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Home , Desert National Park, Kanha Tiger Reserve, Nagarhole National Park, Panna National Park, Sariska Tiger Reserve

PROTECTED AREA UPDATE News and Information from protected areas in and South Asia

Vol. XV No. 2 April 2009 (No.78)

LIST OF CONTENTS 9 EDITORIAL 2 Study: population in Karnataka healthy and Who will police the enforcement agencies? stable NEWS FROM INDIAN STATES , leopard found in areas adjoining 3 Bannerghata NP Contour +3 fixed as boundary of Kolleru lake 10 WLS Proposal for relocation of human settlements from 4 Wayanad WLS Conditions diluted for project that submerges part 11 of Tale Valley WLS Two tigresses, one each from Kanha and 5 Bandavgarh TRs, moved to Panna TR Earth cutting continues at Deepor Beel WLS Six gharial deaths reported from National MLAs enter Kaziranga NP illegally; attack forest Chambal WLS staff 12 Kaziranga rhino poachers bribed police official, from Powai park released in Tungareshwar villagers WLS Nine tiger deaths in Kaziranga NP in 3 months Two tiger deaths in Tadoba Andhari TR in Kaziranga receives funds from February Kaziranga NP estimated to have 16 per 100 SC will not interfere in encroachment removal sq. kms from Sanjay Gandhi NP Erosion threat to parts of Manas NP 13 7 Fire destroys over 60% of Keibul Lamjao NP; Dolphins, sea turtles killed in dynamite explosion many Sangai feared dead in Gulf of Kutch MNP Orissa 14 Fire over 300 hectares of Gir 1572 crocodiles counted in Bhitarkanika NP 7 Huge turtle mortality in Gahirmatha Area within five km radius of Sultanpur NP 14 proposed as Eco-Sensitive Zone Another tigress shifted to Sariska from 8 Ranthambore Over one lakh birds counted in Pong Dam WLS Planning Commission releases Rs. 56 crore for this season water pipeline for Keoladeo NP Forest official caught poaching in Pong Dam ONGC plans for oil exploration in Desert NP hits WLS; now absconding a roadblock Protests against Dhauladhar WLS 15 Jammu & Kashmir 8 State-of-the art technology to fight fires in Radio collar for Asiatic black in Dachigam Mussoorie Forest Division Eight lakh migratory birds visit Kashmir Electric fences to prevent Rajaji NP elephants State submits annual plan under Project Snow from entering villages Leopard Rapid Action Team to protect tigers in Corbett NP

'Best Maintained Tourist Friendly Park' award for Corbett NP for 2007-08 EDITORIAL 16 Invasive species threat to Sunderbans mangroves NATIONAL NEWS FROM INDIA 17 Who will police the enforcement agencies? Revival of National Coral Reef Research Institute mooted There has been a clutch of stories in recent No PA vehicles or staff for election duty issues of the PA Update (including this one) Major fires in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve that raise uncomfortable questions about the Special Tiger Protection Force in the offing role of government agencies like the Forest Pakshi Shree award for Dr. Ramana Athreya Department (FD) and the Police. In Himachal High Court comes down heavily on MoEF Pradesh, for instance, a beat officer was alleged and the NEAA Workshop held on Social dimensions of Marine to have hunted birds in the Pong Dam Wildlife Protected Area implementation in India Sanctuary while in the Kaziranga National 70 birds in Chilika satellite tagged for study on Park, arrested rhino poachers said that they had Avian Influenza bribed a police official so that they could WCCB launches website continue with their activities. SOUTH ASIA 21 It might be argued that these are Nepal isolated events or then, just the behaviour of 14 gharials radio-tagged deviant individuals who cannot be stopped from INTERNATIONAL NEWS 21 abusing the power that the state vests in them Ninth COP meeting to Convention on the and that the problem, therefore, does not Conservation of Migratory Species held necessarily lie in the system itself. OPPORTUNITIES 21 The reality, as we know, is much more Summer internship in Forest Canopy Research complex than that. There are many in the field UPCOMING 22 who will argue that the involvement of Symposium on Decentralization, Power and enforcement agencies, be it the Police or the Tenure Rights of Forest-Dependent People FD, in malafide and corrupt practices like those International Workshop on Preserving Mangrove mentioned above are much more common than Ecosystem Services we are willing to accept. Importantly, CSE announces one-month course on developments like this need to be seen in the environmental management context of loud and regular demands of more World Ocean Conference 2009 International Course on ‘Education as a tool for and better policing, more enforcement, more species conservation with a focus on the tiger arms and more powers to enforcement agencies in India’ for protecting our wildlife. For those amongst 5th International Canopy Conference us who believe that a move towards a police Protected Area Update state or even a more policed state has the Vol. XV, No. 2, April 2009 (No. 78) solutions to our problems this should come as a Editor: Pankaj Sekhsaria sobering softener. And one is not even getting Editorial Assistance: Wrutuja Pardeshi into the innumerable cases of police excesses Illustrations: Madhuvanti Anantharajan and human right violations that litter our Produced by: Kalpavriksh landscape today. Ideas, comments, news and information may please The February 2009 issue of the PA be sent to the editorial address: Update, for instance, reported the acquittal of KALPAVRIKSH, Apartment 5, Shri Dutta Krupa, 908 14 fishermen who were arrested in 2006 for Deccan Gymkhana, 411004, Maharashtra, trespassing the boundaries of the Gahirmatha India. Tel/Fax: 020 – 25654239. Marine Sanctuary. The Orissa Forest Email: [email protected] Department (FD) had claimed in January 2006 Website: www.kalpavriksh.org that the fishermen were Bangladesh nationals, Production of PA Update 78 has been supported that they were fishing illegally in the waters of by Foundation for Ecological Security (FES), the sanctuary and that they had attacked Anand. patrolling staff. In the exchange of fire one of Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 2 2 April 2009 (No. 78) the intruders was killed and subsequently 14 This is not a call for doing away with others were also arrested. Enquiries and legal enforcement or the agencies themselves, but to proceedings that followed revealed that the remind ourselves that policing and force can fishermen, firstly, were not Bangladeshi but only be one component of a bouquet of steps residents of Kakdweep from West Bengal and that are taken to deal with a problem. Lack of that indeed they were not guilty at all. Three transparency or accountability has become the years later the local court pronounced them hallmark of the operations of our agencies and innocent and all those arrested were acquitted. this is a systemic flaw that needs immediate There are many questions that attention. Agencies with power have to operate inevitably arise. Was it the failure of the Police with additional responsibility, both, to avoid and the FD to convince the court, or is the misuse and also to ensure that the citizens acquittal symptomatic of the problems with our maintain their faith. The edifice of conservation judicial system? More fundamentally, were the can only be built on a foundation of mutual accused really guilty of trespassing in the first trust and respect and we don't seem anywhere place? How does one explaining the killing of close to reaching it. one of the fishermen? Was the entire operation a frame-up by the enforcement agencies? We also reported last time of a rather NEWS FROM INDIAN STATES bizarre development in Madhya Pradesh where the Forest Department and the Police are accusing each other of neglecting their duties of ANDHRA PRADESH tiger protection in the . In a letter to the National Contour +3 fixed as boundary of Kolleru Authority in December 2008, the Kanha lake WLS Director listed a number of concerns related to the working of the police: interference in the A committee of officials drawn from various booking of forest rest houses inside the tiger departments has decided to fix the contour + 3 reserve; not providing information about of the Kolleru Lake as the boundary for the investigations into tiger poaching incidents; and wildlife sanctuary here. In a unanimous even that the police seemed more interested in resolution passed a few months ago, the Andhra getting rewards for skins seized from poachers. Pradesh Legislative Assembly had reduced the He also expressed apprehension that informers size of the Kolleru WLS from Contour + 5 to used by the police to fight naxalism in the Contour + 3 (see PA Updates Vol XIV, No. 5 & region might actually be directly involved in Vol XII, Nos. 4, 55 & 49). cases of poaching. An inter-departmental meeting was There are many other cases where called to come to a consensus on the contours NGOs or vigilance agencies within the of the lake, as there was a lot of variation in the government have exposed cases of serious contour maps available with the Departments of negligence and corruption in the FD. The Forest, Revenue, Irrigation, Fisheries and Land culpability of the FD in hiding the truth about Records. The committee, comprising Chief tiger numbers in Sariska and Panna TRs till it Wildlife Warden of Andhra Pradesh; West was no longer possible to hide it is also well Godavari District Collector and Joint Collector; known. Krishna District Revenue Officer; Irrigation Larger and very important issues arise Deputy Chief Engineer and Drainage Executive from all this. Can conservation succeed if the Engineer, in a meeting in Eluru in February agencies responsible for it fail in such a finalised the Contour + 3 in the map prepared manner? How realistic is it in a situation like by the Kolleru Development Authority in 1981 this to expect local communities to trust and Contour + 5 in the Fish Tank Demolition enforcement agencies, leave alone co-operate Map prepared at the advent of Operation with them? Is the larger wildlife conservation Kolleru. community's overarching faith and trust in the apparatus of the state fully justified? Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 2 3 April 2009 (No. 78) Activists say that the contour map of Kolleru clearance. The SC had referred the matter back Development Authority is itself a combination to the StC and in a meeting held in December of contour maps available with the different 2008 the StC agreed to dilute the two departments and lacks legal sanctity. It has conditions imposed by it while granting been alleged that rich fish tank owners would clearance to the project in May 2003. benefit the most by the decision of the The committee has diluted the ‘no committee and bird life and the rich bio- dams upstream’ condition and said it would diversity of the lake will suffer. consider upstream projects on a case to case basis. This decision ignored the opinion of non- Source: GV Ramana Rao. ‘Kolleru activists governmental members in the committee as working to save the lake allege foul play, well as civil society groups in Assam and The Hindu, 18/02/09. Arunachal Pradesh which asked for a Contact: Divisional Forest Officer, I/c Kolleru cumulative impact assessment of upstream WLS, Eluru. West Godavari District, projects and a carrying capacity study of the Andhra Pradesh. Tel: 08812-232356. Subansiri river basin before deciding whether to dilute this condition. The protected area CWLW, Aranya Bhavan, Saifabad, condition has also been changed so that the - 500004, Andhra Pradesh. Arunachal Pradesh government now needs to Tel: 040-23230561. Fax: 337889 declare a smaller area of 168 sq. km. as a

sanctuary and only “make serious efforts” to ARUNACHAL PRADESH bring an additional 332 sq. km. reserved forest

under the category of Conservation Reserve Conditions diluted for project that (CR) in consultation with the MoEF. submerges part of Tale Valley WLS The diluted conditions will now be

placed before the SC for passing final orders. The 2000 MW Lower Subansiri hydroelectric Conservationists have argued that granting project coming up on the Arunachal Pradesh – conditional clearance to mega dams in Assam border is to submerge a part of the Tale ecologically sensitive areas and then diluting Valley Wildlife Sanctuary and had therefore these conditions after construction work has required a clearance from the Standing begun is a mockery of environmental Committee (StC) of the National Board for governance procedures. Wildlife (NBWL). In 2002-3 the Supreme (Also see PA Update 49) Court (SC) had observed that the project would impact important wildlife habitats and species Source: Neeraj Vagholikar. Email dated 18/03/09. well beyond the Tale Valley WLS in both the Contact: Neeraj Vagholikar, C/o Kalpavriksh, upstream and downstream areas. Editorial address. Email: Despite opposition of non- [email protected] governmental members the project was granted Dy. Chief Wildlife Warden, I/c Tale clearance but with the imposition of stringent Valley WLS P.O. Naharlagun, Lower conditions. These included the declaration of Subansiri, Papum Pare. Dist Lower the Reserved Forests in the catchment area of Subansiri, Arunachal Pradesh. Tel: 0360- the dam as a sanctuary or national park and 244416(O). imposed a restriction on construction of dams in the upstream stretches of the Subansiri river. CWLW, Forest Department, Itanagar – These were also then reiterated by the Supreme 719111. Arunachal Pradesh. Tel: 0360 – Court (SC) in April 2004. 222310 (o)/ 224370 ®. Fax: 0360 – Dam proponents raised no objection 222351/223556 till construction on the project reached a point where it could not now be cancelled. With this fait accompli in hand, in May 2005 they asked the SC for a review of the conditions which were the very basis of granting of the original

Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 2 4 April 2009 (No. 78) ASSAM Minister to ensure that the state government takes suitable action. Earth cutting continues at Deepor Beel WLS Source: Bibhab Talukdar. Email dated 18/03/09. Contact: Bibhab Talukdar, Aaranyak, 50 Despite government prohibition, local traders Samanwoy Path (Survey) PO: Beltola, continue to cut and transport soil from the Guwahati - 781 028, Assam. Tel: 0361- Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary. 2230250 (off). Fax: 2228418. Email: Trucks, reportedly, run day and night [email protected] to cart away soil from Azara and the Assam Engineering College. This soil is then sold in Kaziranga rhino poachers bribed police nearby areas at high rates. (Also see PA official, villagers Updates Vol XII, No 4 and No. 43)

Source: ‘Earth cutting on the rise at Deepor Two poachers who were arrested from Aphala Beel,’ The Assam Tribune, 29/01/09. village near Kaziranga NP for killing a rhino in Contact: Divisional Forest Officer, Assam State December 2008 said that they had bribed a Zoo Division, I/c Deepor Beel WLS police official and a few villagers to allow them R.G. Baruah Road, Guwahati - 781 024, to continue their activities in the area. The Assam0361-261363(O), 263331(R) village of Aphala is located 25 kms from Kaziranga and is under the jurisdiction of the MLAs enter Kaziranga NP illegally; attack Kamargaon Police Station in Golaghat district. forest staff The duo said that Rs. One Lakh was paid through a middleman to an officer of the Two Members of the Legislative Assembly of Assam Police Battalion who was in Charge of Assam, Mr. Jiten Gogoi, MLA from the the Kamargaon Police Station. He, in turn was Bokakhat and Mr. Kushal Duori, MLA from supposed to hand over the money to his senior. Thowra illegally entered Kaziranga National The poachers said that they had fired three Park on March 17 with automatic weapons bullets to kill the rhino and then sawed off its including AK47s for fishing in the central horn, nails and the tail before burying it in the range of the park. backyard of a resident of Aphala. Mr. Gogoi, reportedly, also attacked The carcass of the killed rhino was dug the Range Officer Mr. Dharani Dhar Boro out in the last week of December and the owner when he and his staff tried to stop the MLAs. of the house was taken into custody. The The duo then left the park in their vehicles and poacher duo that was arrested in January broke the Mihimukh forest gate as they drove confessed to being part of an 11 member gang, through it. They then also damaged the the rest of whom managed to escape arrest. Divisional Forest Office of the Eastern Assam They also revealed that the rhino horn had been Wildlife Division at Bokakhat. sold for Rs. 12 lakhs to a buyer at Pisola in This is not the first time that the two Sonitpur district. have been involved in illegal fishing in The Golaghat Superintendent of Police Kaziranga. Local NGOs and conservationists subsequently directed the Sub-Divisional Police have protested against this criminal behaviour Officer of Bokakhat, Nobin Singh, to conduct of the MLAs and have written to the Prime an inquiry into the matter Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 2 5 April 2009 (No. 78) Kaziranga has seen a spate of rhino State by the Centre. Moreover, even though poachings in recent months with poachers Delhi had duly assigned the funds in time to killing 10 animals in 2008 alone (see PA Assam, the State’s finance department had Update Vol XV, No. 1) and the All Assam delayed passing on the funds to the park. Students Union (AASU) that has been The Park Director has said that the protesting against the poaching of the rhinos money will be used mainly for work involving has said that their claim of police involvement non-recurring expenditure, like infrastructure in the killings has now been proved. development. Repair work for roads and bridges would also be undertaken, as their Source: ‘Poachers claim nexus with cop- Gang dilapidated state was seriously hindering park sells rhino horn for Rs. 12 lakh’, The management. New anti-poaching camps may be Telegraph, 22/01/09 built in strategic areas and the funds would also ‘Probe into bribery slur’, The Telegraph, be used for acquiring arms and ammunition for 23/01/09 anti-poaching and frontline personnel. Contact: Director, Kaziranga NP, PO Bokakhat, Additionally, the funds would help Dist. Golaghat – 785612, Assam. Tel: train field personnel in tiger-conservation skills 03776-268095(O), 268086® through orientation camps and trips to well- managed Project Tiger sites. The need for Nine tiger deaths in Kaziranga NP in three training has gained added urgency with nine months tiger deaths reported from the park within the last three months (see story above). Authorities at have admitted to the deaths of nine tigers in the three Source: ‘Funds for Kaziranga tiger project,’ The month period from November 2008 to January Assam Tribune, 11/02/09. 2009. This is the biggest casualty of tigers ever in Kaziranga over such a brief period. Kaziranga NP estimated to have 16 tigers While the park director has said that per 100 sq. kms the reasons for the deaths ranged from poisoning by villagers to infighting among An ongoing survey being undertaken by the tigers and old age, others have said that several conservation group Aaranyak has suggested the deaths had occurred due to poaching. They presence of 16 tigers per 100 sq. kms in the have also alleged that the actual number of Kaziranga National Park (KNP). This is being deaths was higher and that forest officers were considered as a population that is both, healthy deliberately quoting a lower figure to avert a and stable. full-blown investigation. Camera traps installed in 50 locations in the Kohora and Bagori ranges have so far Source: Naresh Mitra. ‘9 tiger deaths in recorded more than 400 images. The final Kaziranga in 3 months’, The Times of estimate from the survey would be ready by the India, 06/02/09 end of April and it would lay the foundation for the final census to be conducted later this year. Kaziranga receives funds from Project Tiger The endeavour is supported by the David Shepherd Foundation, Rufford Small Grants The Kaziranga National Park has received and the Rufford Maurice Laing Foundation. nearly Rs. One Crore as funds from Project Tiger. The money was recently released by the Source: Prabal Kr Das, ‘KNP has healthy tiger State government to the park authorities. The population, says survey,’ The Hindu, Central Government has said it could release 15/02/09. more funds depending on how this first installment is utilized. Erosion threat to parts of Manas NP A senior Forest Department (FD) official, however, pointed out that the amount The Beki River is reportedly eroding vital areas released to KNP was less than that given to the of the Manas NP. Only 12 – 15 feet now remain Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 2 6 April 2009 (No. 78) between the river and the well-known Contact: Conservator of Forests, Marine Mathanguri tourist bungalow. The land beneath National Park, Ganjiwada Nagar, the bungalow is also leaning onto the river. Nagnath Gate Police Choki, Jamnagar – Forest officials have reportedly not yet 360001, Gujarat. Tel: 0288-552077. Fax: undertaken any erosion-control measures here. 0288-555336 The lower Assam districts of Barpeta and Baksa had sustained heavy damage in 2004 Fire over 300 hectares of Gir and then again 2007, when the Beki broke its embankment in Narayanaguri. Although the Forest fires in early February gutted about 300 breach was plugged last year, the erosion has hectares of grassland in the Mitiala range of the continued and the Tinmail area of the park is Gir forest. The affected area is said to be home also threatened. to about 18 lions. A team of around 1,000 forest officials, however, soon brought the fire under Source: ‘Manas Tiger project threatened by control, and ensured that it did not cause any erosion,’ The Assam Tribune, 17/02/09. loss of wildlife. Contact: Director, Manas NP, PO Barpeta Rd. It has been suggested that the fire may Dist. Barpeta – 781315, Assam. Tel: have been caused by the Forest Department 03666 – 261413. Fax: 232253 / 260253 (FD) itself, in a routine exercise gone out of control – the FD regularly burns off the excess Chief Wildlife Warden – Assam, grass in the region during this time of the year. Rehabari, Guwahati – 781008, Assam. The FD however maintains that it was Tel: 0361-2566064. Fax 2547386 either an accidental fire, or someone lit it to camouflage the sale of saniyar grass, a variety GUJARAT found in abundance in the region. Saniyar is used for wildlife and livestock fodder. The FD Dolphins, sea turtles killed in dynamite is currently investigating the incident. explosion in Gulf of Kutch MNP Source: ‘300 hectares of Gir razed in fire,’ , 19/02/09. Contact: CF (Wildlife) Junagadh, Sardar Bag, Junagadh, Gujarat. Tel: 0285 - 631678/ 630051. Fax: 631211. Email: [email protected]

CWLW - Gujarat, Block 14, Dr. Jivraj Mehta Bhavan, Old Sachivalaya, Gandhinagar-382010, Gujarat. Tel: 02712-230007. Fax: 221097.

HARYANA Three dolphins and two sea turtles were killed in the Gulf of Kutch Marine National Park Area within five km radius of Sultanpur NP when a contractor used dynamite to extract the proposed as Eco-Sensitive Zone wreckage of a ship that sank 30 years ago near the Jamnagar coast. The Union Ministry of Environment and The contractor, had reportedly been Forests (MoEF) has issued a draft notification given the job of removing the wreckage a while proposing the declaration of an area within a ago but he had not obtained the necessary five km radius of the permissions for dynamiting in the park. A case as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ). has now been filed against him. The notification that was issued on January 29, 2009 lists the villages that will be Source: ‘Dolphins, sea turtles killed in dynamite included in the ESA. It also says that the state explosion,’ The Times of India, 12/02/09.

Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 2 7 April 2009 (No. 78) government will prepare a Zonal Master Plan produced in court as soon as he is caught. The within a year of the final notification and lists Conservator, Wildlife, Dharamsala, said that a out the activities that will either be restricted or case under the Wildlife Act has been registered regulated in the ESZ. against the beat officer. He added action against (Also see PA Update Vol XII, No. 5) the accused official is still pending because the wildlife department had not yet sent in any Source: Draft notification issued by the MoEF on official information on the case. 29/01/09. The post-mortem examination of the Contact: Secretary, MoEF, Paryavaran Bhavan, dead birds has established that the birds were New Delhi. Email: [email protected] killed by gun shots; though it remains to be Divisional Inspector, Wildlife, seen whether the birds were killed by the same Sultanpur National Park, Dist. Gurgaon. gun found on the beat officer. Tel: 0124 - 26322057 Chief Wildlife Warden, Haryana, Van Source: ‘Forest official held for poaching,’ The Bhawan Forest Complex-C-18, Sector-6, Tribune, 09/02/09 Panchkula – 134109, Haryana. Tel: Lalit Mohan, ‘Poaching Case/Wildlife 0172-2561224(O), 2569033(R). Fax: official goes absconding,’ The Tribune, 2564782 10/02/09.

HIMACHAL PRADESH Protests against Dhauladhar WLS

Over one lakh birds counted in Pong Dam Hundreds of farmers from the Baijnath and WLS this season surrounding areas organised a protest rally in February to oppose the recent notification of Over one lakh migratory birds of 95 species the 944 sq. kms. Dhauladhar Wildlife were counted in the Pong Dam wetland area in Sanctuary. A charter of demands has also been the first week of February. The count was submitted to the state Chief Minister and the carried out by 23 teams of 130 persons from the district administration. Forest Department, the World Wide Fund for The farmers are worried that they will Nature, the Himalayan Environment be barred from entering forest areas adjoining Preservation Society and the Pong Birding their village and curbs will be imposed on their Society. use of natural resources like firewood. The protesting farmers said that had in Source: ‘Over 1 lakh migratory birds sighted at the past submitted a number of memoranda to Pong,’ The Tribune, 08/02/09. the government against the creation of the Contact: DFO (Wildlife), Pong Lake WLS, sanctuary. They have now threatened to Chamba Division, Chamba - 176310, intensify their agitation in case the notification Himachal Pradesh. Tel:01899-22639. Email: [email protected] is not withdrawn.

Forest official caught poaching in Pong Dam Source: ‘Baijnath farmers rally against wildlife sanctuary,’ The Tribune, 11/02/09. WLS; now absconding Contact: CWLW, Talland, Shimla – 171001. Tel:

0177-2624193. Email: Beat officer Des Raj was caught red-handed in [email protected] February while poaching in the waters of the Pong Dam Wildlife Sanctuary. Two Wildlife JAMMU & KASHMIR Department personnel arrested Raj after they found him in the Haripur area, near Nagrota State submits annual plan under Project Surian, with two dead bar headed geese and a Snow Leopard 0.12 bore gun that he used for killing the birds. He went absconding soon after, albeit The Jammu & Kashmir Department of Wildlife on an ‘official leave.’ The officer is to be Protection has sent its annual plan of operation

Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 2 8 April 2009 (No. 78) under Project Snow Leopard to the Central Radio collar for Asiatic black bear in Ministry of Environment and Forests. This Dachigam NP comes almost immediately after the Centre’s announcement of initiating Project Snow The Wildlife wing of the Jammu and Kashmir Leopard (see National News from India), The Forest Department has recently collared an 2008–09 works proposal for the Leh Wildlife Asiatic black bear in the Dachigam National Division has been estimated at Rs 2.42 crore. Park as part of an ongoing research project to The plan includes proposals for the understand reasons for the escalating human- construction of an office-cum-nature bear conflict here. It is hoped that this will also interpretation centre at Leh; staff-training and help study and understand the home range of the recruitment of additional personnel; and the the , their seasonal movements, habitat printing of publicity material. In addition, the use, breeding and behaviour. project would also require the purchase of The bear that was collared is a six year vehicles and cranes, still and video cameras, old animal that is in semi-captivity at the high-altitude equipment, and communication Animal Rescue Centre in Dachigam. equipment like walky-talkies. The Snow Leopard Project proposes to Source: ‘Wildlife rangers in Kashmir tackle man- support alternative income generation activities animal conflict’ The Economic Times, for the local community. An effort will be 05/01/09 made to develop an intelligence network for Contact: Wildlife Warden, Dachigam NP, J&K wildlife protection with the help of local State Tourist Reception Centre Srinagar communities. Local military establishments and – 190001. Tel: 0194-2492627 labour camps in wildlife areas will be engaged to curb hunting and poaching. Alpine Eight lakh migratory birds visit Kashmir pasture/rangeland management strategies to focus research and experimental studies in Nearly eight lakh migratory birds were counted order to understand pastoral production, in the three famous waterfowl habitats of optimal stocking densities and pasture Haigam, and Shalibugh in Kashmir improvement are also being planned. this season. Further, the Department will also The increase has been attributed to the support scientifically well-designed research Forest Department’s efforts to improve water projects by reputed governmental and non- level at the wetlands, to intensify patrolling and governmental research institutions. Economic to make available artificial feed for the birds. and other service benefits will be extended to Over four lakh migratory birds were staff working in the project areas. seen at Haigam in Sopore. This is more than The Department is currently looking double the number of two lakh birds that were for land to house the Project. counted here during the last season. (Also see PA Updates Vol XIII, No. 3 and Vol XII, No. 5) Source: ‘Eight lakh migratory birds visit Source: ‘Wildlife Dept plan awaits Forest Kashmir, creating record,’ The Economic Ministry’s approval,’ The Tribune, Times, 22/01/09. 01/02/09. Contact: CWLW, Government of Jammu & KARNATAKA Kashmir, Tourist Reception Centre (TRC), Srinagar – 190001. Tel: 0191- Study: Tiger population in Karnataka 544575, 0194-452469/ 476261. Fax: healthy and stable 0191-544575, 0194-4524690 A recent study conducted in Karnataka has shown that the tiger population here is both healthy and stable. Entitled ‘Distribution and dynamics of tiger and prey populations in Karnataka,’ the study was carried out by the

Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 2 9 April 2009 (No. 78) Wildlife Conservation Society and Centre for the air. Forest officials later used crackers to Wildlife Studies. drive the elephants back into the forests. Covering an area of over 22,000 sq In another incident, a leopard was km, the study counted about 200 adult and spotted in front of the National Law School of juvenile tigers in the Malenad – Tiger India University campus at Nagarbhavi. Cages Landscape (MMTL). A tiger abundance index were placed near NLSIU to trap the leopard and was derived which shows there are about 200 the police and FD officials used megaphones to adult/juvenile tigers in the MMTL region. alert students and residents in the area not to Intensive monitoring in prime tiger habitats venture out till daybreak. indicated a tiger density ranging from 11 – 15 adults per 100 sq km in the Nagarahole and Source: ‘Elephants, leopard spread panic,’ The Bandipur NP’s; and 2 – 3 tigers per 100 sq km Hindu, 15/02/09. in Bhadra TR. Densities of large ungulate prey Contact: CF, Bannerghatta NP, Bannerghatta, were also high: ranging between 17 and 25 Dist. – 560083, Karnataka. animals per sq km in Bandipur and 23 and 42 Tel: 080-28428540(O), 28428572(R). animals per sq km in Nagarahole. Fax: 28428540 The study found that there was a rebound of prey densities in the Bhadra region KERALA after villages on the forest fringes were relocated a few years ago and that the Proposal for relocation of human settlements combined prey density has increased from 12 from Wayanad WLS per sq km (prior to relocation in 2000) to 23 animals per sq km in 2007. The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has received a project proposal for ‘Voluntary Relocation of Human Settlements in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary from the Kerala State Government. 983 families (593 tribal and 390 non-tribal families) from the sanctuary are to be relocated at a cost of Rs. 85 crores as part of the proposal. The MoEF is reported to have requested the Government of Kerala to modify/ recast the proposal in tune with the revised guidelines of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme - Source: ‘Tigers shining in Karnataka: Study,’ 'Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats' The Times of India, 22/01/09. for further consideration of the proposal subject Contact: Dr K Ullas Karanth, Wildlife to the availability of funds and fulfillment of Conservation Society, India Programme, necessary procedural requirements. The 403 Seebo Apts, 26/2 Aga Abbas Ali response from the State Government is awaited. Road, Bangalore - 560042, Karnataka. Tel: 080-5591747 / 5591990. Email: This information was presented [email protected] recently in the Lok Sabha by the Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Elephants, leopard found in areas adjoining Mr. S Regupathy in a reply to a written Bannerghata NP question in the matter. Source: ‘Voluntary Relocation of Human In early February, a herd of seven wild Settlements in Wayanad wildlife sanctuary’, Press Release, Govt. of India, elephants from Bannerghatta National Park was 25/02/09. found in the adjoining Electronic City and the Contact: Wildlife Warden, Wayanad Wildlife village of Hulimangala. A village resident was Division, P.O. Sulthan Bathery, injured when one of the elephants flung him in Wayanad-673 592, Kerala. Tel: 0493- 2620454

Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 2 10 April 2009 (No. 78) Chief Wildlife Warden – Kerala, Panna; that advice from the NTCA, and IUCN Vazhudacaud, Trivandrum – 695014, guidelines (which stress the need to identify Kerala. Tel: 0471-2322217 / 2360452 / and eliminate previous causes of decline) were 2204896. Fax: 2360452 / 2322217 not adhered to; and there had been no reference to any of India’s experienced and MADHYA PRADESH knowledgeable tiger scientists and experts. An application protesting the non-transparency of Two tigresses, one each from Kanha and the relocation and the breaking of the NTCA Bandavgarh TRs, moved to Panna TR guidelines is also said to be have been filed before the High Court. Two tigresses, one each from the Kanha and The statement has demanded an Bandavgarh Tiger Reserves (TRs) were moved immediate high-level enquiry into the to Panna TR in early March. This is part of the disappearance of tigers from Panna TR; the plan of the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department development of a translocation protocol by to bring back the big cat to Panna after it has NTCA, WII and independent tiger experts; an been virtually wiped out from the forests here emergency tiger protection plan for the entire (See PA Update Vol XV, No. 1). The initial country; the creation of state-level tiger steering plan was to relocate animals only from committees and Tiger Reserve buffer zones in Bandavgarh. On March 3, a breeding tigress all the tiger bearing states and that during no was moved from Bandavgarh’s core area and a vehicles or staff should be diverted from the few days later, a breeding tigress was moved task of protecting wildlife habitats for the from Kanha’s core area, in what is alleged to be upcoming elections, as per the guidelines issued a violation of the guidelines and in an apparent by the Election Commission of India. hurry to finish the exercise. It has also been reported that the FD is Local elected representatives, cutting now planning to move a tiger to Panna as well across party lines protested the move of the because the lone male that had been found animal from Kanha. Locals including villagers, during Wildlife Institute of India’s camera tourist guides and taxi drivers also went on trapping in December 2008 had not been strike to protest the relocation. They questioned sighted for nearly a month. The Chief Wildlife the logic of the translocation when resident Warden of the State said that the two tigresses tigers of Panna had been poached away with would take about a month to adjust to their new impunity and were also worried about the environs and if the resident male was not impact on their own business if tigers from spotted till then, other male tigers would also be Kanha were taken away to other parks. brought in. In a related development eight This move of the FD has also attracted prominent tiger conservationists of the country attention and criticism. “We are deeply jointly released a statement expressing distress concerned,” the earlier mentioned statement about the translocation carried out by the says in the matter, “that there has been Madhya Pradesh authorities. The statement that absolutely no evidence of any tigers in Panna was sent to the Prime Minister of India, the Tiger Reserve for over a month. The last lone Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh and male tiger was sighted in December 2008. If the Rajasthan, the Member Secretary of the safety of this single male tiger cannot be National Tiger Conservation Authority, the secured, then what is the future for any Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and introduced tigresses?” Forests, the Principal Chief Conservators of Forests and Chief Wildlife Wardens of Madhya Source: Jitendra Verma. ‘Kanha up in arms Pradesh and Rajasthan, and the Field Directors against tigress shift’, The Times of India, of five Tiger Reserves - Bandavgarh, Kanha, 03/03/09 Panna, Ranthambhore and Sariska TRs pointed Email from Belinda Wright dated out that the translocation operation was carried 08/03/09 out even before the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) had completed the latest census report for Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 2 11 April 2009 (No. 78) ‘Madhya Pradesh now plans to shift MAHARASHTRA tigers to Panna Reserve’, The Hindu, 10/03/09. Deer from Powai park released in Tigress airlifted to Panna ignoring Tungareshwar WLS experts, guidelines, The Indian Express, 10/03/09 About 85 deer from Brihanmumbai Municipal Contact: Belinda Wright (for the statement by Corporation's (BMC) Powai park were recently eight experts), Wildlife Protection released in the Tungareshwar Wildlife Society of India (WPSI), S-25 Sanctuary. The plan for their release had been Panchsheel Park, New Delhi 110017. finalized more than two years ago (see PA Tel: 09811190690. Email: Update Vol XIV, No 2). The animals were [email protected] Field Director, , transported to Tungareshwar in batches in Panna – 488001, Madhya Pradesh. Tel: special trucks as per the guidelines of the 07732-252135. Fax: 07732-252120 International Union for Conservation of Nature. Director, Kanha Tiger Reserve, The animals were all medically tested - 481661 Madhya Pradesh. Tel: and declared fit before their relocation. The 07642-250760(O), 250761(R). Fax: animals were kept and fed in an enclosure at 251266, 250830 Tungareshwar for a few days before being Director, Bandavgarh TR, Umaria – finally released. NGOs had alleged that the deer 484661, Madhya Pradesh. Tel: 07653- were being kept illegally and in poor 22214(O). Fax: 07653-22214/22648 conditions. Dr. Rajesh Gopal NTCA, Annexe No. In February 2006, the BMC had 5, Bikaner House, Shahjahan Road, New requested the forest officials to release the deer Delhi-110011.Telefax: 2338 4428. E- into Sanjay Gandhi National Park following mail: [email protected] which, the forest department seized the animals stating that the BMC neither had permission Six gharial deaths reported from National from the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) nor the Chambal WLS Wildlife Authority to keep the deer in their custody and display them. Subsequent to the Six gharials have perished since December 26 seizure the animals were handed back to the in the MP stretch of the National Chambal BMC to be kept in the same conditions ‘till Wildlife Sanctuary. Of these, two were found further instructions’. dead in February in the Bhind district. After autopsy reports revealed that Source: ‘Finally, Powai deer breathe free’, The most of the gharials had died of some disease, a Indian Express, 30/01/09. team of wildlife experts started examining and counting the reptiles at the sanctuary. Samples Two tiger deaths in Tadoba Andhari TR in were sent to Jabalpur and Bareilly and results February of the analysis are still awaited. While 37 reptiles died last year in MP, Two tiger deaths, one in Bhanuskhindi and 76 were found dead on the another in Dewada in Tadoba Andhari Tiger border. (Also see PA Update Vol XIV, No 2) Reserve (TATR) were reported in the month of February. The death of the tigress in Source: ‘Two more gharials found dead in Bhanuskhindi was, most likely, a case of Chambal sanctuary,’ The Pioneer, starvation as the post mortem revealed that the 15/02/09. animal’s stomach was empty. Its body parts, Contact: DFO, National Chambal WLS, Morena skin and nails too were intact, ruling out the Division, Morena, Madhya Pradesh. Tel: role of poaching in the death. 07532-226742. Poaching, however, was being CWLW, MP, Van Bhawan, Tulsi Nagar, suspected in the case of the other tiger death in 462003, Madhya Pradesh. Tel: compartment number 163 in the reserve’s 0755-557371/ 550391. Dewada beat. Bones and a tiger skin were Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 2 12 April 2009 (No. 78) recovered at the spot giving credence to the MANIPUR belief that the animal was indeed poached. Forensic and DNA tests were being done to Fire destroys over 60% of Keibul Lamjao understand the exact cause of death. NP; many Sangai feared dead

Source: ‘Two tigers die in Tadoba, one may be poached’, The Times of India, 27/02/09 Contact: Field Director, Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Project, Mul Road, In front of Sanchiti Chamber, Chandrapur – 442401, Maharashtra. Tel: 07172-51414(O), 56382(R)

SC will not interfere in encroachment removal from Sanjay Gandhi NP A huge fire is reported to have destroyed more than 60% of the Keibul Lamjao National Park, In a significant development, the Supreme the only home of the Brow Antlered Deer or Court (SC) recently said that it will not Sangai. Many Sangai were also reported to interfere with the judgments passed by the have perished in the fire incident that is the first Bombay High Court (HC) on the removal of of its kind here since the creation of the encroachments in the Sanjay Gandhi National national park in 1977. Park. The fire was first reported on the The apex court did not grant any stay morning of February 23 by locals. Till evening on the demolitions but allowed the slum- large portions of the park including the areas of dwellers to approach the statutory authority Toya Ching, Kachin Achouba, Chingmei Natal, with their grievances. A bunch of special leave Khordak Maning, Khordak Echil, petitions had been filed by groups of slum- Nongmaikhong, Ngakha Pat, Keibul Lamjao dwellers before the SC against the HC Haorang had been destroyed. It has also been directives of 2000. They had objected to the pointed out that the fire spread rapidly on classification of all occupants as being illegal account of the fact that work on the firelines by and called for a re-survey of the forest cutting the phumdis (floating biomass) had not boundary. (Also see PA Updates Vol XIV, No. been properly done by the Forest Department 3; and Nos. 47, 45, 43, 41 & 39) (FD). FD officials said that they were unable to do anything to stop the fire as it was raging out Source: Bombay HC free to decide on national of control and they were ill-equipped to fight it. park encroachment: SC, The Times of The cause of the fire is still not known. India, 06/03/09 Some locals expressed suspicion that the fire Contact: DCF, SGNP, Borivili (East), – 400066, Maharashtra. Tel: 022- was lit by some individuals simultaneously 28860362, 28860389(O), 8862780(R) from at least three to four points in the park. Email: [email protected] Others have also pointed to the possible role of Debi Goenka, CAT, 6 E-1, Court the Assam Rifles (AR) as some of their Chambers, 35 New Marine Lines, personnel were seen in the area early in the Mumbai- 400 020, Maharashtra. Tel: morning on the day of the fire. Comments from 022-22006116/5/4. Fax: 22006115. the AR were not available. Email: [email protected] Source: ‘Several Sangais feared killed in Keibul Lamjao fire’, Hueiyen Lanpao, 23/02/09. Contact: Salam Rajesh, Sagolband Salam, Leikai. PO: Imphal-1, Manipur. Tel: 0385-222395. Email:[email protected]; [email protected];

Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 2 13 April 2009 (No. 78) DCF, Keibul Lamjao NP, Sanjenthong, Source: Rajesh Behera, ‘Gahirmatha turns Imphal - 795 001 graveyard for nesting Olive Ridley Chief Wildlife Warden - Manipur, turtles,’ The Pioneer, 12/02/09. Sanjenthong, Imphal - 795001, Manipur. Contact: WSO, Shantikunj, Link Road, Cuttack – Tel: 03852 - 220854 / 285385 753012, Orissa. Tel: 0671 – 334625. Fax: 610980. Email: ORISSA [email protected]

1572 crocodiles counted in Bhitarkanika NP RAJASTHAN

A census conducted in the Bhitarkanika Another tigress shifted to Sariska from National Park in the month of January has Ranthambore reported a total of 1572 crocodiles here. This is slightly higher that the 1,498 reptiles counted A 2nd tigress was airlifted from the here in the 2007 census. Ranthambore Tiger Reserve to Sariska in 20 white crocodiles were also February, making it the 3rd animal to be moved reportedly spotted during the census. (Also see here in this manner. A male and a female have PA Update Vol XIII, No 2; Vol XII, No 2) already been translocated here last year as part of an initiative to bring back tigers to Sariska Source: Akshaya Kumar Sahoo, ‘20 white after poaching had wiped them out here. crocodiles sighted,’ The Asian Age, The young tigress, weighing 143 kg 26/01/09. and in the age group of two to three-and-a-half Contact: DFO, Bhitarkanika NP, At/PO Rajnagar, years, was tranquilized at Guda in Ranthambore Dist. Kendrapada – 745225. Orissa. Tel: and shifted soon after into a specially made 06729-72460/64. Fax: 06727-20775 cage. The animal was then moved to Sariska in an Indian Air Force helicopter and was Huge turtle mortality in Gahirmatha accompanied by Rajasthan’s Chief Wildlife Warden R.N. Mehrotra, experts from the Wildlife Institute of India, the Field Director of Ranthambhore NP, and member of the Rajasthan Wildlife Advisory Board, Mr. Rajpal Singh. The tigress was released in the specially made enclosure and would be let out into the wild once it gets acclimatised to the new environment. The authorities plan to Over fifteen hundred carcasses of the Olive introduce two more tigers to Sariska as part of Ridley sea turtles were reported in early the present experiment, being carried out under February from the beaches in the Gahirmatha the supervision of the Wildlife Institute of India Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary. Foresters buried (WII) after a joint protocol was signed between the dead turtles under the sand after Satabhaya the National Tiger Conservation Authority, the residents complained about the foul odour WII and the Rajasthan Forest Department. emanating from the carcasses. Concerns have, however, been Over 30,000 turtles have died here in expressed over the fact that the translocation the past five years, mangled by trawler project is not following the terms of the propellers or trapped in fishing nets. The protocol. The NTCA had, for instance, said that Wildlife Society of Orissa (WSO) estimates the no animals could be moved from the core area turtle mortality rate to be over 10,000 per year of the Ranthambore TR and that only a ‘young in Orissa alone (also see PA Updates Vol XIV dispersing tigress who has not established her No 1 and No 59). territory’ could be translocated from here (see PA Update Vol XV, No. 1 and Vol XIV, No 5). The latest translocation, it has been pointed out,

Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 2 14 April 2009 (No. 78) was of a tigress that was well established in the Source: Neha Sinha. ‘Pipeline plan to bring water, Lahpur area of the park. new life to Keoladeo’, The Indian Forest officials, have said in response Express, 25/02/09. that the protocols are being followed and the Contact: Director, Keoladeo Ghana NP, Forest particular tigress used to frequently visit the Department, Bharatpur- 321 001 adjoining Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary. Rajasthan. Tel: 05644-22777(O), 22824(R). Fax: 05644-22864

ONGC plans for oil exploration in Desert NP hits a roadblock

ONGC's plans for oil exploration in the have hit a road block. The government has decided to conduct a detailed environmental impact study before granting approval to the project. Following a site inspection, the Source: Sunny Sebastian. ‘Another tigress for National Board of Wildlife noted that the Sariska’, The Hindu, 26/02/09 exploration techniques could negatively impact Contact: Director, , the Park’s vegetation. In a subsequent meeting, Sariska, – 301022, Rajasthan. Tel: the Board resolved to conduct a detailed 0144-241333 (O) scientific study determining the possible impact Director, Ranthambore TR, of the survey on the wildlife in and around Sawai Madhopur – 322001, Rajasthan. park. Tel: 07462-220223 / 222004 / 221139 / The exploration was to be carried out 221142 in three zones spread over an area of 3162 sq kms of Desert National Park. The northern Planning Commission releases Rs. 56 crore portion (765 sq. kms) was to be explored by for water pipeline for Keoladeo NP Focus Energy Limited, the middle portion (400 sq. kms) by ONGC and Southern portion by the The Planning Commission is reported to have Italian firm ENI. recently released a sum of Rs. 56 crore to lay a 17 km long pipeline linking the monsoon fed Source: ‘ONGC plans for oil exploration in Govardhan drain to the Keoladeo National Rajasthan hits a roadblock,’ The Hindu, Park. The work will be carried out by the 11/02/09. Rajasthan Irrigation Department and is CWLW Government of Rajasthan, Van expected to take 17 months to be completed. Bhavan, Vaniki Path, - 302 005. Between July and August, the peak Tel: 0141-2380832 / 2540531. Fax: monsoon period, the Govardhan flood drain 2380496/ 2380832 gets over 2000 million cubic feet (mcft) of UTTARAKHAND water, whereas the Keoladeo NP requires only around 550 mcft of water. It is hoped that this State-of-the art technology to fight fires in project, once completed will be a permanent Mussoorie Forest Division solution to the water crisis in the park (see PA

Updates Vol XIV, Nos. 5 & 1, Vol XIII, Nos. 6 Incidents of forest fires in the Mussoorie Forest & 1 and Nos. 54, 53, 50, 43, 40 & 39). Division have reportedly dropped by 50% Over 35,000 wetland birds were thanks to the installation of a state-of-the art counted in the park in January 2009, thanks fire-fighting system. The system — including a mainly to a good monsoon in 2008. The figure mobile van equipped with digital devices to for the preceeding season was only 5000 birds. record temperature, rainfall and relative

Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 2 15 April 2009 (No. 78) humidity — is managed entirely by the Forest Rapid Action Team to protect tigers in Department (FD) staff. Corbett NP The system works by receiving periodic updates of weather conditions in the A Rapid Action Team (RAT) comprising forest areas from 12 crew and 26 sub-crew rangers, ex-army personnel and volunteers has stations. These reports are collected by the been constituted for the protection of wildlife in master control room located at Malsi Deer Park the Corbett National Park. The RAT has, which then uses the data to prepare a fire reportedly, been modeled on a similar force danger index for the next 24 hours. The control raised in the South Luangwa National Park in room also circulates a daily weather-bulletin to Zambia where poaching had reached alarming the 38 stations in order to preempt any outbreak proportions five years back. of fire. A mobile van fitted with modern Corbett has seen a number of cases of communication equipment and manned by poaching in the recent past and it is hoped that forest personnel trained in fire-fighting is the RAT will help deal with this. always on call. It has been suggested that RAT like The Mussoorie Forest Division covers squads could be raised in other reserves of the almost 53,000 hectare of forest land under its country, such as the jurisdiction. Taking cue from the initiative, the (Uttar Pradesh), Gir (Gujarat) and the State FD has instructed all divisions to install Kaziranga National Park (Assam). similar systems in their areas as well. Source: ‘Tapas Chakraborty. ‘RAT to save big Source: Prithviraj Singh, ‘Mussoorie blazes a cats’, The Telegraph, 26/01/09 trail in fighting forest fires with new Contact: Field Director, Corbett Tiger Reserve, mechanism,’ The Pioneer, 26/01/09. Ramnagar –244715, Nainital, Contact: CWLW, 5, Chandrabani, Mohobewala, Uttarakhand. Tel: 05947 – 285489 Dehradun, Uttaranchal. Tel: 0135- 2644691 'Best Maintained Tourist Friendly Park' award for Corbett NP for 2007-08 Electric fences to prevent Rajaji NP elephants from entering villages The Corbett National Park was recently given the ‘Best Maintained and Tourist Friendly Park’ In a bid to prevent elephants of the Rajaji award for 2007-08. The award by the Union National Park from entering and damaging Tourism Ministry was given away on February rural habitats, the Chief Wildlife Warden of 24, 2009 by the Union Home Minister, Mr. P Uttarakhand has ordered installation of electric Chidambaram and was accepted by Mr. Rajiv fences along the forest boundaries of Katarpur, Bhartari who was Director, Corbett National Ajeetpur and Missarpur villages in Hardwar Park for the period 2005-2008. district. The order follows an incident in mid- Source: Email from Krishnendu Bose dated January, when an killed one person 27/02/09. and seriously injured three people in Katarpur village. Many villages in the Hardwar and WEST BENGAL Rishikesh region are affected when pachyderms raid crops and injure people who try to chase Invasive species threat to Sunderbans them away. (Also see PA Updates Vol XIV, No mangroves 4; Vol XIII, No 5) A study conducted by the Lead Institute, Source: ‘Electric fences along forest boundaries,’ Sunderban Biosphere Reserve has identified The Hindu, 21/01/09. four invasive plant species that are posing a Contact: Director, Rajaji NP, 5/1 Ansari Marg, serious threat to the Sunderban mangroves. Dehradun – 248001, Uttarakhand. Tel: These are Acacia auriculiformis (sonajhuri), 0135-2621669 Fax: 2621669

Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 2 16 April 2009 (No. 78) Prosopis juliflora (kabuli keekar), Grangea maderaspatana and Mikenia micrantha. NATIONAL NEWS FROM INDIA Another study by the Botanical Survey of India has pointed out that the rapid spread of

Prosopis juliflora in Bhagabatpur area seems a Revival of National Coral Reef Research particularly alarming threat to Lothian Island, Institute mooted one of the wildlife sanctuaries in the

Sunderbans. It has been seen that mangrove The Ministry of Environment and Forests seedlings that are brought to the river banks by (MoEF) has been asked to revive the National tidal currents are not able to establish Coral Reef Research Institute (NCRRI) in the themselves because of Prosopis juliflora. This Andaman Nicobar Islands; and also to set up has been reflected in the rapid erosion of the four regional research institutes to monitor river banks in Bhagabatpur. coral reefs in other parts of the country. Another species Grangea The recommendation were made at the maderaspatana, native to Africa, has been conclusion of a three-day meeting of senior occupying a large area of Lothian Island. wildlife, forest officials and marine scientists Mikenia micrantha, a native species of Central held in Tuticorin recently. and South America, was introduced in India The NCRRI was originally set up in after World War II to camouflage airfields. 2001 under the Zoological Survey of India in This species — known as a mile-a-minute weed order to study and preserve the nation’s coral has been found to be growing rapidly across the reefs. However, the institute could not function sheltered areas of Bhagabatpur. effectively due to lack of marine scientists and

other administrative reasons.

Source: C. Jaishankar, ‘Revival of National Coral Reef Research Institute mooted,’ www.thehindu.com, 01/01/2009

No PA vehicles or staff for election duty

The Election Commission of India has in a communication sent on March 9, 2009 to Chief Secretaries and Chief Electoral Officers of all States and Union Territories of the country, said that vehicles or staff of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks cannot be requisitioned for Source: Krishnendu Bandyopadhyay. ‘Alien election duty. Invasion In Sunderbans’, The Times of These instructions were first issued in India, 23/0209 January 1998 and were repeated during the Contact: Director, Sunderbans Biosphere General Elections in 1999 and elections to Reserve, Bikash Bhavan, 3rd Floor, certain legislative assemblies in the year 2000. North Block, Salt Lake City, - The letter also said that the instructions are to 700091, West Bengal. Tel: 033- be treated as Standing Instructions of the 3211750. Fax: 3211529 Commission and will apply to all future Chief Wildlife Warden, Vikas Bhawan, elections as well. North Block, Salt Lake, Calcutta - 700091, West Bengal. Tel: 033- Source: Letter from the Election Commission 3346900/3583208. Fax: 3345946. Email: No. 437/6/2001-PLN-III, 09/03/09 [email protected]

Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 2 17 April 2009 (No. 78) Major fires in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve Forest watchers have also been appointed in all the 12 ranges in Bandipur. The There have been reports of a number of fires, bigger divisions were given 30 watchers while particularly in the month of February across the 25 watchers each were assigned to the smaller landscape of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve that ones. includes the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in , the Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Source: Roy Mathew. ‘Forest fires glow in Nilgiri Karnataka and the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary Biosphere area, The Hindu, 18/02/09 in Kerala. Most of the fires have been reported EM Manoj. ‘Forests turn a tinderbox in from the Kerala – Tamil Nadu - Karnataka tri- biosphere’, The Hindu, 19/02/09 junction. R Krishna Kumar. ‘Major forest fire in The problem has been compounded by Nagarahole National Park’, The Hindu, the fact that the area experienced less than 19/02/09 normal rain in the winter months. Dry bamboo groves, after blooming recently in a long time Special Tiger Protection Force in the offing and dry undergrowth have also played an important contributory role. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Kerala: In a fire reported in the month of and the Ministry of Environment and Forests February, 75 hectares of grassland were burnt (MoEF) have formulated a proposal for the completely at the and on the creation of a Special Tiger Protection Force Manikkunnumala hills in the South Wayanad (STPF) under the aegis of the National Tiger Forest Division. Small fires were also reported Conservation Authority (NTCA). The force will at Moolaholle on the Kerala-Karnataka border. be trained by Central Paramilitary Forces and Kerala forest officials said that they recruited by local police familiar with difficult have spent Rs. 23 lakhs and taken the help of jungle terrain. forest protection committees to contain the Each company of the STPF will be fires. As many as 100 tribal watchers have been made up of 112 personnel, including a Deputy appointed to check wild fires and 110 km of Superintendent of Police, three sub-inspectors, fire lines were created in vulnerable areas on six head constables and 30 constables, divided the borders with Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. into three platoons. Those recruited as members The Sulthan Bathery block panchayat too has of the force will all be below 40 years of age. cut fire lines under the National Rural The first companies of the Special Employment Guarantee Programme (NREGP). Tiger Protection Force (STPF) are to be posted Similarly Rs. 25 lakhs have been spent for the at Corbett TR (Uttarakhand), Ranthambhor TR creation of fire lines in the South Wayanad (Rajasthan) and Dudhwa TR (Uttar Pradesh) Forest Division. with a total of 13 companies posted in 13 of the A single instance of fire was also most “sensitive” tiger reserves in India. reported from the Ervikulam National Park. Meanwhile letters have been sent to Karnataka: At least 900 acres of forest were Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh burnt completely in , governments to fill up the vacant posts with also in February. The fire was noticed at local police immediately, pending the raising, Metikuppe, Veerahosanahalli Muttigodu, training and deployment of the STPF. Agarasasuli and parts of Antharasanthe in and the adjoining Kodagu Source: Neha Sinha. ‘Special force to protect tigers in the offing’, The Indian Express, district. Forest officials said that a series of 16/02/09 temporary measures had been taken to deal with the fires. Temporary recruitments had Pakshi Shree award for Dr. Ramana been made and more than 350 forest watchers Athreya had been appointed to keep a watch on the outbreak of fire in what is being considered one Dr. Ramana Athreya, credited with the of the worst and longest dry spell facing discovery of the first new bird species, Bugun Bandipur and Nagarhole. Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 2 18 April 2009 (No. 78) liocichla, in mainland India in the last 55 years granting environment clearance to various was conferred the ‘Pakshi Shree Award’ during projects. A five member body, it consists of a the 12th Birding Fair held recently in Jaipur. Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson and three Dr. Athreya, who is an astronomer by technical member. At present there is no profession first spotted the bird in 1995 in the Chairperson, or Vice Chairperson but there are Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal three 'technical members' viz. J.C Kala (former Pradesh. It was, however, only a decade later Director General of Forests), Kushalendar that it was identified as a new species and Prasad (former Principal Conservator of named after the Bugun community as it was Forests, UP) and Dr I.V Mannivanan (Former discovered in their community forest area. Secretary to the Government of Tamil Nadu). Dr. Athreya has also taken up the work The post of chairperson has been lying vacant of the long term conservation of the area by for more than eight years and that of vice launching the Eaglenest Biodiversity Project in chairperson for the last three years. 2003. An important component of the project is The NEAA at present is hearing a an eco-tourism initiative which now sees nearly number of appeals against various projects that 250 tourists and revenue generation of Rs. 50 includes three dams in Uttarakhand (Kothlibhel lakhs annually. Projects), and a thermal power plant by Reliance Energy in Maharashtra. Except one Source: Sunny Sebastian. Many bird species case concerning the Polavaram dam project in waiting to be identified in eastern Andhra Pradesh, it has dismissed every single Himalayas, The Hindu, 11/02/09 appeal in the last eleven years of its existence. Contact: Dr. Ramana Athreya. Kaati Trust, The High Court had now directed the NCRA, Pune University Campus, MoEF to appoint the Chairperson and Vice Ganeshkhind. Pune - 411007, Chairperson within twelve weeks and ensure Maharashtra. Email: that while appointing technical members only [email protected]; people with technical expertise were chosen. [email protected] The full judgement of the HC can be seen at

http://www.ercindia.org/node/197 Delhi High Court comes down heavily on

MoEF and the NEAA Source: Email posting by LIFE dated 14/02/09 Contact: Legal Initiative for Forest and The Delhi High Court has in its order dated Environment (LIFE), C-86, Lower 11.2.2009 come down heavily on the Ministry Ground Floor, East of Kailash, New of Environment and Forests (MoEF) for not Delhi-110065. Telefax- 011-46570551- fully constituting the National Environment 52. Email: [email protected] Appellate Authority (NEAA) despite clear directions from the court more than three years Workshop held on Social dimensions of back. The High Court was also critical of the Marine Protected Area implementation in manner of functioning of the NEAA which, in India its 11 years of existence has dismissed all appeals filed before it. The Court observed that A national workshop on ‘Social dimensions of the NEAA in its present state was neither an Marine Protected Area implementation in India: effective nor an independent mechanism for Do fishing communities benefit?’ was held in redressing the grievance of the public in Chennai on January 21 & 22, 2009. It was relation to the environment clearances granted organized by the International Collective in by State or Central Government. The High Support of Fishworkers (ICSF) and was Court also imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on the attended by representatives of artisanal and MoEF in the matter. small-scale fishworker organizations, The NEAA is established through an organizations in support of fishworkers, Act of Parliament (The National Environment environmental groups, and the scientific Appellate Authority Act, 1997) and provides a community from around the country. forum to challenge the decision of the MoEF Case studies were presented from the

Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 2 19 April 2009 (No. 78) Gulf of Mannar National Park, Tamil Nadu; the common teal Anas crecca, northern pintail Gahirmatha (Marine) Wildlife Sanctuary, Anas acuta, northern shoveler Anas clypeata, Orissa; the Gulf of Kutch Marine National Park and bar-headed goose Anser indicus, all species and Sanctuary, Gujarat; the Sundarban Tiger that have been afflicted with HPAI H5N1 in the Reserve, West Bengal; and the proposed recent past. Malvan (Marine) Wildlife Sanctuary, The study in India is part of a global Maharashtra. program to not only better understand the A statement released at the end of the movement of avian influenza viruses and other workshop called for the Integration of diseases in the Central Asian Flyway, but also fundamental principles of participation, to improve the understanding of the ecological environmental justice, social justice, and habits of waterbirds internationally, as well as human rights into the implementation of marine the interactions among wild and domestic birds. and coastal protected areas; the need to address It is being conducted by the United threats to coastal and marine ecosystems from Nation’s Food and Agricultural Organization non-fishery sources; enforcement of the marine (FAO) and is the first of its kind in India. The fishing regulation act in all the states and union other partners collaborating in the study include territories; adoption of legislation to conserve the Indian Ministry of Environment and and manage living resources of India Exclusive Forests, Indian Ministry of Agriculture, the Economic Zone and adoption of an integrated Bombay Natural History Society, Wetlands approach for the management of coastal and International, United States Geological Survey, marine living resources. the United Nations (FAO)-India and EMPRES- Wildlife Unit based at UN-FAO headquarters in Contact: ICSF, 27 College Road, Chennai - Rome. In Orissa the collaborating organizations 600006, Tamil Nadu. Tel: 044- include the State Wildlife Wing of the Forest 28275303. Fax: 28254457. Email: Department, the Chilika Development [email protected]; [email protected] Web: Authority, the Directorate of Animal www.icsf.net; www.icsf.org Husbandry & Veterinary Services, while in Tamil Nadu, these include the State Wildlife 70 birds in Chilika satellite tagged for study Wing of the Forest Department, and the on Avian Influenza Directorate of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services. A new international study of migratory birds The United States Geological Survey and their role in the spread of highly (USGS), on behalf of the partnership, has a pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 has website where people can follow the daily been initiated at the Chilika Lake. A team of movements of the satellite-tagged birds, international scientists captured, sampled, and including maps in Google Earth. It is marked 70 waterbirds with satellite tags here in http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=2140 December. The birds will be tracked over the coming months to understand whether Contacts: Dr. Venkatasubbarao Mandava relationships exist between the locations of (FAO India) +91-11-46532213 these marked birds and HPAI H5NI outbreaks Dr. Scott Newman (FAO-Wildlife Unit along the birds’ migratory pathways. – Rome, Italy) +39-06-570-53068 This strain of avian influenza has Dr. Dr. S. Balachandran (Bombay caused deaths in domestic poultry in India, and Natural History Society, Mumbai India) in domestic poultry, wild birds, and people in +9109443453088 many other countries in Asia, Africa and Dr. Taej Mundkur (Wetlands Europe since 2003. International Headquarters, the Additional research as part of the Netherlands) + 31(0)318 660940 project is being conducted in southern India at Dr. John Takekawa (Western Ecological Research Center, USGS, the Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary and at Vallejo CA, USA) +1-707-249-1378 wetlands near Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu.

Species that researchers have marked include Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 2 20 April 2009 (No. 78) India launches Project Snow Leopard SOUTH ASIA The Ministry of Environment and Forests has launched Project Snow Leopard in the five snow leopard range states: Jammu and NEPAL Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand,

Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. The project 14 radio-tagged gharials released in River will be executed in collaboration with the Rapti Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the

Mysore based Nature Conservation Foundation 14 gharials fitted with radio tags were recently (NCF) released into the Rapti River in Nepal in an The snow leopard has been included in attempt to identify the reasons for the alarming the list of species under the Recovery decline in population of this critically Programme to be funded through the umbrella endangered animal. The tagging, carried out by scheme for the integrated development of Nepal’s Department of National Parks and wildlife habitats. Wildlife Conservation in collaboration with The project will be treated at par with WWF-Nepal and the Critical Ecosystem other flagship programs like Project Tiger and Partnership Fund, is also intended to study the Project Elephant. An important dimension of movement pattern of the gharials, to assess its the initiative is the acceptance that in snow survival rate and find out about its preferred leopard country wildlife presence overlaps in a habitat in Nepal. major way with human use and conservation The reptiles will be monitored by will be successful only if local communities are Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) made partners in the effort. technology by a team from Chitwan National

Source: ‘India launches project to save Park. Between 1981-2008, 691 gharials were endangered snow leopards,’ The released in the Narayani, Rapti, Karnali, Babai, Economic Times, 22/01/09. Koshi and Kali Gandaki rivers but numbers Contact: Dr. Yashveer Bhatnagar, NCF 3076/5, continue to dwindle. A 2008 survey found just IV Cross, Gokulam Park, Mysore – 81 individuals in the various rivers of Nepal. 570002, Karnataka. Tel: 0821-2515 601. (Also see Madhya Pradesh above for continued Fax: 2513 822. Email: yash@ncf- gharial mortality in India) india.org Source: ‘Radio tagging attempt to save critically WCCB launches website endangered crocodile’, http://www.enn.com/wildlife/article/393 The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) 13, 13/02/09 recently launched its website, www.wccb.gov.in Apart from encouraging greater INTERNATIONAL NEWS participation in checking wildlife crime, the website also aims at increasing awareness among law enforcers, developing links with all Ninth COP meeting to Convention on the WCCB stakeholders and at encouraging Conservation of Migratory Species held international tourists to reduce the demand for wildlife products. The portal also seeks to The Ninth Meeting of the Conference of the generate greater awareness about banned Parties (COP 9) to the Convention on the wildlife products, purchase of which can lead Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) took to imprisonment. place between 1 - 5 December 2008, in Rome, Italy. Participants say that the meeting covered Source: ‘Website to disseminate info related to important ground to promote the conservation wildlife crime,’ The Times of India, 11/02/09. of migratory species. Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 2 21 April 2009 (No. 78) As the Convention covers all migratory species of wild animals, resolutions passed covered several groups of animals, in addition to UPCOMING migratory birds. The Resolutions and Recommendations adopted by are now available on Symposium on Decentralization, Power and http://www.cms.int/bodies/COP/cop9/COP9_Pr Tenure Rights of Forest-Dependent People e_final_res_rec_en.htm

An international symposium on Contact: Taej Mundkur, Wetlands International, Email: [email protected]; ‘Decentralisation, Power and Tenure Rights of [email protected] Web: Forest-Dependent People’ is being held in www.wetlands.org Gujarat on October 27 & 28, 2009. It is being organized by the Wageningen University, the Netherlands and the Sadguru Foundation

The topics that will be covered during OPPORTUNITIES the symposium are decentralization policies and

local forest institutions; power and political position of forest-dependent indigenous Summer internship in Forest Canopy peoples, pastoralists and tribals and legislative Research recognition of forest tenure rights.

The Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Contact: Purabi Bose. Email: the Environment (ATREE) has announced [email protected] Summer Internships in Forest Canopy Harnath Jagawat, NM Sadguru Water Research. and Development Foundation, PB No. ATREE has two ongoing projects in 71, Dahod – 389151, Gujarat. Tel: the forest canopies of in the 02673-238601/2. Fax: 238604. Email: Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve [email protected] Web: supported by Dept. of Science and Technology. www.nmsadguru.org The internships offer an unique opportunity for students where they will be trained on single International Workshop on Preserving rope access technique and the sampling Mangrove Ecosystem Services protocol. Part of this work could be presented in The 5th International Canopy Conference An International Workshop on Community that will be organized by the Ashoka Trust for Participation in Preserving Mangrove Research in Ecology and the Environment Ecosystem Services is being organized from (ATREE) in Bangalore, from the 25th to 31st June 4 to 6, 2009 by the Coastal Community of October 2009. Resource Centre in partnership with the Indian (See announcement in Upcoming section) Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the KIIT University, Bhubaneshwar. The Contact: Dr. M. Soubadra Devy, ATREE, 659 workshop is being supported by the 5th A Main Rd, Hebbal, Bengaluru Bhubaneshwar based Sandhan Foundation and 560024, Karnataka. Tel: 080-23530069. will be held in Gupti Village of Bhitarkanika. Fax: 23530070. Email: Contact: Dr. Bijay K. Nanda, Sandhan [email protected] Foundation, K-7/141, Kalinga Nagar, Ghatikia-751003, Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India, Telefax: 0674-2360699 / 09938371960. Email: [email protected]; [email protected] Web: www.sandhanfoundation.info

Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 2 22 April 2009 (No. 78) CSE announces one-month course on Conservation Global (EECG), Nature environmental management Conservation Society, Amravati, and S. G. B. Amravati University. It will be conducted with The New Delhi-based Centre for Science and the support of and in collaboration with the Environment (CSE), has announced a month- Maharashtra Wildlife Department. long course on environment management in The course aims to demonstrate how India. The course will be conducted by CSE’s environmental social marketing techniques can education and training unit – the Anil Agarwal be integrated with overall education and Green Centre (AAGC) – and has been titled communication strategies to produce focused ‘Agenda for survival: A certificate course on campaigns that are effective and practical tools the policies and practices of environmental for solving environmental problems. The course management in India’. It will be conducted at will illustrate educational concepts and the AAGC’s New Delhi campus from June 1- processes by demonstrating how they can be 30, 2009. employed to assist in meeting the conservation The topics that will be covered in the needs of the tiger in India and the habitats on course include an overview of India’s which they depend. environment; the environmental movement in It has been designed primarily for India; poverty and the biomass economy; people who develop, administer, or conduct ecological rights and natural resource education programs dealing with natural management: conservation and conflict: the resource conservation, sustainable development wildlife management debate in India; urban issues, or environmental and wildlife concerns. growth challenges: water and waste Participants may work for government management, air pollution and mobility; environmental or resource agencies, ministries industrialization, public health and climate of education, zoos, universities, non- change; and global environmental governance government organizations, museums, and parks The course fee is Rs 5,000, and the medium of instruction will be English. Contact: Kishore Rithe, Foundation, 201,Sapphire, Opp. Jantar-Mantar Flats, Contact: Sharmila Sinha, CSE. Tel: 011- Bharat Nagar, Amravati Road, , 29955124, 29951110 or 29956399. Maharashtra. Tel: 0712-2557320(0) / Email: [email protected] Web: 9422157123. Email: [email protected] http://www.cseindia.org/aagc/agenda.asp 5th International Canopy Conference World Ocean Conference 2009 The 5th International Canopy Conference is The World Ocean Conference (WOC) 2009 is being organized by the Ashoka Trust for being held from May 11-15, 2009 in Manado, Research in Ecology and the Environment North Sulawesi, Indonesia. (ATREE) in Bangalore, from the 25th to 31st of For more details visit the official October 2009. The theme for this conference is website: http://www.woc2009.org ‘Forest Canopies: Conservation, Climate Change and Sustainable Use.’ International Course on ‘Education as a tool The conference programme will for species conservation with a focus on the include keynote and plenary speakers on critical tiger in India’ topics, invited and contributed scientific symposia, methods workshops, a student An International Course on ‘Education as a tool symposium, poster sessions, field trips and a for species conservation with a focus on the film festival. tiger in India’ will be held from November 2 – The goals of the conference are to 20, 2009 at the Amravati University in highlight the relevance of canopy research with Amravati, Maharashtra. The course is being respect to current global challenges of climate sponsored and conducted by the Satpuda change, sustainability and biodiversity Foundation, Environmental Education and conservation. It will also see the integration of Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 2 23 April 2009 (No. 78) canopy science with natural science, social foster collaboration across sites and disciplines science and information technology to address within countries and across continents. these challenges. The conference will also provide an opportunity to build networks across Contact: M.B. Prashanth, ATREE (see above). continents to facilitate capacity building and Email: [email protected] Web: www.canopy2009.org

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