When are we going to learn????

We are aware that our national animal is under serious threat to its very existence due to rampant poaching. But how many of us know that the real threat to the magnificent wild cat called Tiger, our national animal, faces even more threat from those who are supposed to protect it?
Yes. Tiger faces equal threat from the forest department, across all the states. The forest department is indirectly responsible in pushing the big cat close to danger at equal pace that of the poachers. The biggest example is killing of a full grown male tiger by police on the orders of forest department on November 30 last year near Talodhi in Chandrapur district.
The tiger that was eventually shot down was credited with 23 human kills in as many months. Local villagers and political leaders virtually held the forest department for ransom to kill the wild cat. Every one blamed the tiger for human kills, which according to the wild cat was nothing but defending its prey. Rampant poaching and habitat destruction in the region has left the tiger with no choice but to resort to cattle kill and humans got killed when they tried to snatch the cattle from the tiger’s claws and the wild cat tried to protect its prey.
The first human kill was reported from the area in January 2006 and after that it became almost monthly event in Brahmapuri division of Chandrapur district. People and politicians even proclaimed the tiger to be man-eater, despite the fact it never ate any human being after killing. They unanimously wanted it to be killed at any cost and eventually succeeded. But no one gave a thought to the reason of such behaviour of otherwise illusive animal. People continued to kill herbivorous animals in the area and cut trees as per their wishes and whims. People in the area could get desired quantity of wild boar and peacock meat on demand and the wild cat, who had a legitimate right on it, was being starved. And the forest department officials responsible to check such activities had turned a blind eye to rampant poaching and tree cutting in the area.
Bogged down by ever mounting pressure from public and politicians, finally the department got a tiger shot dead. The nation lost one full grown magnificent male tiger on November 30, 2007, this time to the bullets fired by the orders of none other than the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife). Forest department officials had a sigh of relief and claimed that the problem animal was killed and people in the area could live happily again. But the worst fears expressed by environmentalists came true in just six days after the animal was killed. The wild cat struck again on December 6, and killed a 22-year-old youth. Ironically, the forest department officials ignored caution bells rang by environmentalists and refused to do anything to revive prey base in the area, which is an ideal tiger habitat.
Unfortunately, the human kills have not stopped even after ‘killing the man-eater of Brahmapuri’. After the tiger was killed, the territory has now been occupied by another tiger and human kills still continues. And the wild cat has claimed nine lives since taking the total to 37 human kills in 31 months. The counting is not yet stopped and the number is bound to go up in days to come. Proper wildlife management in the area holds the key to solution and unless it is done, the man-animal conflict will continue and the forest department will shoot even more tigers. Who knows?

Prerna, I don’t have the dates of human kills before December 2007. Here is the record I have.
December 6, 2007 – Tanaji Raut, a resident of Navtala was killed when he had gone to graze cattle at Madnagarh in Chimur Range.
January 10, 2008 - The incident took place at compartment number 301, Kolsa Range of TATR. The deceased has been identified as Jhingaji Kulmethe, 65, a resident of village Doni. He had gone to cut fire wood in the nullah.
January 29, 2008 - Janabai Kashinath Gurnule, 60, a resident of village Kawadpeth was killed when she had gone to answer nature’s call. This is the third human kill in the area during last month.
March 24, 2008 - Kashinath Suryavanshi, 45, a resident of village Jhankapur had gone to forest along with six other people from the village to collect Mahua leaves.
May 29, 2008 - Monali Baban Neware, 9 and Sitabai Dadaji Gedam, 50, both residents of village Kitadi Bormara. The incident took place at around 8 am on Wednesday at compartment number 29 of reserved forest in Nagbhid range of Brahmapuri division.
June 19, 2008 - Dhrupada Kumre, 51, a resident of Sonoli. Dhrupada had gone to the forest adjoining the village to collect mahua seeds when the tiger attacked her.
July 26, 2008 - Ramesh Ichkape and Rajeshwar Kumre, both from Jankapur village in Nagbhid taluka of Chandrapur district. The duo was killed while grazing cattle in the forest.

Mumbai sitting on e-waste

Ever though of what happens to a discarded personal computer or a cell phone or any other electronic and electrical gadget for that matter? It heads straight to illegal disposal. The raw material used to manufacture these gadgets then turns into the biggest hazard for the society.
“Mumbai generates 1000 tones of e-waste every month which is posing a grave threat for soil, trees and environment,” says Rajkumar Sharma, convener of Clean-sweep Forum, a city based NGO working to create awareness about e-waste. The NGO had recently organised a seminar in the city to create awareness on e-waste.
“It is high time we acted to find out appropriate solutions to the problem before it turned un-manageable like the solid waste. Most importantly, people must come to terms with so called donations from developed countries,” Sharma said. Many developed countries are dumping their e-waste in third world countries in the name of donations, he added.
“E-waste or Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is a waste type consisting of any broken or unwanted electrical or electronic device. Some define e-waste to include all secondary computers, entertainment devices, electronics, mobile phones and other items, whether they have been sold, donated, or discarded by their original owner,” says Abhishek Pratap, Toxins Campaigner of Greenpeace. Pratap feels that if treated properly, electronic waste is a valuable source for secondary raw materials. Otherwise it is a major source of toxins and carcinogens. Toxic substances in electronic waste may include lead, mercury, and cadmium. The un-sustainability of discarding electronics and computer technology is another reason for the need to reuse electronic waste, Pratap says.
“Uncontrolled burning, disassembly, and disposal are causing environmental and health problems, including occupational safety and health effects among those directly involved, due to the methods of processing the waste,” Pratap said. Experts feel that if the estimated amount of e-waste generated every year would be put into containers on a train it would go once around the world.
E-waste now makes up five percent of all municipal solid waste worldwide, nearly the same amount as all plastic packaging, but it is much more hazardous.
“Mobile phones and computers are causing the biggest problem because they are replaced most often,” Pratap said.
“There is an urgent need of proper co-ordination among the entire stake holders like the MPCB, BMC and forest department to find out best possible solution to the problem,” Sharma said. Clean sweep will soon launch a mass awareness programme on e-waste. “We feel that scientific disposal of electronic and electrical gadget is the responsibility of the manufacturers. They must take back discarded products for appropriate disposal or recycling,” Sharma said.

Snakes smuggling under the nose of forest dept officials.

In a major break through, the forest officials at Ahmedangar busted venom and illegal snake trade racket. The officials have arrested a self-proclaimed snake rescuer identified as Yusuf Khan, a resident of Paanch Peer Chavdi, Ahmednagar.
Acting on the information provided by Mumbai based Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) People in Defence of Animals (PIDA) a team of Ahmednagar forest department led by Range Forest Officer (Vigilance) DK Kapse raided the house of Yusuf Khan early morning on Tuesday.
In the initial search operation in the house forest officials seized few snakes like sand boa and tusker. But the officials got a shock of their life when it was revealed that some more snakes were kept in the basement of the house. After initial hesitation, the accused unlocked the room only to reveal 15 brown cobras and five kraits kept in boxes.
The news of the raid spread in the area like wildfire, and hundreds of people led by local corporator gathered at the house. The accused Yusuf Khan during preliminary interrogation claimed that he was supplier of Haffkine Institute and regularly supplied venom and live snakes to the institute. However, the public relations officer of the institute LS Patil could not be reached for his versions despite repeated efforts.
The situation in the area turned volatile when the forest officials seized all the snakes and arrested the accused. When the team was on its way back, local politicians intercepted the vehicle and even tried to manhandle forest officials. The founder president of PIDA Karim Khan said, “We had concrete information about the illegal trade being operated from Ahmednagar. After conducting investigations on our level, the information was passed on to the forest department officials.” There is much more into the matter than what meets the eyes. Thorough investigations can reveal a much bigger nexus of illegal venom and snake trade, Khan added. The divisional forest officer, Ahmednagar DD Gujela said, “It is definitely a serious matter. We will not leave any stone unturned to eradicate the nexus.” According to Karim Khan, the operators are involved in illegal sale of live reptiles like cobra, krait, python and even crocodile. “The cliental of the illegal snake traders is spread all over the country and even abroad. People from the cities like Mumbai, Pune and Chennai are regular clients,” Khan said. A famous film personality also possessed a python till recently. PIDA volunteers had prepared to raid the house. But the reptile was released in the forest when the information about the raid was leaked, Khan said.

Illegal beef in mumbai

In a blatant violation of municipal laws, thousands of kg beef is smuggled in the city every day. Shockingly, it is the flesh of immature calves below the age of six months.
According to information, illegal beef is smuggled in the city from Ahmednagar, Sangamner, Baramati, Faltan and Daund. “This is violation of municipal laws prohibiting supply of beef from outside the city BMC limits. The illegal trade needs to be stopped immediately as it poses a grave threat to human lives as well,” said Karim Khan, founder president of People in Defence of Animals (PIDA). Ahmednagar and Sangamner are major centres where immature calves are slaughtered illegally and the flesh is sent to Mumbai. Sources said that three illegal slaughter houses are operating in Sangamner and two in Ahmednagar. Abdul Haq and one Wahid are owners of two illegal slaughter houses in Ahmednagar while Haji Sabir, Shahid Sheikh and Abdul Karim, all residents of Bharat Nagar in Sangamner own the three illegal slaughter houses there.
The syndicate involved in illegal trade of calf beef operates highly systematically in nexus with police and octroi department officials of BMC. One of the traders from Sangamner, who is active in the business since last 15 years said that the animals for slaughter are purchased from villages and in some cases, even stolen from cattle-shades. “The animals are brought in Sangamner and slaughtered at three places. The flesh is ready to be transported to Mumbai by 5 pm and the trucks carrying the beef reach the city by 11 pm,” the trader said. In all nine trucks carrying around 2 tone beef each come to Mumbai every day, the trader revealed. “We have an understanding with BMC and Mumbai police which facilitate smooth movement of trucks to and from Mumbai,” the trader said. If he is to be believed, a hefty sum is paid to BMC and police officials every month.
Sources said that the trucks carrying illegal beef are parked at Mastan Talao, Nagpada, Dongri, Chaval Galli, Nalbazar, opposite to Saifee Ambulance Services in Bori Mohalla, Bhindi Bazar, Lucky Compound in Madanpura and Shivaji Nagar in Govandi till 4 am and then the beef is distributed to legal as well as illegal shops at Reay Road, Dock Yard Road and Madanpura. “We sale beef to traders in Mumbai at Rs 78 per kg who supply it to retail market at Rs 100-110 per kg,” said the trader from Sangamner. According to him Sabir Bhajiwale from Dongri, Mohammed Qureshi from Nagpada, Riyaz Qureshi from Madanpura and Farid Qureshi from Govandi are the main trades in Mumbai. “Sabir and Mohammed Qureshi purchase two trucks each while others purchase one truck each every day,” said Karim Khan. The beef is sold at more than 50 shops in the city, Khan said. “It is not just Ahmednagar or Sangamner. Huge quantity of illegal beef is smuggled in the city from Baramati, Faltan and Daund also. We have information that animals are slaughtered in forests around Pune,” Khan added. Repeated complaints with the police since last four years have proved futile. “We have even lodged complaints with the chief minister and the director general of police. But they have failed to control the smuggling,” Karim Khan said.

Flamingos are here!!!!!!!! At Mithi River for the first time!!!

Whether the desilting and deepening of Mithi river by Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has helped humans would be ascertained as the monsoon advances. But the work has definitely helped the winged visitors of the city, the flamingos.
For the first time, a flock of 11 lesser flamingos has camped at Mithi river since last three days. “It is the sign of rejuvenating ecology of the river. Now that the birds have arrived here, we must protect them,” said Avinash Kubal, deputy director of Maharashtra Nature Park and winner of Best Practical Wildlifer award of Wildlife Institute of India. The flock is most likely to stay here as lesser flamingos have become resident to many parts of the region over last few years, Kubal said.
“There are no records of flamingos visiting Mithi river. This is possibly for the first time ever that the birds are camping there,” said Adesh Shivkar, a bird expert.
The desilting and deepening of the river has resulted in increasing the quantity of sea water flowing in during high tide. As a result, many marine plants and algae also entered the river. “The blue-green algae grow in sea is the food of flamingos. Form ecological point of view, it is definitely encouraging development,” Kubal said.
The high level of pollution and degradation of the river had resulted in complete destruction of ecosystem. The situation started to deteriorate when the municipal corporation started dumping solid waste along the banks of the river around three decades back. “Since then, the winged visitors had stopped visiting Mithi river and there are no records of their visit during this period,” Kubal said.
The flock is currently restricted to a small portion behind Maharashtra Nature Park. The area on one side the river being densely populated and heavy development underway on the other, flamingos have no option but to remain in the small portion. “Given the trend in the known flamingo areas like Uran in Navi Mumbai, the flock at Mithi river is at grave risk of being poached.
Not only flamingos, even the lesser whistling ducks and brahmini ducks had also camped at the river for the first time last year, Shivkar said. “These birds are indicators of water pollution and status of ecology. The fact that these birds have started camping at Mithi river, is an indicator of reducing pollution in the river, he said. “This year flamingos camped at Worli village where they were never seen before. This is probably, due to formation of muddy beaches as a result of siltation,” Shivkar said. According to him, the juveniles and weak adults called as non-breeding residents can not fly back and prefer to stay here. “They are in constant search of muddy beaches to feed and camp at,” he said.

Poor Deer!!!!!

The fate of 70-odd spotted deers in captivity since last four decades at Powai garden hangs in balance. Lack of coordination between the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and state forest department officials regarding relocation of the animals has only added to miseries of the animals.
Despite repeated assurances to shift the deers out of the garden, the authorities have failed to do so. “Shifting spotted deers is a tricky business as it is very difficult to tranquilise them. There is very risk of mortality while transporting tranquilised deers over a long distance,” said a senior forest official.
The forest department officials have now decided to shift the deers to Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary that is over 70 km from Powai garden. “Shifting of the spotted deers from Powai garden to Sanjay Gandhi National Park can not be allowed as the SGNP is very unique forest and I am not ready to take any risk about it,” said B Majumdar, PCCF (Wildlife). The animals at Powai garden are not totally fit to be released in SGNP. They might contract diseases among animals there, he said.
Surprisingly, the forest department officials booked an offence against BMC officials in 2006 for illegal detention of wildlife and confiscated 120 kg of shed antlers from the garden. But no further action has been taken in the matter till date. “Ideally, all the deers should have been relocated immediately after the action. It is a serious violation of Wildlife Protection Act,” said Debi Goenka of Conservation Action Trust (CAT).
The BMC has started ambitious Rs 40 Cr renovation project at the garden. Environmentalists feel that due to the renovation project animals will land in serious trouble. “The spotted deers at the garden are in dire state and the situation turns really serious during monsoon every year. They are at the God’s mercy every year as whenever Powai lake overflows, the deers are worst hit,” said Elsie Gabriel, founder president of Young Environmentalist Programme Trust, a Powai based NGO.
“The municipal corporation will pay Rs 9.5 lakh to the forest department for relocation of the animals to Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary. The process of relocation will being once the payment is made and necessary arrangements are made at the sanctuary, that is likely to take three months,” said Madhukar Kamble, chief hydraulic engineer, BMC.
Environmentalists have strongly opposed the decision to relocate the deers to Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary. “We strongly object relocation of the deers at Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary. Given the distance of the sanctuary from Powai garden, it is not a viable idea,” said Sunish Subramanian of Plant and Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), Mumbai. PAWS had repeatedly raised objection over illegal detention of spotted deers at the garden. “The deers should be first placed under rehabilitation and gradually released in forest,” he said. “Shifting spotted deers to Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary will only increase the risk of poaching as the deers in Powai garden are used to human proximity,” said Krishna Tiwari of BNHS.

Tiger is here to stay!!!!! Long live the king!!!!

After the Wildlife Institute of India released the report on tiger population in the country, a can of worms was opened and the biggest conservation success story was turned into the biggest failure overnight.
However, the central and state governments immediately jumped into action and took corrective measures to ensure safety of the big cat. As a result many tiger reserves in the country have shown encouraging results, Ranthambhore being one of them having increased the tiger population to 41 from 22. Belinda Wright, executive director of Wildlife Protection Society of India feel that given the efforts of central as well as state governments, the big cat has a bright future in the country.
Q. Would the nation see tigers after 50 years from now?
A. “Let me put it like this. 50 years ago, when I was five years old, we never saw as many tigers as people see today. The big cat survived tremendous pressure it was reeling under five decades ago. It has an ability to bounce back and overcome disasters.” The tiger will stay here. “I am optimistic about it.”
Q. How poachers manage to kill the tiger and transport the body out of the country right under the nose of government?
A. It is not that the government or the forest departments were not warned. NGOs and environmentalists persistently highlighted the organised tiger poaching syndicate. However, the policy makers continued to deny the facts until we came to know that tigers have been wiped out from Sariska in 2003. General public or the NGOs have access to some part of tiger reserves. But it is not the case with poachers. They can penetrate to any part of the reserve. They are much more sophisticated than the forest department officials.
Q. What should the government do to protect the national animal?
A. The only best way is to keep poachers away from tigers. The turn around at Ranthambhore is the result of dedicated and whole hearted efforts. The park administration there has been successful in driving poachers away. The result is visible now. Despite adverse conditions tiger reserves like Nagarhole in Karnataka, Ranthambhore in Rajasthan and Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra are doing well and the big cat is in safe hands here.
Q. What attracts the poachers to this magnificent animal?
A. Money offcourse. Huge money is involved in tiger trade with demand for its parts from all over the world especially China. Tiger is worth far more when dead than when alive. Villagers are used for much larger networks of organised wildlife criminals. Field investigators working for the WPSI have uncovered an incredible degree of sophistication among hardcore wildlife criminals. Large sums of money have been recovered from arrested criminals, along with mobile phones and modern firearms.
Q. What is your opinion about the demand of Chinese government to allow trade in tiger parts?
A. The world must oppose it strongly. It will pose even more threat to the wild cat. They claim to have around 5000 tigers in breeding farms across China. But the demand is so high that poachers will target tigers in India.
Q. Would the fund of Rs 50 crore earmarked by Finance Minister for tiger protection be any help?
A. Yes definitely. Though meagre, but we must feel happy that for the first time after independence, tiger had a mention in budget speech of finance minister.
Q. Can Sariska revive?
A. Yes. Tiger has tremendous ability to overcome all odds and given enough protection, Sariska can regain the lost glory.
Q. What is the destination of tiger parts?
A. Tiger parts are destined solely for foreign countries – largely China. Skins are in demand for coat trimmings, while bones and other parts are used in traditional medicines in different parts of the world. The demand has led wildlife criminals in India to collaborate closely with their counterparts in neighbouring countries like Nepal and Tibet.