BHOPAL: With its tiger population dwindling sharply over the last two years, a worried Madhya Pradesh government will deploy a Special Tiger
Protection Force in its three tiger reserves of Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Pench to arrest the big cat's rapid decline.
The state government took the decision as it does not want to lose its 'Tiger State' tag to Karnataka due to the falling number of the big cats, according to a forest department official. The number of tigers in the state is reported to have dropped from 300 in 2007 to 232 in 2009, he said.
A tiger census conducted by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in 2007 put the number of big cats in Madhya Pradesh at 300, followed by Karnataka with 290. However, another census conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in 2008 has put the population in five tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh at 232 - with 89 big cats in Kanha, 47 in Bandhavgarh, 39 in Satpura, 33 in Pench and 24 in Panna.
However, in April this year a four-member central inquiry committee announced that Panna had no tigers since January. "It is regrettable that not even one tiger is left in Panna," committee chairman and former NTCA director P.K. Sen had said after visiting the tiger reserve in eastern Madhya Pradesh.
Concerned over the report, the Madhya Pradesh government formed a six-member committee to look into the matter. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also transferred the field directors of Panna, Kanha and Bandhavgarh national parks late last month. "Now a Special Tiger Protection Force is on the anvil to protect the big cats in the various tiger reserves of the state," a senior wild life official said, not wishing to be identified as he is not authorized to speak to the media.
The state Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, H.S. Pabla, admitted that the tiger population in Panna had decreased but said the figure has remained constant in other reserves of the state.
Minister of State for Forests Rajendra Shukla last week instructed departmental officers to expedite the constitution of the Special Tiger Protection Force. Every company of the force would comprise 112 jawans, three sub-inspectors and six head constables and be headed by a deputy superintendent of police.
Constables of the force will be on deputation from the local police department and be below 40 years of age. Their deputation will continue till the police department creates permanent posts for the force.
The force will work under the control and guidance of the tiger reserve's Field Director, who will send a monthly report about it to the National Tiger Protection Authority. The cops will be exclusively for tiger protection and be empowered to use firearms in dealing with poachers and organized criminals within the periphery of the reserves.
Officers of the state police department and central forces will impart training to the constables on skill development, dealing with poaching and acting on information.
News Courtesy:- Economy Times
Sunday, July 5, 2009
CEC opposes NHAI Road Project in Pench Tiger Reserve
NEW DELHI: In a boost to wildlife lobby, Supreme Court-appointed Centrally Empowered Committee (CEC) has shot down a controversial proposal of the National Highways Authority of India's (NHAI) to widen a road passing through Pench Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, contending that it will be a threat to animals and the fragile ecosystem.
In the report submitted to the apex court last week, the CEC members said that the widening of the road connecting Nagpur to Jabalpur from two lanes to four lanes will increase traffic frequency in the area, scaring the animals, including endangered species like tigers and gaurs in the region, which may fall victim to the speeding vehicles.
The CEC also rejected the NHAI's alternative Rs 600- crore plan to build 13 bridges and underpass on the route so that wildlife movement is not hampered, a source said.
The highway project which is a part of the North-South corridor covers a distance of 8.7 kilometer and passes through the tiger reserve and the reserve forest contiguous.
It was referred to the panel after the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) moved a petition for stopping the project alleging that road widening would fragment wildlife habitat and restrict movement of already dwindling wildlife between Pench and Kanha Tiger Reserve.
The members have, however, have not sought closing down of the road but suggested that only light vehicles at a specified speed should be permitted while a complete ban be imposed on night traffic to prevent animal casualty.
News Courtesy Economic Times
In the report submitted to the apex court last week, the CEC members said that the widening of the road connecting Nagpur to Jabalpur from two lanes to four lanes will increase traffic frequency in the area, scaring the animals, including endangered species like tigers and gaurs in the region, which may fall victim to the speeding vehicles.
The CEC also rejected the NHAI's alternative Rs 600- crore plan to build 13 bridges and underpass on the route so that wildlife movement is not hampered, a source said.
The highway project which is a part of the North-South corridor covers a distance of 8.7 kilometer and passes through the tiger reserve and the reserve forest contiguous.
It was referred to the panel after the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) moved a petition for stopping the project alleging that road widening would fragment wildlife habitat and restrict movement of already dwindling wildlife between Pench and Kanha Tiger Reserve.
The members have, however, have not sought closing down of the road but suggested that only light vehicles at a specified speed should be permitted while a complete ban be imposed on night traffic to prevent animal casualty.
News Courtesy Economic Times
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Centre clears translocation of 4 Tigers to Panna National Park
New Delhi : After losing all its tigers to poaching, Panna Tiger Reserve is set to get a second chance. The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has cleared a proposal to trans locate two tigers and two tigresses to the reserve. But in a letter to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the MoEF has made it clear that it expects action to be taken after the “Panna disaster”.
The letter, sent by MoEF Minister Jairam Ramesh, calls for “urgent administrative and ecological actions”, saying “responsibility should be fixed on erring officials as pointed out in the SIT report and disciplinary action be taken”. Seeking personal intervention of the CM in Panna, the letter has asked for a follow-up action report and directed that a site-specific security plan be drawn up for Panna. As already reported by The Indian Express, a probe by the SIT, set up by the Centre, found that senior officials ignored all warnings regarding Panna, resulting in the loss of more than 40 tigers to poaching.
“I solicit your personal intervention for early action indicated, to avoid Panna-type disasters,” said the letter, and asked for the phasing out of tourism activities from the core areas of Panna and moving it to buffer areas. “The guidelines and red alerts sent by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) were ignored (in Panna),” the letter points out, citing the SIT observations.
The states ignoring NTCA’s warnings is a common occurrence since wildlife is a concurrent subject. This is now set to end as the Cabinet has okayed bringing the position of NTCA member secretary at par with the Chief Wildlife Warden at the state-level.
“This will strengthen the NTCA’s position,” Ramesh told The Indian Express.
In the past, states have often ignored NTCA advisories on issues like transfer of officials, culling of maneaters and notifying buffer zones for tiger reserves. This had reduced the NTCA to little more than a fund-giving body for the Centrally sponsored Project Tiger scheme.
Madhya Pradesh has been at loggerheads with the NTCA on the Panna issue, declaring that it had enough tigers in the reserve as late as March 2009. However, a Wildlife Institute of India camera trap survey in February showed that tigers had completely vanished from Panna.
The genetic stock of Panna was lost after all its tigers were poached between 2002 and 2009. Currently, the reserve only has two tigresses, translocated to Panna from Kanha and Bandhavgarh after it was learnt that there were no big cats left in the reserve.
The four tigers will now be moved as per a new tiger trans location protocol. The new protocol is a response to a spate of local tiger extinctions in the country, starting with Sariska in Rajasthan in 2005, and now Panna, which necessitates moving tigers from other parts of the country to these reserves.
The letter, sent by MoEF Minister Jairam Ramesh, calls for “urgent administrative and ecological actions”, saying “responsibility should be fixed on erring officials as pointed out in the SIT report and disciplinary action be taken”. Seeking personal intervention of the CM in Panna, the letter has asked for a follow-up action report and directed that a site-specific security plan be drawn up for Panna. As already reported by The Indian Express, a probe by the SIT, set up by the Centre, found that senior officials ignored all warnings regarding Panna, resulting in the loss of more than 40 tigers to poaching.
“I solicit your personal intervention for early action indicated, to avoid Panna-type disasters,” said the letter, and asked for the phasing out of tourism activities from the core areas of Panna and moving it to buffer areas. “The guidelines and red alerts sent by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) were ignored (in Panna),” the letter points out, citing the SIT observations.
The states ignoring NTCA’s warnings is a common occurrence since wildlife is a concurrent subject. This is now set to end as the Cabinet has okayed bringing the position of NTCA member secretary at par with the Chief Wildlife Warden at the state-level.
“This will strengthen the NTCA’s position,” Ramesh told The Indian Express.
In the past, states have often ignored NTCA advisories on issues like transfer of officials, culling of maneaters and notifying buffer zones for tiger reserves. This had reduced the NTCA to little more than a fund-giving body for the Centrally sponsored Project Tiger scheme.
Madhya Pradesh has been at loggerheads with the NTCA on the Panna issue, declaring that it had enough tigers in the reserve as late as March 2009. However, a Wildlife Institute of India camera trap survey in February showed that tigers had completely vanished from Panna.
The genetic stock of Panna was lost after all its tigers were poached between 2002 and 2009. Currently, the reserve only has two tigresses, translocated to Panna from Kanha and Bandhavgarh after it was learnt that there were no big cats left in the reserve.
The four tigers will now be moved as per a new tiger trans location protocol. The new protocol is a response to a spate of local tiger extinctions in the country, starting with Sariska in Rajasthan in 2005, and now Panna, which necessitates moving tigers from other parts of the country to these reserves.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Conservation Through Photography: Grand Success of Wildlife Photography Workshop By Mr.Kalyan Verma
Celebration Group of Hotels and Resort pleased to inform that The Grand Sucess of Workshop on Wildlife Photography held at Celebration Van Vilas Kanha National Park from 21 to 23 May 2009.
Mr.Kalyan Verma clear the doubts on wildlife photography, he also helped participants how take better picture in wild. This workshop helped the participants how to go in advance level of photography from basic.
The workshop contains lecture on photography with reference images and how to improve your skill while taking the images.
Spacial thanks Mr.Chavan of WWF who gave his lecture on Wildlife conservation.
Overall the workshop was big hit among the people.
In the month of November 2009 second workshop will take place at Celebration Van Vilas Kanha and Bandhavgarh National Park respectively.
For more information on 2nd Workshop on Wildlife Photography please call Mr.Rajesh Singh (Group GM) 09425203151 or email at vanvilaskanha@yahoo.com and sales@celebrationworld.in
Mr.Kalyan Verma clear the doubts on wildlife photography, he also helped participants how take better picture in wild. This workshop helped the participants how to go in advance level of photography from basic.
The workshop contains lecture on photography with reference images and how to improve your skill while taking the images.
Spacial thanks Mr.Chavan of WWF who gave his lecture on Wildlife conservation.
Overall the workshop was big hit among the people.
In the month of November 2009 second workshop will take place at Celebration Van Vilas Kanha and Bandhavgarh National Park respectively.
For more information on 2nd Workshop on Wildlife Photography please call Mr.Rajesh Singh (Group GM) 09425203151 or email at vanvilaskanha@yahoo.com and sales@celebrationworld.in
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Goa has its first Tigress with Cub
Panaji (IANS): Even as the Royal Bengal tiger appears to have virtually disappeared from renowned reserve forests like Sariska and Ranthambore in Rajasthan, pug marks of a tigress and a cub have been spotted for the first time in Goa's Mhadei wildlife sanctuary.
Officials of the Forest Department, which is grappling with a tiger-poaching probe, spotted the fresh pug marks May 12 in the decade-old sanctuary, about 60 km from here. The marks were only a short distance from the area where a tiger was allegedly killed by poachers last month.
Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Shashi Kumar told IANS that the sighting proved that the wildlife sanctuary had proved to be an ideal habitat for tigers.
The sighting occurred near the Anjunem dam. From the footprints, it appears that a tigress was walking her cub along the edge of the reservoir. It is an amazing development. It is a great sign considering the fact that tigers have disappeared from some of the top reserve forests in the country said Mr. Kumar.
They may have visited the sanctuary from the adjoining forests in Maharashtra or Karnataka, which has contiguous forest cover. We have never had direct evidence about the existence of a tiger in our forests," he added.
Commenting on the status of the investigation into tiger poaching, Mr. Kumar said that forest officials were having a tough time collecting hard evidence despite the fact that local residents acknowledged the incident.
The statements given by the people arrested change every now and then. We have arrested a couple of people who are experts at making and laying out traps and those who have been arrested for poaching in the past. But not much evidence has been forthcoming," said Mr. Kumar.
The killing of a tiger, which is protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, is a grave offense.
Mr. Kumar said the department had been unable to seize the mobile phone, which was used to photograph the dead beast. The poaching incident came to light after the photograph was published in a national daily newspaper last month by wildlife activist Rajendra Kerkar.
We have attached a computer hard disc on which we suspect the photograph of the dead tiger was stored. We will be sending it to technical experts so that it can be scanned for any incriminating evidence," said Kumar said.
The Mhadei wildlife sanctuary is located in Goa's northernmost Sattari taluk and is spread across 208 sq. m. It was notified in 1999.
New Courtesy www.hindu.com
Officials of the Forest Department, which is grappling with a tiger-poaching probe, spotted the fresh pug marks May 12 in the decade-old sanctuary, about 60 km from here. The marks were only a short distance from the area where a tiger was allegedly killed by poachers last month.
Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Shashi Kumar told IANS that the sighting proved that the wildlife sanctuary had proved to be an ideal habitat for tigers.
The sighting occurred near the Anjunem dam. From the footprints, it appears that a tigress was walking her cub along the edge of the reservoir. It is an amazing development. It is a great sign considering the fact that tigers have disappeared from some of the top reserve forests in the country said Mr. Kumar.
They may have visited the sanctuary from the adjoining forests in Maharashtra or Karnataka, which has contiguous forest cover. We have never had direct evidence about the existence of a tiger in our forests," he added.
Commenting on the status of the investigation into tiger poaching, Mr. Kumar said that forest officials were having a tough time collecting hard evidence despite the fact that local residents acknowledged the incident.
The statements given by the people arrested change every now and then. We have arrested a couple of people who are experts at making and laying out traps and those who have been arrested for poaching in the past. But not much evidence has been forthcoming," said Mr. Kumar.
The killing of a tiger, which is protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, is a grave offense.
Mr. Kumar said the department had been unable to seize the mobile phone, which was used to photograph the dead beast. The poaching incident came to light after the photograph was published in a national daily newspaper last month by wildlife activist Rajendra Kerkar.
We have attached a computer hard disc on which we suspect the photograph of the dead tiger was stored. We will be sending it to technical experts so that it can be scanned for any incriminating evidence," said Kumar said.
The Mhadei wildlife sanctuary is located in Goa's northernmost Sattari taluk and is spread across 208 sq. m. It was notified in 1999.
New Courtesy www.hindu.com
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Tiger Photography Workshop at Kanha National Park
Mr.Kalyan Verma Famous wildlife photographer is organizing a 4 DAYS workshop on Wildlife Photography at Celebration Van Vilas (Luxury Wildlife Resort) of Kanha Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, from 21st to 24th May 2009.
The only National Park in the world to spot Hard Ground Barasingha (Swamp Deer) in wild.
Over 200 spices of birds have been spotted in the park. This particular workshop will provide immense opportunity to the participants to enjoy nature in its epicenter and splendid opportunity of wildlife and nature photography.
The participants are requested to bring their equipments for the same including camera body, lenses, tripods and enough batteries and storage devices. Participants who want to know more about Kanha Tiger Reserve and the photographic opportunities please visit www.celebrationgroup.blogspot.com
The following is the schedule of the tour.
21.05.2009 – Arrive at The Celebration Van Vilas,
At 4:00PM Introduction session will be organized among Participants and Mr.Kalyan Verma, later followed by brief description on
Dinner at 8:00 PM
22.05.2009 – 5:00 AM wake up call followed by Tea at Restaurant, leave for Morning game drive inside the Kanha Tiger Reserve, breakfast inside the core
At 12:00 PM photography seminar will be organizes, followed by lecture by Mr.Kalyan Verma.
Lunch at 2:00PM
At 4:00 PM leave for evening game drive
Dinner at 8:00 PM
23.05.2009 – 5:00 AM wake up call followed by Tea at Restaurant, leave for Morning game drive inside the Kanha Tiger Reserve, breakfast inside the core
At 12:00 PM photography seminar will be organizes, followed by lecture by Mr.Kalyan Verma.
Lunch at 2:00PM
At 4:00 PM leave for evening game drive
At 7:00PM lecture by Mr.Shivaji Chavan Sr. Landscape Coordinator of WWF
Dinner at 8:00 PM
24-05-2009 – 5:00 AM wake up call followed by Tea at Restaurant, leave for Morning game drive inside the Kanha Tiger Reserve, breakfast inside the core
Return back to Resort.
Free for Onward journey.
Cost:
The tour will cost Rs.12200/- (Rupees twelve thousand and two hundred only). ALL COSTS ARE PER PERSON. Stay for 3 Nights / 4 days in a Deluxe Room on Twin Sharing, breakfast, lunch, dinner, 5 safaris to the jungle in the jeep (4 people in each jeep).
The seats are limited only to 20 people. Minimum people 4, the seats will be filled on first-come-first-serve basis.
Interested participants are requested to register and pay (cash only) tour cost our HDFC bank account 1522790000247 contact person will be Mr.Rajesh Singh (General Manager, Celebration Group) his mobile number is 9425203151 or call Delhi Amber Sharma 968279691 . Please make sure that participant should reach The Celebration Van Vilas, Kanha by 2.00PM on 21st May 2009.
Refund policy: There won’t be any refund in case if any one not able to make it, But he/she can nominate some body else in their place.
Please register your name for the above programs as early as possible to avoid disappointments.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Brief Description of Kanha National Park
Bio Geographical Province -4.8.4 (Indus-Ganges monsoon forest)
Geographical Location- It is in two districts of Madhya Pradesh: southern Mandla and northeast Balaghat. 22°13'-27'NLONGITUDE 89°32'-45'E
Date and History of Establishment- Kanha National Park,Established as a Reserved Forest in 1879 and Banjar Valley Sanctuary in 1935. National Park status on 1 June 1955 under the Madhya Pradesh National Parks Act. Designated tiger reserves under Project Tiger, in 1973.
Area- 94,000ha. Kanha National Park was extended in 1970 to include the Mukki Valley in the south. In 1974, under Project Tiger, a large part of the upper Halon Valley to the east was included raising the area to its present size. Contiguous in the north to the reserve forests of North Phen, Raigarh, Bhaisanghat and Malidar and in the west and south to the reserve forests of Banjar Valley and Shaisanghat.
Land Tenure- Government, exercised by the Forest Department of Madhya Pradesh government.
Physical Features -In the east of the central Indian highlands which stretch west to east across Madhya Pradesh in the Maikal branch of the Satpuras. The topography of the Maikal Hills comprises a large amphitheatre with meadow-like grasslands locally known as maidan. The hills are usually flat-topped. The successive elevation of the valleys in the area present a step-like formation in a west/east direction. Underlying rock is volcanic which breaks down into laterite, sand and red gravelly soils with crystlline, graniteic and limestone boulders and black cotton soil in low-lying areas (liable to flooding in the rains) along the Banjar River, (west of park). The river Sulkum is the principal water source and is a tributary of the Banjar river. The wet season is from late June to October with rainfall of about 1,800mm. Cool season from November to February and hot season February until the monsoon.
Temperature- Range of -5.5 °C to 43°C.
Altitude- Ranges from 500-1,000m (600-900m - Delhi Diary, 450-760m - Jain, 1981).
Vegetation- Over 50% of the park is dry deciduous woodland on hilltops and slopes with species such as Acacia torta, Anogeissus latifolia, Bauhinia retusa, Buchanania lanzan, Butea menosperma, Boswallia serrata, Semecarpus anacardium, Largerstroemia parviflora, Terminalia arjuna, Tichebyla, T. bellirica, Emblica officinalis and Mallotus philippensis. On poor and red gravelly soils, Phoenix acaulis and Cassia fistulagrows abundantly.. The grassy meadows in the park are of two types: those marking former village sites and dominated by coarse Pennisetum alopecurus; and the 'maidan' dominated by Themeda triandra with many other species (Dichanthium, Chlonis, Eragrostis, Heteropogon, Eulalia) growing to 1-2m height in the monsoon. The meadows (15% of the park area) are largely enclosed by sal forest Shorea robusta whihc occurs in welldrained vlleys in the south at low elevations with various Terminalia spp. Occasional patches of bamboo and thicket are dominated by the leguminous Maughania stricta. On the higher slopes and hilltops bamboos are more common. Dendrocalamus strictus forms dense clumps along the banks of rivers and streams, in valleys and on hillslopes. A number of aquatic and marsh species grow around natural tanks and pools, rivers, irrigation channels and streams (for list of flora see Jain and Sastry, 1983).
Fauna -The Kanha National Park was originally established to protect the barasingha Cervus duvauceli branderi, which has its entire present range within the park. Today there are bout 100 individuals. Other mammals include tiger Panthera tigris, leopard P. pardus, sloth bear Melursus ursinus (27 individuals), Indian wild dog Cuon alpinus (78 individuals), hyaena Hyaena hyaena (rarely seen), golden jackal Canis aureus, Indian wild boar Sus scrofa, sambar Cervus unicolor, blackbuck Antilope cervicapra (28 individuals), chital Axis axis, chevrotain Tragulus meminna (rarely seen), four-horned antelope Tetracerus quadricornis, nilgai Boselaphus tragocamelus (65 individuals), gaur Bos gaurus and Hanuman langur Presbytis entellus. The dispersal of animals from the thickly populated zones to new areas has led to an overall population increase. Initially set up for muntjac Muntiacus muntjak, jungle cat Felis chaus (70 individuals) mongoose and palm squirrel Funambulus sp. Bird life includes black ibis Pseudibis papillosa, crested serpent eagle Spilornis cheela, peafowl and jungle fowl. Pythons are seen occasionally.
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