The Katni gang of poachers has struck again in forests of Vidarbha. This time the gang managed to poach two sloth bears and decamped with their paws and bile. The incident took place at Gangazari in Tiroda range of Gondia. The wildlife in Vidarbha is reeling under severe threat. After poisoning of two deers and other animals near Bhandara on Thursday and fears of 20 tigers having poached outside Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, poaching of two sloth bears has come as a major blow to the forest department.
“It is a clear case of electrocution. The matter came to light on the morning of May 19 when people came to farms. It seems to be work of local people,” said deputy conservator of forests, Gondia, Mukesh Ganatra. Ruling out involvement of outsiders, Ganatra claimed that all the outsiders were under strict watch. “Whenever, we come across any outsiders moving in the area, they are forced out after taking their details,” Ganatra said. He said that the spot where bodies were found is surrounded by agricultural land. “We are investigating the matter and the offenders would soon be arrested,” he added.
The bodies were found in farm pond in the land owned by one Lalsingh Pusan. Sources said that after the animals died, poachers decamped with all the eight paws and bile. The bears are estimated to be three years old. It is learnt that there is a machan near the spot were the bears were electrocuted. Probably erected to keep a watch on movement of wild animals.
Sources said that the modus operendi strikingly resembles to that of the Katni gang. “The bears must have fallen prey to the huge bear bile trade. Earlier also Katni gang has killed bears at Gothangaon near Navegaon National park,” said Kishor Rithe, president of Satpuda Foundation, an NGO working for forest conservation in central India. Bear bile has huge demand for its alleged medicinal values in the countries like China, Thailand and Hong Kong. “The trade is anticipated to run in millions of dollars,” Rithe said.
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Meanwhile, following the report about 20 tigers feared poached in non protected area outside Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, the state government has sought explanation from the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife). Forest department sources said a letter has been sent to the PCCF (WL) seeking immediate explanation. “The letter to this effect was sent on Wednesday and the PCCF (WL) has been asked to send reply immediately,” sources said.
When contacted, additional PCCF (Human Resource Management) SK Sood, who is holding additional charge of PCCF (WL) said confirmed the receipt of letter. “The letter was received yesterday. Since I have taken charge of the office just three days back, the reply will be sent after collecting all the required information,” Sood said.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Flamongos might not be seen this year in Mumbai
While Mumbai is preparing to provide affordable housing to thousands of people, the home to winged visitors of the city – just 60 km away - is on verge of complete destruction.
Around 60 hectare wetland near village Phunde in Uran has been vanished posing a grave threat to very existence of the birds. Uran is known for rich avifauna like Flamingos, Painted storks, Oriental white ibis, Grey heron and others.
According to Kamini Thakur, an intern with WWF-India, who is doing a research on wetland, “The bird habitat near Phunde has virtually been wiped out due to large scale reclamation. Around 60 hectare wetland has vanished in last ten days.” Surprised by the development, Thakur approached CIDCO, the owner of land. But was advised to submit an application to get information about the reclamation. “The land is apparently allotted for SEZ and the reclamation is part of the same,” Thakur said.
Dr Goldin Quadros, Education Officer and Interim State Director, WWF-India, MSO said, “The large scale dumping is bound to destroy the wetlands which will eventually result in serious problems for birds coming there.” The wetland in and around Uran is home to winged visitors of the city and a most sought after destination of birders. But the reclamation that began around ten days back, has destroyed it, Quadros said, adding, “If the authorities fail to check the reclamation, the winged visitors of the city will be lost forever.”
Around 60 hectare wetland near village Phunde in Uran has been vanished posing a grave threat to very existence of the birds. Uran is known for rich avifauna like Flamingos, Painted storks, Oriental white ibis, Grey heron and others.
According to Kamini Thakur, an intern with WWF-India, who is doing a research on wetland, “The bird habitat near Phunde has virtually been wiped out due to large scale reclamation. Around 60 hectare wetland has vanished in last ten days.” Surprised by the development, Thakur approached CIDCO, the owner of land. But was advised to submit an application to get information about the reclamation. “The land is apparently allotted for SEZ and the reclamation is part of the same,” Thakur said.
Dr Goldin Quadros, Education Officer and Interim State Director, WWF-India, MSO said, “The large scale dumping is bound to destroy the wetlands which will eventually result in serious problems for birds coming there.” The wetland in and around Uran is home to winged visitors of the city and a most sought after destination of birders. But the reclamation that began around ten days back, has destroyed it, Quadros said, adding, “If the authorities fail to check the reclamation, the winged visitors of the city will be lost forever.”
Only seven Wild Buffalos remaining in India
The decision of the state forest department to declare the wild buffalo area in Gadchiroli district as a conservation reserve has invited ire from environmentalists as formation of conservation reserve will not serve the purpose to conserve wild buffalos.
The Kamlapur range in Alapalli division and Asarali range in Sironcha division in Gadchiroli district would be converted into conservation reserve.
“We have been demanding a wildlife sanctuary in the area to conserve wild buffalos. But formation of a conservation reserve will defeat the purpose and the third largest mammal on the earth will get extinct,” said Kishor Rithe, president of Satpuda Foundation, an NGO working for forest conservation in central India.
“The wild buffaloes, third biggest mammal on land, are facing extinction in India and are a step away from the point of no return. The entire milk industry of India is at stake as domestic breed of buffaloes have only come from the wild and it is urgent to save the wild breed of buffaloes for survival of Indian milk industry. There are only six wild buffalo males and one disputed female left in Udanti Tiger Reserve of Chattisgarh. Another home of wild buffalo is Indravati Tiger Reserve in Chattisgarh. However the wild buffaloes of Indravati have no legal and physical protection towards Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district.
Satpuda Foundation and BNHS had done the extensive survey from 2000 to 2003 and helped Maharashtra Wildlife department to prepare the sanctuary proposal in Gadchiroli district. However Government is sitting on the proposal since then saying “there is nuxal problem”.
Kishor Rithe who had worked for preparing the sanctuary proposal and President of Satpuda Foundation is upset on the stand of PCCF (WL) office. He stated that the Government has diverted 374.90 ha of good wildlife potential forest from Gadchiroli district to Mining Iron Ore company and also not peaking a word against several dams coming on the border of Gadchiroli district(including Inchampalli), taking away your fragile forests, even when nuxals are there. But PCCF’s (WL) office is annoyed of creating a sanctuary because of “nuxal presence”.
If it is the case then we should withdraw the forest staff serving in this forest and drawing the salary for forest protection, Rithe commented. It is to be noted that earlier Wildlife Institute of India, state Wildlife Board of Maharashtra and recently WWF International had also recommended this area to be declared as sanctuary. Satpuda Foundation today issued a press release to open up the issue
before sensible readers. SF said that on one hand we have the example of having Pench Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra (Nagpur district) and Pench Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh (Seoni district) so that the wildlife should enjoy similar legal and physical protection from both states. Same time how can CWLW of Maharashtra justify his denial of making a sanctuary and later on Tiger Reserve to the area in Gadchiroli district which is bordering Indravati tiger Reserve.
Bivash Pandav, programme leader, tiger and other big cats, WWF-International, Nepal, had given a stress on declaring the area as sanctuary during his visit in Winter 2008. Mr. Pandav said that the species like wild buffalo, listed under the Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, needs to be protected at any cost as these are ancestors of all domestic buffaloes and are must to maintain gene pool 100 years down the line. There are enough highly important catchments and watersheds of high conservation values in Maharashtra which can be declared as
conservation reserves, if CWLW’s office is so interested in creating conservation reserves. But the wildlife potential area which supports highly threatened and endangered species like Wild buffalo should be brought only under “Sanctuary” status, Rithe reiterated his demand.
The Kamlapur range in Alapalli division and Asarali range in Sironcha division in Gadchiroli district would be converted into conservation reserve.
“We have been demanding a wildlife sanctuary in the area to conserve wild buffalos. But formation of a conservation reserve will defeat the purpose and the third largest mammal on the earth will get extinct,” said Kishor Rithe, president of Satpuda Foundation, an NGO working for forest conservation in central India.
“The wild buffaloes, third biggest mammal on land, are facing extinction in India and are a step away from the point of no return. The entire milk industry of India is at stake as domestic breed of buffaloes have only come from the wild and it is urgent to save the wild breed of buffaloes for survival of Indian milk industry. There are only six wild buffalo males and one disputed female left in Udanti Tiger Reserve of Chattisgarh. Another home of wild buffalo is Indravati Tiger Reserve in Chattisgarh. However the wild buffaloes of Indravati have no legal and physical protection towards Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district.
Satpuda Foundation and BNHS had done the extensive survey from 2000 to 2003 and helped Maharashtra Wildlife department to prepare the sanctuary proposal in Gadchiroli district. However Government is sitting on the proposal since then saying “there is nuxal problem”.
Kishor Rithe who had worked for preparing the sanctuary proposal and President of Satpuda Foundation is upset on the stand of PCCF (WL) office. He stated that the Government has diverted 374.90 ha of good wildlife potential forest from Gadchiroli district to Mining Iron Ore company and also not peaking a word against several dams coming on the border of Gadchiroli district(including Inchampalli), taking away your fragile forests, even when nuxals are there. But PCCF’s (WL) office is annoyed of creating a sanctuary because of “nuxal presence”.
If it is the case then we should withdraw the forest staff serving in this forest and drawing the salary for forest protection, Rithe commented. It is to be noted that earlier Wildlife Institute of India, state Wildlife Board of Maharashtra and recently WWF International had also recommended this area to be declared as sanctuary. Satpuda Foundation today issued a press release to open up the issue
before sensible readers. SF said that on one hand we have the example of having Pench Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra (Nagpur district) and Pench Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh (Seoni district) so that the wildlife should enjoy similar legal and physical protection from both states. Same time how can CWLW of Maharashtra justify his denial of making a sanctuary and later on Tiger Reserve to the area in Gadchiroli district which is bordering Indravati tiger Reserve.
Bivash Pandav, programme leader, tiger and other big cats, WWF-International, Nepal, had given a stress on declaring the area as sanctuary during his visit in Winter 2008. Mr. Pandav said that the species like wild buffalo, listed under the Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, needs to be protected at any cost as these are ancestors of all domestic buffaloes and are must to maintain gene pool 100 years down the line. There are enough highly important catchments and watersheds of high conservation values in Maharashtra which can be declared as
conservation reserves, if CWLW’s office is so interested in creating conservation reserves. But the wildlife potential area which supports highly threatened and endangered species like Wild buffalo should be brought only under “Sanctuary” status, Rithe reiterated his demand.
Tyger Tyger no more burning bright!!
The wild cat is in serious trouble around Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) the most glorious tiger reserve of the state. Something unseemly appears to the be haunting the Chandrapur forest over past five months. The man-tiger conflict in the area that has gained alarming proportions over last three years, has suddenly come to an end. And this is the biggest worry of environmentalists.
“The sudden end to the conflict should be taken as seriously since it is an indication that the tigers in the conflict area are in serious trouble,” said Kishor Rithe, president of Satpuda Foundation, an NGO working for forest conservation in central India. The man-tiger conflict in Chandrapur district had become serious with 11 human deaths in 2006, 13 in 2007 and more than 26 in 2008. Surprisingly only one incident of human death – on January 21 - has been reported this year. There could be three reasons for this, either the tigers have decided to stay away from humans, or tigers and humans in the conflict area have arrived at a consensus not to invade in each other's domain or all the tigers in conflict area have been wiped out. “First two possibilities are out of question and there are more chances of all the tigers in the area are wiped out,” he said, adding, “Tigers have no future outside TATR in Chandrapur district.
Even the forest department officials are accepting the fact. A senior forest official, talking to DNA agreed that the tigers in the area must have been poached. “We have information that the organised poaching syndicate from Katni in Madhya Pradesh is active around Bhandara and Gondia. According to the official, there are around 40 tigers outside TATR and available information indicates that eight tigers have been poached leading to either death of three cubs and removal of two cubs from the forest, out of them one later died at Maharajbaugh Zoo in Nagpur.
According to a senior forest department official, there was an urgent need of undertaking 'know your tiger' exercise to create a data base. “Since poachers are far more advanced that forest department, we should at least have detail information about the tigers in the region. The poachers must have killed around 20 tigers in the region in last five months,” the official said.
Two cubs were rescued from village Mendki on November 1, 2008. The mother of the cubs is still missing. Similarly, three cubs were rescued from Junona near Chandrapur on January 23 this year and their mother is also missing till date. A full grown pair of tigers went missing from Adhyalmendha in Chandrapur district on March 28 and their three cubs were found dead. One sub adult tiger was found dead near village Chiroli in Chandrapur on May 6. Though the forest department officials claim it was hit by some speeding vehicle, the post-mortem report indicates that the animal died because to injuries due to 'some sharp objective'. One tiger was poached in Bhandara division in January this year while forest officials recovered tiger claws in Bhadravati division in March this year. While the latest incident of tiger death was reported from Ughdagota water-hole just outside TATR.
“One of the cubs rescued near Mandki died at Maharajbaugh Zoo. Since the department has failed to trace missing tigers, they must have been poached,” the official said, adding, “The department is aware of the loss of 17 tigers to poaching and removal from the forests. But there is no doubt that 10 other cases of tiger poaching have gone unnoticed.”
“The sudden end to the conflict should be taken as seriously since it is an indication that the tigers in the conflict area are in serious trouble,” said Kishor Rithe, president of Satpuda Foundation, an NGO working for forest conservation in central India. The man-tiger conflict in Chandrapur district had become serious with 11 human deaths in 2006, 13 in 2007 and more than 26 in 2008. Surprisingly only one incident of human death – on January 21 - has been reported this year. There could be three reasons for this, either the tigers have decided to stay away from humans, or tigers and humans in the conflict area have arrived at a consensus not to invade in each other's domain or all the tigers in conflict area have been wiped out. “First two possibilities are out of question and there are more chances of all the tigers in the area are wiped out,” he said, adding, “Tigers have no future outside TATR in Chandrapur district.
Even the forest department officials are accepting the fact. A senior forest official, talking to DNA agreed that the tigers in the area must have been poached. “We have information that the organised poaching syndicate from Katni in Madhya Pradesh is active around Bhandara and Gondia. According to the official, there are around 40 tigers outside TATR and available information indicates that eight tigers have been poached leading to either death of three cubs and removal of two cubs from the forest, out of them one later died at Maharajbaugh Zoo in Nagpur.
According to a senior forest department official, there was an urgent need of undertaking 'know your tiger' exercise to create a data base. “Since poachers are far more advanced that forest department, we should at least have detail information about the tigers in the region. The poachers must have killed around 20 tigers in the region in last five months,” the official said.
Two cubs were rescued from village Mendki on November 1, 2008. The mother of the cubs is still missing. Similarly, three cubs were rescued from Junona near Chandrapur on January 23 this year and their mother is also missing till date. A full grown pair of tigers went missing from Adhyalmendha in Chandrapur district on March 28 and their three cubs were found dead. One sub adult tiger was found dead near village Chiroli in Chandrapur on May 6. Though the forest department officials claim it was hit by some speeding vehicle, the post-mortem report indicates that the animal died because to injuries due to 'some sharp objective'. One tiger was poached in Bhandara division in January this year while forest officials recovered tiger claws in Bhadravati division in March this year. While the latest incident of tiger death was reported from Ughdagota water-hole just outside TATR.
“One of the cubs rescued near Mandki died at Maharajbaugh Zoo. Since the department has failed to trace missing tigers, they must have been poached,” the official said, adding, “The department is aware of the loss of 17 tigers to poaching and removal from the forests. But there is no doubt that 10 other cases of tiger poaching have gone unnoticed.”
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Indian Swiftlets......... saved??
The Konkan coast line known for its rich marine life and avifauna has become one of the major attractions for wildlife enthusiasts. But till recently the situation in the region was not at all encouraging as the birds like Indian Swiftlet, white bellied sea eagle and white backed vultures were under severe threat due to poaching and habitat destruction.
However, dedicated efforts and hard work put in by the activists of Sahyadri Nisarg Mitra (SNM) has virtually retrieved these species from being extinct. So much so that because of the NGO, Indian Swiftlet is now in Schedule I of endangered species.
The crusade began when the activists of SNM visited Vengurla Rocks for bird watching. “When we visited Vengurla Rocks on April 8, 2001 all of us were delighted to see Indian swiftlet flying near the skyline and at the sea-side of entrance of the cave on Bandra Rocks,” said Vishwas Katdare, founder of SNM.
However, the joy of having seen thousands of nests was short lived as the cave was full of bamboo scaffolding erected by poachers. “The poachers were not interested in the bird or its eggs. Their target was the nest, which had great demand outside India,” Katdare recalled. On being informed, forest department officials raided the caves and arrested poachers red handed on April 17, 2001 and the follow up by the NGO resulted in inclusion of the species in Schedule I, the list of critically endangered animals. The situation changed within a one year the cave was full of nests and almost all the nests had one or two eggs. “It was moment of immense satisfaction to see the cave full of nests having eggs. Now the local people, whom we trained, are protecting the nests,” said Katdare.
It is not just the Indian Swiftlet, but white bellied sea eagle and white backed vulture population has also increased remarkable due to efforts of SNM. “The major threats were habitat destruction. These birds were being deprived of food resulting in death,” Katdare said. The NGO involved local people in the activities and brought about remarkable increase in the population of white bellied sea eagle and white backed vultures.
However, dedicated efforts and hard work put in by the activists of Sahyadri Nisarg Mitra (SNM) has virtually retrieved these species from being extinct. So much so that because of the NGO, Indian Swiftlet is now in Schedule I of endangered species.
The crusade began when the activists of SNM visited Vengurla Rocks for bird watching. “When we visited Vengurla Rocks on April 8, 2001 all of us were delighted to see Indian swiftlet flying near the skyline and at the sea-side of entrance of the cave on Bandra Rocks,” said Vishwas Katdare, founder of SNM.
However, the joy of having seen thousands of nests was short lived as the cave was full of bamboo scaffolding erected by poachers. “The poachers were not interested in the bird or its eggs. Their target was the nest, which had great demand outside India,” Katdare recalled. On being informed, forest department officials raided the caves and arrested poachers red handed on April 17, 2001 and the follow up by the NGO resulted in inclusion of the species in Schedule I, the list of critically endangered animals. The situation changed within a one year the cave was full of nests and almost all the nests had one or two eggs. “It was moment of immense satisfaction to see the cave full of nests having eggs. Now the local people, whom we trained, are protecting the nests,” said Katdare.
It is not just the Indian Swiftlet, but white bellied sea eagle and white backed vulture population has also increased remarkable due to efforts of SNM. “The major threats were habitat destruction. These birds were being deprived of food resulting in death,” Katdare said. The NGO involved local people in the activities and brought about remarkable increase in the population of white bellied sea eagle and white backed vultures.
Pls save Mumbai's lungs.......... before its too late
The state forest department that did not leave any stone unturned to reclaim the private forest land and demolish the buildings, has, ironically, forgot its prime duty to protect the forests.
The ever increasing encroachments in Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), considered being Mumbai’s lungs, have always been a crucial problem to tackle. While, the officials are trying to remove the encroachments inside the park, new encroachments are taking place in the 104 sq km park virtually every day. The latest in the series of encroachment are the hutments that have come up along the boundary wall behind Yogi Hills, Mulund.
Though there are only two huts, claimed to be owned by tribals, hundreds of daily wagers have made make-shift living arrangements inside the park. Even the tribals living there have migrated from various parts like Palghar and Ghansoli. “We are living here since last 20 years. Earlier we used to live at Ghansoli, but when our hutments were demolished for development, we shifted here,” said Chandrakant Varthe, who claimed to be a tribal. He said that around 100 daily wagers, who are not tribal, use the land to sleep. “They are not tribals. But they come here in the evening spend night here and go to work in the morning,” Varthe said. According to him, forest department officials visit the area frequently. But nothing is done except for taking photographs and recording few statements, Varthe said.
Prakash Padikkal, president of Hillside Residents’ Welfare Association (HIRWA) said, “Encroachment in reserved forest is a serious matter and should be taken care of. If not checked in time, it is likely to spread to other parts.” The encroachers are involved in illicit tree cutting also which will snowball into disaster. The matter should be on top priority of the forest department and an additional staff should be deployed to control this, he added.
The assistant conservator of forest (ACF) VL Rathod claimed that since the huts belonged to tribals, they were protected. “We are conducting a survey in the area to identify encroachments,” Rathod said. Surprisingly, the officials have not done anything against an illegal temple constructed in the park, which serves as picnic spot for many people. Illicit tree felling in the area has increased manifold in recent past. So much so that people have fenced a patch of land on a hill to store timber and the officials were in dark about it.
The ever increasing encroachments in Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), considered being Mumbai’s lungs, have always been a crucial problem to tackle. While, the officials are trying to remove the encroachments inside the park, new encroachments are taking place in the 104 sq km park virtually every day. The latest in the series of encroachment are the hutments that have come up along the boundary wall behind Yogi Hills, Mulund.
Though there are only two huts, claimed to be owned by tribals, hundreds of daily wagers have made make-shift living arrangements inside the park. Even the tribals living there have migrated from various parts like Palghar and Ghansoli. “We are living here since last 20 years. Earlier we used to live at Ghansoli, but when our hutments were demolished for development, we shifted here,” said Chandrakant Varthe, who claimed to be a tribal. He said that around 100 daily wagers, who are not tribal, use the land to sleep. “They are not tribals. But they come here in the evening spend night here and go to work in the morning,” Varthe said. According to him, forest department officials visit the area frequently. But nothing is done except for taking photographs and recording few statements, Varthe said.
Prakash Padikkal, president of Hillside Residents’ Welfare Association (HIRWA) said, “Encroachment in reserved forest is a serious matter and should be taken care of. If not checked in time, it is likely to spread to other parts.” The encroachers are involved in illicit tree cutting also which will snowball into disaster. The matter should be on top priority of the forest department and an additional staff should be deployed to control this, he added.
The assistant conservator of forest (ACF) VL Rathod claimed that since the huts belonged to tribals, they were protected. “We are conducting a survey in the area to identify encroachments,” Rathod said. Surprisingly, the officials have not done anything against an illegal temple constructed in the park, which serves as picnic spot for many people. Illicit tree felling in the area has increased manifold in recent past. So much so that people have fenced a patch of land on a hill to store timber and the officials were in dark about it.
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