachchan’s visit to the Gir
Sanctuary has sparked greater tourist interest here. The sanctuary observed a
sudden increase in number of tourists who insisted on traveling the ‘Amitabh
route’ in the sanctuary to spot lions exactly the way he did.
There
are six designated routes in Gir of which Amitabh shot on four and posted
pictures of lions on his blog. The sanctuary was closed from June 1 to 5 as he
was shooting an advertisement for the Gujarat Tourism Corporation. It then
opened for only 10 days before it closed again for the monsoons.
The
last 10 days of the tourist season saw a sharp increase in tourist arrivals.
The number of vehicle permits issued daily before Bachchan’s visit were 60-65.
This number jumped to over 85 after the 5th of June.
Source: Himanshu
Kaushik, ‘Big B’s charm working? Tourist flow at Gir sanctuary increases’, epaper.timesofindia.com,
25/06/10
Contact: CF (Wildlife) Junagadh, Sardar Bag,
Junagadh, Gujarat. Tel: 0285 - 631678/ 630051. Fax: 631211. Email: cfwildlife_ad1@sancharnet.in
CWLW - Gujarat, Block 14, Dr. Jivraj Mehta Bhavan, Old Sachivalaya,
Gandhinagar-382010, Gujarat. Tel: 02712-230007. Fax: 221097.
JAMMU & KASHMIR
Markhor numbers up in Qazinag NP; peace
along Indo-Pak border main reason
A recent census of Markhor in the Qazinag National Park (QNP)
along the Line of Control (LOC) between India and Pakistan has put the number
of these endangered animals here at 300. This is considerably higher than the
115 goats counted in the 2005 census.
Officials say
that the main reason is the ceasefire agreed between the India and Pakistan in
2003. The Markhor was reportedly scared away or regularly fell victim to
artillery duels between the two armies. These have not been seen in many years
and the wildlife populations are recovering as a result. It has been suggested
that a similar increase in markhor population would be seen on the Pakistan
side of the LOC. There is a concern, however, of the impact on the Markhor of
the electrified fence that has been erected along the LOC to stop incursions of
militants from across the border. The 10 feet high barbed wire fence passes
through Markhor habitat in the area.
Source: ‘India Pakistan border truce helps rare Kashmir
goat’, www.dawn.com, 29/04/10.
Contact: I/c Qazinag
NP, C/o CWLW,
Government of Jammu & Kashmir, Tourist Reception Centre (TRC), Srinagar
– 190001. Tel: 0191-2544575, 0194-2452469
Bannerghatta
night safari between 6 and 11 pm: FD
The Karnataka Forest
Department has submitted an affidavit to the High Court saying that the
proposed night safari at Bannerghatta National Park will not be allowed beyond
midnight.
The affidavit says that the Central Zoo Authority had
approved the master plan submitted for the year of 2009-2010 to 2018 -2019 on
February 11, 2010. As per the plan an area of 115 hectares has been earmarked
for the night safari and the visiting hours will be between 6 pm and 11 pm on
weekdays depending on the season. On weekends the safari will go on till
midnight.
A Bangalore based advocate,
B R Deepak, had filed a PIL challenging the proposed night safari. He had
contended that it is against the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972 and the wild
animals would be under extreme pressure and stress if the safari is allowed.
(Also see PA Update Vol XVI, No. 2)
Source: ‘No Safari at Bannerghatta after midnight’, www.deccanherald.com , 21/06/10
Contact: CF, Bannerghatta NP, Bannerghatta, Dist. Bangalore – 560083, Karnataka. Tel: 080-28428540(O), 28428572(R). Fax: 28428540
Motor rally
inside Cauvery WLS; spotted deer killed
Jayadas Menon, a 41-year-old
resident of Bangalore was arrested recently for illegally organizing a motor
rally through the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary. A spotted deer was killed due to
reckless driving by Khushwanth Randhawa, one of the rally participants on June
8 near Muthathi inside the sanctuary. The vehicle driven by Randhawa was seized
by the Kanakapura wildlife division staff. An offence (FOC 3/09-10) was booked
against 10 persons including the driver and the organisers.
Menon was produced before the Judicial Magistrate First
Class (JMFC), Kanakapura and has been remanded to judicial custody. He has been
booked under The Wild Life Protection Act 1972 Sections 9 (Prohibition of
killing of wildlife), Section 27 (Trespassing into wildlife sanctuary) and
Section 51 (Penalty clauses punishment which extends up to three years). The
case of a road kill is equivalent to poaching and is a non-bailable offence.
On the day of the accident, the organiser had claimed
that he had permission to organise the rally within the sanctuary. When the
forest staff demanded the written copy of the permission, he failed to furnish
it, and also fled from the spot. The rally was organised between Bangalore and
Kochi. The first phase of it fell within the sanctuary.
The FD is reported to have said that there is high level
pressure to release the accused.
Source: Subhash Chandra N S, ‘Rally in wildlife sanctuary kills deer, one held’, www.deccanherald.com , 29/06/10.
Contact: DCF,
Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary Kanakapura, Dist. Bangalore, Karnataka. Tel:
08117-22536(O), 22537(R)
MoEF cancels
clearance given to power plant in Karwar; says it is too close to Cotigao WLS
in Goa
The Union Ministry of
Environment and Forests (MoEF) has cancelled an environmental clearance given to
a 450 mw power plant proposed in Uttar Kannada district of Karnataka. The
project in Hankona in Karwar tehsil had received environmental clearance in
June 2009.
The rejection came following a report submitted by the
expert appraisal committee, which during an inspection found that the project
proponent Ind-Bharath Ltd had obtained the environment nod by hiding
information in respect of various issues including proximity of the project to
the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary in Goa.
The team found that there was a contradiction between
data furnished by the firm and the actual position of various aspects. The firm
had concealed details on the location of discharge of cooling water, impact of
intake and outfall on the fisheries, and the presence of patches of dense
forest in and around the project site, including mangroves. Taking serious note
of the matter, the ministry cancelled the environment clearance and the Coastal
Regulation Zone nod sanctioned to the company.
The local residents,
including members of the Hankona fishing community, had filed two appeals
before National Environment Appellate Authority (NEAA) against the project
forcing the MoEF to send a team to verify the allegations. They had raised
fears of loss of livelihood and had also pointed out that the plant was located
only 3.5 kms from the Cotigao WLS.
The NEAA had already rejected the power plant (PA Update Vol XV, No. 5) on various
grounds including that it was close to the forests of the Anshi-Dandeli Tiger
Reserve
Source: ‘Environment Ministry refuses Karna power
plant proposal’, www.deccanherald.com 29/06/10.
Contact: I/c Cotigao WLS, C/o Chief Wildlife Warden, Wildlife Wing, Junta House, Panaji 403001, Goa. Tel: 0832 – 224747 / 223508. Fax: 224747
Two
elephants from Hassan moved to Bandipur NP; one starts return journey
The Karnataka
Forest Department has started an operation to tranquilise elephants in Hassan
district and move the animals to the Bandipur National Park. These animals are
part of a herd of 20 that is at the centre of ongoing conflict with villages in
the area.
Two elephants have so far been moved
as part of the effort called ‘Operation Magadihalli’. The first elephant was
captured in the first week of June in Karadibetta Hosahalli in Alur taluk,
while the 2nd one was caught about a week later in Dodabetta also in
Alur taluk. They were fitted with radio collars before being transported to the
forests of the Bandipur National Park.
Subsequent
reports indicate that one of the elephants had started, almost immediately, to
walk back to its old territory. It had walked 70 km from Bandipur and had
reached the backwaters of Kabini river. The latest in the matter is not known.
Forest officials were hoping to get the permission from
the Union government for the capture and translocation of the entire herd of 20
animals, but it is not sure now considering that one of the first two that were
moved had started returning to its old territory.
(Also see PA Updates Vol XII, Nos. 6 & 4)
Source:
‘Rouge elephant captured’, The Hindu,
07/06/10
‘Second rogue elephant captured
near Doddabetta’ The Hindu, 14/06/10
‘Radio collared jumbo traces back its steps’, Deccan Herald, 16/06/10
Contact: Field Director, Bandipur Project Tiger Reserve, Aranya Bhawan, Ashokapuram, Mysore – 570008, Karnataka. Tel: 0821-2480901(O), 2484980 (R).
Special Tiger
Protection Force for Bandipur Tiger Reserve
The Karnataka government has
decided to expedite its 2008 plans to set up a task force to protect tigers of
the Bandipur Tiger Reserve. The move comes after the National Tiger
Conservation Authority (NTCA) threatened to cut funds as eight tigers have died
since 2009 in the reserve. Four of these deaths have occurred since January
2010. The NTCA has asked the state to review the monitoring and security of the
tiger reserves.
The state government is working towards setting up the
Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) by 2011 as per NTCA guidelines and has
set aside Rs. Four crores for the purpose.
The STPF will be headed by an assistant conservator of
forests and will comprise three range forest officers, 18 foresters and 90
guards, who will be divided into three groups. It will also have a member from
NCTA. Each group will be provided a vehicle, arms and other equipment by the
NTCA. Those selected for the force will undergo six months’ rigorous training
at Yelahanka Police Training centre.
Source: ‘Task force to protect Bandipur tigers’, Deccan Herald, 02/06/10
Pollution
related deaths of fish and crocodiles in River Kali near Dandeli WLS, Anshi NP
It has been
alleged that the pollutants being released in the River Kali by the West Coast
Paper Mill Ltd has caused wide-scale fish and crocodile mortality in the waters
of the river. Forests of the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and the Anshi National
Park are in the vicinity and wild animals in the region depend on the river for
water.
This was pointed out in a letter to
the environment Minister, Mr. Jairam Ramesh, Hemanta Naik a resident of Dandeli
Town along with photographs of fish found dead in the river on June 13, earlier
this year.
The letter also points out that air
and water pollutants were damaging the health of people in the area as well as
the crop production. Strict action has been demanded against the industry.
Source: Hemanta Naik. Letter
to Mr. Jairam Ramesh dated 14/06/10.
Contact: Hemanta Naik, Kali River Bachao
Andolan, I/637, Opposite CMC, Township, Dandeli - 581325 Uttara Kanada,
Karnataka. Tel: 09844201252. Email: hemanta_naik@yahoo.com
DCF,
Dandeli Wildlife Division, Dandeli – 581325, Uttar Kannada, Karnataka. Tel:
08284-231585(O), 230114(R). Fax: 230300
Solar fencing leading to
increased human-elephant conflict in Kerala
Solar fencing to prevent elephants from dying in
railway accidents and to protect private property is leading to an increase in
human-elephant conflict in adjoining areas. The Forest Department (FD) and the
Railways recently put up solar fencing along a 20-kilometre stretch between
Kanjikode and Madukkarai in the Walayar forests as a large number of elephants
had died after being hit by speeding trains (PA Update Vol XIV, No. 2). As a result, no death has been reported
on the railway lines between Walayar and Madukkarai for the past one year.
Another 10 kilometres of the rail track is currently being fenced. A private
company which has started a wind farm in Attapadi has also put up an electric
fencing around hundreds of acres of their land.
This
blocking of elephant movement routes, however, is said to have resulted in
elephants moving into adjoining areas and an increase of conflict here. Those
affected on account of these developments include the residents of Malampuzha,
Kava, Padalikaad, Kottekad, Venoli and Attapadi areas. Large areas of
cultivated land have been damaged and two people were also recently killed by
elephants in Attapadi and at Adupu colony in Malampuzha.
The FD has planned to put up a 20-kilometre fencing
in the Malampuzha and Pudussery panchayats. Seven wild elephants are reported
to be roaming in these panchayat areas and another two dozen in the surrounding
agricultural land. A group of people has been engaged here to use crackers at
night to scare away the elephants.
Forest
authorities have also submitted a scheme estimated at Rs 1.5 crore to Project
Elephant to protect elephants and their habitats in the region. The suggestions
include the provision of solar fencing, digging of trenches and providing water
holes in the forest areas so that the animals do not enter human habitations.
Source: ‘Squads to counter elephant menace on the cards’, www.expressbuzz.com 10/05/10
Contact: Chief Wildlife Warden – Kerala, Vazhudacaud, Trivandrum – 695014, Kerala. Tel: 0471-2322217 / 2360452 / 2204896. Fax: 2360452 / 2322217
New frog
species in Ervikulam NP
A team of scientists from Delhi University led by
Dr. SD Biju of the School of Environmental Studies, have reported a new frog
species from the Ervikulam National Park. It is bright orange to reddish in
colour, has multiple macroglands on the body, is extremely short limbed and is
morphologically different from all other families of frogs. It has been
reported only from the summit of Anaimudi. Biju is said to have first located
the frog in 2001 and then spent seven years to complete the study including its
reproductive behaviour.
Source: ‘New frog species found in Western Ghats’, www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com, 06/05/10.
Contact: Wildlife Warden, Ervikulam
NP, P.O. Munnar, Munnar, Kerala. Tel: 04865-230487
Guards burn
tiger cub carcass in Pench TR; cut pads for tantrik
ritual
Three forest guards and the Chairman of
the local Eco-development society (constituted by the Forest Department) were
arrested in the month of June for burning the carcass of a tiger cub in the
Pench Tiger Reserve. The cub had reportedly died a natural death and the forest
guards had chopped off the cubs pads/feet before burning the carcass. The pads
were to be used for performing certain tantrik
rituals, which the guards believed would make them wealthy.
The
cub was one of three with a tigress that had been seen in the reserve.
Officials had found the cub near a water body away from its mother. Noting its
critical condition, they had directed the guards to keep a watch on the animal.
Two days later the guards said that the cub was no longer there and that it had
been taken back by its mother. The details of what happened became available
only after a priest was called by them to their camp to perform a tantrik ritual using the cub’s pads.
Source: Moushumi
Basu. ‘Pench guards burn tiger cub’s carcass’ www.dailypioneer.com
22/06/10
Contact: Field Director, Pench Tiger Reserve,
P.O. Barapathar, Dist. Seoni - 480 661. Tel:
07692-250794/250594. Fax: 250794/221180. Email: root@trpench.ren.nic.in
Big reshuffle in Maharashtra FD
In a major
reshuffle seven chief conservators of forests (CCFs), 19 conservators of
forests (CFs) and three deputy conservators were recently shifted from their
present posts in Maharashtra. Officials said the transfers were routine and
that more were in the pipeline.
SWH Naqvi, CCF (HRM), Nagpur, has
been shifted to Pune as social forestry director (SFD). He will be replaced by
Prakash Thosre, who is SFD director. Amravati territorial CCF S D Sontakke has
been shifted to Aurangabad. He will be replaced by Sarjan Bhagat, general
manager of Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM), Nagpur. Shree
Bhagwan, CCF at Thane, will replace Bhagat at FDCM. Suresh Thorat has been
shifted from Borivali to Thane while he will be replaced by Sarvesh Kumar from
Aurangabad.
Mohan Jha, field director of Pench
tiger reserve, has been shifted but his posting is awaited. He will be replaced
by A Ashraf, joint director of social forestry, Aurangabad. Sanjay Thakre,
field director of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), has also been shifted to
FDCM as regional manager (headquarters). V K Sinha, who is in FDCM, will
replace Thakre. Thakre's exit comes as post of Tadoba CF is to be upgraded to
CCF rank.
Gorewada zoo director A R Mande has
been shifted to working plan, Amravati. Similarly, R S Yadav, who headed the
North Chandrapur Circle, has been brought to PCCF's office as CF JFM-II. Yadav
will be replaced by GRK Rao. C S Gajbhiye, who looked after JFM II, has been
shifted to HRD in PCCF's office.
F S Jafry of working plan division,
Nagpur, has been shifted as joint director, social forestry, Pune. Virendra
Tiwari, who was with working plan, Amravati, has been shifted as CF (tendu),
Nagpur. YLP Rao, who headed Kolhapur wildlife division, will be replaced by M K
Rao. YLP Rao has been shifted to Nagpur in land record department in place of
PCS Singh. Singh has been transferred to Chandrapur in silviculture.
The three deputy conservators
shifted include Anwar Jamal Ahmed to Alibagh, S U Hiwlekar to Shahapur and D B
Shrikhande to Pandharkawda. Shrikhande has been posted in place of Gopal Kale,
who had committed suicide a few months ago.
Source: ’29 top officials shifted’,
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
15/07/10
Satellite-collared leopard walks 120 kms to Sanjay Gandhi
National Park
A project
involving satellite tracking of collared leopards has documented a case of a
leopard that walked 120 kms to the forests of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park
in Mumbai. The
animal was released at Malshej Ghat in Pune district as part of joint effort
between Project Waghoba and the Maharashtra FD.
The
animal had been rescued from a well in Alephata near the Pune-Nashik highway
about a year ago. It was fitted with a collar and released near Malshej Ghat. The collar had a Global
Positioning System (GPS) and Global
System for Mobile
Communication
(GSM). The readings of the leopard’s
position were stored in the collar and transmitted via SMS to the server whenever the animal reached an area that had mobile connectivity.
The animal took four months
to complete its journey. In the process it crossed the railway line close to the
station at Kasara and headed
towards the Tansa and Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuaries before finally reaching
the Nagla block in the northern part of Sanjay Gandhi NP. It then swam across
the Vasai creek, and crossed
the busy Ghodbunder Road to
enter the main area of the national park.
The
tracking device reportedly malfunctioned when the animal crossed the creek and
as a result the researchers lost track of it.
Source: Simit Bhagat. ‘Spotted: Ajoba’s trek from Malshej Ghat to national park’ The Times of India, 30/06/10.
Contact: Vidya Athreya, Project Waghoba.
Email: phatrosie@gmail.com.
Web:
http://www.projectwaghoba.in/
Dy. Conservator of Forests, SGNP, Borivili (East), Mumbai – 400066, Maharashtra. Tel: 022-28860362, 28860389(O), Email: sgnpmumbai@gmail.com
Four policemen suspended for getting to close to tigress in
Nagzira WLS
Four
policemen, all constables, were suspended recently for getting too close to a
tigress in the Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary. They were held guilty of violating
forest and wildlife regulations including carrying weapons inside the protected
area, entering the park without proper authorization, alighting from the
vehicle, and stepping close to a protected and endangered creature.
The
four, all attached to the Bhandara district police headquarters, reportedly
left their official vehicles and went very close to a tigress in an attempt to
get a picture on their mobile phone cameras.
The
tigress was resting near a waterhole around 7 a.m. when a dozen policemen came
to the spot in two vehicles. Some of them belonged to the security provided to
Justice R.M. Borde of the Bombay High Court (Nagpur Bench), who had gone for a
visit to the park. Four policemen from the group disembarked along with their
weapons and cameras and moved towards the tigress. When they did not heed her
angry warnings, she roared loudly and jumped towards them. Shaken, they
scampered back to their vehicles.
A
group of tourists, who were present at the spot, complained to forest officials
about the incident.
Source: ‘Cops suspended for getting to close to tigress’, http://sify.com/news 16/06/10
Contact: DCF, Wildlife, Nagzira WLS, ITI Road, Fulchur, Gondia 441601, Maharashtra. Tel: 07184-226399(O), 226564(R)
NBWL rejects uranium mining
in Balpakram National Park
The National Board on Wildlife (NBWL) has finally
rejected the uranium mining project in Balpakram National Park in Meghalaya
after stiff opposition from various quarters. (see PA Update Vol XVI, No. 3)
The
decision was taken at a meeting of the Standing Committee of the NBWL held in
the month of May following a site inspection visit by its members.
A
number of organizations including the Garo Students Union (GSU) had opposed the
Department of Atomic Energy’s (DAE's) move for exploratory drilling for uranium
by denotifying an area of 8.0 square km in Rongcheng plateau of Balpakram
National Park in the South Garo Hills.
A
report submitted by the inspection team has asked for all road construction and
mining to be stopped inside the park. It has also recommended strict regulation
of all coal mines in Garo Hills and other parts of the state and implementation
of proper mining plans.
Source: ‘NBWL rejects uranium mining project in Balpakhram Nat Park’, www.economictimes.com 14/05/10
Contact: Divisional Forest Officer, Balpakram National Park, Wildlife Division, Baghmara, Dist. South Garo Hills, Meghalaya, Tel/Fax: 03639-22220
Chief Wildlife Warden, Government of Meghalaya, Lower Laichumiere, Risa Colony, Shillong - 793 001.
NTCA to oppose decision allowing
for removal of bamboo from Satkosia TR
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has
decided to file an affidavit in the Supreme Court opposing the recent decision
to allow for bamboo harvesting in sanctuaries. The move comes in response of the
recent decision of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) to allow for bamboo
harvesting by locals in the Satkosia Tiger Reserve for bonafide uses.
The
Orissa government was reportedly keen to allow for the harvesting and the
Supreme Court appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) had recommended that
the felling and removal of bamboo can be done only by engaging locals in the
protected areas and those living in the immediate vicinity.
The
NTCA has however expressed concern that this would allow a large number of
people including vested groups to enter protected areas to exploit the
resources for commercial gains. It noted that bamboo flowering occurs in
various tiger reserves like Bhadra, Anshi and Dandeli and Bandhavgarh and
allowing people to remove bamboo would pose a threat to the wildlife,
particularly tigers here.
Source: ‘Govt will ask SC to reconsider order on bamboo harvesting’, www.deccanherald.com , 22/06/10
Contact: Dr.
Rajesh Gopal, NTCA, Annexe No. 5, Bikaner House, Shahjahan Road,
New Delhi-110011.Telefax: 2338 4428. E-mail: dirpt-r@nic.in
Divisional Forest Officer, Satkosia Wildlife Division, at/P.O./Dist. Angul – 759143, Orissa. Tel: 0674-230218(O), 230219®
Expert committee to probe
mass killing of elephants in Simlipal TR in April
A two-member expert committee of the National Tiger
Conservation Authority (NTCA) has started its investigation into the poaching
of elephants inside Simlipal Tiger Reserve. Following petitions by wildlife activists
to Union Minister of Environment and Forest, Jairam Ramesh, NTCA member
secretary Rajesh Gopal constituted a two-member independent team comprising
wildlife activists Belinda Wright and Biswajit Mohanty. The team was to tour
the reserve and assess the ground situation, and submit its report within a
fortnight.
A
local forest staff had reported the death of one elephant in the reserve in
April. Subsequent visits and investigations by wildlife activists from
Mayurbhanj found that six more had been killed. It has been suggested that the
actual number of elephants killed is 12.
A
fact finding team of activists found remains of burnt bones of one elephant at
Dudhurchampa. Remains of two carcasses including bones were found buried at
Mondama hills under Kandadhanu section. Another burnt elephant carcass was
discovered at Jodapal Chhak. Officials of the Simlipal Tiger Reserve admitted
the elephant deaths, but its director and Regional Chief Conservator of Forests
refused to confirm whether the elephants have been killed by poachers.
Member
of National Board of Wildlife, Mr Mohanty has also written to Jairam Ramesh
demanding a CBI investigation into the mass killings of elephants in Simlipal.
Source: Debabrata Mohanty, ‘Elephants go the tiger way in Simlipal Reserve’, www.expressindia.com , 04/06/10
Contact: Director, Simlipal Tiger Reserve, P.O. Baripada, Dist. Mayurbhanj – 757002, Orissa. Tel: 06792-252593(O), 252773(R) Fax: 256705
Biswajit
Mohanty, Wildlife Society of Orissa, Shantikunj, Link Road, Cuttack
– 753012, Orissa. Tel: 0671 – 334625. Fax: 610980. Email: kachhapa@gmail.com
MPs ask for
action on Dhamra Port forest violation
Over 20 politicians, cutting across
party lines, including parliamentarians and members of the standing committee
for Science and Technology, Environment and Forests recently called on Minister
for Environment and Forests, Jairam Ramesh to take action against ongoing
violation of the Forest Conservation Act (FCA) for the construction of the
Dhamra Port in Orissa. The port is coming up close to the Bhitarkanika National
Park and a number of scientists and conservationists have expressed fear that
it will pose a long term threat to the mass nesting grounds of the endangered
olive ridley sea turtles and also to the mangrove forests of the area (PA
Updates Vol XV, Nos. 6 and 4).
Documents
obtained under the Right to Information Act reveal, prima facie, that the
Dhamra port construction is in violation of the FCA. Officials within the Ministry
of Environment and Forests and the Orissa Forest Department have stated that
the entire Dhamra port area is Protected Forest land, and permission for
construction of the port was never sought from the Centre.
Greenpeace
has pointed out that even the Supreme Court has taken cognizance of this and
had sought a response on the violation from the government over eight months
ago. The ministry, however, has still to respond. Greenpeace has also pointed
out that ports have been proposed in Orissa near all turtle mass nesting sites
and this large scale port construction will play havoc with coastal ecosystems
and traditional fisheries livelihoods as well.
Source: ‘MPs ask Jairam Ramesh to act on Dhamra Port Forest
Violation’ Greenpeace Press Release, 17/05/10.
Contact: DFO, Bhitarkanika NP, At/PO Rajnagar, Dist. Kendrapada – 745225. Orissa. Tel: 06729-72460/64. Fax: 06727-20775
Sanjiv Gopal, Campaign Manager Oceans, Greenpeace India, Bangalore,
India. Tel: 09845535416. Email: sanjiv.gopal@greenpeace.org
MoEF denies
permission for thermal power plant at Dhamra near Bhitarkanika NP
The Ministry of Environment and Forests
(MoEF) has scrapped a proposed power plant near Dhamra port, close to the
Bhitarkanika National Park. Engineering and construction firm Larsen and Toubro
Ltd (L&T) was going to build a 1,680MW coal-based thermal power plant at a
site 8 kms from the boundary of the protected area.
The
ministry’s move has put a question mark on the Rs7,650 crore project as L&T
had not identified alternative sites for it.
Source: Padmaparna Ghosh & Utpal Bhaskar. ‘Turtle nests
endanger L&T project in Orissa’, Mint,
16/05/10
CWLW– Orissa, Plot No. 8, Shahid Nagar, Bhubaneshwar – 751007, Orissa. Tel: 0674- 2512502 / 2513134 / 2515840. Fax: 512502
Rajasthan to construct small
dams and ponds in its protected areas
The Rajasthan government has planned to construct
small dams and ponds inside protected areas to provide relief to wild animals.
In the first phase, the forest department (FD) would spend Rs. 41 crore on the
construction of 85 water bodies inside the Sariska and Ranthambore Tiger
Reserves and the Sawai Mansingh Wildlife Sanctuary. In the next phase, all
other sanctuaries and parks would be covered under the scheme. A sum of Rs 300
to 400 crore would be spent on this.
The
FD would identify places where these water bodies are to be constructed and
later the water resource department would construct them. They are expected to
be constructed by November.
Source: Anil
Sharma, ‘Rajasthan to dig ponds in water-starved sanctuaries’, www.thaindian.com, 25/05/10
Tigers translocated to Sariska from Ranthambore TR were siblings
DNA tests
conducted by the Bangalore based National Centre of Biological Sciences (NCBS)
has confirmed that the tigers that were translocated from Ranthambore to
Sariska between June 2008 and February 2009 were siblings. This has been
admitted in a recent report of the National Tiger Conservation Authority
(NTCA). The findings are based on scat analysis of the translocated animals to
Sariska.
The NTCA had ordered the DNA tests
in January earlier this year to ascertain breeding compatibility before
shifting any more of the cats to Sariska.
The NTCA, meanwhile, is reported to
have taken a decision to translocate two more tigers that moved out of the
Ranthambore National Park into adjoining forests – one male in Kela Devi
Wildlife Sanctuary and a female near Kota. (Also see PA Updates Vol XV, Nos. 3 & 1 and Vol XIV, No. 5)
Source:
Jay Mazoomdar. ‘It’s official: DNA tests nail Sariska siblings’, Hindustan Times, 22/06/10
Contact: Director, Sariska Tiger Reserve, Sariska, Alwar – 301022, Rajasthan. Tel: 0144-241333
CWLW Government of Rajasthan, Van Bhavan, Vaniki Path, Jaipur - 302 005. Tel: 0141-2380832 / 2540531. Fax: 2380496/ 2380832
Sikkim says no to SC
directive of 10 km eco-sensitive zone around PAs
The Sikkim wildlife board has said the Central
Government’s directive to declare zones around the national parks and sanctuaries
as eco-sensitive cannot be implemented because of the mountainous terrain of
the state.
The
Inspector General of Forests (Wildlife) had in May, earlier this year, asked
Sikkim to prepare detailed proposals as a follow up to a 2006 Supreme Court
order asking for declaration of the area within a 10kms radius of PA boundaries
as eco-sensitive.
A
state official is reported to have pointed out that the 10 km areas put
together came to 3,730 sq km which was 52.57 per cent of the total area of the
state. The total area under the protected areas and the eco- sensitive zones
together would then be 83 per cent of the state. This, added to the fact that
the state was largely mountainous with deep valleys and steep gradients would
leave very little space for human habitation.
It
was also noted that if notified the eco-sensitive zones would cross three
international borders and also into the Bengal side.
Source: ‘Contour blocks eco tag - Hill state no to ‘10km’ plea’, The Telegraph, 25/05/10
Contact: Chief
Wildlife Warden, Government of Sikkim, Forest Secretariat, Deorali,
Gangtok, - 737 102, Sikkim. Tel: 03592-281240 Fax: 281778
Elephant-proof trench work
along NMR stopped
The Southern Railway authorities have called off
their efforts to dig an elephant-proof trench along the Nilgiris Mountain
Railway (NMR) in Kallar in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The trench digging
work was being undertaken following the recent killing of railway line
maintenance staff by elephants and incidents of wild elephants chasing line
maintenance personnel.
The
digging of the trenches drew objections from wildlife enthusiasts who pointed
out these would result in the fragmentation of an important elephant corridor,
preventing movement of elephants from Coimbatore towards Sathyamangalam,
Karnataka and other parts of the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve.
The
Conservator of Forests, Coimbatore Circle and District Forest Officer
subsequently met with officials from Southern Railways and alternative measures
to deal with the issue were discussed. It has been suggested that five watch
towers be erected along the NMR line to monitor the movement of herds, besides
utilising the services of tribals to help the railway line staff in their
maintenance work. The trenches were also subsequently filled up.
Source: ‘Elephant-proof trench work along NMR stopped’, The Hindu, 14/06/10
Contact: R. Jayaprakash, PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore –
641014, Tamil Nadu. Tel: 09894259100. Email: crjayaprakash@gmail.com
CEE biodiversity
awareness programme in Dudhwa TR
The Centre for Environment Education -
North in association with the World Wide Fund for Nature and the Uttar Pradesh
Forest Department recently conducted a two-day biodiversity awareness programme
at three locations in and around the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. The theme of the
program that was organized on May 21 and 22 was ‘Biodiversity is Life,
Biodiversity is Our Life'.
It
was aimed at motivating the tribal community to understand the importance of
biodiversity and to get involved in conservation activities. 250 community
members from five different villages attended the programme.
Source: Ceenario 34, Enewsletter of the Centre for Environment Education,
May 16-31, 2010
Contact: Director,
Dudhwa National Park, Dist. Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh. Tel: 05872-252106.
Fax: 05872-252106
Meeting on conservation and
livelihoods in the Askot-Nanda Devi landscape
A one day consultation on conservation and
livelihoods in the broad region comprising the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve
(NDBR), Askot Wildlife Sanctuary, and intervening Van Panchayats was held in
early June. The consultation was organized jointly by the Wildlife Institute of
India (WII) and Kalpavriksh (KV) and was held in Dehradun.
Those
attending the meeting included WII scientists and research students working in
these landscapes, the Conservator in charge of the NDBR, other forest
officials, NGOs and community participants.
Issues
discussed during the meeting included the challenges from mass
tourism/pilgrimage, new roads, hydro-electric projects (several of them being
built or planned in Askot WLS), lack of livelihoods for the youth, decline in
agriculture (including the associated crop damage by wild animals and declining
agro-biodiversity) and animal husbandry, reduced food security and rapid
cultural changes. It was also pointed out that the closure of the Nanda Devi
National Park to local communities had caused overgrazing in adjacent pastures
and conflicts between communities, increased poaching, decline in the wool
industry (as sheep, no longer able to access high altitude pastures, were
replaced by goats), and a sense of alienation.
The participants listed the key issues and follow up
actions as well. These include among others, the collection of existing studies
and information about the region (including case studies of where alternative,
sustainable livelihood options are working), sub-regional dialogues and
preparation of a land use map of the region.
Contact: Anil
Bhardwaj, WII, Tel: 0135-2640111 Email: anilbhardwaj@wii.gov.in
Ashish Kothari, Kalpavriksh. Tel: 020-25654239. Email: ashishkothari@vsnl.com
Initiative to revive Gola
elephant corridor
The Union Minister of Environment and Forest, Jairam
Ramesh, has asked for the setting up of a committee to help revive the old Gola
elephant corridor adjacent to the Rajaji NP. It is a 2.5 km long and 500 meter
wide corridor between Haldwani and Lalkuan and has been badly impacted due to
increasing human habitation and other installations like Indian Oil depot and a
Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) station.
The
committee that would include representatives from the Ministry of Environment
and Forests, the Wildlife Institute of India, the Wildlife Trust of India, and
concerned forest divisions would prepare a comprehensive report on the corridor
in three months.
Concern
has been expressed, however, of the impact this project will have on the
families of villages like Bindukhatta and others between Tarai central forest
division and Tarai eastern forest divisions. The representatives of Bindukhatta
Sangharsh Samiti, the local unit of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and other
social organisations handed over a memorandum to the minister in this regard.
They have criticized the role of the successive governments in this issue. They
have pointed out that if the government was indeed so sincere about the
conservation of the wild animals and the Gola corridor, permissions should not
have been granted to Indian Oil and ITBP in the first place.
Source: Rajendra S Markuna, ‘Panel set up to study ways to revive Gola jumbo corridor’, The Pioneer, 14/06/10
Contact: Director, Rajaji NP, 5/1 Ansari Marg, Dehradun –
248001, Uttaranchal. Tel: 0135-2621669 Fax: 2621669
Ban on diesel cars and
plastic in Gorumara National Park
The forest department (FD) has decided to ban
diesel-run vehicles and plastic bags inside the Gorumara National Park. The FD
had recently issued a notification inviting proposals to run petrol cars for
tourists and it said that members of the eco-development committees would get
preference. Petrol-driven cars will be introduced when the park reopens for
visitors on September 16. The park is closed for monsoons from June 15 to
September 15. Private vehicles will not be allowed and it is hoped the new
system will reduce the number of vehicles plying in the park.
This
initiative in Gorumara is based on a similar one that was introduced in
Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary a few years ago. Each of the six vehicles,
purchased by members of eco-development committees, runs two trips daily in
Jaldapara. Each tourist has to pay Rs 175.
The
Resort Owners Association in Gorumara has said that the new move will reduce
pollution in the area but fears have been expressed about the fact that some
people might lose their livelihoods. They also noted that nearly 1,000 visitors
come to Gorumara every day on average and the new rule may not allow for all to
be accommodated.
In another related decision, plastic bags are also to be
banned inside the park. Those found carrying them would be fined. Paper bags,
made by eco-development committees, would instead be sold at the entrance to
the park.
Source: ‘Gorumara ban on diesel cars and plastic’, The Telegraph, 09/06/10
Contact: DFO, Gorumara NP, Aranya Bhawan, Old Court Campus, Jubilee Park, P.O. & Dist. Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. Tel: 03561-224907(O), 222838(R). Fax: 03561-223563. Email: wild2@dte.vsnl.net.in
North
Bengal PAs under threat from hydroelectric project in Bhutan
Renewed
interest in the 4060 MW hydroelectric project on the River Sankosh in Bhutan
has raised concerns of its impact on forest areas in North Bengal including the
Buxa Tiger Reserve and the Chapramari and Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuaries.
The project involves the construction
of two dams to feed a 141 km canal, 128 km of which
would be inside India. The canal intends to connect the Sankosh river in the
east with the Teesta in the West. The power generated would feed the entire
northeast and reach as far as Meerut in UP. The canal would also irrigate
fields and supply drinking water to parts of Bengal.
It is feared, however, that the
project would take a heavy toll on the forests in the region. Excavating the
canal is expected to destroy at least 450 sq km of forest land, 100 sq km of
which would be within protected areas. The project will also drastically reduce
water in the Sankosh and other streams that are the lifeline of wildlife in
Buxa TR. It is also expected to further aggravate the problem being faced by
wild animals due to the broad gauge railway track that runs through the region.
A number of animals have been killed in train accidents in the last six years
(see following story).
Though the Detailed Project Report
(DPR) by the Central Water Commission (CWC) was first handed over to the Bhutan
government in December 1997, it did not get cleared due to protests. Now, the
Indian government wants to revive it after receiving a request from Bhutan. A
revised DPR for the project is expected to be completed within this year. The
work for the revised DPR is said to have been completed in Bhutan but the work
for the Indian portion is yet to start.
Source:
Pinak Priya Bhattacharya. ‘Hydel project shadow on dooars’, Times News Network, 21/06/10
Contact: Field Director, Buxa Tiger Reserve, P.O. Alipurduar, Dist. Jalpaiguri - 736 122. West Bengal. Tel: 03564-256333 /255979. Fax: 03564-255577. Email: buxatiger@dte.vsnl.net.in
Elephant
killed in railway accident near Siliguri
A 15 year old female elephant was mowed down by the
Alipurduar Junction-bound Intercity Express near Red Bank Tea Estate in the
night on June 1. Forest officials reported that the animal was one of a four
member herd of elephants that was moving from Moraghat forest to Reti. While
three elephants could cross the track, the last one was run over by the train
that was coming from Siliguri at a high speed. The driver subsequently stopped
the train and found that the animal had been dragged about 100 metres. The body
was cut into several pieces due to the collision
The
forest department has identified 14 vulnerable points, where the railways need
to take precautionary measures but Red Bank is not one of them though it is
frequently used by elephants to move between Moraghat and Reti forests. A
senior railway official of the Alipurduar Railway Division noted that if the
railways can get timely information about the location of vulnerable elephant
herds, drivers could be instructed to drive cautiously. In this instance no
such information had been provided to the railways.
(See story below and also PA Updates Vol XI, No. 1; Vol. XV, No. 1; Vol. XIV, Nos. 5 & 1; Vol XIII, Nos.
6, 3 & 1; Vol XII, No. 3 and Nos. 49, 47, 39, 36, 34, & 29)
Source: ‘Tracks turn jumbo killing fields’, The Telegraph, 03/06/10.
Contact: CF (Wildlife), North Bengal, West Bengal Forest Dept. Aranya Bhawan (Near Court), Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. Tel: 03561– 25627(O) 25596
Advisory emphasizes
over/underpasses across railway tracks in North Bengal; nature groups disagree
The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) and
the Railways recently sent a joint advisory to the West Bengal Forest
Department emphasizing the construction of underpasses or overpasses across
railway tracks in the forests of north Bengal to bring down the number of animal
deaths in train accidents. The MoEF has agreed to bear the cost of the project
along with the expenses of putting up signboards warning train drivers and
holding workshops to sensitise motormen and guards.
It
also says that vegetation along the tracks should be cleared to ensure better
visibility. The advisory is the follow up of a recent meeting the Minister for
Environment and Forests, Jairam Ramesh had with senior FD officials to discuss
the issue
The railway track that passes through the Buxa Tiger
Reserve, Gorumara National Park and the Mahananda and Chapramari Wildlife
Sanctuaries was converted to broad gauge in 2004. 16 elephants, six gaur and
four leopards have been killed since then by speeding trains on the 160 km
stretch between Siliguri and Alipurduar (Also see PA Updates Vol XVI No. 1; Vol. XV, No. 1; Vol. XIV,
Nos. 5 & 1; Vol XIII, Nos. 6, 3 & 1; Vol XII, No. 3 and Nos. 49, 47,
39, 36, 34, & 29).
Environmental
and conservation groups have, however, criticized the suggestions made in the
advisory saying that identifying just a few points along the track was no
solution at all. They have also pointed out that there is no guarantee that the
animals will use these passes. Most of the accidents are reported to happen at
night and the groups have called for a stopping of night-time rail traffic on
this route. A senior forest official said that the only proposal on the
advisory list that seemed practical was for the engagement of animal trackers.
They will patrol the jungles on either side of the tracks and will be equipped
with either mobile phones or walkie-talkies to provide relevant information to
prevent accidents and animal deaths.
Source: Anirban Choudhury, ‘Green glare on forest pass plan -‘Impractical’ tag on advisory’, The Telegraph, 14/06/10.
Radio collared
tiger crosses border from India into Bangladesh in the Sundarbans
A tiger that was radio-collared in the
Indian part of the Sundarbans is reported to have crossed over into Bangladesh.
The
tiger had been trapped in the Arbeshi jungle in North 24-Parganas on the Indian
side on May 21. It was tranquillised and radio-collared before being released
in the Katuajhuri forest. The radio collar signals revealed that while on the
first two days, the animal traveled 6-7 km, it covered double the distance
subsequently.
Signals from the radio-collar were being
received from the Talpatty island from the Bangladesh side of the Sundarbans.
Source: Border no bar: Radio-collared tiger strays into
Bangladesh ‘http://epaper.timesofindia.com 14/06/10
Contact: Director, Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve, Bikash Bhavan, 3rd Floor, North Block, Salt Lake City, Kolkata - 700091, West Bengal. Tel: 033-3211750. Fax: 3211529
CWLW,
Government of West Bengal, Vikas Bhawan,
North Block, Salt Lake, Calcutta 700 091,
West Bengal. Tel: 033-3346900/3583208. Fax: 3345946. Email: wildlife@cal.vsnl.net.in
Solar lamps in buffer
villages of tiger reserves
The Energy Resources Institute (TERI) is working on
a project to install solar lamps in villages surrounding tiger reserves across
the country. The pilot project has been taken up in its first phase in
Ranthambhore, Bandhavgarh, Simlipal, Sariska Melghat, Kanha-Pench corridor,
Dudhwa and Valmiki TRs. It is being implemented under the flagship project
‘Lighting a Billion Lives’.
The
lamps have already been installed in five villages in Ranthambhore TR, one in
Bandhavgarh, and ten in Melghat. Work is also going on in another eleven
villages in the Kanha-Pench corridor and in villages in the Dudhwa, Valmiki and
Simlipal reserves.
Each
village would be given at least fifty solar lamps and individual households
would be provided with one lamp each as part of the project. Each of these
lamps would have facilities of night LED lamps, dimmers, mobile charger besides
battery status indicator. They lamps would be charged in the community-based
solar charging stations that are coming up in the target villages. Such
stations would be manned by the ‘Prakash Doot’ (messenger of light) who would
be a member from that particular village community. He/she would be responsible
for the distribution and upkeep of the lanterns besides maintaining the
charging station.
It
is hoped that these lamps will help reduce human-wildlife conflict as better
lighting would enable forest communities to keep vigil on their surroundings.
To reach out to key tiger habitats TERI has signed MoUs with a number of
organisations including World Wide Fund for Nature – India, Wildlife Trust of
India, The Corbett Foundation and Tigerwatch that are already working in
different tiger habitats.
Source: Moushumi
Basu, ‘Solar lamps in buffer villages to reduce man-animal conflict’, The Pioneer, 06/06/10.
List of
threatened bird species in India rises to 154
Recent studies by BirdLife International
and the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) have revealed that the list of
threatened bird species in India has risen from 149 in 2008 to 154. Destruction
of habitat is the prime reason for the increased threats.
In
light of the alarming situation of several bird species, the BNHS has urged the
Government of India to start special programmes for the protection of birds and
their habitats. BNHS has identified 466 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) across India,
200 of which are not officially protected. The BNHS has asked for the
protection of these areas and also to involve local communities in conservation
measures in such a way that it becomes a win-win situation for all with a
sustainable development model.
Source: ‘List of threatened bird species in India rises to
154’, Press Release by the BNHS
Contact: Dr. Asad Rahmani, Director BNHS, Hornbill House, Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg, Mumbai 400 023 Maharashtra. Tel: 022-2821811. Fax: 2837615. Email: bnhs@bom3.vsnl.net.in;
Committee for
appraisal of mining and industry projects around tiger reserves
The National Tiger Conservation
Authority (NTCA) has constituted a three member committee for appraisal of
proposals of mining and industries falling in the buffer/corridor areas of
tiger reserves. The committee was made up of Mr PK Sen, Dr. Prakash Amte, Mr.
Samar Singh and Ms Urmila Pingle.
It
was set up in the first week of May and was expected to submit its report in a
month’s time. 17 proposals were referred to the committee as per the mandate
given to it. These were related to 10 projects in Madhya Pradesh: seven in
Chindwara district two in Umaria district and one in Katni district. Six
projects referred were from Maharashtra: three in Chandrapur district, two in
Kolhapur district and one in Gondia district.
The
lone project from Andhra Pradesh was related to the construction of a memorial
for former Chief Minister the late YSR Rajshekar Reddy in the Gundla Brahmeshwaram
Wildlife Sanctuary (PA Update Vol
XVI, No. 3).
It
is not known if the committee has submitted its report yet.
Source: Office memorandum No – 1-9/2010- NTCA (part) by SP
Yadav, Deputy Inspector General, NTCA, MoEF dated 14/05/10.
More than 70
leopards killed in first three months of 2010
Figures compiled by the Wildlife
Protection Society of India (WPSI) reveal that more than 70 leopards have been
killed across the country in the first three months of 2010 alone. Records also
show that 290 and 157 leopards were killed in 2009 and 2008 respectively.
These
are figures from available information and it is believed that the actual
number of leopards dying every year is much higher at 500 animals.
In
Uttar Pradesh, Dudhwa National Park and its extended territories are the most
affected. In Maharashtra there are records of nearly 30 leopard deaths from
different parts of the state. Fifteen deaths were reported in Vidarbha, mostly
from the forests of Chandrapur and Gadchiroli. Buldhana district reported four
deaths. Most of these are said to have been by drinking water poisoned by
villagers to ‘punish’ the cats for wandering into human habitations.
The
animals are also believed to be killed for their skin which reportedly sells
for Rs 25,000 in the local black market. In big cities, the price goes up to Rs
50,000 and in the international market, it can fetch upto Rs One lakh.
Wildlife
activists have demanded a dedicated conservation programme — on the lines of
Project Tiger — for leopards, but there is no initiative yet from the
government on this.
Source: Darpan Singh ‘Spotlight on tigers makes poachers
shift to leopards’ Hindustan Times,
12/06/10
2nd
meeting of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel
The 2nd meeting of the
Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) was held in Coimbatore in the first
week of May. The issues discussed during the course of the meeting including
those relating to the criteria for declaring an Ecologically Sensitive Area
(ESA), delineation of the geographical limits of the Western Ghats;
registration of individuals and organizations that want to interact with the
WGEEP; finalizing a list of expert papers to be commissioned by the panel and
the scheduling of site visits and consultations.
Source:
Minutes of the Second Meeting of
the Western Ghats Ecology Expert
NeBIO
– New Journal on Environment and Biodiversity with a focus on the North East
NeBIO, a
new journal on environment and biodiversity with a focus on the North East has
started publication recently. It aims at encouraging research work and also
bridging the gap between various forms of methodologies, perspectives and
knowledge production.
The
journal has also invited contributions in the form of articles and papers.
Contact: Kh. Jibankumar Singh, Editor-in-chief Email:
nebio.editor@gmail.com
Open
source software application for tree identification in Western Ghats
In a first of its kind initiative,
researchers at the French Institute of Pondicherry (IFP) and CIRAD, France,
have developed an open source software application for identification of tree
species in the two major biodiversity hotspots in the world - the Western Ghats
and the Annamite rain forests of Laos, near Vietnam.
The
project, ‘Biodiversity Informatics and Cooperation in Taxonomy for Interactive
Shared Knowledge Base (BIOTIK), is funded by the European Union. The software
was developed by Dr Pierre Grard of CIRAD while a team of researchers led by Dr
B.R. Ramesh developed the database on the tree species.
The
software is available online at www.ifpindia.org/biotik and www.biotik.org.
Source: ‘Western Ghat Trees’, Deccan Chronicle, 09/06/10
NEPAL
Rhesus macaques
released from research centre to Shivapuri NP; court issues show cause notice
The Nepalese Supreme Court has issued a
show-cause notice to the government over the release of rhesus monkeys from the
Lele Research Center to Shivapuri National Park. The Office of the Prime
Minister and Council of Ministers, Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation and
Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation have asked to explain
the decision of release.
The
order was issued by the court in response to a Public Interest Litigation filed
by the Law Students Society of Nepal against the release of what allegedly were
genetically modified primates. The applicants have argued that the release of
263 monkeys is in violation of national and international environmental laws
and principles regarding biological diversity conservation. They have also said
that the release violates people´s constitutional right to a safe environment
and health.
They
have asked the court to order a capture and rehabilitation of all the monkeys
and also to issue a directive to draft and issue necessary rules, guidelines
and policies to regulate future cases of wildlife rehabilitation.
Source: Lucia de Vries ‘SC issues show cause over release
of monkeys’, Republica, 20/06/10
Course in
Conservation Biology and Wildlife Management
Satpuda Foundation, the SGB Amravati
University, the Wildlife Department of Maharashtra and Nature Conservation
Society, Amravati will hold a three-week International Course in Conservation
Biology and Wildlife Management in Amravati, India from December 2 to 20, 2010.
The main objective is to train wildlife biologists, managers and environmental educators in the
conservation of biological diversity.
The
topics covered during the course include biodiversity inventory and monitoring,
conservation biology, protected areas management, wildlife management and
animal ecology and behavior.
SGB
Amravati University will host the course and field assignments will be
conducted in two Project Tiger reserves in central India. Tuition fees for
participants will be $1,800. Few deserving Indian participants will be selected
at the subsidized cost of U.S. $550 or INR 25,000.
Contact: Kishore Rithe. Email: rithekishore@gmail.com
ATREE Small Grants Programme 2010
The
Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment (ATREE) has invited
proposals for its Small Grants Programme 2010.
The small grant will support 7 – 8 proposals in each of the two areas of
focus: Biodiversity & Conservation and Environment and Development. Possible
areas that the grant will support include but are not limited to:
Biodiversity and Conservation
- Endangered and threatened Species
and its habitat
- Gaps in taxonomic work and
monographs
- Studies on lesser known or lesser
studied species of wildlife
- Critical areas of biodiversity
conservation
- Climate change and conservation
- Innovative approaches and tools
for conservation education
Environment and development
- Enabling communities and other
stakeholders to address local environmental concerns
- Analysis and monitoring of
policies and institutions for their socio-economic and environmental impact
- Payments for eco-system services
and poverty reduction
- Incentives for agro-forestry
systems and sustainable farming practices
- Gender perspective in
conservation/ Natural resource management
- Environmental degradation and
impact on women
Each
research grant is up to Rs 1 lakh and is available for duration of 1 year.
Grants can be used for fieldwork, research writing, or internships with ATREE
faculty. Proposals will be accepted from civil society organizations such as
NGOs, community based organizations, academic organizations and individual
researchers. Last date for submission of proposals is 15th September
2010
Contact: Madhavi Latha, ATREE, Royal Enclave,
Sriramapura, Jakkur Post, Bangalore-560064, Karnataka. Email: madhavi@atree.org
Short term field-based course in conservation science
The Ashoka
Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment’s (ATREE) Academy for
Conservation Science and Sustainability Studies is offering two short term
field based courses in conservation science.
Both the courses – one focused on
the Western Ghats and the other on the Eastern Himalayas - will be of 15 days
duration. The course will comprise lectures, discussions and fieldwork.
The Western Ghats course will be
held from August 10-23, 2010 in Bangalore and at Agasthyamalai Field Academy,
Singampatti, Tamil Nadu. The Eastern Himalaya course which is being organized
in collaboration with Aaranyak will be held in Guwahati in January 2011.
Preference will be given to North East applicants for the course in the
NE.
The course fee is Rs. 3,000 (foreign
participants 500 USD) and includes boarding, lodging and course material.
Contact:
Madhavi Latha, ATREE, see above
EQUATIONS is looking for
programme staff for tourism related research
EQUATIONS, an advocacy and campaigning organisation
working on the impacts of tourism is currently looking for people in the
following thematic areas:
1.
Ecosystems, Communities and Tourism
2.
Economic Impacts of Tourism/Globalisation Impacts and Tourism
3.
Women and Tourism
4.
Communication, Website, Media, and Information Management
Contact: Shanti. Email: hr@equitabletourism.org
Research
Seminar on Manas and Kaziranga National Parks
The
Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) in association
with the Assam Forest Department and other NGO’s is organizing a seminar
‘Understanding Conservation: Perspectives from Manas and Kaziranga National
Parks’
The seminar will be held in Guwahati
on September 4 and 5, 2010 and is being organized as part of UNESCO’s ‘World
Biodiversity Heritage Sites’ project.
The organizers have invited
abstracts for papers and posters on Kaziranga and Manas for the seminar.
Contact: Niraj Kakati, Coordinator, WHBPI-Assam,
ATREE, House No 62, Mother Teresa Road, Zoo Narengi, Guwahati – 781021. Tel:
09435048834. Email: niraj.kakati@atree.org
4th Symposium of
‘Biodiversity and Natural Heritage of the Himalaya’
The Natural History Museum of Erfurt (NME), Germany,
is organising its 4th international and interdisciplinary scientific
meeting on the ‘Biodiversity and Natural Heritage of the Himalaya’ in Erfurt, Germany from April 15th
to April 17th 2011.
The
organisers have invited presentation in all
fields of botany, zoology, ecology, geology, geography and anthropology
(e.g. systematics/ taxonomy, phylogenetics, faunistics, biogeography, plant
sociology, soil sciences). The conference language will be German and English.
Contact: Matthias Hartmann, Email: matthias.hartmann@erfurt.de
Conference on
‘Interdisciplinary Approaches in Environmental Sciences’
The Dept of Zoology at the MS University
of Baroda is organizing the 12th Annual Conference of the Society of Science
and Environment on "Interdisciplinary Approaches In Environmental Sciences".
The
conference is will held in Baroda on the 9th and 10th
October 2010
Contact: Dr. Kauresh Vachhrajani, Department of
Zoology, Faculty of Science, M.S. University of Baroda, Vadodara-390002,
Gujarat. Tel: 09427839382. Email: confzdmsu@gmail.com
