Despite the clear indications from the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (WL), about the adverse effects of mining project in Lohara forest, the state forest minister seems to be determined to overlook the letter and continue with the mining proposal of Adani Power Limited.
The high level of opposition from environmentalists to the project was evident during the first and probably the last meeting of 10-member study group formed to recommend measures to reduce effects of mining on the flora and fauna around Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), held at Chandrapur on Friday. The meeting was convened at the office of conservator of forest, North Chandrapur forest circle.
Amidst strong protests, two of the 10-member study group resigned while another one walked out of the meeting questioning the basic motive behind constituting the committee.
"The methodology adopted by the study group is an eyewash, a mere formality to hush the voice of protesting conservationists. The basic question, which I pressed through hunger strike during last assembly winter session, of not allowing the project in Lohara near Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) was not discussed at all," said Bandu Dhotre, president of Eco-Pro, a Chandrapur based NGO.
During the meeting, APL officials tried their level to convince how the mine and flora and fauna in Lohara jungles can co-exist, which is a streak contrast to his demand, Dhotre pointed out. "While the APL officers in the group are trying hard to convince their point, the forest officials, who should be expressing concern regarding the possible eco-disturbance that might occur due to the project, appeared to be mere spectators," Dhotre said.
He resigned from the study group and walked out of the meeting as a mark of protest. Eco-Pro has filed a PIL which is pending with Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court and hence taking up proceedings regarding government level clearance to the mine without intimating the judicial bench will be held as contempt of court, Dhotre claimed.
Suresh Chopne of Green Planet Society, who is member of the study group, submitted a letter saying how the mine would be destructive for the environmental balance and the flora and fauna in Lohara forest and walked out of the meeting.
"Hence forth, I will not participate in the proceedings of the study group. I have already voiced my opinion on the issue in writing before the CCF and nodal officer Shailendra Bahadur," Chopne declared adding that the struggle against the mine in Lohara jungle would continue.
Registering strong protest against the mine another member of the study group Swananad Soni, of Srushti, a Nagpur based NGO said, "I have already raised questions over the wildlife conservation plan presented by APL officials and sought some explanations. I will be resigning from the study group." Another NGO member Arvind Sovani too questioned the motive behind constituting the study group and lodged protest against the mining project in Lohara forest.
When contacted, Bahadur, who is convener of the study group, claimed that proceedings of the meeting were running smoothly but admitted to the fact that a member had resignation. "Dhotre needs to forward his resignation from the group to the government, as I have no power of accepting such resignation. Jayant Kulkarni of NGO Envirosearch has presented the Adani's wildlife conservation plan and suggestions, queries raised by all the members are being recorded," said Bahadur.
The forest department officials, apparently appear to be in a great hurry to rush Adani coal mine project in Lohara jungle. According to social activist Rajendra Vaidya, the study group was to proceed on field visit only after the APL officials had finished with their complete presentation of wildlife conservation report. However, while only one phase of the report was presented before lunch, other members led by convener Shailendra Bahadur rushed to the field visit skipping the second phase of the meeting where the second part of the report was to be presented. Vaidya returned for post lunch sessions of the meeting as per the schedule only to find that the group had left for the field visit skipping. "Bahadur did not even have the courtesy of informing me about their decision of calling off the meeting," Vaidya protested.
The first meeting of the study group turned out to be the last one as no more meetings of the group will be held in future. CCF and convener of study group Shailendra Bahadur said, "Nearly 90% work of the group is accomplished. The suggestions and objection of the members of the group have been recorded. The phase of field visit and interaction with local people, different forest committees and officers will be accomplished on Saturday. Later the five days long formality of detailed study of wildlife conservation plan will be accomplished before tabling the final report of the study group entailed with the suggestions and objections from the members before PCCF (wildlife)," said Bahadur adding that no more meeting of the study group would be held any further.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
E Waste recycling facility for Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
Ashwin Aghor
The Mumbai metropolitan region will soon be relieved of the ever growing problem of e-waste. The state government will start a first of its kind plant for scientific recycling of e-waste generated in the region.
“E-waste has become a serious cause of concern for the society and the problem needs to be addressed effectively on priority,” said environment secretary Valsa Nair. The environment department of the state government along with MMRDA will soon start a formal e-waste recycling facility in the region through public private partnership. “The pre-feasibility study conducted by IRG Systems has given highly encouraging results. The report submitted two weeks back, shows that such facility, if created in the MMR, would be highly feasible,” Nair said.
According to research conducted by Greenpeace, Mumbai tops the country with around 50,000 tones of e-waste every year, projected to increase to three lakh tones per annum by the year 2011. The entire e-waste is recycled in un-organised sector under highly hazardous conditions. “The manner in which e-waste is presently recycled, is highly harmful for environment and human health as well,” Nair said. At present total e-waste generation in Mumbai and Pune is to the tune of five lakh metric tones per annum.
Nair said that currently, e-waste is recycled by only two steps like dismentaling and segregating, while recovery of valuable metals and resource recovery are not at all happening. “The major reason for this is that resource recovery facility is available only in Belgium, which proves to be very costly for the recyclers,” Nair said.
The state environment department has completed the study and now MMRDA will invite tenders to set up the facility. “MPCB and the department of environment provided technical support while MMRDA will take care of inviting tenders and providing land for the plant,” Nair said. Tenders will be invited by the end of July and the plant is expected to be completely functional by next year. The plant has become one of the urgent needs of the region as e-waste generation in MMR is expected to be doubled by the year 2050, Nair said.
“The project will be implemented in phased manner. In the first phase, the capacity of the plant would be 7500 tones per annum, which would be increased later. We have plans to start resource recovery facility at the plant in future,” Nair said.
Once the plant is functional, the contractor will establish e-waste collection channel in the region.
Box:
What is E-waste
Electronic waste, e-waste is a waste type consisting of any broken or unwanted electrical or electronic device. Some define electronic 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. This definition includes used electronics which are destined for reuse, resale, salvage, recycling or disposal.
How and why is e-waste hazardous?
If treated properly, electronic waste is a valuable source for secondary raw materials. However, if not treated properly, it is a major source of toxins and carcinogens. Toxic substances in electronic waste may include lead, mercury, and cadmium. Carcinogenic substances in electronic waste may include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Up to thirty-eight separate chemical elements are incorporated into electronic waste items. The un-sustainability of discarding electronics and computer technology is another reason for the need to recycle – or perhaps more practically, reuse – electronic waste. Guiyu in the Shantou region of China, and Delhi and Bangalore in India, all have electronic waste processing areas. 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.
The Mumbai metropolitan region will soon be relieved of the ever growing problem of e-waste. The state government will start a first of its kind plant for scientific recycling of e-waste generated in the region.
“E-waste has become a serious cause of concern for the society and the problem needs to be addressed effectively on priority,” said environment secretary Valsa Nair. The environment department of the state government along with MMRDA will soon start a formal e-waste recycling facility in the region through public private partnership. “The pre-feasibility study conducted by IRG Systems has given highly encouraging results. The report submitted two weeks back, shows that such facility, if created in the MMR, would be highly feasible,” Nair said.
According to research conducted by Greenpeace, Mumbai tops the country with around 50,000 tones of e-waste every year, projected to increase to three lakh tones per annum by the year 2011. The entire e-waste is recycled in un-organised sector under highly hazardous conditions. “The manner in which e-waste is presently recycled, is highly harmful for environment and human health as well,” Nair said. At present total e-waste generation in Mumbai and Pune is to the tune of five lakh metric tones per annum.
Nair said that currently, e-waste is recycled by only two steps like dismentaling and segregating, while recovery of valuable metals and resource recovery are not at all happening. “The major reason for this is that resource recovery facility is available only in Belgium, which proves to be very costly for the recyclers,” Nair said.
The state environment department has completed the study and now MMRDA will invite tenders to set up the facility. “MPCB and the department of environment provided technical support while MMRDA will take care of inviting tenders and providing land for the plant,” Nair said. Tenders will be invited by the end of July and the plant is expected to be completely functional by next year. The plant has become one of the urgent needs of the region as e-waste generation in MMR is expected to be doubled by the year 2050, Nair said.
“The project will be implemented in phased manner. In the first phase, the capacity of the plant would be 7500 tones per annum, which would be increased later. We have plans to start resource recovery facility at the plant in future,” Nair said.
Once the plant is functional, the contractor will establish e-waste collection channel in the region.
Box:
What is E-waste
Electronic waste, e-waste is a waste type consisting of any broken or unwanted electrical or electronic device. Some define electronic 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. This definition includes used electronics which are destined for reuse, resale, salvage, recycling or disposal.
How and why is e-waste hazardous?
If treated properly, electronic waste is a valuable source for secondary raw materials. However, if not treated properly, it is a major source of toxins and carcinogens. Toxic substances in electronic waste may include lead, mercury, and cadmium. Carcinogenic substances in electronic waste may include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Up to thirty-eight separate chemical elements are incorporated into electronic waste items. The un-sustainability of discarding electronics and computer technology is another reason for the need to recycle – or perhaps more practically, reuse – electronic waste. Guiyu in the Shantou region of China, and Delhi and Bangalore in India, all have electronic waste processing areas. 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.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Snow leopard at Kargil!!!!
After the first photographic evidence of black leopard near Kolhapur, its cousin snow leopard has been photographed for the first time in Kargil. The WWF-India researcher Aishwarya Maheshwari encountered the elusive cat on June 13.
“This is the first photographic evidence of snow leopard in Kargil and Drass sector of Jammu and Kashmir. Though locals claim to have seen the animal, there was no evidence of presence of the big cat,” said Ameen Ahmed, senior communications manager, WWF-India. According to him, till date, there was no study of wildlife in the area. “WWF-India has undertaken the base line study of wildlife in Kargil and Drass sector for the first time,” Ahmed said.
“I was on the frontier of India’s remotest wildness, to study wildlife. Kargil, among largest districts of India, is best known in recent history for the major military conflict that occurred here in 1999. This unfortunately overshadowed the region’s rich wildlife. For, it is here that one of world’s most elusive creatures- the snow leopard, roams wild and free,” said Maheshwari. During his interaction with locals, Maheshwari learnt about the tremendous decline in wildlife sightings, post-1999 Kargil war. So much so that even the common resident birds had disappeared.
“It was on June 13, I was observing Kargil’s hills like any other day. This day, started at 7:30 am from the village Kanji, located 3850 meter above sea level and some 70 km from Kargil town. I was on my way up field assistants - three local youth, one of whom was a forest guard.” Maheshwari said. Four km into the trek they came across a herd of Asiatic Ibex, a species of mountain goat. As they moved along the dusty, rocky path, indirect evidences of the presence of carnivores like pug marks and scat of snow leopard and Tibetan wolf like started coming up.
“At around 4:40pm, a huge cloud of dust rose from where the Ibex were grazing. The view through my binoculars suddenly became hazy. All I could see was the wild goats running helter-skelter, in almost every direction. I wanted to find the reason and desperately panned my binoculars in all directions. But, the dust that arose made it difficult to find the cause of this commotion,” Maheshwari said.
He was excited at something rarely experienced. “Amidst confusion, I was trying to get a clear view with trembling hands and spotted a tail in the speaks of dust, and it was not a wolf,” he said. It was snow leopard, that had silently stalked the herd. But the goats actually outsmarted it and gave it a miss and reappeared on a nearby ridge. After the failed attempt, the snow leopard went to a cliff, looked down on a vast valley of stones and rocks. Soon everyone in the group wanted to have a glimpse of one of the world’s rarest cats. “Though they were locals, the field assistants, surprisingly, had never seen one before. The guard had seen it six years ago, but that was probably for just a second,” Maheshwari said.
The Snow Leopard stayed put in front of the group for seven minutes. “As it was barely 300-400 meter away, I was tempted to go closer and capture the animal in camera. At the end of the shortest seven minutes of my life, it got up and went to the other side of the hill out of our sight,” Maheshwari said. Still hopeful of seeing it, he followed the Ibex herd anticipating that the wild cat would comeback to hunt them. “Early next morning, fresh scat and unclear pug marks were found on the same path. I climbed the same hill, which I had ascended last evening, but there was no snow leopard,” he said.
“This is the first photographic evidence of snow leopard in Kargil and Drass sector of Jammu and Kashmir. Though locals claim to have seen the animal, there was no evidence of presence of the big cat,” said Ameen Ahmed, senior communications manager, WWF-India. According to him, till date, there was no study of wildlife in the area. “WWF-India has undertaken the base line study of wildlife in Kargil and Drass sector for the first time,” Ahmed said.
“I was on the frontier of India’s remotest wildness, to study wildlife. Kargil, among largest districts of India, is best known in recent history for the major military conflict that occurred here in 1999. This unfortunately overshadowed the region’s rich wildlife. For, it is here that one of world’s most elusive creatures- the snow leopard, roams wild and free,” said Maheshwari. During his interaction with locals, Maheshwari learnt about the tremendous decline in wildlife sightings, post-1999 Kargil war. So much so that even the common resident birds had disappeared.
“It was on June 13, I was observing Kargil’s hills like any other day. This day, started at 7:30 am from the village Kanji, located 3850 meter above sea level and some 70 km from Kargil town. I was on my way up field assistants - three local youth, one of whom was a forest guard.” Maheshwari said. Four km into the trek they came across a herd of Asiatic Ibex, a species of mountain goat. As they moved along the dusty, rocky path, indirect evidences of the presence of carnivores like pug marks and scat of snow leopard and Tibetan wolf like started coming up.
“At around 4:40pm, a huge cloud of dust rose from where the Ibex were grazing. The view through my binoculars suddenly became hazy. All I could see was the wild goats running helter-skelter, in almost every direction. I wanted to find the reason and desperately panned my binoculars in all directions. But, the dust that arose made it difficult to find the cause of this commotion,” Maheshwari said.
He was excited at something rarely experienced. “Amidst confusion, I was trying to get a clear view with trembling hands and spotted a tail in the speaks of dust, and it was not a wolf,” he said. It was snow leopard, that had silently stalked the herd. But the goats actually outsmarted it and gave it a miss and reappeared on a nearby ridge. After the failed attempt, the snow leopard went to a cliff, looked down on a vast valley of stones and rocks. Soon everyone in the group wanted to have a glimpse of one of the world’s rarest cats. “Though they were locals, the field assistants, surprisingly, had never seen one before. The guard had seen it six years ago, but that was probably for just a second,” Maheshwari said.
The Snow Leopard stayed put in front of the group for seven minutes. “As it was barely 300-400 meter away, I was tempted to go closer and capture the animal in camera. At the end of the shortest seven minutes of my life, it got up and went to the other side of the hill out of our sight,” Maheshwari said. Still hopeful of seeing it, he followed the Ibex herd anticipating that the wild cat would comeback to hunt them. “Early next morning, fresh scat and unclear pug marks were found on the same path. I climbed the same hill, which I had ascended last evening, but there was no snow leopard,” he said.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Black Leopard near Kolhapur
Ashwin Aghor
Amidst reports of habitat destruction causing extinction of many species, environmentalists and wildlife enthusiasts have a reason to rejoice. Two trekkers have claimed to have seen a black leopard in Sindhudurg district. And this is for the first time since 1942, that black leopard was seen in the region.
Sachin Kondekar and Abhijit Yadav, from Kolhapur had gone to Manohar Mansantosh, the twin forts between Amboli and Padgaon on June 3. “While we were following a regular trail, both of us noticed movement of a strange animal at around 7.45 am on the hill nearby,” said Kondekar. Initially, both of them were confused about the creature climbing down the hill. “After a closer look from binoculars, we both were thrilled to know that it was indeed a black leopard,” Kondekar said.
Regular trekkers, Yadav and Kondekar have encountered many wild animals like bison, antelopes and even snakes, in the forests of Kolhapur district. “But, this time we were lucky to see a black leopard, which was last seen 67 years back. Infact, the last black leopard seen in the region was hunted by Chhatrapati Rajaram in the forests of Radhanagri Dajipur in 1942,” Kondekar said. The stuffed trophy of the animal is currently on display at New Palace belonging to the royal family of Kolhapur.
The conservator of forests (wildlife), Kolhapur MK Rao confirmed the report. “There were reports of black leopard sighting from the area around Amboli and Padgaon. But till date we did not have any evidence. Though the pictures of the animal are taken from very long distance, from the characteristics of the animal visible in the image, we can very well ascertain that it is a black leopard,” Rao said. He said that there were reports of black leopard sighting near Tilhari Dam in Chandgad taluka in 1985. But the same could not be confirmed as there was no concrete evidence, he added.
According to naturalist Sunjoy Monga, there are records of presence of black leopards in the forests of Dandeli on Karnataka-Maharashtra border. “It is a melanistic form which is found in high density forests of Western Ghats and north India,” Monga said. Environmental designer Vibhas Amonkar had seen black leopard near Mahabaleshwar in 2002. “It was during one of my trips to Mahabaleshwar to prepare development master plan for the town. I encountered black leopard while on walk,” Amonkar said.
Box:
Melanism is an increased amount of black or nearly black pigmentation of skin, feathers or hair, resulting from presence of melanin. More technically, it refers to a phenotype in which the pigmentation of an organism is entirely, or nearly entirely, expressed. Melanism is often the result of genetic mutation, but can result from other stimuli, such as exposure to abnormal temperature changes during gestation which transiently alter gene transcript. Melanism has been shown to occur in a variety of animals, including mammals like squirrels and many felines, reptiles like coral snakes and insects like peppered moth.
Melanism among felines is due to changes in the agouti gene which controls banding of black and light areas on the hair shaft. Leopards and jaguars with this condition are often called black panther. One good example of melanism expressed within a certain animal community is that of the leopard population in Malaysia, South East Asia, in which case up to 50% of the population has melanism. That is apparently due to them being more cryptic in their dusky rainforest habitat. In the leopard, melanism is due to a recessive gene mutation meaning that two spotted leopards carrying the gene may produce black cubs, but black leopards will breed true when mated together.
Amidst reports of habitat destruction causing extinction of many species, environmentalists and wildlife enthusiasts have a reason to rejoice. Two trekkers have claimed to have seen a black leopard in Sindhudurg district. And this is for the first time since 1942, that black leopard was seen in the region.
Sachin Kondekar and Abhijit Yadav, from Kolhapur had gone to Manohar Mansantosh, the twin forts between Amboli and Padgaon on June 3. “While we were following a regular trail, both of us noticed movement of a strange animal at around 7.45 am on the hill nearby,” said Kondekar. Initially, both of them were confused about the creature climbing down the hill. “After a closer look from binoculars, we both were thrilled to know that it was indeed a black leopard,” Kondekar said.
Regular trekkers, Yadav and Kondekar have encountered many wild animals like bison, antelopes and even snakes, in the forests of Kolhapur district. “But, this time we were lucky to see a black leopard, which was last seen 67 years back. Infact, the last black leopard seen in the region was hunted by Chhatrapati Rajaram in the forests of Radhanagri Dajipur in 1942,” Kondekar said. The stuffed trophy of the animal is currently on display at New Palace belonging to the royal family of Kolhapur.
The conservator of forests (wildlife), Kolhapur MK Rao confirmed the report. “There were reports of black leopard sighting from the area around Amboli and Padgaon. But till date we did not have any evidence. Though the pictures of the animal are taken from very long distance, from the characteristics of the animal visible in the image, we can very well ascertain that it is a black leopard,” Rao said. He said that there were reports of black leopard sighting near Tilhari Dam in Chandgad taluka in 1985. But the same could not be confirmed as there was no concrete evidence, he added.
According to naturalist Sunjoy Monga, there are records of presence of black leopards in the forests of Dandeli on Karnataka-Maharashtra border. “It is a melanistic form which is found in high density forests of Western Ghats and north India,” Monga said. Environmental designer Vibhas Amonkar had seen black leopard near Mahabaleshwar in 2002. “It was during one of my trips to Mahabaleshwar to prepare development master plan for the town. I encountered black leopard while on walk,” Amonkar said.
Box:
Melanism is an increased amount of black or nearly black pigmentation of skin, feathers or hair, resulting from presence of melanin. More technically, it refers to a phenotype in which the pigmentation of an organism is entirely, or nearly entirely, expressed. Melanism is often the result of genetic mutation, but can result from other stimuli, such as exposure to abnormal temperature changes during gestation which transiently alter gene transcript. Melanism has been shown to occur in a variety of animals, including mammals like squirrels and many felines, reptiles like coral snakes and insects like peppered moth.
Melanism among felines is due to changes in the agouti gene which controls banding of black and light areas on the hair shaft. Leopards and jaguars with this condition are often called black panther. One good example of melanism expressed within a certain animal community is that of the leopard population in Malaysia, South East Asia, in which case up to 50% of the population has melanism. That is apparently due to them being more cryptic in their dusky rainforest habitat. In the leopard, melanism is due to a recessive gene mutation meaning that two spotted leopards carrying the gene may produce black cubs, but black leopards will breed true when mated together.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Katni Gang killed two sloth bears
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.
Box:
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.
“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.
Box:
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.
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.
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