The forest department officials have arrested three persons and recovered tiger parts and poaching equipments from them.
The accused have been identified as Praful Vishwanath Shedmake from village Kolsa, Hanuman Pundlik Jumnake, from village Saiwan and, from Jhari, in Chandrapur district.
Umesh Dhotekar, Range Forest Officer (RFO), Bhadravati, said, “WE got tip off from Wildlife Protection Society of India activist about a person possessing tiger claws was trying to sell them at village Saiwan on march 18. Following the information, we set a trap in the village and arrested Praful Shedmake.”
The officials recovered 10 tiger claws from him. When put to interrogation, Shedmake revealed that he got the claws from Janpat Kumre. “As per the information received, we raided house of Janpat Kumre and arrested him. His interrogation led us to one Shalik Gedam, a resident of village Doni,” Dhotekar said.
However, by the time, forest officials reached Doni, Gedam managed to escape. During the search of the house, officials recovered one-and-half kg of dried meat, three chital trophies, three molars, 86 wire traps and one suspected tiger lucky (collar) bone. “The poaching equipments recovered from the house of Gedam indicate that he is a regular poacher,” Dhotekar said. The search for other tiger parts is on. The accused were produced in the court and sent to jail.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Tiger kill or murder spree??
The man-animal conflict in Chandrapur district has taken a shocking turn as two human beings claimed to be killed by wild cats turned out to be murders.
Growing number of humans killed by tigers and leopards in the forests adjoining Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in Chandrapur district seem to have become a source of earning huge money for villagers, as state government pays compensation of Rs 2 lakh to family members of those killed by tiger or leopard.
“Few human kills attributed to wild cat in the region are doubtful as the bodies recovered from forest contradict the claims. Possibilities of murders attributed to wild cats to earn the compensation can not be ruled out,” said a senior forest department official.
The Chandrapur police is also on alert when a case of tiger or leopard attack is reported. “We are highly cautious while investigating these cases. All the possibilities are taken into consideration before arriving to any conclusion,” said Chhering Dorje, superintendent of police, Chandrapur. According to sources, four incidents of alleged tiger kill since January this year have turned out to be murders and the forest department had held back the compensation to be paid to families. He said that a body was recovered from the forest of Junona a fortnight ago. “Initially considered to be a case of tiger attack, thorough investigations revealed that the youth was murdered and the killers abandoned the body in the forest,” Dorje said. The police later arrested six persons in connection with the murder, he added.
Band Dhotre of Ecopro, a Chandrapur based NGO said, “The authorities are trying to windup investigations as fast as possible due to tremendous political pressure. There are around four cases of murder which are attributed to wild cat,” Dhotre said. Since the onset of man-animal conflict in the region, local political leaders are trying to gain political mileage out of it and pressuring authorities to
Body of a 70-yar-old man was found in the forest adjoining village Kajalsar near Chimur around 10 days back. “According to the information gathered by our volunteers, the deceased was a known black magician and was killed over some dispute,” Dhotre said. The body, when recovered, was covered with sticks and tree branches, which is highly unlikely to be done by a tiger or a leopard, Dhotre claimed. Similarly, body of a woman found near Mul indicated a murder as it was clearly evident that her hands were cut by some sharp weapon. “Such a precision is not seen when wild cat rips apart the body,” Dhotre said.
Growing number of humans killed by tigers and leopards in the forests adjoining Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in Chandrapur district seem to have become a source of earning huge money for villagers, as state government pays compensation of Rs 2 lakh to family members of those killed by tiger or leopard.
“Few human kills attributed to wild cat in the region are doubtful as the bodies recovered from forest contradict the claims. Possibilities of murders attributed to wild cats to earn the compensation can not be ruled out,” said a senior forest department official.
The Chandrapur police is also on alert when a case of tiger or leopard attack is reported. “We are highly cautious while investigating these cases. All the possibilities are taken into consideration before arriving to any conclusion,” said Chhering Dorje, superintendent of police, Chandrapur. According to sources, four incidents of alleged tiger kill since January this year have turned out to be murders and the forest department had held back the compensation to be paid to families. He said that a body was recovered from the forest of Junona a fortnight ago. “Initially considered to be a case of tiger attack, thorough investigations revealed that the youth was murdered and the killers abandoned the body in the forest,” Dorje said. The police later arrested six persons in connection with the murder, he added.
Band Dhotre of Ecopro, a Chandrapur based NGO said, “The authorities are trying to windup investigations as fast as possible due to tremendous political pressure. There are around four cases of murder which are attributed to wild cat,” Dhotre said. Since the onset of man-animal conflict in the region, local political leaders are trying to gain political mileage out of it and pressuring authorities to
Body of a 70-yar-old man was found in the forest adjoining village Kajalsar near Chimur around 10 days back. “According to the information gathered by our volunteers, the deceased was a known black magician and was killed over some dispute,” Dhotre said. The body, when recovered, was covered with sticks and tree branches, which is highly unlikely to be done by a tiger or a leopard, Dhotre claimed. Similarly, body of a woman found near Mul indicated a murder as it was clearly evident that her hands were cut by some sharp weapon. “Such a precision is not seen when wild cat rips apart the body,” Dhotre said.
Monday, March 16, 2009
tutrle festival!!!!
Sahyadri Nisarg Mitra (SNM), Chiplun will organise Turtle Festival on March 22 and 23 Velas, taluka Mandangad, district Ratnagiri.
The main objective of the festival is to spread awareness about turtle protection and conservation and also about the Turtle Protection and Conservation Project started six years back. Marine turtles are under threat though out the world. They are getting extinct year by year. Large scale fishing business, increasing marine pollution and poaching are affecting the growth of marine turtles. “The turtle needs to be protected since it plays an important role in marine ecology,” said Viswas Katdare of SNM. SNM started project at Velas six years back and began turtle conservation on the entire coast line of the state. “We have successfully released more than 16000 hatchlings from 384 nests in the sea safely during last six years. The project is now being implemented at 20 villages on coastal area of Maharashtra,” Katdare said.
Thanks to an enterprising initiative of the SNM, founded by Katdare and a few like-minded people, the Olive Ridley turtle, one of the most endangered species of turtles in India, will continue to make its annual trip to Velas for years to come. What makes the Olive Ridley turtle unique is that unlike other reptiles, it nests and lays eggs at the exact spot where it was born.
It all began in 2002, when Vijay Mahabal, a nature-lover and a member of SNM, on a visit to Velas village found a large number of broken egg shells on the seashore. Mahabal found out that Velas is the most preferred nesting place of the Olive Ridley. Of the 110 nests found on the 720-km coastline of the state, 32 are located at Velas. But Mahabal was shocked to know that for generations, some villagers had been illegally poaching and selling the eggs.
Mahabal rushed to Katdare, who came up with the idea of a turtle conservation project. The project is now a success story spread over 30 villages on the state’s entire coastline. The NGO chose a few locals to keep a round-the-clock vigil and collect eggs from the nests and shift them to specially-made hatcheries on the beach. When the eggs hatch about 45-50 days later, they are carefully released into the sea. “We decided to enlist local support by offering the locals a monthly remuneration, which was double the amount they earned by selling eggs,” recalled Katdare. The idea worked and today some of the biggest poachers of turtles in the village have become conservationists.
The main objective of the festival is to spread awareness about turtle protection and conservation and also about the Turtle Protection and Conservation Project started six years back. Marine turtles are under threat though out the world. They are getting extinct year by year. Large scale fishing business, increasing marine pollution and poaching are affecting the growth of marine turtles. “The turtle needs to be protected since it plays an important role in marine ecology,” said Viswas Katdare of SNM. SNM started project at Velas six years back and began turtle conservation on the entire coast line of the state. “We have successfully released more than 16000 hatchlings from 384 nests in the sea safely during last six years. The project is now being implemented at 20 villages on coastal area of Maharashtra,” Katdare said.
Thanks to an enterprising initiative of the SNM, founded by Katdare and a few like-minded people, the Olive Ridley turtle, one of the most endangered species of turtles in India, will continue to make its annual trip to Velas for years to come. What makes the Olive Ridley turtle unique is that unlike other reptiles, it nests and lays eggs at the exact spot where it was born.
It all began in 2002, when Vijay Mahabal, a nature-lover and a member of SNM, on a visit to Velas village found a large number of broken egg shells on the seashore. Mahabal found out that Velas is the most preferred nesting place of the Olive Ridley. Of the 110 nests found on the 720-km coastline of the state, 32 are located at Velas. But Mahabal was shocked to know that for generations, some villagers had been illegally poaching and selling the eggs.
Mahabal rushed to Katdare, who came up with the idea of a turtle conservation project. The project is now a success story spread over 30 villages on the state’s entire coastline. The NGO chose a few locals to keep a round-the-clock vigil and collect eggs from the nests and shift them to specially-made hatcheries on the beach. When the eggs hatch about 45-50 days later, they are carefully released into the sea. “We decided to enlist local support by offering the locals a monthly remuneration, which was double the amount they earned by selling eggs,” recalled Katdare. The idea worked and today some of the biggest poachers of turtles in the village have become conservationists.
Karnala is on verge of getting destroyed
The most sought after destination Karnala Bird Sanctuary some 60 km south-west of Mumbai is on verge of being destroyed. Courtesy the state wildlife board that approved widening of National Highway number 17.
The state wildlife board met after one-and-half years on Friday to discuss various issues related to forest and wildlife in the city. Approval to proposal to widen the highway was one of the topics and surprisingly, despite strong objection from members, the resolution was passed.
“I opposed the resolution to widen the highway which will eventually destroy already tiny heaven of birds. The government should explore alternative ways and divert the highway,” said Harshawardhan Dhanvate, a member of state wildlife board. Another member Dr Dilip Yardi also strongly opposed the proposal. The sanctuary spread over 12 sq km is already under pressure of illegal grazing and encroachments.
The additional chief secretary, revenue and forest JP Dange ruled out the opposition claiming that the widening was necessary as the national highway should not have curves. Sources said that there is strong opposition to the proposal. There is scope for realignment of the highway which is economically viable and will solve all the problems of the sanctuary as well. “It will not be an easy task to get approval for the widening since the National Tiger Conservation Authority is strongly opposing similar proposal about widening of National Highway number 6 that cuts through Pench Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh,” sources said. The sate forest department has already registered strong objection to the proposal. JP Dange could not be reached for his version.
Naturalist Sunjoy Monga opined that one of the greatest threats to the last surviving protected areas and their edges is the development onslaught that continues unabated. “The sad part of this process is that the developmental lobby often does not even try to make an attempt to look at alternatives that would save any bit of wilderness but look for the easier option to cut right through. I do seriously hope that Karnala, already a tiny, almost a pint-sized bird-haven is not further fragmented and that it requires a slightly longer diversion we should explore the same if it can result in overall ecological good.”
Forest minister Babanrao Pachpute said, “There is no alternative for realignment of the highway. However, we will thoroughly study the effects of the widening on the sanctuary and try to mitigate the same.”
The state wildlife board met after one-and-half years on Friday to discuss various issues related to forest and wildlife in the city. Approval to proposal to widen the highway was one of the topics and surprisingly, despite strong objection from members, the resolution was passed.
“I opposed the resolution to widen the highway which will eventually destroy already tiny heaven of birds. The government should explore alternative ways and divert the highway,” said Harshawardhan Dhanvate, a member of state wildlife board. Another member Dr Dilip Yardi also strongly opposed the proposal. The sanctuary spread over 12 sq km is already under pressure of illegal grazing and encroachments.
The additional chief secretary, revenue and forest JP Dange ruled out the opposition claiming that the widening was necessary as the national highway should not have curves. Sources said that there is strong opposition to the proposal. There is scope for realignment of the highway which is economically viable and will solve all the problems of the sanctuary as well. “It will not be an easy task to get approval for the widening since the National Tiger Conservation Authority is strongly opposing similar proposal about widening of National Highway number 6 that cuts through Pench Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh,” sources said. The sate forest department has already registered strong objection to the proposal. JP Dange could not be reached for his version.
Naturalist Sunjoy Monga opined that one of the greatest threats to the last surviving protected areas and their edges is the development onslaught that continues unabated. “The sad part of this process is that the developmental lobby often does not even try to make an attempt to look at alternatives that would save any bit of wilderness but look for the easier option to cut right through. I do seriously hope that Karnala, already a tiny, almost a pint-sized bird-haven is not further fragmented and that it requires a slightly longer diversion we should explore the same if it can result in overall ecological good.”
Forest minister Babanrao Pachpute said, “There is no alternative for realignment of the highway. However, we will thoroughly study the effects of the widening on the sanctuary and try to mitigate the same.”
Mining to destroy rich forest in Chandrapur district
If you thought the mining project of Adani Mining Private Limited was the only threat to the dense forest cover around Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), get ready for a shock.
The Adani mining project is just a tip of iceberg as five companies have been allotted coal blocks in the area which would prove to be the last nail in the coffin of the most glamorous tiger reserve of the state. Surprisingly, state government undertaking Maharashtra State Mining Corporation is one of the companies lobbying for mining permissions in the area. Interestingly, the area, the Corporation is eyeing is within the buffer zone of TATR.
The major coal blocks in the vicinity of TATR are Agarzari Coal Block and Lohara (East) coal block both admeasuring 800 hectares. Lohara (East) Coal Block was allotted to ACC in 1999. But the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) rejected the proposal on the grounds that the proposed mining site is close to TATR and mining activities would destroy the tiger reserve. The coal block is not allotted to Murli Agro Products Limited and Grace Industries Limited.
“There are around eight companies that have been allotted coal blocks in the Wardha Valley Coal Field spread in Chandrapur Ballarshah belt,” said Swanand Sovani of Shrushti Paryavaran Mandal, Nagpur. It is hard to believe that the same coal block where the MoEF rejected mining permission few years back has once again been allotted for mining, Sovani added.
According to information the extractable coal reserve of the area is to the tune of 309.832 metric tones. “All the other companies are waiting for approval to Adani Mining to start their process. If allowed, mining would destroy over 17,000 hectare of rich forest cover in the region,” alleged Dr SM Chopne, president of Green Planate, a Chandrapur based NGO.
The Adani mining project is just a tip of iceberg as five companies have been allotted coal blocks in the area which would prove to be the last nail in the coffin of the most glamorous tiger reserve of the state. Surprisingly, state government undertaking Maharashtra State Mining Corporation is one of the companies lobbying for mining permissions in the area. Interestingly, the area, the Corporation is eyeing is within the buffer zone of TATR.
The major coal blocks in the vicinity of TATR are Agarzari Coal Block and Lohara (East) coal block both admeasuring 800 hectares. Lohara (East) Coal Block was allotted to ACC in 1999. But the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) rejected the proposal on the grounds that the proposed mining site is close to TATR and mining activities would destroy the tiger reserve. The coal block is not allotted to Murli Agro Products Limited and Grace Industries Limited.
“There are around eight companies that have been allotted coal blocks in the Wardha Valley Coal Field spread in Chandrapur Ballarshah belt,” said Swanand Sovani of Shrushti Paryavaran Mandal, Nagpur. It is hard to believe that the same coal block where the MoEF rejected mining permission few years back has once again been allotted for mining, Sovani added.
According to information the extractable coal reserve of the area is to the tune of 309.832 metric tones. “All the other companies are waiting for approval to Adani Mining to start their process. If allowed, mining would destroy over 17,000 hectare of rich forest cover in the region,” alleged Dr SM Chopne, president of Green Planate, a Chandrapur based NGO.
Have Flamingos skipped the city this year???
The arrival of winged visitors of the city – flamingos - seems to have deferred this year. Though the number of the number is remarkably low till this month, ornithologists have kept their fingers crossed anticipating more flocks by next month.
“Flamingos are major attraction of birders and other people. But this year there has been a great level of disappointment for them,” said naturalist Sunjoy Monga. The arrival of flamingos has been delayed over last four years, which is a serious cause of concern, he added.
Monga feels that all the organic and other discharge, the effluents and possibly the release of warm waters from the varied, extensive high-end industry on two sides could have played a major role in influencing the ecology of this Sweri Bay. “Call it something going against traditional conservation wisdom, in that, the very sights and smells here defy conservation logic,” Monga said.
Gujarat is said to have the largest number of wintering Lesser Flamingos – over three lakh birds. Even there, the numbers were very low during January this year. It is obvious that most of these flamingos do not breed there and so there is an urgent need to monitor this species.
“It would be premature to comment on the number as arrival of flamingos continues till March. Let us hope for better and wait till March,” said Prashant Shinde of Shrishti Dnyan Mandal. According to Shinde, around 6,000 flamingos have made it to Sewri Bay and the number might increase in days to come. The situation at Mahul creek is relatively dismal. Last year around 25,000 flamingos had come here. But this year the number has gone down to around 8,000. “The situation this year is bleak majority of the birds arrived last month,” said Waman Koli, local fisherman from Mahul.
“The fact that up to 20000 flamingos come to Mumbai during winter, indicates the importance that the region locally holds for this species,” Monga said.
The Bay is home not only to thousands of flamingos for over seven months but also sustains plenty of other marine biodiversity, and an estimated quarter of a million other migratory waders like sandpipers, plovers and others, besides numerous terns, gulls and others. Nearly 150 species of birds have been recorded on the Bay and its immediate surrounds.
“Flamingos are major attraction of birders and other people. But this year there has been a great level of disappointment for them,” said naturalist Sunjoy Monga. The arrival of flamingos has been delayed over last four years, which is a serious cause of concern, he added.
Monga feels that all the organic and other discharge, the effluents and possibly the release of warm waters from the varied, extensive high-end industry on two sides could have played a major role in influencing the ecology of this Sweri Bay. “Call it something going against traditional conservation wisdom, in that, the very sights and smells here defy conservation logic,” Monga said.
Gujarat is said to have the largest number of wintering Lesser Flamingos – over three lakh birds. Even there, the numbers were very low during January this year. It is obvious that most of these flamingos do not breed there and so there is an urgent need to monitor this species.
“It would be premature to comment on the number as arrival of flamingos continues till March. Let us hope for better and wait till March,” said Prashant Shinde of Shrishti Dnyan Mandal. According to Shinde, around 6,000 flamingos have made it to Sewri Bay and the number might increase in days to come. The situation at Mahul creek is relatively dismal. Last year around 25,000 flamingos had come here. But this year the number has gone down to around 8,000. “The situation this year is bleak majority of the birds arrived last month,” said Waman Koli, local fisherman from Mahul.
“The fact that up to 20000 flamingos come to Mumbai during winter, indicates the importance that the region locally holds for this species,” Monga said.
The Bay is home not only to thousands of flamingos for over seven months but also sustains plenty of other marine biodiversity, and an estimated quarter of a million other migratory waders like sandpipers, plovers and others, besides numerous terns, gulls and others. Nearly 150 species of birds have been recorded on the Bay and its immediate surrounds.
Forest Minister or Mining Minister??
It is probably the first incident in the state that in a bid to support a project, a cabinet minister has gone to the extent of threatening Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) of dire consequences of opposing the project.
The activists of Shrushti Paryavaran Mandal, Nagpur were stunned when state forest minister Babanrao Pachpute got angry over objection to proposed coal mine of Adani Mining Limited on the periphery of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve. So much so that Pachpute went to the extent of cautioning the activists not to try his faith on non-violence.
The stand taken by forest minister to support a mining project has even shocked senior forest department officials.
It was during a meeting of the NGOs and representatives of Adani Mining Limited held at Nagpur on January 20. The minister asked the NGOs to suggest measures to reduce impact of mining on the surrounding forest and even proposed to form a committee for the purpose. Reacting to the proposal, NGOs demanded that the proposal per se should be scrapped and the question of discussions on ways to reduce adverse impact of mining did not arise at all.
Sources said that the minister was visibly angry in the meeting and came down heavily on the activists opposing the project. He indicated to resort to violence to curb the opposition saying, “Me ahimsavadi aahe. Majhya ahimsechay maryadanche tumhi ullaghan karat aahat.” (I am a believer of non-violence. You are crossing the limits), sources, who were present at the meeting said.
The statement came as a major blow to the NGOs and even the forest department officials present in the meeting were shocked. “It was not at all expected from a minister. We had a hard time to come to the terms with situation after he made the statement,” said a senior forest department official.
When contacted Babanrao Pachpute said, “I had made it clear right in the beginning that no one should oppose development. The meeting was called to discuss the wildlife conservation plan. We have formed a committee to discuss ways to mitigate adverse effects of mining on the forest.”
A ten-member committee headed by nodal officer Conservator of Forest Shailendra Bahadur has been formed to discuss the ways to minimise the effects of mine on the forest. However Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF), Wildlife B Majumdar has strongly opposed appointment of Shailendra Bahadur on the committee as he is nodal officer who is part of the process of paper work for the proposed mine.
Swanand Soni of Shrushti Paryavaran Mandal, Nagpur said, “We are not against power generation. But the company should explore other sources of coal. We will oppose the mine till last breath.” Soni, who was appointed on the committee without consent, has opted out of it.
The activists of Shrushti Paryavaran Mandal, Nagpur were stunned when state forest minister Babanrao Pachpute got angry over objection to proposed coal mine of Adani Mining Limited on the periphery of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve. So much so that Pachpute went to the extent of cautioning the activists not to try his faith on non-violence.
The stand taken by forest minister to support a mining project has even shocked senior forest department officials.
It was during a meeting of the NGOs and representatives of Adani Mining Limited held at Nagpur on January 20. The minister asked the NGOs to suggest measures to reduce impact of mining on the surrounding forest and even proposed to form a committee for the purpose. Reacting to the proposal, NGOs demanded that the proposal per se should be scrapped and the question of discussions on ways to reduce adverse impact of mining did not arise at all.
Sources said that the minister was visibly angry in the meeting and came down heavily on the activists opposing the project. He indicated to resort to violence to curb the opposition saying, “Me ahimsavadi aahe. Majhya ahimsechay maryadanche tumhi ullaghan karat aahat.” (I am a believer of non-violence. You are crossing the limits), sources, who were present at the meeting said.
The statement came as a major blow to the NGOs and even the forest department officials present in the meeting were shocked. “It was not at all expected from a minister. We had a hard time to come to the terms with situation after he made the statement,” said a senior forest department official.
When contacted Babanrao Pachpute said, “I had made it clear right in the beginning that no one should oppose development. The meeting was called to discuss the wildlife conservation plan. We have formed a committee to discuss ways to mitigate adverse effects of mining on the forest.”
A ten-member committee headed by nodal officer Conservator of Forest Shailendra Bahadur has been formed to discuss the ways to minimise the effects of mine on the forest. However Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF), Wildlife B Majumdar has strongly opposed appointment of Shailendra Bahadur on the committee as he is nodal officer who is part of the process of paper work for the proposed mine.
Swanand Soni of Shrushti Paryavaran Mandal, Nagpur said, “We are not against power generation. But the company should explore other sources of coal. We will oppose the mine till last breath.” Soni, who was appointed on the committee without consent, has opted out of it.
India lost 21 tigers in last 3 months
The total number of tigers – India’s national animal – has gone down by 21 during last three months.
According to the information collected by the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), three tigers were poached in the country between November 2008 and January 2009. Of these, one tiger was electrocuted in Kanha Tiger Reserve in November 2008, one tiger was poisoned at Wynad, Kerala in December 2008 and another tiger was reportedly electrocuted near Sakoli in Bhandara district of Maharashtra this month.
The WPSI has seized seven tiger skins and a skeleton during the same period from various places in the country like Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
The death count is most likely to increase as some tigers are missing and their fate unknown, this include two tigresses those are missing from Chandrapur district.
According to various forest departments in the country, 17 tigers found dead in various protected areas were killed by other tigers over territory fight. This include one each in Corbett tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand, Dudhwa Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh, Mysore in Karnataka, four cubs and two adult tigers were found dead in Kanha Tiger Reserve, seven tigers were found dead in Kaziranga Tiger Reserve in Assam, while one tiger died during tranquilisation in the Sunderbans in December 2008. Three tiger cubs were recently rescued near Junona in Chandrapur district, which are currently at Maharajbag Zoo in Nagpur along with a cub rescued from forest near Chandrapur.
“The rescued cubs should also be treated as loss since they will never return to the wild. However, the records are sufficient enough to claim that forests have lost 21 tigers,” said Nitin Desai, central India director of WPSI.
According to the information collected by the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), three tigers were poached in the country between November 2008 and January 2009. Of these, one tiger was electrocuted in Kanha Tiger Reserve in November 2008, one tiger was poisoned at Wynad, Kerala in December 2008 and another tiger was reportedly electrocuted near Sakoli in Bhandara district of Maharashtra this month.
The WPSI has seized seven tiger skins and a skeleton during the same period from various places in the country like Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
The death count is most likely to increase as some tigers are missing and their fate unknown, this include two tigresses those are missing from Chandrapur district.
According to various forest departments in the country, 17 tigers found dead in various protected areas were killed by other tigers over territory fight. This include one each in Corbett tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand, Dudhwa Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh, Mysore in Karnataka, four cubs and two adult tigers were found dead in Kanha Tiger Reserve, seven tigers were found dead in Kaziranga Tiger Reserve in Assam, while one tiger died during tranquilisation in the Sunderbans in December 2008. Three tiger cubs were recently rescued near Junona in Chandrapur district, which are currently at Maharajbag Zoo in Nagpur along with a cub rescued from forest near Chandrapur.
“The rescued cubs should also be treated as loss since they will never return to the wild. However, the records are sufficient enough to claim that forests have lost 21 tigers,” said Nitin Desai, central India director of WPSI.
Bird Smuggling
The anti poaching squad of the state forest department has arrested three persons and recovered two wild birds – one black winged kite and two hawks - from them. The black winged kite was seized from domestic airport while the other two birds were seized from a shop in Crawford Market.
The black winged kite, seized, can easily be trained to hunt and even spying. The Indian armed forces had recently captured one such bird on India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan that was reportedly sent for spying.
Identified as Mohammed Siddiq Sayyad alias Javed, 25 and Farhan Anwar Khan, 23, the accused are residents of Dongri, while Ashfaq Momin, a resident fo Jogeshwari owns a pet shop at Crawford Market.
Siddiq Sayyad had posted an advertisement on a website on January 19 to sale black winged kite. “We received information about the advertisement and possible sale of the birds in the city on January 20,” said assistant conservator of forest SG Phale. Following the information, the officials immediately jumped into action and started surveillance of the accused. After watching his activities for almost a week, forest department officials decided to trap Mohammed Siddiq Sayyad.
Meanwhile, officials got information that he was coming to domestic airport to sale the bird to a person on January 31. Accordingly, a trap was set with the help of activists of Plant and Animals Welfare Society (PAWS), Mumbai and Mohammed Sayyad and his friend Farhan Khan were arrested when they took out the bird from the car at around 5 pm on January 31.
The duo was booked under sections 9, 39, 40, 42, 44, 48(a), 49 and 51 of Wildlife Protection Act. During interrogation, the duo confessed that the bird was procured from Ashfaq Momin. “Momin owns Royal Pet Shop at Crawford Market. The shop was raided on February 5 on information given by Sayyad,” Phale said. M
The black winged kite, seized, can easily be trained to hunt and even spying. The Indian armed forces had recently captured one such bird on India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan that was reportedly sent for spying.
Identified as Mohammed Siddiq Sayyad alias Javed, 25 and Farhan Anwar Khan, 23, the accused are residents of Dongri, while Ashfaq Momin, a resident fo Jogeshwari owns a pet shop at Crawford Market.
Siddiq Sayyad had posted an advertisement on a website on January 19 to sale black winged kite. “We received information about the advertisement and possible sale of the birds in the city on January 20,” said assistant conservator of forest SG Phale. Following the information, the officials immediately jumped into action and started surveillance of the accused. After watching his activities for almost a week, forest department officials decided to trap Mohammed Siddiq Sayyad.
Meanwhile, officials got information that he was coming to domestic airport to sale the bird to a person on January 31. Accordingly, a trap was set with the help of activists of Plant and Animals Welfare Society (PAWS), Mumbai and Mohammed Sayyad and his friend Farhan Khan were arrested when they took out the bird from the car at around 5 pm on January 31.
The duo was booked under sections 9, 39, 40, 42, 44, 48(a), 49 and 51 of Wildlife Protection Act. During interrogation, the duo confessed that the bird was procured from Ashfaq Momin. “Momin owns Royal Pet Shop at Crawford Market. The shop was raided on February 5 on information given by Sayyad,” Phale said. M
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