LIST OF CONTENTS
EDITORIAL
Court orders…and
happy tigers!
NEWS FROM INDIAN STATES
Andhra Pradesh
Census held from January 18 to 28
Opposition
to hotel project adjoining Kasu Brahmanand Reddy NP
Telugu Ganga
Canal to be re-routed to protect Sri Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary
Officers to be charge-sheeted for road construction inside Kinnerasani WLS
Polavaram irrigation project
referred to NBWL
Conservation training program held at Manas
MoEF opposes quarrying at Mikir Chang near Kaziranga
Proposal for eco-sensitive zone around Kaziranga
Proposal for state wildlife crime prevention bureau
NHRC happy with rehabilitation of those displaced by Kabini reservoir and Bandipur NP
Nagarhole tribals not rehabilitated properly: HC committee
Trekking route in ‘Veerappan forests’
Demand
for 600 sq. kms buffer for Silent Valley
Tiger Reserve status sought for Wayanad WLS
Eravikulam NP closed for calving season
Vembanad Bird Count 2006
Aquatic animal survey in National Chambal WLS
Protests against displacement from Satpura NP and Bori & Pachmarhi WLSs
Manipur
demand for Wildlife Crime Cell
Poaching inside Phawngpui NP
Tiger census in Simlipal
1454
crocs in Bhitarkanika NP
Fall in migratory birds in Chilka; 1700 bird deaths
in February
Acoustic technology to study Dolphins in Chilka
Rise
in Irrawady Dolphin population in Chilka
Dogs attack nesting Olive Ridleys at Gahirmatha
Punjab allows hunting of nilgai, wild boar
Keoladeo NP was huge lake 26000 years ago
Demolition drive near Ranthambore
Workshop
on eco-tourism
Migratory birds flock to Sursarovar Sanctuary (Kitham
lake)
47 birds found dead in Okhla WLS
Tiger Census held in the Sundarban
Problem elephant translocated from Midnapore to Mahananda
Birth control for captive elephants in W Bengal
Fire in Singalila NP
Rs 3.9 cr for forest village development in Darjeeling Territorial Division
India to join the Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking
Directory of Environment and Wildlife Film makers and Audio-Visual resources
Biological
Corridors planned along the Indo-Nepal-Bhutan border
Bangladesh
Villagers, forest staff from Bangladesh PAs visit
West Bengal
International Conference on Conservation in Conflict
International Seminar on Protected Area Management
Training
course on Participatory management of protected areas
Opportunities at the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust
Director General – ICIMOD
Field researcher needed in Sariska
Court orders…and happy
tigers!
The case of raising the
height of the Mullaperiyar dam in Kerala has been one of continued controversy
for the last few years. There were concerns about both, the safety of the dam
if the height was increased and the impact of the submergence on the forests of
the Periyar Tiger Reserve (see PA Updates 47, 40, 36, 34 & 30)
Now it appears the matter
has been resolved with the Supreme Court (SC) finally allowing for the height
increase, one count being that wildlife habitat will be improved and even that
wildlife would be happy! No kidding. Here’s the relevant extract of the
February 27 order passed
by a bench of the SC…“…The increase of water level will not affect the flora
and fauna. In fact, the reports placed on record show that there will be
improvement in the environment. It is
on record that the fauna, particularly, elephant herds and the tigers will be
happier when the water level slowly rises to touch the forest line. In nature, all birds and animals love water spread
and exhibit their exuberant pleasure with heavy rains filling the reservoir
resulting in lot of greenery and ecological environment around.” Wonder what
those studying wildlife behaviour have to say. The entire forest department and
scientific establishment has not yet been able to establish a credible method of
only ‘counting’ tigers and we have reports being presented in court that talk
of ‘happy’ tigers and elephants.
Why is it that projects like
dams, mining or a thermal power plants most often brook no opposition – not
even questioning? Why is it that all of
us go to any lengths, even absurd ones, to justify their existence and
creation? Even the judiciary?
Here’s a November 2004
instance from the Madras High Court dismissing a petition by the Coastal Action
Network seeking a stay on Sethu Samudram Canal Project (SSCP) public hearings…
“…we would like to mention that we should not obstruct the scientific and
technical progress of the country in the name of environment protection…..the
basic aim of our country (which) is to make India a powerful and modern industrial
state. When the Chinese and Japanese were poor people they were derisively
called ‘yellow’ races by the westerners, but today they are industrialized and
powerful nations, and nobody dares call them that. Similarly, if we wish to get
respect in the world community we must make our country highly industrialized
and prosperous”.
What, might one ask, about
the laws of the land; about piles of evidence of what dams and projects like
the SSCP do / might do to wildlife and the environment; of the poisoned rivers,
drowned forests and uprooted people? Is recognition from the world community our
only benchmark of our value? Do those who don’t benefit from this kind of
development have the right to question that? Do we have the right to even think
of, leave alone articulate, another notion of development? Natural habitats
themselves have great value and provide a large number of services and benefits
that remain largely unrecognized and unrespected. When will that get into the
equations of development?
Will the judiciary please
take cognizance? Nobody knows the language of a tiger’s happiness! We’re still
struggling with just counting them!!
NEWS FROM INDIAN STATES
Census
held from January 18 to 28
A comprehensive tiger census was planned in Andhra
Pradesh from January 18 to 28. It was to be carried out in the districts of
Srisailam, Adilabad, East and West Godavari, Khammam, Bhadrachalam and
Warangal.
Before the census began the officials said that remote
sensing maps and geographical information system (GIS) data provided by the
Hyderabad based National Remote Sensing Agency would be used for the counting.
It was also decided to collect biological material like the animal’s blood,
hair, saliva, skin or faecal matter to find out their exact number. The samples
were to be sent for DNA fingerprinting to the Hyderabad based Centre for
Cellular and Molecular biology to identify individual animals and avoid repeat
counts
Additionally, enumerators
were to use the encounter method to track the animals along a straight line for
about 5 km each day for three days. Photographs of the animals were also to be
taken using infra-red cameras.
According to last year’s census, there were about 120
tigers in AP – with 72 in Nagarjunsagar Srisailam TR alone and the rest in the
Kavali and Papikonda Sanctuaries.
The results for this year’s
census are awaited.
Source:
‘AP to use satellite to count tigers’, Deccan Chronicle, 18/01/06
Contact: Field Director, Nagarjunasagar - Srisailam Tiger Reserve, Srisailam Dam (East) – 512103, Andhra Pradesh, Tel: 08524-286089 / 286140(R). Fax: 08524-286071
Opposition to hotel project
adjoining Kasu Brahmanand Reddy NP
Environmentalists and
wildlife activists have expressed their opposition to the recent auction of
about five acres of land adjoining the Kasu Brahmanand Reddy National Park
(KBRNP) located in the heart of Hyderabad city. The land abuts the park near
the Jubilee Hills Check Post area and was auctioned for an amount of Rs. 335
crores for a hotel project that will come up sans any height restrictions.
According to an initial plan
the government had proposed to leave a part of the five-acre land as a buffer
zone for the park and a walkway. Eventually, however, the entire land was
allowed for the auction. Officials now say that the walkway and the buffer zone
would now be provided within the boundaries of the park.
The land of the park has been a source of continued
conflict with the state regularly wanting to use it for commercial purposes. (See
PA Updates 44, 32, 30 &26)
Source: ML Melly Maitreyi. ‘Inclusion of buffer zone
in auctioned land opposed’, The Hindu, 22/02/06.
Contact: DFO (WL), KB Reddy National Park, Hyderabad –500004. Tel: 040-23607663
Telugu Ganga Canal to
be re-routed to protect Sri Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary
The Andhra Pradesh Irrigation Department has taken a decision to
re-route the Telugu Ganga Canal to protect the Sri Lankamalleswara Wildlife
Sanctuary (SLWLS) and important habitat of the critically endangered Jerdon’s
Courser. A recent study by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) had
pointed out that the canal project was posing a huge threat to the habitat of
the courser that is found here (see PA Update Vol XII, No. 1).
The decision of the state government has been welcomed by
national and international organizations and bird experts.
Source:
‘Decision brings hope for India’s rarest bird’, Birdlife, 01/02/06.
Contact: P Jeganathan & Dr. Asad Rahmani, BNHS, Hornbill House, Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg, Mumbai 400023, Maharashtra. Tel: 022-22821811. Fax: 22837615. Email: bnhs@bom3.vsnl.net.in
DFO, Wildlife, Sri Lankamaleswara WLS, Cuddapah. Andhra Pradesh. Tel: 08562-244480
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, (PCCF), Muzam Jahi Circle, Tuljaguda Complex, APHB Buildings, M J Market, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
Officers
to be charge-sheeted for road construction inside Kinnerasani WLS
The Andhra Pradesh Wild Life Department recently
booked cases against four officials of the Integrated Tribal Development Agency
(ITDA) and three contractors for road construction work connecting two villages
inside the Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary. They were to be charge-sheeted with
a request for the issue of arrest warrants in the Judicial Magistrate court at
Kothagudem as well.
Work on the 12-kilometre
long road connecting Regalla village and Markodu in Gundala forest pocket was
taken up in September last year without the permission of the Forest Department
(FD). The work was stopped on the request of the FD, but it was resumed
subsequently without informing the department.
It
has also been pointed out that drains formed on either side of the road and
resulted in dividing the habitat of wild animals.
Source: ‘Cases booked against 4 ITDA officials’, The Hindu, 30/01/06.
Contact: Divisional Forest Officer (Wildlife Management), Kinnersani WLS, Paloncha & Khammam, Andhra Pradesh. Tel: 08744-245125
Polavaram irrigation project referred to NBWL
The Union
Ministry for Environment and Forests (MoEF) has forwarded the request for
environmental clearance of the Polavaram Multi-purpose project to the National
Board for Wildlife (NBWL) as the project is going to impact significant parts
of the Papikonda Wildlife Sanctuary (See PA Update Vol. XII, No. 1)
The Andhra
Pradesh Government has also been asked to take permission from the Supreme
Court as it has issued some guidelines on development activities inside the
national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
Source: Polavaram irrigation project proposal for wildlife board’, The Hindu, 19/01/06.
Contact: Divisional
Forest Officer, Wildlife, Papikonda Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajahmundry. Andhra
Pradesh. Tel: 0883-2478643. Fax: 0883-2476289
CWLW, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, Aranya Bhavan, Saifabad, Hyderabad - 500004, Andhra Pradesh. Tel: 040-23230561 / 23232668. Fax: 2337889
ASSAM
Conservation
training program held at Manas
A week long conservation training programme starting
February 22, 2006 was held at the Manas National Park. Titled “Conservation
Beyond Boundaries” is was meant for young conservation workers and was
organized jointly by the British High
Commission, the British Council, Association of British Scholars (ABS) Guwahati
Chapter and Aaranyak – a society for biodiversity conservation working in North
East India. The Forest Department and Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) were
the collaborating agencies for the programme.
23 trainees participated in the program that was
inaugurated by Mr. Kampa Borgoyari, Executive Member – Forests and Tourism of
the BTC. Those who spoke at the inaugural function included Dr. Bibhab Talukdar
of Aaranyak; Dr
Rosie Trevelyan, Tropical Biology Association affiliated to the Cambridge
University; Dr Anwaruddin Choudhury, DC Baksa; GC Basumatary, Council Head of
Department, Forests BTC; Abhijit Rabha, Field Director Manas National Park; and
Sanjay Sarkar of the British Council.
Source: Dr.
Bibhab Talukdar, Email dated 24/02/06.
Contact: Dr. Bibhab Talukdar, Samanwoy Path (Survey), PO Beltola, Guwahati - 781028, Assam. Tel: 0361-2266087 / 2228418. Email: bibhab1@sancharnet.in
Director, Manas NP, PO Barpeta Rd. Dist. Barpeta – 781315, Assam. Tel: 03666 – 261413. Fax: 232253 / 260253 Email: abhijitrabha@hotmail.com
MoEF
opposes quarrying at Mikir Chang near Kaziranga
The
Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has written to the Assam State
Government that no quarrying activity could be permitted at Mikir Chang near
Kaziranga National Park, as that area was a “no development zone”. The Ministry
letter quotes a notification issued on July 5, 1996, under which a “no
development zone” has been created within a radius of 15 km around Kaziranga
National Park. (The aerial distance from Mikir Chang stone quarry to the
national park is 9 km). It also says that the state needs to submit a proposal
to the ministry for vetting the mining activity as per the criteria under the
Environment Protection Act.
The Forest Department had invited tenders for
quarrying here a couple of months ago and this had been opposed by a number of
wildlife groups who feared that it would adversely affect elephant migratory
routes and other wildlife as well (see PA Updates Vol XII, No. 1; Vol. XI -
Nos. 5 & 4).
Source:
‘Delhi brakes on quarry in Kaziranga’, The Telegraph, 24/01/06.
Contact: Director,
Kaziranga NP, PO Bokakhat, Dist. Golaghat – 785612, Assam. Tel:
03776-268095(O), 268086®
Dr. Bibhab Talukdar, see
above
Proposal for eco-sensitive zone around Kaziranga
A proposal is being formulated for declaring a 10 kms
circumference area around the Kaziranga National Park as an eco-sensitive zone
(ESZ). The Director of the park has said that various inputs like existing land
use, earmarking of the industrial estates, area development plans for places with
a population of more than 5000 people and a tourism development plan for the
area will be needed for the formulation of the proposal that will then be sent
to the Centre.
Sites of unique natural heritage in the zone
will also be identified and plans for their conservation will be developed for
inclusion into the zonal development plan. Strict guidelines will be drawn up
by the state government to discourage construction at or near these sites.
Buildings of distinct historical or architectural importance will also be
identified and plans for their conservation, particularly their exteriors, will
be incorporated in the zonal development plan.
The Director also pointed out that
the cooperation of the Karbi Anglong district administration would be needed for
the successful creation of the ESZ.
It is hoped that creation of the this zone would
prevent industrial activity from coming up around the park and also put a stop
to the mining and quarrying activity that increased significantly in this
region in recent times (see story above).
(Also
see PA Update 52 for edit on ESZ)
Source: ‘Eco zone in
Kaziranga to block industry – move to protect park’, The Statesman,
10/02/06.
Contact: Director,
Kaziranga NP (see above)
Chief Wildlife Warden – Assam, Rehabari, Guwahati – 781008, Assam. Tel: 0361-2566064. Fax 2547386
Project
for wild buffalo conservation
The Wildlife Trust of India
(WTI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the 
Chattisgarh Forest
Department (FD) to initiate a three-year plan for the conservation and revival
of the small population of the wild buffalo in the state.
As part of the project
wildlife sanctuaries and national parks covering a geographical area of about
4,200 sq. km will be studied to identify threats and conservation strategies.
The project aims to push up the dwindling ‘wild buffalo gene bank’. Genetic
studies to determine the extent of hybridisation with domestic breed and in
addition, relationships of different populations and individuals will also be
established. The project will also record the present population of the buffalo
in the state and attempt to address some of the problems linked to their
habitats.
IUCN, the World Conservation Union, had estimated in 2004
that the total world population of the wild buffalo was certainly less than
4,000 and may well be less than 200. The possibility that no pure bred wild
Asian Buffalo exists has also been suggested.
The bulk of India's wild
buffalo population (about 90 per cent) is in Assam. Estimates by the Chhattisgarh
Forest Department indicate that the Udanti WLS holds a maximum of 60 buffaloes,
while Indravati NP has 49, Pamed WLS - 8, while in Sitanadi and Baihramgarh
WLSs the buffalo is considered extinct.
Source: Bindu
Shajan Perappadan. ‘Project to conserve wild Asian buffaloes’, The Hindu,
26/02/06.
Contact: Principal
Chief Conservator of Forests, Chattisgarh State, Jail Road, Raipur.
Tel: 0771-331121
KARNATAKA
Proposal
for state wildlife crime prevention bureau
The Karnataka Forest Department (FD) has initiated a
move to set up a State Wildlife Crime Prevention Bureau on lines similar to the
one being set up at the Centre. The FD recently convened a meeting with
officials of the Customs department, Central Industrial Security Force, Forest
Intelligence Cell, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences department and its
own vigilance staff to discuss the idea. The support of the Police has also
been sought to access the Forensic Science lab to ensure that the gathering of
evidence becomes more scientific.
An estimated two to three
dozen crime cases related to animals in Schedule I and II of the Wildlife
Protection Act, 1972 are booked every year in Karnataka and not less than a
hundred cases related to wildlife crime are presently pending before the courts
in the state.
Source: ‘State proposes bureau to prevent wildlife crime’, Decca Herald, 23/02/06.
NHRC
happy with rehabilitation of those displaced by Kabini reservoir and Bandipur
NP
The National Human Rights
Commission (NHRC) has expressed satisfaction with government efforts for the
rehabilitation of those displaced by the Kabini reservoir and the Bandipur
National Park.
A status report filed before
the commission by the Deputy Commissioner of Mysore on measures for 154 tribal
families displaced by the Bandipur National Park shows that the Government has
issued certificates of agricultural land and residential plots and
beneficiaries' identity cards to them. The Government has taken steps to
construct two residential layouts for them and deposited Rs. 11.80 lakhs for
power connections in the layouts. The Mysore Zilla Panchayat has prepared an
action plan to use state funds for implementing a drinking water supply scheme
in the layouts.
A report on the situation
here was recently prepared by Mr Chaman Lal, Special Rapporteur for the
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) (see PA Update 52).
Source: ‘NHRC happy with rehabilitation efforts’, The Hindu, 04/02/06.
Contact: Field Director, Bandipur Project Tiger Reserve, Aranya Bhawan, Ashokapuram, Mysore – 570008, Karnataka. Tel: 0821-2480901(O), 2484980 (R). :
Nagarhole tribals not rehabilitated properly: HC
committee
The committee appointed by the Karnataka High Court
has reported that the 250 families relocated from the Nagarhole National Park have
not been provided proper facilities at the relocation site of Nagapura. The
interim report submitted by the committee says that Nagapura has no electricity
supply, hospital, or proper infrastructure to create job opportunities for the
tribals.
The
three-member committee, headed by Prof Mussafar Asadi of Department of
Political Science, Mysore University, was appointed in October 2004 to
investigate the number of tribal families living in the park area and
implementation of schemes to relocate and rehabilitate tribal families. The
committee was constituted following a public interest litigation complaining
government’s laxity in rehabilitating tribals that was filed by the Budakattu
Krishikara Sangha.
The committee reported the
presence of 1738 tribal families in the park. 250 of these have been relocated
at Nagapura.
(Also see PA Updates 34, 32, 27, 26, 23 &
22)
Source: ‘250 families denied facilities: HC’, Deccan Herald, 04/02/06.
Contact: Dy. Conservator of Forests, Wildlife Division, Nagarhole NP, Hunsur, Dist. Mysore, Karnataka. Tel: 08222-252041(O), 252070(R)
Trekking
route in ‘Veerappan forests’
The Karnataka Forest Department has announced the
starting of a trekking route called the ‘Mystery Trail’ that will take visitors
through the dense forests that were once the stronghold of brigand Veerappan.
Six places with varied levels of accessibility and mystery, varied landscape
and wilderness have been identified as part of the trail. These six places fall
under the forest divisions of Chamarajanagar, Kollegal and Kanakapura and
include the Biligiri Rangana Temple and Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuaries.
The routes will be open from
November to March. To start with only one group of six members will be allowed
per day on a single identified route and it will be accompanied by three guides
and one armed guard. The trek will cost around Rs 435 — excluding food, travel
to the starting point and accommodation. Trekkers can make their own
arrangements for food or place early orders and pay for it separately. The
maximum distance, 25 km, is covered by the trek from Elephant Camp to Muthathi
near Kanakapura while the shortest, 7.5 km, is the one from Bheemeshwari to
Chellur Hill.
The CF, Chamrajnagar Circle
said that the reason for opening up new routes was to enable local tribal
communities to earn a livelihood with their expertise. The routes will be run
by the Eco-Development Committee or Village Forest Committee, comprising
tribals. The FD hopes to deposit Rs 800 per week, which in turn would go
towards the payment of the committee members
A website
www.mysterytrails.com with details of initiative has also been launched
recently.
Source:
‘Now trek on Veerappan trail’, Deccan Herald, 03/01/06.
Contact: DCF – Wildlife, BRT Wildlife Sanctuary, Chamarajanagar, Karnataka. Tel: 08226-22059(O), 22156(R)
KERALA
Demand for 600 sq. kms buffer for Silent Valley NP
Four NGOs, the Bharathapuzha
Protection Committee, Malampuzha Protection Committee, One Earth One Life and
Jana Jagratha have demanded the creation of buffer zone for the Silent Valley
National. A memorandum for the creation of the buffer that could spread over
600 sq. kms was recently presented by the NGOs to Mr. A Sujanpal, Kerala
Minister for Forests and Environment
Areas proposed to be included in the buffer zone that was
first mooted 20 years ago include forest ranges in Attappady and Mannarkkad.
The Minister has said that the matter would be examined and would have to be
discussed at various levels before a final decision could be taken.
Source:
‘Government will consider plea for Silent Valley buffer zone: Minister’, The
Hindu, 09/01/06.
Contact: Wildlife Warden, Silent Valley NP, FD,
Mannarghat PO, Dist – Palakad, Kerala. Tel: 0492 – 2442056 / 2453225
Tiger
Reserve status sought for Wayanad
The Kerala Forest and
Wildlife Department is likely to seek Tiger Reserve status for the Wayanad
Wildlife Sanctuary after a recent field survey suggested a good population of
the big cats in the area.
Following the tiger census
conducted here from February 20 to 27, the FD has estimated that the total
tiger population in the area is between 20 and 25 animals.
The survey teams actually
spotted six tigers including cubs in the Tholpetty and Muthanga Ranges of the
sanctuary.
Source:
‘Tiger reserve status sought’, The Hindu, 03/03/06.
Contact: Wildlife Warden, Wayanad Wildlife Division, P.O. Sulthan Bathery, Wayanad-673 592, Kerala. Tel: 0493-2620454
Eravikulam NP closed for calving season
The Eravikulam National Park
(ENP) was closed from February 15 to March 30 for the calving season of the
Nilgiri Tahr.
Last year, the park was
closed on January 12. This year, the closure date was postponed to mid-February
due to the late calving of the Tahrs. This has been attributed to the prolonged
rains experienced in the region. 47 tahr births had been reported during the
last calving season. The Tahr population in the park according to the Tahr
census in May 2005 is 670.
Source:
‘Eravikulam national park closed’, The Hindu, 15/02/06.
Contact: Wildlife Warden, Eravikulam NP, PO Munnar, Kerala. Tel: 04865-230487
Vembanad Bird Count 2006
The Vembanad water bird count 2006 was held on
January 22 at ten selected sites in and around the Vembanad lake in Kerala that
is a part of the Vembanad -Kole Ramsar site. This was the 6th waterbird count
organized by the Kottayam Nature Society in this area with the help of the
Department of Forests and Wildlife of the Government of Kerala.
72 participants and 18
forest officials participated in the count. Two members of the State Wildlife Board
were also present. The program for the water bird count was inaugurated on
January 21. Presentations were made on the Identification of Raptors and on the
last five years of the waterbird count here.
For the count itself,
participants were divided into 10 groups with a senior birdwatcher as leader.
They were deployed to their respective sites before 6 am on the 22nd
of January and the count was completed by 10 am. Respective group count reports
were presented later in the day at the Regional Agriculture Research Station of
Kerala Agriculture University at Kumarakom.
The major findings of the
count are as follows: Total birds counted were 10496. This was 60% less than
the figure of 28256 counted in 2005. Two new birds for the area - Montagu's
Harrier and a Red winged Crested Cuckoo were also seen.
Contact: Dr. B Sreekumar, President, Kottayam
Nature Society, Srinilayam, Near Union Club, Kottayam - 686 001, Kerala. Email:
ktm_bskumar@sancharnet.in
Chief Wildlife Warden – Kerala, Vazhudacaud, Trivandrum – 695014, Kerala. Tel: 0471-2322217 / 2360452 / 2204896. Fax: 2360452 / 2322217
MADHYA PRADESH
Aquatic animal survey in
National Chambal WLS
The
Madhya Pradesh Forest Department conducted its annual Aquatic Animal Survey in
the National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary from February 11 to 25. It was
conducted in the stretch from Sheopur to Chaknagar in Etawah
All
researchers of the sanctuary participated. The results are awaited.
Source: SR Taigor, Email dated 03/02/06.
Contact: S.R. Taigor, Zoology Department,
Jiwaji University, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. Email: srt_ju311@rediffmail.com
DFO,
National Chambal WLS, Morena Division, Morena, Madhya Pradesh. Tel:
07532-226742. Fax: 07532-227367/234188.
Protests against displacement from Satpura NP
and Bori & Pachmarhi WLSs
Thousands
of tribals and forest dwellers gathered at Piparia in Hoshangabad to protest
against their proposed displacement from the Satpura National Park and the Bori
& Pachmarhi Wildlife Sanctuaries that also constitute the Satpura Tiger
Reserve (see PA Updates 22 & 7). The demonstration that was held in
the first week of February was organized by the Samajwadi Jan Parishad, Kisan
Adivasi Sangathan and Shramik Adivasi Sangathan.
In
defiance of restrictions imposed on them by the Madhya Pradesh Forest
Department (FD), those participating in the protest, publicly sold minor forest
produce, the collection of which has been banned by the FD in the above
mentioned areas.
Recently
these PAs were also included in the Satpura Tiger Reserve. There are 75
villages in the Satpura Tiger Reserve, of which at least 50 are to be
relocated. More than 100 other villages, inhabited mostly by tribals are also
located around the STR.
The
protesters were also agitating against the decision of STR authorities to ban
fishing and draw-down cultivation in the Tawa Reservoir (see PA Update 44).
The authorities argue that a large part of the Tawa reservoir is included in
the Satpura National Park, and existing laws do not permit fishing and
draw-down cultivation.
(Also see PA Updates Vol.
XI. No. 4)
Source: ‘Tribals protest against displacement’, The Hindu, 08/02/06.
Contact: Director, Satpura NP Pachmarhi, Dist. Hoshangabad – 461881, Madhya Pradesh. Tel: 07578-252130. Fax: 07578-252217
Sunil, Kisan Adivasi Sanghatan AT/PO Kesla, via Itarsi, Dist. Hoshangabad 461111, Madhya Pradesh
Manipur demand for Wildlife Crime Cell
The Manipur government is reported to
have demanded the creation of a regional Wildlife Crime Cell in Imphal for the
control of wildlife crime that is said to be booming in the region. The demand
was put up at a conclave of Forest Secretaries and PCCFs that was held in New Delhi in January.
Manipur’s contention
is that the porous 398-km border it shares with Myanmar makes the presence of
the crime-control office imperative in the state. It has also been pointed out
that there was only one centre of the anti-poaching cell in Guwahati for the
entire Northeast region. This too was heavily understaffed, making it difficult
to monitor crime in a huge area.
The Centre is said to be considering
the demand of the state favourably.
Source: ‘Manipur plea for wildlife cell’, The Telegraph, 14/01/06.
Contact: Chief Wildlife Warden - Manipur,
Sanjenthong, Imphal - 795001, Manipur. Tel: 03852 - 220854 / 285385
Poaching inside Phawngpui NP
Cases of wildlife poaching were
detected inside the Phawngpui NP in the month of January. Six Serows, one Sambhar and one
monkey were reportedly killed by five people from one of the ten villages
located in the fringes of the national park.
Even though the identities
of the poachers is not yet known, forest officials have filed a case against
the killing of animals.
Source: ‘Poaching rampant inside Phawngpui National Park’, Zee News, 23/02/06.
Contact: DFO, Phawngpui NP, Chhimtuipui (E), Mizoram. Tel: 03835-232323. Fax: 0389-2322733.
Tiger census in Simlipal
A week-long census of the big cats in
the Simlipal National Park was conducted from January 18. Forest and wildlife
personnel, members of NGOs and students of the wildlife department of the North
Orissa University participated in the exercise. They were split into different
units that were assigned areas comprising 15-20 sq km for the counts.
An
observer from the Wildlife Institute of India was also to join the census
operations that was to collect varied data including direct sighting of the
tigers, pug marks, excreta, left over meal, scratch marks and the prey
population. All the collected data is to be analysed scientifically to arrive
at the final number of tigers, details of which are awaited.
As per the
census conducted last year employing the pugmark method, the tiger population
in the park was 101.
Source: ‘Tiger census begins in Simlipal national park’, The
Hindu, 19/01/06.
Contact: Director, Simlipal Tiger Reserve, P.O. Baripada, Dist. Mayurbhanj – 757002, Orissa. Tel: 06792-252593(O), 252773(R) Fax: 256705
1454 crocs in Bhitarkanika NP
At least 1,454 salt water crocodiles were sighted by
the Bhitarkanika Forest Division personnel in the annual census, which was
recently concluded in the water bodies of the Bhitarkanika National Park. 657
of the crocodiles seen were hatchlings, 283 were yearlings, juveniles
(three-year-olds) were 196, sub-adults 121 and adults 197. 54 nests were also
sighted. About 100 eggs were collected from the nests in order to hatch them in
the crocodile breeding and research centre at Dangamal.
The count was conducted
under the supervision of wildlife personnel, crocodile researchers and experts.
The enumerators, assisted by the trained local forest staff, covered the
Bhitarkanika river system, besides a large number of creeks, water inlets and
nullahs. The Forest Department had also imposed a week-long ban on tourist
entry into the park from January 3 to 10 in view of the annual census.
The counts for the earlier census are as follows: 1,449 in 2005, 1,358 in 2004, 1,308 in 2003, 1,330 in 2002 and 1,192 in 2000.
Source: Rajesh Behera. ‘Salt water croc population
rises to 1,454’, The Pioneer, 02/02/06.
Contact: DFO, Bhitarkanika NP, At/PO Rajnagar, Dist. Kendrapada – 745225. Orissa. Tel: 06729-72460/64. Fax: 06727-20775
Fall in migratory birds in Chilka; 1700 bird deaths in
February
A survey conducted in the last week of January by
the Chilka Development Authority (CDA) and the Bombay Natural History Society
(BNHS) has reported a drastic fall in the number of migratory birds visiting
Chilka this season. Fewer birds were reported at Nalabana Island too.
While earlier about 60 to 75
per cent of the birds visiting the lagoon could be found at Nalabana, this
figure has come down to 37% this time. Of the estimated seven lakh birds of 102
species seen in the lagoon, only about 2.58 lakh were seen at Nalabana. Last
season, in comparison, about 9.48 lakh birds of 97 species had visited the lake
A more
recent report revealed that nearly 1700 migratory birds died at Nalabana in
January and February. Tests were conducted in three laboratories including the
Animal Diseases Laboratory in Bhopal and the Veterinary College at Orissa’s
University of Agriculture and it has been confirmed that Bird Flu was not the
cause of the bird deaths. The cause is said to be pastaeurellosis, a bacterial
infection.
Source: ‘Fall in migratory birds visiting Chilika lake’, The Hindu, 30/01/2006.
‘1700 Chilika birds die, but it’s not flu’, The Indian Express, 24/02/06.
Contact: DFO (WL), Chilka, 1865/66 Nuasahi Nayapalli (near Sub PO), Bhubaneshwar – 751012. Orissa. Email: bravo_123@satyam.net.in
AK Patnaik. CDA, BJ-45, BJB Nagar, Bhubaneshwar, Orissa. Fax: 0674 – 434485. Email: ajitpattnaik@hotmal.com Website: www.chilika.com
Acoustic technology to study Dolphins in Chilka
A seven-member
Japanese team, led by Prof. Tamaki Ora from University of Tokyo, recently
conducted a pilot application of an acoustic technology to observe the
behaviour and eco-system of the Irrawady Dolphins in Chilka Lake. The study was
carried out with the involvement of the Chilka Development Authority (CDA), and
experts from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi, and the World
Wide Fund for Nature – India. It was supported by the Japanese Ministry of
Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
It was also
pointed out that the Chilka system was a major step for introducing and testing
a day and night automated acoustic survey system for different species of
endangered marine mammals.
The study revealed the presence of
the Irrawady Dolphins at selected five pockets of the Chilka Lagoon and
indicated that the Dolphin moves at two meters per second. The other
information is to be analysed shortly in Tokyo.
It has also
been suggested that a more ambitious survey of the Ganges River Dolphin would
be soon carried out using the same technology.
Source:
‘Acoustic technology by Japanese team to study Dolphins in Chilka’, http://news.webindia123.com/news/showdetails.asp?id=227146&cat=India,
22/01/06.
Rise
in Irrawady Dolphin population in Chilka
A
census of the Irrawady Dolphins in the Chilka lake conducted by the Chilka
Development Authority (CDA) in February has revealed that their population has
gone up to 130 from the last year’s figure of 111.
Nearly 70 persons, including scientists and
experts from the Wildlife Institute of India, various Government agencies and
NGOs participated in the survey.
One of the main reasons for the decline of the
dolphin population here was the deaths being caused by motorized tourist boats
(see PA Updates 56, 54, 52, 49, 41, 36 & 29). A total of 38 were
reported to have died in the period from 2002 –to 2005. Strict restrictions
have now been imposed on the motorized boats used for ferrying tourists here.
Source:
‘Dolphin population on the rise’, The Hindu, 18/02/06.
Dogs
attack nesting Olive Ridleys at Gahirmatha
Strays dogs have reportedly been attacking the
nesting Olive Ridley turtles along Nasi-2 beach of Gahirmatha coast and also
digging up and destroying eggs from freshly laid nests. The nesting ground is
close to a DRDO defence installation on Wheeler’s Island and unmanned areas
under the defence project have become home to stray dogs.
The Forest Department has
requested the DRDO to launch measures to stop dogs from reaching the turtle
nesting grounds. A protective fencing of fishing nets had been erected to
prevent the dogs from entering the nesting ground, but that did not work.
Source: ‘Dogs attack nesting Olive Ridleys’, The
Statesman, 04/03/06.
Punjab
allows hunting of nilgai, wild boar
The Punjab government recently issued a notification
allowing for the hunting of nilgai and wild boar. The permit for hunting would
be issued by the respective SDMs after receiving a resolution from the village
panchayat, stating that the animals had been damaging their crops. The Forest
and Wildlife Departments will not be involved in the process of issuing the
hunting permits that would be valid for two months.
A
recent census conducted by the Wildlife Department has put the number of nilgai
and wild boar in the state at 8000, and 14000 respectively. However, some
members of the wildlife advisory board have contested the figures saying that
these were exaggerated.
(Also see PA Updates 50 & 46)
Source:
‘Punjab allows hunting of nilgai, boars’, The Statesman, 09/03/06.
Contact: Chief Wildlife Warden, Punjab, SC No. 2463-64,Sector 22-C, Chandigarh - 160022. Tel: 0172-2705828(O), 2675661(R). Fax: 2705828
Keoladeo NP huge lake 26000 years ago
Recent research conducted by
palaeobotanist, Dr. Chhaya Sharma of the Lucknow based Birbal Sahni Institute of
Palaeobotany has revealed the existence 26000 years ago, of a huge lake at the
site of the marshes of the present day Keoladeo National Park (KNP).
In
those days the Bharatpur region was receiving enough rainfall to feed the lake.
This changed in subsequent years with climatic change, less rainfall, silting
of the lake and it eventually becoming shallow. The study has also revealed
that there was corresponding change in the local vegetation scenario in the
region where the wetland was situated.
The
outcomes are based on the Palynological (study of pollen and spores) analysis
of the soil samples collected from a 15 feet deep trench from different levels
in chronological order some three years ago.
Another study conducted at
the nearby Moti Jheel (presently under cultivation) corroborates Dr. Sharma’s
findings. Radiocarbon dating of soil samples of the lake have indicated that
there was a lake here about 9000 years ago.
It has been suggested that
further studies undertaken on these lakes are likely to throw more light on the
origin, development, past vegetation, climatic fluctuations and advent of
desert conditions in Rajasthan.
Source: Venugopal Pillai. ‘Bharatpur saga lies in womb of
remote past’, The Hindustan Times, 11/02/06.
Contact: Director, Keoladeo Ghana NP, Forest Department, Bharatpur- 321 001 Rajasthan. Tel: 05644-22777(O), 22824(R). Fax: 05644-22864
Demolition drive near Ranthambore
25
hotels in the vicinity of the Ranthambore National Park were brought down in
the first such demolition drive here in January. The state government has said
that the buildings were standing on agricultural land and were being used for
commercial gains that is violative of the Rajasthan Land Revenue Act (LRA).
Sources in the
administration said preparations had been on for a month on the listing of the
illegal structures along the road leading to the park. 32 properties were
listed for violation of Section 90 (a) of the LRA. The section prohibits
commercial activities on designated agricultural land unless a change of land
use is first obtained from competent authorities.
The
state administration had decided to undertake a survey about two months ago to
establish which properties were in violation of the LRA and were also
conducting commercial activity within 500 meters of the boundary of the park.
In December 2002, the state government had passed a directive banning the
change of land use for properties falling within 500 metres of the forest
boundary, but this was being openly flouted.
The survey conducted by a
committee headed by the Naib-Tehsildar of the revenue department revealed
numerous violations and notices were issued to 88 properties in December 2005.
Owners who had obtained land use change submitted their papers, following which
demolition notices were issued to 32 properties. Another 34 properties are also
said to have been issued notices in the 2nd round of the process.
Source: ‘Demolitions in Rajasthan
spark row’, NDTV, 20/01/06.
‘Demolition drive around Ranthambhor Park’, The Hindu, 20/01/06.
Kushal Yadav. ‘Demolished - Illegal structures around the Ranthambore national park’, Down to Earth, 15/02/06.
Contact: Director, Ranthambore TR,
Sawai Madhopur – 322001,
Rajasthan. Tel: 07462-220223 / 222004 / 221139 / 221142
CWLW Government of Rajasthan, Van Bhavan, Vaniki Path, Jaipur – 302005, Rajasthan. Tel: 0141-2380832 / 2540531. Fax: 2380496/ 2380832
Workshop on eco-tourism
A workshop on ecotourism was
organized in Gangtok in the last week of January by the Ashoka Trust for
Research in Ecology and Environment (ATREE). It was attended by officials of
the Sikkim Forest Department, the Eco Conservation Society of Sikkim (ECOSS),
various NGOs and the state tourism department.
The workshop was part of the four-state eco-tourism study being
conducted by ATREE to synthesize the experience of eco-tourism in Sikkim, West
Bengal, Kerala and Karnataka. The workshop in Sikkim was the third in the
series, while the fourth one is to be held in Darjeeling.
The basic purpose of the project is to formulate guidelines covering
economic, ecological, social and cultural parameters for evaluating and
implementing eco-tourism.
Source: ‘Workshop mulls eco-tourism’, The
Statesman, 26/01/06.
UTTAR PRADESH
Migratory birds flock to Sursarovar Sanctuary (Kitham lake)
More than an estimated one lakh
migratory birds have been reported from the Sursarovar Wildlife Sanctuary
(Kitham lake) near Agra. This is the first time that such a large number of
birds have been seen here in the last decade, the reason for which is the
clearing of water hyacinth that had choked the water body.
Nearly 55
species of birds including pelicans, Bar Headed Geese and storks were reported
from the lake.
Source: ‘Winged visitors grace Kitham lake after a
decade’, http://www.newkerala.com/news2.php?action=fullnews&id=1706
47
birds found dead in Okhla WLS
Forty-seven birds were found dead in the first week
of February at the Okhla Bird Sanctuary located on the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh
border. Members of Delhi Bird Group, Wildlife Protection Society of India and
Wildlife SOS along with the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department immediately helped
collect the dead birds that included 40 Shovellers, three Common Teals, two
Black-Headed Gulls, one Little Egret, one Medium Cormorant, and one Little
Cormorant, and also three large fish
Autopsies that were carried
out showed that many of the shovellers had fresh fish inside their digestive
tract indicating that the death was sudden. Some of the carcasses were also
sent for testing to the Animal Disease Investigation Laboratory, Bhopal and its
satellite centre Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Jallandhar and the
Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilley. The exact cause of
deaths is not yet known.
Source: Belinda Wright. ‘47 birds found dead at
Okhla’. Email dated 04/02/06.
Amlan
Dutta. Email dated 12/02/06.
Contact: DFO, WL, National Chambal Wildlife Division (I/c Okhla WLS), Mau Van Block, Agra, UP. Tel: 0562-2320091.
Belinda Wright, WPSI, S-25
Panchsheel Park, New Delhi – 110017. Tel: 011-41635920 / 4163.5921. Fax:
41635924. Email: wpsi@vsnl.com Website: www.wpsi-india.org
Chief Wildlife Warden, Uttar Pradesh, 17, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow – 226001, Uttar Pradesh. Tel: 0522-206584(O), 2237715 & 2223015(R). Fax 0522-222061/ 206188
Tiger
Census held in the Sundarban
The first phase of the tiger
census in the Sundarban was conducted from January 5. The entire expanse of the
Sundarban Reserve Forest was divided into 51 census units, with each spanning
an average area of 60 to 80 sq km. The survey teams, comprising of four members
each, included three forest officials and a NGO member. 22 NGOs participated in
the count.
Mr.
Rajesh Gopal, Director, Project Tiger, and Dr. Qamar Kureshi, Wildlife
Institute of India also visited the area for the census. The Ministry of
Environment and Forests has also recruited Kamal Naidu, former Principal Chief
Conservator Forest, Andhra Pradesh and A S Negi, former, Chief Wildlife Warden,
Uttaranchal, as observers for the process.
Apart from making an
estimate of the tiger population, this phase of the census here also involved
the counting of fishing cats, otters, crocodiles and water monitors. A
significant initial observation was related to the large number of otters that
were seen during the surveys along the river banks. The survey teams were also
reported to have come across a large number of tiger pugmarks and large numbers
of spotted deer too.
The final results of the
census are awaited.
Source: Suchetna Haldar. ‘Tiger census brings good news for otters’, The Indian Express, 09/01/06.
Contact: Director, Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve, Bikash Bhavan, 3rd Floor, North Block, Salt Lake City, Kolkata - 700091, West Bengal. Tel: 033-3211750. Fax: 3211529
Email: atanu_raha@hotmail.com
Problem
elephant translocated from Midnapore to Mahananda
In what is being considered one of the
longest trans-locations of a wild elephant in West Bengal, a10-foot tall lone
tusker, responsible for the death of seven persons and the destruction of
hutments in West Midnapore district over the past eight months, was transported
over a distance of 860 km to the Mahananda forest range in north Bengal. Here
it was released in the wild.
There have been in the past
occasional trans-location of elephants in the state but such exercises had
involved sub-adult elephants. Never has a wild tusker of this size been
transported over such a long distance.
A radio-collar acquired from
the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, has been fastened to the tusker to
track its movements.
Forest officials said they
had the option of shooting the elephant, but decided against it after the
advice of the Chief Minister, Mr. Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.
Source: ‘A troublesome tusker is moved’, The Hindu, 09/02/06.
Contact: DFO, Wildlife Division - I- Mahananda WLS, Old Secretariat Campus, P.O. & Dist. Darjeeling – 734101, West Bengal. Tel: 0354-254308(O) / 256524(R). Fax: 256524. Email: dfowl1@dte.vsnl.net.in
Birth
control for captive elephants in West Bengal
The West Bengal wildlife authorities have launched a
birth control program for captive elephants at three elephant camps in the
north of the state. There are about 80 captive elephants in the camps in the
wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in north Bengal, where on an average
five to six calves are born each year.
Some
of the camp elephants get impregnated when they go out to the forests to graze.
Their growing population had become a matter of concern for the authorities who
find it difficult to provide the requisite fodder. There is also the problem of
space and employing additional mahouts and grass-cutters in the camps. Since
there is a ban on gifting or sale of elephants to other organizations and the
growing number of calves, juveniles and sub-adult elephants are become a cause
of concern for the FD.
Recently
a team of experts from the Assam Agriculture University, accompanied by a
specialist from the United States of America visited the camps and came up with
a list of prospective elephants for the birth control program. It is proposed
to inject the female elephants with ‘immuno-contraceptives’, - a procedure developed
in the US and which has been successfully tried out on wild elephants in South
Africa.
The
permission of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) is being sought
for the program.
Source: Marcus Dam. ‘Contraceptives for elephants’, The Hindu, 07/03/06.
Contact: CF
(Wildlife), North Bengal, West Bengal Forest Dept. Aranya Bhawan (Near
Court) Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. Tel: 03561– 25627(O)
25596 (R)
Fire
in Singalila NP
Nearly 75 hectares of the Singalila National Park
were affected by fire in the first week of March. The fire broke out in the
higher reaches of the park. It was reportedly confined to the ground-level and
therefore the damage was limited. It took place in different patches and was
confined mostly to areas with bamboo. There was no report of any wildlife
casualty.
The fire fighting was done
jointly by the staff of the Territorial and the Wildlife divisions of the
Forest Department. Nearly 90 people, 70 of whom were labourers from the nearby
forest villages of Gurdung and Beechgoan were deployed to put out the fire.
The Forest Department was
put on high alert for further fires due to the prevailing dry weather
conditions in the region. Fire fighting teams have been set up in every forest
block. Fire lines were being created and controlled burning was also being
undertaken in some places
Source: ‘Singalila fire put out’, The Statesman, 09/03/06.
Contact: Divisional Forest Officer, Singalila NP, Bengal Natural History Museum, Near Old Secretariat Building, P.O. & Dist. Darjeeling - 734 101. West Bengal. Tel: 0354-254308(O) / 256524(R). Fax: 0354-256524
Rs
3.9 cr for forest village development in Darjeeling Territorial Division
The Central Government has sanctioned a sum of Rs
3.90 crore for development of forest villages under the Darjeeling Territorial
Division. The money is to be used through the Forest Protection Committees and
Eco-Development Committees.
Micro-plans have been
devised for each of the 28 villages where the development work is to be taken
up. This would include laying of GI pipes to deal with the water problem,
paving of roads to make them motorable, laying of foot tracks where they don’t
exist, and the construction of community halls, school buildings, teacher’s
quarters and toilets.
The Wildlife (I) Division has been separately
sanctioned Rs 1.19 crore for undertaking development in the 20 odd forest
villages located in the fringes of sanctuaries and national parks.
The total fund, that was
released last December, is to be spent over two years. The money for Wildlife
Division, however, is meant only for this year
Source: ‘Rs. 3.9 cr for forest villages’, The Statesman, 11/03/06.
Contact: 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
India
to join the Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking
India has agreed to become a partner in the
Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking (CAWT) that was launched by the United
States of America in September 2005. The CAWT will focus political and public
attention on wildlife trafficking and improve regional / international
cooperation on wildlife law enforcement. As a member of CAWT the Indian
government will be part of a global team that will promote:
-
Regional
law enforcement cooperation to disrupt the flow of illegally traded animals and
animal parts from suppliers to distributors.
-
Education
and public awareness campaigns with a view to reducing consumer demand for
endangered wildlife.
-
Technical
exchanges to strengthen the Government of India's Bureau of Wildlife Crime
Prevention and make the Wildlife Institute of India a center of excellence.
-
Strengthening
capacity of local officials to apprehend and prosecute traffickers.
Initially, the coalition consisted of the United
States and seven internationally known conservation organizations –
Conservation International, TRAFFIC International, WildAid, Save the Tiger
Fund, Wildlife Conservation Society, and the Smithsonian Institution, as well
as the American Forest and Paper Association.
Since CAWT's formation, the
United Kingdom, International Tropical Timber Organization, Cheetah
Conservation Fund, International Fund for Animal Welfare and Humane Society
International have also joined as partners.
Additionally,
India and the US have also agreed to pursue several new initiatives to promote
wildlife conservation. This will include:
-
Strengthening
capacity of park rangers and related officials to manage parks and reserves.
-
Fostering
economic incentives, such as ecotourism, to give those living near wildlife a
stake in its conservation.
-
Cooperating
to gain a better scientific understanding of conflicts between humans and
threatened species.
Source: ‘India and United States Agree to bold new steps to save wildlife’, Fact Sheet, Bureau of Oceans, Environment and Science, US, http://www.state.gov/p/sca/rls/fs/2006/62490.htm 02/03/06.
Directory
of Environment and Wildlife Film makers and Audio-Visual resources
The Centre for Media Studies (CMS) is putting
together two directories, one on Environment and Wildlife Film makers and
another on Audio-Visual Resources.
The first one would have profiles,
list of films and contact details of the film makers, while the 2nd
one would provide details of documentary films and public service messages on
the environment, wildlife and other forest related issues.
CMS
is seeking inputs, including for film makers to get listed in the directories.
Contact: Rohit Singh, Programme Officer, CMS Saket Community Centre, New Delhi - 110 017. Tel: 011-2499 2597 / 2686 4020 / 2652 2255. Fax: 2696 8282. Email: rohit@cmsindia.org; cmsenvis@cmsindia.org;
Biological Corridors planned along the Indo-Nepal-Bhutan border
The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development
(ICIMOD) has proposed a Rs. 24 crore project for the creation of three
biological corridors across the Indo-Nepal-Bhutan international border. These
will connect forests in Darjeeling and Sikkim in India,
eastern Nepal and western Bhutan.
The
first of the corridors will connect Singalila NP with Senchal WLS. The 2nd
one will link Senchal WLS to the Mahananda WLS and the last one will be between
Mahananda WLS and Neora Valley NP. Funding support is presently being sort for
the project.
Source: Bappaditya Paul. ‘Green corridors across borders’, The
Statesman, 01/03/06.
BANGLADESH
Villagers,
forest staff from Bangladesh PAs visit West Bengal
The Bangladesh Forest Department’s Nishorgo Program
organized an exposure visit for the local stakeholders and forest staff from
protected areas in Bangladesh to PAs in West Bengal. The group had 29 villagers
including women and nine foresters from the Lawachara NP, RemaKalenga WLS,
Satchari NP, Chunati WLS and the Teknaf Game Reserve The trip was conducted
from February 22 to March 1 and the participants visited the Mahananda, Senchal
and Jaldapara WLSs and the Buxa Tiger Reserve.
The main purpose of the visit was to expose the visitors from Bangladesh to the participatory management approaches in the PA management in West Bengal.
Source: ‘Forest Dept. Nishorgo program for participative management practice’, Nation, 03/03/06.
Contact: Mehrin Ahmed
Mahbub, NSP,
IRG/ USAID, House 68, Road 1, Block I, Banani, Dhaka 1213, Bangladesh. Tel:
9873229 / 9871553. E-mail: mehrin@irgbd.com
Website: www.nishorgo.org
International Conference on
Conservation in Conflict
An International Conference on Conservation in Conflict
is being held in Kathmandu, Nepal from April 25 to 29, 2006. The conference has
been organised jointly by the Wildlife Watch Group, the Embassy of Finland in
Kathmandu, the WWF Nepal Program and The Mountain Institute.
The overall objective of
conference is to identify and raise awareness about the negative impacts of
armed conflict on the environment, and to develop strategies to mitigate
impacts during and after conflict.
The more specific objectives are to:
-
to
bring together experiences of conservation management in areas affected by
armed conflict from various parts of the world to better understand the
challenges.
-
to
review negative impacts of armed conflict on conservation organizations and
their efforts.
-
to
analyze a wide range of practical experiences in reducing these impacts during
and after conflict.
-
to
come up with resolutions to strengthen the international legal framework and
improve enforcement of existing international conventions in protecting the
environment.
Contact: Mangal Man Shakya, Conference Director, GPO Box 8975, Kathmandu, Nepal. Tel: +977 1
5550452, 5553870, 5524188, 5011010. Fax: +977-1-5011006. E-mail:
wwg@citesnepal.org; info@citesnepal.org
Training course on
Participatory management of protected areas
RECOFTC
has organized a training course on participatory management of protected areas
in Bangkok from September 11-23, 2006.
This course is designed to provide forestry, natural
resource, and conservation professionals a deeper understanding of why it is
important to include local communities in the management of PAs and to better
understand how this can be done. It will also help participants gain the
analytical skills needed to enable them to better conceptualize and overcome
problems in the application of participatory protected area management within
their own specific situations.
The objectives of the course are to:
•
Introduce key concepts and issues in participatory management of protected
areas;
•
Increase understanding on important approaches in implementing protected area
management; and
•
Build basic skills in participatory planning and design of conservation
initiatives.
The
course is divided into three modules:
1)
Principles and Concepts in Participatory Management of Protected Areas;
2)
Participatory Approaches, Tools and Methods; and
3)
Participatory Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation.
Those who apply should currently have direct
responsibility in a PA program or be scheduled to work in PA management on
completion of the course.
Contact: Ronnakorn Triraganon. Tel: (66-2) 940 5700 Ext. 1234. Email: contact@recoftc.org
International
Seminar on Protected Area Management
The 2006
International Seminar on Protected Area Management is being held from August 2
to 19
at the University of Montana, USA. The program is initiated and organized by
the USDA Forest Service Office of International Programs and the Universities
of Montana, Idaho and Colorado State.
The Seminar is a
technical and professional course designed for mid-career planners and managers
of nationally significant protected areas
worldwide. Participants will evaluate policies and institutional arrangements
that sustain both people and natural
resources. Participants will also develop action plans tailored to the
interests and demands within their own
countries. To experience the opportunities available in the northern Rocky
Mountain region, participants will travel to several types of protected areas
including the Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks, the National Bison Range,
Lubrecht Experimental Forest, as well as wildlife refuges, tribal lands and
National Forests.
Particular
attention will be directed toward collaborative planning, sustainable tourism
development and ways to incorporate community interests with visitor
management.
Web: http://www.fs.fed.us/global/is/welcome.htm
Opportunities at the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust
The Madras Crocodile Bank
Trust (MCBT) has advertised for two openings:
a) Education Officer: The Education Officer (EO)
will be responsible for developing and co-ordinating the overall education
program for the MCBT. The main focus of the education program is the village
schools along the East Coast Road where the MCBT is located. Structured
programs and field visits will have to be developed and organized for other
schools and colleges as well. The EO is
also required to raise funds by writing proposals for the various education
programs.
b) Projects Co-ordinator cum Office Manager:
The Projects Co-ordinator (PC) will be involved with overall office management
and control and would be responsible for coordinating all project activities of
the MCBT
Contact: MCBT, Post Bag 4, Mamallapuram 603 104 Tamil Nadu. Tel: 044-27472447. Fax: 27472958. Email: mcbtindia@vsnl.net
Director General – ICIMOD
The
Board of Governors of the Kathmandu based International Centre for Integrated
Mountain Development (ICIMOD) is seeking applications for
the position of Director General following the completion of the current
Director General’s second term in 2007.
The
position requires a highly experienced professional who has:
·
an established reputation and experience in senior
management including managing scientific research and development programmes
·
a broad understanding of the biological,
environmental and social sciences underlying sustainable mountain development
·
a PhD in a relevant discipline or equivalent
experience
·
working experience in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan
region
·
in-depth knowledge of the main development and
policy issues in the region
·
demonstrated success in raising international funds
Contact: Bourrier International Consultants Inc:
Email: bici@sympatico.ca.
For further information on ICIMOD and a full job description, visit http://www.icimod.org/vacancy/dg.html
A
field researcher is required for a three-year field study on the effects of anthropogenic
disturbance on tropical dry forest bird communities in and around Sariska Tiger
Reserve, Rajasthan.
The project that begins in May 2006
is funded by the research grant scheme of the Ministry of Environment &
Forests (MoEF).
Candidates should possess a Master's
degree in a related field of biology and demonstrate commitment to sustained
field-based work. Prior field experience in bird identification and
quantitative ecology will be preferred.
Contact: Dr. Ghazala Shahabuddin, Environmental Studies Group, Council for Social Development, 53, Lodi Estate, New Delhi-110003. Tel: 011-24616061 / 24611700 / 24615383 / 24693065. Current contact: 977-1-4422455 (Nepal) Email: ghazalafarzin@yahoo.com; ghazalafarzin@rediffmail.com
Tigers
at Namdapha
The reports and assertion in the media recently and
in the Protected Area Update (Vol. XII, No.1, February 2006) that
Namdapha NP in Arunachal Pradesh had been completely stripped of tigers due to
poaching is not wholly correct.
Namdapha
is a vast area, which had never been thoroughly surveyed and as such exact
population of any wildlife, including tigers, can never be ascertained with
exact accuracy. That, however, does not indicates that the tiger or any other
wildlife had completely vanished from the area.
I
and my team have been constantly moving about the whole of Eastern Arunachal
Pradesh, including many interior parts of Namdapha, for wildlife survey works,
specially as part of our Hoolock Gibbon conservation project in Eastern
Arunachal. In my many field trips I have often got reports of the presence of
tigers existence and have recorded evidence as well. This includes pug marks,
scats, and scratch marks This surely indicates that tigers do exist in Namdapha
and other parts of Eastern Arunachal.
Nevertheless,
poaching, specially by Lisu and others are a constant threat. The Lisu
tribesmen are already under very close scrutiny of the Forest Department and
they may not be very prone to carry on poaching activity for too long in the
future. But it is absolutely needed that authorities be very vigilant against
cross i border poaching syndicates. Across the border, Hukwang Valley in
Myanmar is well known for its poachers. The FD needs to be further strengthened
to check poaching and for better management of Namdapha.
Contact : Asif Ahmed Hazarika, Eastern Arunachal Hoolock Gibbon Conservation Project, Wild Survey North East – USFWS, Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh, Tel: 0373-2300558,E-mail – asifhazarika@yahoo.com
Field Director, Namdapha National Park, P.O. Miao, Arunachal Pradesh – 792122. Tel: 03807-222249
Lots of information…
Thanks a lot for the latest issue of PA Update (Vol
XII, No. 1, February, 2006) that, as always, makes interesting reading. I am
greatly rewarded from the tons of information in these issues. Hearty
congratulations for carrying on the fine work.
Contact: Prasun
Dasgupta. Email: prasun01ind@yahoo.com