LIST OF CONTENTS
A Gulf in trouble?
NEWS FROM INDIAN STATES
SEZs threaten wildlife
Community
Biosphere Reserve in
Assam 3
Disease kills rhino calf in Pobitara, 2nd
one ailing
Chakrashila staff receive training
at Corbett
Workshop on wildlife management
Workshop
on hoolock gibbon translocation
Call to include Kaziranga portion in NH-37
Male rhino gores female to death at Manas
Manas poachers join green NGO
Gujarat 6
Feral
dogs hunt blackbucks at Velavadar
66% tourists to
Hotels functioning illegally around
Gir
New management zone for PAs in
FD proposes incentive scheme for
informers
Wildlife crime prevention workshop held in Leh
FD ‘adopts’ two villages near Dalma WLS
Spotted deer released into Hazaribagh NP
Initiative to control traffic in Bandipur NP
Tribal people block entry to
Nagarhole NP
Night traffic banned on road
inside Nagarhole NP
Wildlife research institute coming up in Kodagu
Kerala 10
Tiger population rising
in PTR; count to be undertaken across state
Conflict
between panchayats over management of Kadalundi Community Reserve
Puducherry 11
Meghalaya 11
Garo
Students
Orissa 12
Simlipal
opens for tourists from November
Tourism facilities for Chandaka WLS
Anti-poaching measures at Chilika
Villagers
of Karlapat WLS start exercising rights under Forest Rights Act
Tamil
Nadu 13
Large scale
mortality of aquatic life in the Gulf of Mannar Marine NP
Campaign to declare Gulf of Mannar a World Heritage
Site
Uttarakhand 14
Metal
trap-detectors for Corbett and Rajaji
Trains through Dudhwa may stop
West
Bengal 15
Top
officials transferred after tiger death in Sunderbans TR
Czech national arrested for collecting beetles from
Singalila NP flees country
Parliamentary
committee for scrapping of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Bill
Responses
to the draft regulatory framework for wetland conservation
13 tigers poached in last two years
Conference of
49 Indian mammal species face extinction threat; rhino out
of IUCN red list
NTCA signs pact with TRAFFIC
Edberg
award for environmental work to Shekar Dattatri
Workshop
on wildlife conservation laws for Northeast judiciary
SOUTH ASIA 19
World’s largest
population of endangered dolphins found in
New President for the IUCN
MoU for
protection of migratory birds of prey found in Europe, Africa and
INTERPOL
and CITES launch new manual for wildlife crimes investigators
UPCOMING 20
Small Cat Action Fund
Doctoral
research fellowships in tiger conservation
Graduate Research Assistantship at
List of Community and Conservation Reserves
in India 21
Latest status of Critical Tiger Habitats
23
Protected Area Update
Vol. XIV, No. 6, December 2008 (No.
76)
Editor: Pankaj Sekhsaria
Editorial Assistance: Wrutuja Pardeshi
Illustrations: Madhuvanti Anantharajan
Produced by: Kalpavriksh
Ideas, comments, news and information may please be sent to the
editorial address:
KALPAVRIKSH,
Email:
psekhsaria@gmail.com
Website: www.kalpavriksh.org
Production of PA Update
76 has been supported by Foundation for Ecological Security (FES), Anand.
A gulf in trouble?
The last
few months have seen some drastic ecological changes in the waters of the
Just a few months ago there were
other reports of the corals here getting diseased on account of deteriorating
water quality associated with increased pollution and sea surface temperatures
(PA Update Vol. XIV, No. 3). Illegal
blasting and collection of coral for use as limestone continue to pose a
serious threat to coral reef resources in the region and it was not very long
ago that the exotic algae Kappaphycus
alvarezzi that is being cultivated here as part of a commercial enterprise
was seen to have invaded significant parts of the protected area (PA Update Vol. XIV, No. 4). This species is reported to have
become invasive (displacing local varieties of algae) and was also smothering
corals leading to major adverse impacts on the reefs in the
It would seem that Gulf of Mannar
Biosphere Reserve which is the biggest and one of the oldest in the country has
no respite from human created disasters and one is not even talking about the
construction of the
What is important is that the
developments in the Gulf here are only indicative of what is happening all
along
The present developments here are perhaps a good indicator of just that. The faster we take notice of this the better it will be because in abusing or even just neglecting the coastal systems today we forget that a much higher price will have to be paid tomorrow.
NEWS FROM INDIAN STATES
SEZs threaten
wildlife
Many sites of wildlife importance in
Andhra Pradesh are reported to be under threat because of Special Economic Zones
(SEZs) and development projects in their vicinity.
These
include the Naupada swamp, Telineelapuram in Srikakulam, Veerapuram in
Anantapur, which are home to pelicans, Kondakarla Ava in Visakhapatnam and the Important
Bird Area of Uppalapadu in Guntur.
A
thermal power plant is set to come up at the Naupada Swamp while the catchment
area of Kondakarla Ava will be affected by a proposed SEZ. An SEZ proposed in
the Mangalagiri mandal of Guntur district is likely to impact Uppalapadu.
Source: ‘SEZs threaten wildlife’, Deccan Chronicle, 22/09/08.
Contact: CWLW, Govt. of Andhra
Pradesh, Aranya Bhavan, Saifabad, Hyderabad - 500004, Andhra Pradesh. Tel:
040-23230561 / 23232668. Fax: 337889
Community Biosphere Reserve in Upper Siang District
The Adi tribe
of Simong Village in the Upper Siang District has proposed the creation of a
Community Biosphere Reserve, the first of its kind in the country. The
community is being assisted in their endeavour by Future Generation, an
international NGO.
The aim of the tribe is to conserve
their environment and traditions through voluntary community action and to
simultaneously tackle the problem of unemployment by promoting tourism in the
region.
(Ed: The legal
status or management framework for the reserve is not clear.)
Source:
‘Nation’s first community reserve biosphere comes up in Arunachal Pradesh’,
http://www.newkerala.com/topstory- fullnews- 19900.html
Disease kills rhino calf in Pobitara, 2nd one ailing
A mysterious
disease claimed a 1 ½ year old rhino calf at Pobitora WLS in early October.
Another calf had also started showing similar symptoms of paralysis of the
posterior, fever, loss of appetite and weakness. Experts from the College of
Veterinary Science, state zoo and Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation &
Conservation at Kaziranga were called in to Pobitora to take stock of the
situation.
Forest officials said that providing
treatment to the calf was difficult because of the continued presence of its
worried mother. Officials were using three elephants to chase away the mother so
that saline and vitamin could be administered to the calf.
Source:
‘Disease kills rhino,’ The Telegraph,
23/10/08
Contact: Divisional
Forest Officer, Pobitora WLS, Nagaon Wildlife Division, P.O. & Dist. Nagaon
– 782001, Assam. Tel: 03672-223104(O), 222310(R)
Chakrashila staff receive training at Corbett
A team of
frontline staff from the Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary received training in
protected area management at the Corbett National Park in an all-expenses-paid
trip sponsored by WWF, the Conservation Initiative for Asian Elephant, USA and
the Guwahati-based environmental group, Aaranyak.
The seven-day session was held in
October at the Kalagarh Training Centre at Corbett. Forest guards from
Chakrashila studied the various anti-poaching measures as well as the eco-tourism
and community-tourism initiatives implemented at Corbett. They also visited the
high-altitude zoo in Nainital. Aaranyak
has said that if the Chakrashila-Corbett training model turned out to be
successful, similar training-cum-exposure trips would be organised for other
frontline staff serving in the PAs of Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC).
Source: ‘Anti-poaching course for Chakrashila staff,’ The Assam Tribune, 16/10/08
Contact: Division Forest
Officer, I/c Chakrashila WLS, Kokrajhar –
783370, Assam. Tel: 03661-270635. Fax: 276698. Email: ghoshsonali@gmail.com
Workshop on wildlife management
A six-day field
techniques workshop on wildlife monitoring and management was held at Kachugaon
Forest Inspection Bungalow. The workshop was supported by the Primate Research
Centre NE India, Guwahati, the Kachugaon NGO Green Forest Conservation and the Bodoland
Territorial Council.
The training programme was mainly for the 250 volunteers of Bodoland
Forest Protection Force (BFPF), which has been engaged in this region for
protection and conservation of forests and wildlife in the BTC area. The BTC
has been an incurring an annual expenditure of Rs. 74 lakh for stipends and
other support to the BFPF.
Resource persons from different
fields imparted training to the volunteers on diverse aspects of wildlife
management, including the use of basic field survey equipment like maps,
compasses and GPS tools; making field observations and taking relevant notes
for bird and butterfly surveys; report writing; census techniques involving
wild animals like langur, buffalo, tiger and elephant; wildlife tracking, monitoring
and priority setting; plant identification; community ecotourism; field
patrolling; legal orientation on smuggling; wildlife rescue and captive care.
The BFPF volunteers were provided
field kits that included rucksacks, sleeping bags and torches. 25 bicycles were
also distributed, and all volunteers were awarded certificates in honour of their
work.
Source:
‘Workshop on wildlife monitoring, management held,’ The Assam Tribune, 10/09/08
Workshop on hoolock gibbon translocation
A five-day
‘Training workshop on (wild to wild) translocation of western hoolock gibbon
was held in September in Guwahati. The workshop concluded with the consensus
that the severe habitat-fragmentation of this critically endangered specie may
necessitate the relocation of the gibbon to alternative habitats. The need for systematically
regenerating of fragmented forest areas was also stressed upon.
It was pointed out that survival
chances were low for small groups of hoolock gibbons living singly in
sparsely-wooded human-inhabited areas and in agricultural fields. Relocation
would require one sq. km. of forest area to suitably shelter three-four hoolock
gibbon families of four members each; while a 10 sq km area would be ideal for the
relocation of 30 groups with 60 breeding adults.
Habitat destruction through
large-scale conversion of forest land for agriculture, illegal logging and
human encroachment in forest areas were identified as the main threats to the
survival of the animal.
The workshop was held at the Forest
Training School, Jalukbari, under the joint aegis of the Wildlife Areas
Development and Welfare Trust and the State Forest Department. Over 40
participants from various agencies and countries attended the meet. These
included the University of Cambridge, the Zoo Outreach Organisation, the
Primate Research Centre and the Sao Paolo Zoo.
Source:
Sivasish Thakur, ‘Translocation key to hoolock gibbon survival,’ The Assam Tribune, 20/09/08
Contact:
Dr. Dilip Chetry, Gibbon Conservation Centre, Meleng, Mariani,
Jorhat – 785634, Assam. Tel: 09435043982 / 03771-244378. Email: chetryd@rediffmail.com
Call
to include Kaziranga portion in NH-37
The NH-37 Conversion Demand Committee has urged the
National Highways Authority of India to rescind the decision to exempt the
Kaziranga portion (Kaliabor to Bokakhat) from expanding the highway (see PA Update Vol XIV, No. 5). The Centre
had called off the proposed expansion following pressure from the State Forest
Department (FD) and conservation bodies, on the ground that the resultant
manifold increase in the volume and speed of traffic would seriously disturb
the wildlife of the famed park. (see PA
Updates Vol. XII, No. 6, 2 &1 and Vol. XI, No. 6 & 4).
The
committee supporting the highway expansion has argued that the move would adversely
impact the four-lakh people living in the stretch between Kaliabor to
Numaligarh, by keeping them outside the purview of development. It said that
instead of abandoning the NH-37 expansion on the Kaziranga stretch, the
authorities could consider constructing elevated roads, tunnels and flyovers as
corridors for facilitating animal movement.
The
Committee deemed untenable the argument of environmental NGO’s that the park
would be affected by the air pollution that would inevitably accompany the
increase in vehicular traffic on the completion of 4-laning. It said that
Kaziranga faced more serious problems like poaching, erosion by the Brahmaputra
and lack of manpower, and these needed to be first addressed by the
authorities.
Meanwhile,
conservation bodies have expressed concern over the continued demands of the
conversion committee. They have argued that the only viable alternative to
ensure long-term security for the animals would be to divert the four-lane
highway to the north bank.
The
UNESCO Heritage Committee had also expressed serious concern over the proposal,
terming it a ‘potential threat to the integrity of the Park.’ In its 32nd
report submitted in July 2008, the Committee stated that ‘upgrading the
national highway will transform the already problematic road crossing into an
impossible barrier for the wildlife.’
Kaziranga
already has a high animal mortality rate caused by accidents on the highway. Around
55 animals of Kaziranga are killed by speeding vehicles on NH-37 every year. Four-laning
the stretch would pose an even greater threat to the animals during the annual
floods, when there is large-scale animal migration from the park to the
highlands on the other side of the highway (see PA Update Vol XIV, No. 5).
Source: ‘NH upgrade
through Kaziranga opposed,’ The Assam
Tribune, 15/10/08
‘Call to include Kaziranga portion in NH-37
expansion,’ The Assam Tribune,
21/10/08
Contact: Director,
Kaziranga NP, PO Bokakhat, Dist. Golaghat – 785612, Assam. Tel:
03776-268095(O), 268086®
Male
rhino gores female to death at Manas
A two-year-old female rhino was found dead within
the fenced area of the Manas NP in October. She was one of four rhinos
rehabilitated to Manas by the Wildlife Trust of India as part of the Vision
2020 plan to increase the rhino population in the park. It was confirmed that
the cause of death was a severe attack by a male rhino that had been recently
been moved here from Pobitara WLS.
One
of the two male rhinos translocated to Manas in April has also reportedly been
damaging crops and entering residential areas near the Park (see PA Update Vol XIV, No. 5). It had gone
missing for a fortnight in September, and was finally found by park authorities
in an interior area near Mushalpur.
(Also see PA
Updates Vol. XIII, Nos. 5 & 2).
Source: ‘Male rhino
gores female to death at Manas National Park,’ The Assam Tribune, 26/10/08
Contact: Director, Manas NP, PO Barpeta Rd.
Dist. Barpeta – 781315, Assam. Tel: 03666 – 261413. Fax: 232253 / 260253
Manas poachers join green NGO
Four poachers from
the Sibrubari area under the Batabari Forest Range individuals who were
involved in poaching activities in Manas have joined the Manas Sousi Khongkhor
Eco-Tourism Society (MSKETS).
The four surrendered their guns
under an initiative of the All Bodo Student’s Union (ABSU)’s Nikashi Anchalik
Committee in Baksa district and have vowed to help the NGO in protecting
wildlife.
Source:
‘4 poachers join green NGO, vow to protect wildlife,’ The Assam Tribune, 01/09/08
Chief Wildlife Warden – Assam, Rehabari, Guwahati – 781008, Assam. Tel: 0361-2566064. Fax 2547386
GUJARAT
Feral dogs hunt blackbucks at Velavadar
Packs of feral dogs are reported to be
regularly hounding and hunting blackbuck in the Velavadar National Park. At
least three-four blackbuck are killed in this manner every month and many such
cases also go unreported. Young animals are particularly vulnerable.
The
problem has been ascribed to a sharp rise in dog population in adjoining
villages like Velavadar, Karnatalav, Gangwada, Baraliya and Madhiya. This
increase is itself, ironically, due to the fact that farmers need guard dogs to
protect their crop from wild foragers that include black bucks. According to
the Sarpanch of Velavadar, it is up to the FD control the dog menace. The black
buck population at Velavadar is estimated at 13,000 as per the latest FD
census.
Source: Himanshu
Kaushik, ‘Dogs hunt black bucks
at Velavadar sanctuary,’ The Times
of India, 17/09/08
Contact: ACF, Black-Buck National Park, Velavadar, F/10 Bahumali Bhawan. Bhavnagar – 360001, Gujarat. Tel: 0288-2552077. Fax: 0288-2555336
66% tourists to Gujarat visit Gir
Gir attracts 66% of all tourists
visiting Gujarat and 80% of foreign visitors to the state, thanks to good
infrastructure at the sanctuary and its Devalia Interpretation zone. That it
falls in the pilgrim circuit of Somnath also accounts for its popularity.
Additionally those people visiting Diu for alcohol also visit Gir because it is
easily accessible.
The other two most
visited sanctuaries in the state are the Nalsarovar and Thol bird sanctuaries. Only
7% of the domestic tourists visiting Gujarat visit the rest of the protected
areas in the state.
Source: ‘Gir is lion of all sanctuaries’, The Times of India, 05/10/10
Hotels functioning illegally around
Gir
Nine hotels in the vicinity of Sasan Gir village have started
functioning again illegally after being sealed by the Talala Mamlatdar for not obtaining no-objection certificates (NOC)
from the Forest Department. There are an estimated 30 private hotels catering
to the heavy tourist inflow to the area, but most have neither obtained NOCs
from the Forest Department nor have they followed any licensing formality. Authorities
had paid a blind eye to this issue till recent orders from the Junagadh
District Collector had resulted in the closure. The sealed hotels have started
operating again with the start of the tourist season, which brings in as many
as 20000 visitors.
Hotel operators claimed
that they had already applied for these NOCs a while ago, but the FD’s lethargy
had stalled the process. The FD, has in turn, said that its officials were busy
managing the heavy Diwali season traffic in the sanctuary, and therefore had
not been able to look into the issue. Sasan Gir’s DCF also added that he had
not received any file of hotels asking for NOCs from the FD.
Source: ‘Sealed private hotels rule the roost in
Sasan Gir during tourist season’, The
Indian Express, 01/11/08.
Contact: CF
(Wildlife) Junagadh, Sardar Bag, Junagadh, Gujarat. Tel: 0285 - 631678/
630051. Fax: 631211. Email: cfwildlife_ad1@sancharnet.in
New management zone for PAs in North Gujarat
The Gujarat Forest Department (FD) has decided to carve out a fifth forest
zone in the state for better management of its protected areas. The new North
Gujarat Forest Zone will include the Wild Ass, Nalsarovar and Thol Wildlife
Sanctuaries. The Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary in Banaskantha might also be
included.
Eleven new posts,
including that of Conservator of Forests, will be created following the setting
up of this new zone that comes in light of the task force set up in the
aftermath of the recent incidents on lion poaching in Gir (see PA Updates Vol. XIV, No. 3 and Vol.
XIII, Nos. 5 & 4).
In another step, a provision
of Rs 4.61 crore has been made for the incorporation and use of modern
technology. It includes the cost of engaging a consultant for the development
of specifications, system requirement study, development of geographical
information systems (GIS) database, and control room applications along with
hardware and software. Ground staff in Gir will also be provided with
geo-communications hand-held field units, and a management cell will be set up
for the implementation of special measures in the lion-specific areas of
Saurashtra.
Source: Himanshu Kaushik. ‘New forest zone to help
protect N Gujarat wildlife’, The Times of
India, 13/09/08.
Contact:
CF, Wildlife, Junagadh, see above
FD proposes incentive scheme for
informers
The Gujarat Forest Department has proposed an incentive scheme for
strengthening its informer network and getting more information about illegal
activities in and around the states’ forests and protected areas. 10% of the
value of the seizure will be given to the informant. The quantum of the
incentive is yet to be decided for those who provide information about the
suspicious movement of people involved in poaching and about other matters
related to wildlife protection.
The scheme is designed
on the same lines as the police information network and is said to be awaiting
notification from the government. Forest officials hold that the scheme would
be especially useful in curbing timber theft and poaching activities as the FD
is presently understaffed and also has a shortage of resources.
The idea for the
incentive scheme was mooted following the spate of poaching incidents in Gir
recently and had been awaiting approval since then.
Source: Himanshu Kaushik. ‘Informers to get
incentives from forest department’, The
Times of India, 13/09/08.
Contact: CWLW
- Gujarat, Block 14, Dr. Jivraj Mehta Bhavan, Old Sachivalaya,
Gandhinagar-382010, Gujarat. Tel: 02712-230007. Fax: 221097.
Wildlife crime prevention workshop in Leh
A three-day training programme on wildlife crime prevention was held at
Leh in the first week of November for the front line staff of Leh and Kargil
Wildlife Divisions. The training was organized by the Department of Wildlife
Protection in collaboration with Wildlife Trust of India (WTI).
Other participants
included the Range Officers of Leh Forest Division and members of Hemis Youth.
The participants were trained in various wildlife related legislations in
general and the Jammu & Kashmir wildlife Protection Act in particular.
Certificates and field gear kits donated by the WTI were also given to
the participants at the end of the workshop.
Contact: Tahir
Shawl, Wildlife Warden, Wildlife Division Leh, Badami Bagh, Sakara, Leh,
Ladakh- 194101. Tel: 01982-252171. Email: tahir_shawl@yahoo.com
FD ‘adopts’ two villages near Dalma WLS
The Forest Department (FD) has adopted two villages near the Dalma
Wildlife Sanctuary as part of a new forest conservation program being
implemented here. The FD hopes that working with and helping the villages of
Konkadasa and Chimti would induce them to help the FD protect the sanctuary.
As part of the pilot
project, solar street-lights were recently installed at Konkadasa. Each house
in the village was also provided with solar lamps. A school has also been set
up here, and it will offer education up to class 5. The problem of water shortage
in the village has also been tackled by the FD through the installation of
three hand pumps. A borewell was dug with the help of the villagers.
A kilometer long road
connecting Konkadasa village with Pindvabedam is being constructed and a solar fencing
is being installed around the villages to protect them from elephants.
In Chimti village, the
women have been provided with a plate making machine to make plates from the
leaves that they pick from the forests. These plates will later be sold in Jamshedpur
city.
Source: ‘Villages to protect wildlife
sanctuary in Jharkhand,’ The Times of
India, 03/11/08
Contact: Divisional Forest Officer, Dalma WLS
Wildlife Division, Ranchi, Jharkhand. Tel: 0651-301861
Spotted deer released into Hazaribagh NP
14 captive spotted deer and
sambhar were released into the Hazaribagh National Park (HNP) to mark Wildlife
Week in Jharkhand. These were among the 50 such animals that were brought to
Rajderwa forest in HNP from different parts of the state.
To ensure that only the healthy animals were released in
the wild, they were first vaccinated against possible infection. A medical team
had also examined blood and stool samples collected from the deer before their
release.
Park officials have said that more deer would be brought to
HNP from the deer parks in Chandrapura and Maithon, and also from the Birsa
Zoological Garden in Ranchi.
Source: ‘Spotted deer released into forest,’ The Times of India, 22/10/08
Contact: DFO,
Hazaribagh, West Division, Hazaribagh, Jharkhand. Tel: 06546-223340/222296
Initiative to
control traffic in Bandipur National Park
The Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) has
initiated a Rapid Action Project (RAP) to control the high incidence of
wildlife casualty along the road cutting through Bandipur National Park. Funded
by the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, the RAP is the outcome of a
road-kill study conducted by the Wildlife Conservation Foundation.
The
project envisages the enforcement of a speed limit on vehicles plying through
the park by placing barricades in critical sections of the 12.5 km stretch. Their
placement is decided on the basis of the data collected since 2004. Eight
signboards have already been put up along animal crossings and areas with high
road kill frequency to help prevent accidents.
The
RAP will also produce and distribute pamphlets to create awareness amongst
drivers about their responsibility towards the park’s wildlife. This work will
be executed at the Kekkanahalla and Melukamanahalli points of entry. Constant
monitoring is also on the cards.
It
is reported that at least three large animals, including tigers, leopards, and
even elephants are killed on this road every month. Spotted deer are
particularly vulnerable as they migrate daily in the East-West direction,
homing in for the night in Bandipur (forest headquarters), where human presence
offers them protection from predators. At day break they cross the road and
return to the wilderness.
This
particular stretch is a lifeline for Ooty's tourism industry and has a high
volume of traffic even at night, when animal activity is high. One vehicle
enters the Park every five minutes at an average speed of 80 km/hr.
Though
the project is still in its initial stages, it has already begun to yield
results. Vehicle speed here is said to have reduced considerably as people are
now aware of the 40 km/hr speed limit.
Conservationists
are also concerned about the proposed upgradation of this road to a national
highway. Road widening work on the Mysore-Ooty highway has already begun in
areas external to the protected areas, though the MoEF is yet to endorse this
upgradation.
Source:
‘Taming traffic in Bandipur National Park,’ http://www.wildlifetrustofindia.org/current-news/081016_taming_traffic_in_bandipur.html,
16/10/08
Contact: WTI, A-220, New Friends Colony, New Delhi. –
110065. Ph. 011-26326025/6
Field Director, Bandipur Project Tiger Reserve, Aranya Bhawan, Ashokapuram, Mysore – 570008, Karnataka. Tel: 0821-2480901(O), 2484980 (R).
Tribal people block entry to Nagarhole NP
Nearly 250 tribal people from the Nagapura
Rehabilitation Centre, Unit 2, recently blocked tourists from entering the
Nagarhole National Park. The protesters alleged that the Forest Department has
failed to allot five acres of land to each family as promised during their
resettlement; and that most of them had received only 2-3 acres of land. They
accused the department of transferring land meant for the tribal people to
private resorts. Some also claimed that the residential units including the
Samudaya Bhavan constructed by the department had collapsed.
The
protesters relented after the Deputy Commissioner gave an assurance over the
telephone and the local elected representatives promised to take up their
demands with the Government.
(Also see PA
Updates Vol. XII, No. 2 and PA
Updates Nos. 34, 32, 27, 26, 23 & 22).
Source: ‘Tribal people block entry to national park,’
The Hindu, 08/07/08
Contact: Dy.
Conservator of Forests, Nagarhole NP, Wildlife Division, Hunsur, Dist.
Mysore, Karnataka. Tel: 08222-252041(O), 252070(R
Night traffic banned inside Nagarhole NP
The Karnataka Forest Department has decided to halt
night traffic on the Udbur-Bavali road inside the Nagarahole National Park. A
directive to this effect was issued in July by the Mysore District Collector.
It is
hoped the move will help check the illegal activities of timber smugglers and
wildlife poachers who use this 12-km stretch regularly at night to smuggle
valuable forest produce and wildlife products. The road also overlaps with the elephant
and tiger migratory corridor used by wildlife to pass from Nagarahole to the
Bandipur forests. During summer when food and water is scarce in the forests,
several elephants congregate near the Kabini dam backwaters; and this road is a
major hindrance in their movement.
The
road is also extensively used by tax evaders for
bringing in consumable goods from Kerala, which imposes lower taxes than
Karnataka. The sale of these goods has resulted in considerable monetary losses
for Karnataka. Night activities on this road also include the illegal
transportation of cattle from Karnataka to butcheries in Kerala. Several
pressure groups with vested interests had therefore opposed any ban on the
movement of vehicles on this road. The
ban was also opposed by action committees formed in both states. It was claimed
that people in the northern districts of
Kerala use this road to transport vegetables and other commodities from
Karnataka. The road also happens to be the shortest route home for students from Kerala studying in Karnataka.
The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has however rejected the
Kerala state government’s demand to keep the Udbur-Bavli Road open for 24 hour traffic.
A
relaxation on the use of the road for purposes such as medical emergencies and
fire accidents has been allowed.
Source:
‘A boon to wildlife, tribal people and exchequer,’ The Hindu, 16/07/08
‘Stir against ban on traffic
through forest road,’ The Hindu, 21/08/08
‘Conservationists welcome status quo on traffic through
park,’ The Hindu, 23/10/08
Wildlife research institute coming up in Kodagu
Civil works have begun for establishing the Wildlife
Veterinary Research Institute at Doddaluvara village in Kodagu (also see PA Update Vol. XIII, No. 5). The Rs. 30
crore project is being promoted by the State Government under the Karnataka
Veterinary and Animal Sciences and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar. Research
will be undertaken here in wildlife medicine and nutrition, management of
wildlife diseases, wildlife biology, breeding and behaviour. The Institute will
offer MVSc, MSc. and PhD. in wildlife as well as postgraduate diplomas in
wildlife breeding, healthcare and management..
The campus will have a mini-zoo with
demonstration units to study animal behaviour; and facilities for diagnosing
wildlife diseases will also be provided. In-service training will be given to
those working in the zoological gardens, national parks and wild safaris. The institute
also intends to create awareness among local people on conservation of wildlife.
The Forest
Department (FD) will be involved in the Institutes functioning via an advisory
board that will also include non-governmental wildlife experts. Tie-ups with
international universities are also on the cards.
Source:
‘Wildlife research institute coming up in Kodagu,’ The Hindu, 25/07/08
Tiger
population rising in PTR; count to be undertaken across state
The tiger population at the
Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Kerala's Idukki district has increased to 38 from
about 22 in the past. A recent camera-trap survey has revealed that the density
of tiger population has also gone up in the reserve to an estimated 3.4 tigers
per 100 sq km. The survey covered 640 sq. kms. of the 925 reserve, and was
carried out between January and May 2008 by scientists of the Periyar Tiger
Foundation.
56
cameras were deployed in four trapping blocks – Thekkady Range, Allakdavu
Range, Periyar Range and Periyar West Division. These yielded 45 photos of 18
individual tigers over 15 sampling occasions. Of the 18 identified animals, seven
each were seen in the Thekkady and Vallakadavu ranges, three were seen in the Periyar
Range and one was reported from the West Division.
The
Wildlife Institute of India however had counted only 23
tigers in the 2314 sq. kms Periyar landscape that included the Neyyar WLS. The WII
study had estimated there to be 46 tigers in the entire state.
Following its own study conducted by
the Periyar Foundation, the Kerala Forest Department has decided to undertake a
count of tigers in different tiger habitats across the state. These include the
forests of Wayanad, Gudrikkal, Ranni and also the Parambikulam Wildlife
Sanctuary.
More camera traps are to be set up
in these forests and the FD has planned to buy 20 digital cameras from funds
provided by the Union Government and the Periyar Foundation.
Source: J
Ramakrishnan, ‘Tiger population in Kerala forest on the rise: Survey,’ The Hindu, 19/10/08
KS Sudhi. ‘Recounting in more
state tiger habitats’, The Hindu,
10/10/08
Contact: Field Director, Periyar Tiger Reserve, Aranya Bhavan, Forest Complex, S.H. Mount P.O. Kottayam - 686006. Kerala. Tel: 0481-2562940(O) / 2560297(R). Fax: 2569217 / 2565740
Conflict between panchayats over management of Kadalundi Community
Reserve
A conflict has
broken out between the Kadalundi and Vallikunnu Panchayats in Kozhikode
district over the management of the Kadalundi Community Reserve. Differences
over representation in the community reserve managing committee have remained
unresolved despite the fact that both panchayats are controlled by the Left
Democratic Front.
Initially, the managing committee
was to have three members from the Kadalundi panchayat and two members from the
Vallikunnu panchayat besides a representative of the Forest Department. The
Vallikunnu panchayat however, demanded higher representation on the ground that
most of the reserve fell within their panchayat.
Forest Minister Benoy Viswom was to
hold discussions with the leaders of the panchayats in an effort to settle the
dispute, and it was suggested that a solution was in sight.
Source:
‘Panchayats lock horns over stake in management’, The Hindu, 19/09/08.
Contact: Email: cbs_biodiversity@rediffmail.com
Chief Wildlife Warden – Kerala, Vazhudacaud, Trivandrum – 695014, Kerala. Tel: 0471-2322217 / 2360452 / 2204896. Fax: 2360452 / 2322217
Oussudu Lake declared first sanctuary in Puducherry
The Oussudu Lake in Villianur has been declared the first wildlife
sanctuary in Puducherry. A notification for protecting an area of about 390
hectares was recently published in the gazette.
The Forest Department will
restrict bird hunting and poaching at the lake and protect it from being used
as a garbage dump. Plans are also being made to educate people about the
importance of bird conservation.
Source: Serena Josephine M. ‘Oussudu lake is now a
sanctuary’, The Hindu, 03/11/08
Garo Students Union Opposes Coal Mining near Balpakram NP, South Garo
Hills
The Garo
Students Union has opposed the continued coal mining in the South Garo Hills
including in areas adjoining the Balpakram National Park. In a press release
issued in September they condemned the move of the Gongrot Aking (hamlet) to
mine coal on their land. The Aking is located in the Rongara Block adjoining
the Balpakram NP.
The Union holds that the mining will
destroy the rich natural and cultural heritage of the Garo people, who have
their last remaining stronghold in this region. The press release states that
the livelihood sources of a number of villages will be destroyed as a result of
the degradation of land. There would be a severely negative impact on the
drinking water supply and the paddy land of Akings downstream of Gongrot i.e.
Halwa Atong, Rongrengpal, Alokpang, Ampangre and Halwa Ambeng. These Akings
include 26 villages with about 600 families.
A delegation of the Garo Students
Union met the representatives of the Gongrot Aking to convey their concerns and
has also called upon the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council, the District
Administration of South Garo Hills and the Meghalaya State Forest Department to
ensure that the mining does not start in the region.
The mining in this region is
generally not by industry but by the land owners themselves. A majority of the
land is also held by the village community.
Source:
‘Garo Students Union Opposed coal mining in South Garo Hills’, Press Release,
Garo Students Union, 22/09/08.
Contact:
Prosper Marak, President, Garo
Students Union, Baghmara, South Garo Hills, Meghalaya. Tel: 09436325603. Email:
ginsadawa@gmail.com
Simlipal opens
for tourists from November
The tourist zone of Simlipal Tiger Reserve and National Park, closed
since the 16th of June, was reopened on the 3rd of
November.
In the first phase,
visitors would be allowed to enter the Park from the Jashipur entry point, from
which 44 four-wheelers will be permitted on a daily basis. On completion of
road-repair work on Pitabata, 24 vehicles will be allowed everyday from here.
An eatery has also been
set up in the park by the villagers of Muktapur in collaboration with the
Simlipal eco-tourism society.
Source: ‘Simlipal to open for tourists from 3
November,’ The Statesman, 28/10/08
Tourism facilities for
Chandaka WLS
A number of steps have been proposed to promote
tourism in the Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary. These include the creation
of a six km. long ‘nature trail’ connecting the hillocks around scenic Deras
Dam, the refurbishment of rest houses situated deep inside the forest and the
installation of solar energy powered water supply systems here.
The
Godibari interpretation centre at the entrance point of Chandaka Sanctuary is
to inform visitors about the terrain of the area and about recent happenings in
the sanctuary.
In
a departmental bid to reduce cattle-grazing pressure on the forest, the Centre
will also distribute fodder plants free of cost to villagers from the
surrounding areas.
Source: ‘Chandaka
wildlife sanctuary beckons nature lovers,’ The
Hindu, 10/09/08
Contact: DFO, Chandaka WLS, SFTRI Campus, Ghatikia, P.O. Barmunda Colony, Bhubaneswar – 751003. Tel: 0674-2440168 ®
Anti-poaching
measures at Chilika
The Chilika Development Authority (CDA) is stepping
up precautionary measures around the Chilika lake to protect the thousands of
migratory birds that come here during winter.
Police
help was taken to draw up a list of licensed arms holders and of illegal
possessors of country guns living near the lake. All have been warned of severe
action if found involved in poaching. The Forest Department (FD) has also set
up 16 special camps, each one of which will be manned by a forester, one forest
guard and three volunteers.
Vigil
has been heightened in the main migratory grounds – viz. areas near the Sorana,
Nairi, Kalupada, Mangalajodi, Krushnaprasad, Madhurchua, Satapada, Gurubai and
Khatiakudi villages.
Fifteen
motor boats are also to be deployed for patrolling and special mobile squads
comprising forest as well as police officials will keep watch on the
restaurants near the lake, where the meat of migratory birds is served as a
winter specialty. Strict vigil last year had ensured the arrest of 13 poachers,
from whom 48 live or dead migratory birds were recovered.
Source: ‘Steps
taken to check poaching of migratory birds,’ The Hindu, 29/10/08
Contact: DFO (WL), Chilka, 1865/66 Nuasahi
Nayapalli (near Sub PO), Bhubaneshwar – 751012.
Orissa. Email: bravo_123@satyam.net.in
Villagers of Karlapat WLS start exercising rights under the Forest Rights Act
Villagers living inside the Karlapat
Wildlife Sanctuary have begun protecting the forests here after claiming their
rights under The Scheduled Tribes and
Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act (STOTFDRA),
(Forest Rights Act).
The villagers are reported to have
claimed that the forest is their resource and that they now also have the
responsibility of protecting it. It has been suggested that women in the
villages like those of Mundguda, Jogisahipatna, Haradaguda and Herlaguda had in
the past failed to curb the timber mafias here because they didn’t have any
rights or say in the management of the resources. Things are said to have
changed now. A few months back, for instance, the villagers seized three truck
loads of timber from the official residence of the Range Officer in charge of
the sanctuary.
In another instance, villagers of
the Tentulipadar village – which is recorded as illegal in Forest Department
records – were reported to have actively worked in dealing with and putting out
a fire in the forest.
Another incident is related to the
construction of a school building in the village of Jakam, also located within
the boundaries of the sanctuary. The village of 42 families was denied
permission by the local DFO to lift river sand for the construction of a school
building that had been sanctioned by the Panchayat Samiti. The community has
now decided to by pass the DFO and directly approach the Ministry of
Environment and Forest for clearance as per the provisions laid down in the Act
(Also see PA Update Vol. XIV, No. 2).
Source: Y Giri Rao. Email dated 26/09/08.
‘Villagers secure forest
rights’, The Times of India,
26/09/08.
Contact:
Y Giri Rao Email: ygiri.rao@gmail.com
Officer-cum-Wildlife Warden, I/c Karlapat WLS, At / P.O. Bhawanipatana, Dist Kalahandi, Orissa. Tel: 06670-230526. Fax: 230526
Large scale mortality of
aquatic life in the Gulf of Mannar Marine NP
Thousands of marine animals, including highly
endangered sea turtles, sea cucumbers, seahorses and sea anemones, have perished
around the Mandapam and the Kilakarai group of islands of the Gulf of Mannar. The
lagoon areas of the islands were found awash with dead fishes of all sizes and
varieties, and odour emanating from the dead aquatic animals could be sensed
far away from the shore.
Teams
from the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), the Suganthi
Devadasan Marine Research Institute (SDMRI) and the Fisheries College, Tuticorin,
were dispatched to study the damage to the marine biodiversity of the region.
The
CMFRI study revealed the cause of mortality to be fatally low levels of oxygen
in the waters of the Gulf. This is turn was caused by the abnormal blooming of
an algae called Noctiluca scintillans,
visually apparent in large green-coloured patches that had caused extensive
discolouration of sea-water here. The marine life affected by the blooming
mainly included benthic fishes mostly associated with coral reefs, such as serrandis,
silverbelly and sturgeon. Although the noctiluca is non-toxic, people around
the coastal areas were warned not to eat the dead fish. Periapattinam was found
to be the origin of the bloom, which then spread to several areas along the
50-km coast from Mandapam to Keelakarai.
Laboratory
reports by Madurai Kamaraj University’s Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies
have revealed that algal-cell density in the seawater had increased from the
normal density of a few hundred cells per litre to 12.7 lakh cells per litre.
The dissolved oxygen level had dropped from 5 ml to less than one ml per litre.
The
team of scientists attributed the outbreak of algal bloom to coastal marine
pollution caused by the indiscriminate dumping of municipal and domestic sewage
along the Gulf. The rapid multiplication of algal cells may have been caused by
the absence of monsoon winds. The abnormal blooming has occurred before in the
Gulf, albeit on a smaller scale, due to drastic changes in sea-environment,
such as increasing temperatures, decreasing wind velocity and low water
currents.
The Sugandhi Devadasan Marine
Research Institute (SDMRI), Tuticorin, found 20-25 colonies of table and
branching corals bleached along the seaward side of the shallow waters of the
Vazha island; while 10 small coral colonies were found similarly affected near
Mulli island. The preliminary report submitted by the Institute said that the
bleaching was caused by the elevated sea surface temperature (31 C), which was
abnormal for October.
A few colonies were reported to have
started recovering after the temperature normalized but more monitoring of the
sea was needed to get a detailed and better understanding. It was also pointed
out that dead algal cells and micro-organisms arising from the decomposition of
the bloom could further stress the corals and sea-grass here if not washed away
from the reef area.
A
subsequent survey carried out by the SDMRI found that the situation was
starting to normalize on the shoreward side of the Mulli, Vazhai and Thalaiyari
islands. A few juvenile fish were also observed on the seaward side.
Source: Source: Shastry V. Mallady and C. Jaisankar. ‘Low
oxygen levels leading to high mortality of fish in Gulf of Mannar, The Hindu, 12/10/08
C. Jaishankar.
‘Government seeks report on mortality of marine animals,’ The Hindu, 13/10/08
Shastry
V. Mallady and C. Jaisankar. ‘Oxygen levels improve in Gulf of Mannar,’ The Hindu, 14/10/08
C. Jaisankar. ‘Algal bloom leaves coral reefs
bleached,’ The Hindu, 15/10/08
C. Jaisankar.
‘Algal bloom-hit parts of Gulf of Mannar coming back to life’, The Hindu, 20/10/08
Contact: Wildlife Warden, Gulf
of Mannar NP, Collectorate Compound, Ramanathapuram – 623503, Tamil Nadu.
Campaign to declare Gulf of Mannar a
World Heritage Site
An international campaign is to be launched to get a World Heritage Site
status for the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere. The campaign will also lobby for a permanent
cancellation of the Sethusamudram Ship Channel Project (SSCP) (see PA Updates 46, 40, 39, 38, 36 & 30).
Biologists,
environmentalists, humanitarians, economists, religious leaders, non-profit
workers and civic authorities from around the world are to meet at the London
headquarters of The Linnean Society for the purpose. The aim is to provide
multi-disciplinary evidence encouraging the Governments of India and Sri Lanka
to make UNESCO recognize the Gulf as a World Heritage Site.
Those supporting the
move include noted international experts like Peter Bunyard, Dr. Ranil
Senanayake and organizations like Both ENDS.
Source: Ch. Narendra. ‘Campaign to declare Gulf of
Mannar a World Heritage Site,’ http://www.mynews.in/fullstory.aspx?storyid=11226,
10/10/08
Metal
trap-detectors for Corbett and Rajaji
Two national parks in the state – Rajaji and Corbett
have procured Deep Penetration Metal Detector (DPMD) devices that can sense poachers’
traps hidden beneath the soil. The devices will obviate the cumbersome method
of relying on guesswork to locate and unearth gin-traps – a contraption popular
amongst poachers.
While
the park authorities receive about three – four tip-offs on poaching activity
every month, lack of knowledge about the exact location of the hidden traps had
often led to dead ends. Forest personnel hope that the newly acquired DPMD’s
will help in scaling down the poaching rates in Rajaji and Corbett.
Two
traps each have been procured for the parks on a trial basis and more are to be
brought in soon.
Source: Prithviraj
Singh, ‘Forest dept gets detectors for hidden traps,’ The Pioneer, 10/10/08
Contact:
Director, Rajaji NP, 5/1 Ansari Marg,
Dehradun – 248001, Uttaranchal. Tel: 0135-2621669 Fax: 262166
Trains through Dudhwa may
stop
The Indian Railways is willing to shut down the
200-km railway line passing through Dudhwa NP, where trains have run over at
least five tigers in the last eight years. The offer follows a complaint filed
by the wildlife department against the railways for failing to control the
speed of trains here.
In
the latest accident, a tiger was run over by a train in the first week of
September. Railway officials said in response that the death occurred far away from
the earmarked 33 km stretch which has the 15 kmph speed limit regulation. They
added that they were willing to shut down the track because it was anyway not
cost effective for the railways.
As
many as 23 animals – including five tigers and three elephants – have died
after being run over by trains in the park area since 2000. The issue had also
been taken up by the previous CM of UP, Mulayam Singh Yadav, who wrote to
Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, but that failed to resolve the deadlock. Railway
authorities have said the UP State Government will have to first take a decision
in the matter.
(Also see PA
Update Vol XII, No. 3 and Nos. 44 & 34)
Source: ‘Railways
willing to stop trains in Uttar Pradesh tiger reserve,’ The Times of India, 12/09/08
Contact: Director,
Dudhwa National Park, Dist. Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh. Tel: 05872-252106.
Fax: 05872-252106
Top
officials transferred after tiger death in Sunderbans TR
In an immediate response to the possible poaching of
an adult tiger in the Sundarban Tiger Reserve, the West Bengal government has
recently transferred three top forest officials on charges of dereliction of
duty. The action followed a preliminary report given by the State’s Criminal
Investigation Department.
Tourists
aboard a launch in the Sundarbans on October 6 first noticed the body of a
tiger floating in one of the many rivers that crisscross the delta. They
reported it to forest officials who retrieved the body of the male tiger that
had been shot dead.
State
Chief Wildlife Conservator S. S. Bisht, Sundarban Tiger Project Director Niraj
Singhal and the Director of the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve, P. Shukul have all
been transferred. Forest Minister Ananta Roy has said that further action may
be taken after receipt of a detailed report.
Source: ‘West
Bengal removes top officials after death of tiger,’ The Hindu, 19/10/08
Contact: Director, Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve,
Bikash Bhavan, 3rd Floor, North Block, Salt Lake City, Kolkata -
700091, West Bengal. Tel: 033-3211750. Fax: 3211529
Czech national
arrested for collecting beetles from Singalila NP flees country
Czech national Emil Kucera, who had been
sentenced to three years of imprisonment for collecting beetles from the
Singalila National Park, has fled the country without his passport. Kucera who
was out on bail reportedly said that the ‘absurdity’ of the case had prompted
him to flee. It is believed that he crossed into Nepal and finally left for his
home country.
Along
with entomologist Petr Svacha, Kucera had been arrested on June 22, 2008 for
collecting beetles from the national park without valid documents. While Svacha
was let off with a fine of Rs 20,000 and was described as a ‘victim of
circumstances’ by the chief judicial magistrate, Kucera was awarded three years
imprisonment and a fine of Rs 60,000.
Kucera's
lawyer T.K. Pandit said he was unaware of the development and pointed out that
if Kucera has indeed left the country it was unfair, and now two of his juniors
who were his guarantors would now have to pay a fine of Rs 6,000 to the court.
He said the court could issue a warrant as the next hearing was scheduled for
November 6 and that help of Interpol could also be sought to get him back.
Earlier,
it had come to light that Kucera had used three different passports to enter
India during his five visits between 1999 and 2008.
Source: ‘Czech forester flees without passport’, The Telegraph, 28/10/08.
Contact: CF
(Wildlife), North Bengal, West Bengal Forest Dept., Aranya Bhawan (Near
Court) Jalpaiguri,
West Bengal. Tel: 03561– 25627(O) 25596 (R)
Chief Wildlife
Warden, Vikas Bhawan, North Block, Salt Lake, Calcutta - 700091, West
Bengal. Tel: 033-3346900/3583208. Fax: 3345946. Email: wildlife@cal.vsnl.net.in
Parliamentary
committee for scrapping of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Bill
A Parliamentary Committee on Science and Technology
has called for the scrapping of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Bill 2008..
The Bill had been approved by the Union Cabinet earlier this year (PA Update Vol. XIV, No. 2), and would
have provided an initial sum of Rs. 7,500 crores and an annual amount of over
Rs. 1000 crores for the afforestation of six million hectares of countryside.
This was part of an ambitious ‘Green India’ program formulated as part of the
National Action Plan on Climate Change.
The
Bill constituted the mechanism being put in place by the government to channel
the funds garnered from developers for diverting forests for their projects.
Under a Supreme Court order, a sum ranging from Rs 5.8-9.2 lakh per hectare is
collected from all such project promoters. The court had ordered the creation
of a compensatory afforestation fund into which the money was to be collected
before being spent by an authority constituted as per its decision outside the
normal governance structure.
The
order of the parliamentary committee came after it found the much smaller
compensatory afforestation funds of the states to be in complete disarray. The
committee said that the Bill should be scrapped also because it breaches the
federal structure and that the government should follow the existing
Centre-state structures for utilization of the funds.
The
Centre is, however, not bound to follow the recommendations of the committee.
Source: Nitin
Sethi. ‘'Green India' plan hits Parliament roadblock’, The Times of India, 14/10/08
Responses to the draft
regulatory framework for wetland conservation
The Kerala State Wetland Cell has for the second
time approached the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests to extend the
deadline for submitting its views on the draft regulatory framework for wetland
conservation.
The
Kerala State Biodiversity Board too has suggested to the Union Ministry that
paddy lands, ponds, tanks, streams, canals and other irrigation structures
should be brought under the ambit of the regulation. The draft suggests that
wetlands do not include main river channels, paddy fields, coastal wetlands
such as mangroves, marine algal beds, coral reefs and others covered by the
Coastal Regulation Zone notification.
The
Board has suggested that no permanent construction should be permitted within
200 metres of the high-tide line, 300 metres of ecologically sensitive areas
and 100 metres of the maximum water spread line of inland freshwater bodies.
While strict restrictions should be put in place for commercial and industrial
uses of wetlands, there should be no curbs on wetland use for community and
traditional purposes.
The Wetland Conservation Team of the Ashoka Trust for Research in
Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) has also analyzed the draft framework in
detail and has compared it with the relevant provisions of the Environment
Protection Act, the Coastal Regulation Zone, 1991 (CRZ) and the draft Coastal
Zone Management (CZM), 2008, notifications.
Concerns raised include the lack of
recognition of traditional rights over wetlands; lack of any representation of
elected representatives or those of traditional stakeholders; centralization of
power in the hands of the Expert Appraisal Committee and the Central Wetlands
Conservation Committee and the lack of a Wetlands conservation policy. The
detailed analysis can be accessed at http://atree.org/atree_comments_wrf.pdf
(Also see PA Update Vol. XIV, No. 5)
Source: Email by
Priyadarsanan Dharma Rajan.
K.S. Sudhi, ‘Kerala Wetland cell
seeks more time to submit report,’ The
Hindu, 16/10/08.
Contact: Priyadarsanan D Rajan, ATREE,
#659, 5th A main, Hebbal, Bangalore - 560 024. Tel: 080 23530069. Fax:
23530070. Email: priyan@atree.org
URL: www.vembanad.org
13
tigers poached in last two years
As many as 13 cases of tiger poaching have been reported
since the creation of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) in June 2007.
The information was recently provided to the Lok Sabha by Mr S Regupathy,
Minster for Environment and Forests.
The
maximum number of killings was reported from Kerala, where five tigers have
been poached since June 2007, followed by two in Assam and one each in Andhra
Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. The WCCB has also seized tiger parts
and bones from Haryana and Himachal Pradesh in joint operations with the state
police.
The
Bureau was created last year to track offences with interstate and/or international
ramifications, and to disseminate data on wildlife crime to law enforcement
agencies (see PA Updates Vol XIV, Nos
4 & 2, Vol XIII, No. 5 and Vol XII, No. 4).
Source: ‘13 tigers
poached in last two years,’ The Times of
India, 23/10/08
Conference
of Southern Forest Ministers
Forest ministers from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra
Pradesh, Karnataka and Puducherry met recently in Hyderabad.
A
total of 35 resolutions were adopted at the two day conference. These included
the decision to create a forest development fund by imposing a 5% cess on the
sale/mining of forest produce. An appeal was also sent to the Central
Government to consider eco-tourism as a forest activity and to earmark 1% of
the protected area or 10 hectares of it, whichever is less, for the development
of visitor amenities by relaxing the Wildlife Protection Act (WLPA). It was
further suggested that the Southern States should form an eco-tourism grid.
The
meeting also decided to suggest an amendment to the WLPA to delegate powers to
the Chief Wildlife Warden to deal with the capture and translocation of wild
animals; and to convene a national-level conference of Forest Ministers.
Source: ‘Southern
Forest Ministers’ meet for tax on forest produce,’ The Hindu, 27/10/08
49 Indian mammal
species face extinction threat; rhino out of IUCN red list
The International Union for the
Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed over 49 mammal species in India as
facing the gravest level of extinction threat resulting from habitat
destruction, pollution and poaching.
Accordingly
to recently released new data, over 124 Indian mammal species are facing
different degrees of extinction threat. Of these, 10 species are critically
endangered, 39 are endangered, 48 are vulnerable for extinction and 27 have
shown a sharp decline in population.
Most
of these threatened land mammals are concentrated in the eco-sensitive zones of
Western Ghats, north-eastern states and the Andaman Islands. 17 of the total 49
mammal species listed as critically endangered and endangered are from North-eastern
India while 16 are found in the Western Ghats.
The IUCN has also removed
the one-horned rhinoceros from its Red List of endangered species saying that
the animal has shown signs of recovery in range countries following strict
security measures. A number of experts and NGOs have said that is not a good
decision as it will only exacerbate the animal’s vulnerability. IUCN’s
assessment is also critical since it determines allocation of financial and
other forms of aid for the protection of a particular species.
Source: ‘49 Indian mammal species face gravest extinction
threat’, The Hindu, 08/10/08
‘Rhino
population: Changed status may hit conservation efforts,’ The Assam Tribune, 25/10/08
Sanjeeb Baruah, ‘1-horned rhinos out of
endangered list,’ The Asian Age,
27/10/08
NTCA signs pact
with TRAFFIC India
The National Tiger Conservation
Authority (NTCA) has recently signed a pact with the NGO, TRAFFIC India to
support on-ground enforcement action for tiger protection. As per the
agreement, a comprehensive database on wildlife trade and crime will be
developed, and capacity building programmes will also be conducted for various
enforcement agencies to meet emerging and existing challenges of wildlife
enforcement.
The
Ministry of Environment and Forests gave a green signal in the last meeting of
the Authority to the long-pending demand of the NTCA as well the NGOs in the
field that they be allowed to work jointly.
Source: ‘NTCA signs pact with an NGO for tiger
conservation’, The Times of India,
16/10/08
Contact: Samir Sinha,
TRAFFIC –India, WWF India, 172-B, Lodi Estate, New Delhi 110003. Tel:
011-41504786, Fax: 43516200. Email: ssinha@wwfindia.net Web: www.traffic.org
Edberg award for environmental work to Shekar Dattatri
Filmmaker and
naturalist Shekar Dattatri has been awarded the annual Edberg Award in
recognition for his work in conservation and education work. The Sweden based
Edberg Foundation said it noticed how the world-class filmmaker had chosen to
forego well-funded international film projects in order to pursue national,
regional and local projects in India.
The Edberg Foundation was
established in 1990 in the name and spirit of Rolf Edberg, a prominent Swedish
politician, author, philosopher and environmental advocate.
Contact: Edbergstiftelsen, The Edberg Foundation, Box 558, 651 12
Karlstad, Sweden. Email: kansli@edbergstiftelsen.se
Web: www.edbergstiftelsen.se
Shekar Dattatri. Tel: 044-24415744. Email:
shekar.dattatri@gmail.com Web: www.shekardattatri.com
Workshop on wildlife conservation laws for Northeast judiciary
A two-day
orientation programme on wildlife conservation laws was held at Guwahati for
the Northeast Judiciary in September. The workshop was organized by Traffic-
India and WWF India and was attended by over 60 judicial officers from the
states of Assam, Tripura and Mizoram.
The workshop was inaugurated by
Chief Justice Chemaleswar of the Gauhati High Court.
Source:
‘Chief Justice Chelameswar inaugurates
orientation programme on wildlife conservation laws’, The Assam Tribune, 22/09/08
BANGLADESH
World’s
largest population of endangered dolphins found in Bangladesh
The world's largest population of the Irrawaddy
Dolphins has been found in Bangladesh's waters. This was revealed by a
five-year study conducted by the Bangladesh Cetacean Diversity Project and the
New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society. Until now, it was believed the
small light-grey mammal was threatened, and the International Union of
Conservation of Nature had put five of its Southeast Asian populations on its
list of critically endangered animals.
The
study has counted 5,832 Irrawaddy dolphins along Bangladesh's 1,400 km. coastline
and estuaries. In other areas where the dolphins are known to converge, such as
in the Mekong delta, populations have been estimated to be less than a 100.
Although its name is derived from Myanmar's biggest
river, the six feet long Irrawaddy dolphin is mainly an oceanic mammal that
favours coastal waters and estuaries. Many were found in the world's largest
mangrove forest, the Sundarbans, which is also home to 400 endangered Ganges
sweet-water dolphins.
The
future of the dolphin continues to be threatened on account of entanglement
casualties in long fishing nets, habitat pollution and the construction of new
dams along coastal rivers. The researchers have urged the government to create
small networks of protected zones in order to protect the Irrawaddy dolphin.
Source: ‘Large
population of endangered dolphins found in Bangladesh,’ The Times of India, 12/10/08
Bangladesh to protect deer
in Sundarbans
Bangladesh has tightened security in the Sundarbans
to protect its deer population against widespread organized poaching. According
to forest officials, at least 10 poachers were detained in October and over 100
kg of meat, several deer skins and dozens of traps were recovered from them.
Source: ‘Bangladesh
acts to protect deer in Sundarbans,’ The
Times of India, 26/10/08
New President
for the IUCN
Ashok Khosla of the New Delhi based
Development Alternatives was elected the new president of the International
Union for the Conservation of Nature(IUCN). He takes over from Valli Moosa was
had been in charge since 2004. Khosla was elected new president at the IUCN’s
recent World Conservation Congress that was held in Barcelona, Spain.
Contact: Carolin
Wahnbaeck, IUCN
Email:
carolin.wahnbaeck@iucn.org
MoU for protection of migratory birds of prey found in Europe, Africa
and Asia
A joint
initiative by the governments of the United Arab Emirates and the United
Kingdom has led to the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to
protect over 70 species of migratory birds of prey and owls.
The MoU was signed at a meeting held
in Abu Dhabi organised by the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi (EAD), under the
United Nations Convention on Migratory Species.
The measures agreed to will ensure
that signatories focus particular conservation efforts on critical 'bottleneck'
sites - including those identified as Important Bird Areas by BirdLife - where
large numbers of raptors concentrate while on migration from breeding grounds
in the north to wintering ones in the south. Furthermore, signatory countries
will investigate and attempt to solve problems likely to be caused by human
activities, and assist the recovery and re-introduction of bird populations
where they have declined.
Source:
‘Safer passage for migratory birds of prey’, http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/10/cms_mou2.html
INTERPOL and CITES launch new manual for wildlife crimes investigators
The Secretaries
General of INTERPOL and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) recently launched a new guide to
support law enforcement officers investigating wildlife crimes. The manual
provides guidelines on how to carry out ‘Controlled Delivery’ of illegal items
in order to identify individuals connected with criminal activity and
to gather evidence against them using techniques developed in combating drugs
trafficking. A controlled delivery enables law enforcement officers to monitor
shipments of contraband until they arrive at their destination so that the
individuals involved in the smuggling chain can be identified and arrested.
The manual was launched at
INTERPOL's 6th International Conference on Environmental crime that was held in
October. It was attended by more than 150 wildlife and environmental crime
specialists and law enforcement officials from 54 countries.
Source:
‘New support manual for Wildlife crimes investigators’, http://www.interpol.int/Public/News/2008/Cites20081016.asp
Maharashtra Rajya Pakshimitra Sammelan
The Maharashtra
Rajya Pakshimitra Sammelan (Maharashtra Bird Lovers Conference) 2008 is being
organized by the Pakshimitra Mandal, Nashik in the last week of December 2008.
The tentative dates for the
conference are December 27 and 28 and the venue will be the Nandur Madhmeshwar
Bird Sanctuary.
Contact: Madhukar Jagtap,
President, Pakshimitra Mandal Nashik, Jagtap & Co., A-101, Paradise Plaza,
Opp. Madhu Milan, Shingada Talav, Nashik – 422001, Maharashtra. Tel:
0253-2507503/2501503 / 0 9822057503. Email: jagtap_nsk@sancharnet.in
Doctoral research fellowships in tiger conservation
The Kathryn
Fuller Science for Nature Fund has announced that it will award doctoral
fellowships in 2009-10 to scientists addressing research questions that will
significantly improve the practice of tiger conservation. Applicants for Fuller
Fellowships may pursue doctoral degree research in fields that will have a
direct impact on tiger conservation, including tiger ecology, tiger prey, large
mammals, and/or tiger landscape ecology.
The fellowships are
available for citizens from the following tiger range countries: Bangladesh,
Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal,
Russia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The doctoral field research must be conducted
in one of more of the WWF 13 Global Priority Tiger Landscapes and the
last date for receiving complete applications is January 30, 2009. For further
details check http://www.worldwildlife.org/tigerfellowship
Graduate Research Assistantship at Dept. of
Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University
The
Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University is offering a
Graduate Research Assistantship to work on a research project related to
international environmental law and politics.
The
candidate must have an interest in coupled human and natural systems, and the
integration of social science and ecology.
Minimum requirements are a BS or a BA in a related field
and preference will be given to students with some training in law, political
science or public policy.
Contact: Dr. Mark Axelrod, 362 North Case Hall,
James Madison College and the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, East
Lansing, MI 48825, USA. Tel: (517) 353-8607. Email: axelrod3@msu.edu Web: http://www.fw.msu.edu/
Small Cat Action
Fund
The Small Cat Action Fund (SCAF) is a
grants program established by Panthera, with the oversight of the IUCN Cat
Specialist Group. It supports in situ conservation and research activities on
the small cat species. The SCAF is open to application to any qualified
individual and institution. Preference will be given to projects with a strong
conservation emphasis.
Emphasis
is given to requests for field conservation and research activities. The next
deadline for applications is March 1, 2009.
Contact: Nicole
Williams, Program Officer, Panthera, 8 West 40th Street, 18th Floor, New
York, NY 10018. Email: grants@panthera.org