QUARTERLY JOURNAL

Volume 9 Issue 1 January - March 2019

3rd STOCKTAKING CONFERENCE ON CONSERVATION

TRAINING OF TRAINERS (ToT) / CAPACITY BUILDING

TRANSNATIONAL COLLABORATIVE VISIT TO MALAYSIA

NTCA APPRAISAL / SUPERVISORY VISITS / OTHER EVENTS

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY GOVERNMENT OF

3rd STOCKTAKING CONFERENCE ...... 3

TRAINING OF TRAINERS (ToT)...... 6

15th MEETING OF THE NTCA ...... 8 TRANS-NATIONAL COLLABORATIVE VISIT TO MALAYSIA...... 10 NTCA APPRAISAL/SUPERVISORY VISITS ...... 12

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

India while supporting around 2/3rd of global wild tiger population, is committed to supplement the efforts of Tiger Range countries Editor Dr Anup Kumar to double tiger population by 2022 that began in St. Petersburg Nayak Tiger Summit of 2010. Accordingly, this Authority in collaboration ADG(PT) & MS (NTCA) with GTF held 3rd Stocktaking Conference on 28-29 January 2019 in New Delhi which is a latest collective efforts by 13 tiger-range Editorial governments to achieve that goal. Coordinators Dr. Amit Mallick Dealing with human-wildlife interaction is an important and prioritized agenda of this IG(NTCA Authority and as part of capacity building of field veterinarian and frontline officers to Shri Surendar Mehra DIG(NTCA) deal with the burgeoning Tiger-Human negative interaction in the central India with Shri Nishant verma special emphasis to State of Maharashtra, a Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop on DIG(NTCA) immobilization, restraint, rescue and rehabilitation of Tiger was held from 21 to 23 Dr Vaibhav mathur February 2019 in , Maharashtra. AIG(NTCA) Dr Raja Ram Singh AIG(NTCA) The 15th Meeting of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) was held on March 8, 2019 under Chairmanship of Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Hon’ble Minister of Environment, Feedback Forest and Climate Change/Chairman NTCA in New Delhi. [email protected]

Other important issues that are covered in this first quarterly magazine of this Editorial Consultants Authority inter alia includes visit of Indian Delegation in collaboration with GTF to Dr Sabina Kidwai Malaysia Priority Tiger Areas, tour/supervisory visits of officials from the NTCA Hqrs Himanshu Malhotra and its regional offices as part of implementation of guidelines/SOP of .

I commend efforts of all officials to bring out this issue of the magazine and I hope this issue of "Stripes" (January- March 2019) will be of immense use in disseminating the activities under Project tiger/NTCA for the readers.

Dr Anup Kumar Nayak ADG(PT) & MS (NTCA)

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CONFERENCE Photo Credit: NTCA Session in progress during the 3rd Stocktaking conference on tiger conservation

3rd STOCKTAKING CONFERENCE ON TIGER CONSERVATION (28-29 JANUARY 2019)

The 3rd Stocktaking Conference began at the 2010 St Petersburg wildlife interface issues, smart on tiger conservation was held Tiger Summit - where 13 tiger- green infrastructure, habitat, on 28-29 January 2019, at the range governments committed to field management,conservation SCOPE Complex, New Delhi. This Tx2 - an ambitious goal to double finance and partnerships. Apart was organized by the Global Tiger the global wild tiger population from this, there were four Side Forum, as an implementing arm of by 2022. Events, viz. reviewing of the the Global Tiger Initiative Council Sub/continental level Tiger (GTIC), in collaboration with The two-day conference estimation for India, Bangladesh, the National Tiger Conservation included country updates on Bhutan, and Nepal. Maximizing Authority (Government of India), the Key Performance Indicators synergies of partnerships for tiger Wildlife Conservation Trust (KPIs) of Tiger Range Country conservation, combating wildlife (WCT), Wildlife Trust of India specific National Tiger Recovery trafficking issues and a discussion (WTI) and WWF. Program (NTRP), and technical on contours of strategy for presentations on themes such as conventions (CITES). Tiger-range The conference is the latest protection, habitat/prey/tiger governments agreed on the urgent collective step in the process that recovery, management of human need to address critical gaps

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across the tiger range through a Therefore, corridor protection recovery. In many TRCs, this is set of recommendations. and management should be given the highest priority but assessing the highest priority. and augmenting the prey base is Recommendations still lagging behind. Towards 2022 Tiger Population Assessment Therefore, simple & robust Tiger Range Countries (TRCs) While the methodology for tiger approaches for assessing prey made a commitment to double estimation is being implemented abundance and occupancy need to tiger numbers by 2022. This is the by several TRCs, there is a need be developed and systematically last stocktaking meeting before to implement the countrywide applied in TRCs. that deadline. In order to ensure assessment protocol for a more that TRCs are moving towards the realistic assessment of tiger status Protection & Management target they had set for themselves where it has not been done yet. some critical actions need to be Many TRCs are now implementing put into place immediately. Therefore, TRCs need to update SMART/MSTrIPES and other the status of tiger population Law Enforcement Monitoring Habitats using state of the art estimation approaches although capacity for methods to monitor the status of protection on the ground remains While several TRCs have been tiger for supporting management a critical gap in most TRCs. able to secure additional habitat inputs and identifying realistic for , forest loss and site-specific gaps. Therefore, TRCs should prioritise fragmentation continues to be sites with greatest recovery a concern in many TRCs. Linear Prey potential and focus efforts in key infrastructure is one of the main sites to get them to a minimal level factors leading to fragmentation. Adequate prey is key to tiger of protection and management. Photo Credit: NTCA Felicitation of Hon’ble Minister, MoEF&CC by ADG (PT) & MS (NTCA)

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Policies & Land use trade, in tiger parts including Continent level Tiger Estimation from captive bred sources and On side-lines of the 3rd Most TRCs have legal protection amend legislation to prohibit Stocktaking Conference on Tiger for tigers and habitats. However, captive breeding of tigers for Conservation in New Delhi on the implementation of these commercial purpose and share January 28, 2019, a meeting was policies remains weak. In actionable information with law held under Chairmanship of the addition, tigers in some TRCs are enforcement agencies in relevant Additional Director General of moving beyond PA boundaries TRCs and transit countries. Forest (Project Tiger) & Member and these populations need Secretary (NTCA). The meeting targeted policies. Investment was attended by officials from Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Therefore, TRCs should work While some TRCs have stepped up India. towards synergising broader investment for tiger conservation, A presentation was given by the land use and specific tiger funding remains a critical gap National Conservation Authority conservation laws and policies. for many countries. Additional on decisions taken during meeting funding may be needed when held with tiger range countries Human Tiger Conflict (HTC) taking a landscape conservation of Bangladesh, Bhutan & Nepal approach into account. on December 12, 2017. This was Some TRCs are facing a high level followed by a status update on of conflict and are implementing a Therefore, agencies need to step fourth cycle of the All India Tiger range of measures to address this. up funding for tiger and other Estimation, 2018 of areas in India At the same time, TRCs with low endangered species conservation adjoining tiger occupied regions tiger numbers or those planning particularly for critical sites/ of Bangladesh, Bhutan & Nepal. reintroductions need to countries with potential for It was finalised to form a strategy prepare for potential conflict. recovery. on the way forward so as to Unaddressed HTC can lead to both come out with the sub-continent loss of tigers and loss of support Supporting Recovery Efforts in level report. Consistency of for tiger conservation. South East Asia methodology for analysis, harmonization of data needs after Therefore, TRCs with high levels While populations seem to be sharing and developing a format of conflict need to move from going well in some TRCs, mainly for the sub-continent level report reactive mode to implementing South Asia and Russia, tiger were also discussed. proactive, systemic and scalable populations in other regions solutions to conflict management need to strengthen tiger recovery efforts. Poaching & Illegal Wildlife Trade Therefore, TRCs and partners should set up and fund a ‘South East The demand from consumers Asia Tiger Revival Consortium’ in global market is a continuing consisting of donors, technical concern. This is exacerbated experts, NGOs, and governments by the fact that transnational to develop and implement a Tiger organised syndicates are involved Recovery Master plan to put these in poaching & trafficking. tiger populations on a recovery path. Therefore, TRCs should prohibit all trade, including domestic Meeting held in context of Sub-

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CAPACITY BUILDING Photo Credit: NTCA Hands on training of equipments for veterinarians in ToT, at Pench Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra

TRAINING OF TRAINERS (ToT): CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOP ON IMMOBILIZATION, RESTRAINT, RESCUE AND REHABILITATION OF TIGER (21-23 FEBRUARY, 2019; PENCH TIGER RESERVE, MAHARASHTRA)

A three-day workshop was Workshop was inaugurated by Overview on legalities related organized under the aegis of the Chief Guest Dr. Anup Kumar to capture, rehabilitation and Wildlife Institute of India (WII) Nayak, ADG (PT) & MS (NTCA) mortality investigations with and National Tiger Conservation along with APCCF (Protection), special reference to Tigers/ Authority (NTCA) at Sillari, Pench Maharashtra, Mr. B.S. Hooda, CCF provision of concerned SOPs: Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra from & FD, Pench Tiger Reserve, Dr. 21/02/2019 to 23/02/2019. The Ravikiran Govekar, Forest Officers In this session, legalities objective of the training was to and representatives of the NTCA. related to Wildlife Protection impart training to the participants The chief guest addressed the Act, 1972, along with SOP’s of on Immobilization, Restraint, gathering and mentioned about NTCA for capturing & rewilding Rescue and Rehabilitation of key objectives of the workshop and of carnivores and disposing Tigers. appreciated the efforts taken by of carcass with pathological Maharashtra Forest Department sampling were discussed by AIG, Total number of participants was along with WII and NTCA to NTCA Dr. V.C. Mahtur. It was also 36 (veterinarian:1, veterinary arrange this workshop. He also emphasised that any issue related Officer:12, discussed about the current to capturing, rehabilitation & ACF:1, RFO:4, Rescue team human-animal conflict scenario mortality needs to be dealt with member:1, Forester:5, RO:1, Forest across the country and role of this proper permission from the Chief Guard:1 and Police Constable:1). workshop to tackle such issues. Wildlife Warden.

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also gave details of different trap cages, medicines and dosage required during capture. He put forth the thought of not capturing wild animals until a major injury is present.

Capturing Wild Felids: Options and Concerns by Dr. Parag Nigam, WII, Dehradun. Approach for large carnivore conservation in India by Dr. Bilal Habib (Scientist E, WII).

A case study about Rescue & Rehabilitation of Tigers by Dr. Akhilesh Mishra (Veterinary Officer, Pench Tiger Reserve, Photo Credit: NTCA Monitoring and revival of tranquilised female Sambhar for ToT )

Human wildlife conflict and and also deliberated about the Field demonstration exercises its mitigation with special schemes made for local people about the various equipments reference to large felids- case regarding rehabilitation and related to rescue, restraint studies of Maharashtra: compensation. This was followed and tranquilization were done. by presentation by Dr. Parag Dummy targets were kept for the The Field Director, Pench Tiger Nigam, Scientist- F, WII wherein purpose of the exercise. Reserve, Maharashtra discussed he discussed few case studies about the problems local people regarding tiger & injury face in Maharashtra from wild life & recovery in nature itself. He Photo Credit: NTCA Hands on training of field staff in ToT, at Pench Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra

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MEETING Photo Credit: NTCA

15th MEETING OF THE NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY (NTCA) (8 MARCH, 2019, NEW DELHI)

The 15th Meeting of the National which is being appreciated and of Management Effectiveness Tiger Conservation Authority at the same time being critically Evaluation (MEE). (NTCA) was held on March 8, watched by the world. 2019 under Chairmanship of Dr. A Committee has been constituted Harsh Vardhan, Hon’ble Minister The salient features of the to give recommendations to of Environment, Forest and meetings are given below: enhance package for voluntary Climate Change/Chairman, NTCA relocation from Core / Critical in Conference Hall, Action taken on the minutes of tiger habitats of Tiger Reserves Indira Paryavaran Bhawan, Jor the 14th Meeting of the NTCA. which inter-alia include Bagh, New Delhi. convergence of Government As stressed by the Chairperson Schemes. This committee has The Hon’ble MEF&CC/Chairman in meeting, “Grant-in-Aids” and received inputs from the National NTCA welcomed the participants budget allocated in Project Tiger Commission for Scheduled Tribes and highlighted the experience of allocated to NTCA has been fully (NCST) which are in process of the new members which should utilized in 2017-18. being incorporated. aid in shaping tiger conservation policy in the country. He All SOPs and Advisories issued by As far as finalization of Tiger emphasized on the fact that India the NTCA are ensured to be adhered Mortality cases is concerned, at has a leadership role in Tiger to, by supervisory visits by present pendency is 10% (55 of Conservation across the globe Regional Offices and mechanism total 554 cases since 2012 to 2017).

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There is already a provision of The Authority authorized the Exploring the possibility of dovetailing of schemes at the Member Secretary (NTCA) to addressing damage due to negative state level with voluntary village utilize the NTCA “Grants-in-aid” human tiger interactions under relocation. fund for incurring expenditure the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima on foreign travel by officials of Yojana. In addition, he advised Approval of budget/ the NTCA. that the funding dispensation of expenditure schedules for the Centrally Sponsored Scheme may year 2017-18 Issues referred by the NTCA be reviewed in consultation with Members the 15th Finance Commission. The Authority unanimously (Joint Secretary, Ministry of ratified the form of financial Difficulty in getting matching Panchayati Raj) statements together with balance grant of 40% by state to deal with sheet, income and expenditure the wildlife-human negative Tiger corridor areas should be account, receipts and payment interaction under CSS-PT within the Eco-sensitive zone statements and Audit Report. and reverting back to earlier of tiger reserves so as to ensure arrangement of Central-State their integrity. As a mitigation The Authority was informed of share. (Chief Wildlife Warden, measure, he suggested that the allocation of Rs. 1000.00 lakhs ) linear infrastructure should be to the NTCA for the year 2018-19 constructed underground. He and an expenditure of Rs. 887.00 An advisory to declare wild also raised the issue of regulating lakhs incurred out of the Rs. animal-human negative pesticide use in and around tiger 900.00 lakhs released to the NTCA. interaction as a natural disaster reserves. (Dr. Anish Andheria, on the lines of Uttar Pradesh. WCT) Under the ongoing Centrally (Chief Wildlife Warden, Sponsored Scheme of Project ) Tiger, the Authority was apprised of a cent percent utilization of Rs. Delays in release of funds under 34500.00 lakhs during the F. Y. the Centrally Sponsored Scheme 2017-18. of Project Tiger which seriously hamper salaries to the Special The Authority was informed of Tiger Protection Force (STPF), a utilization of an amount Rs. and revisiting the Standing 29789.05 lakhs out of the Rs. Operating Procedures issued by 35000.00 lakhs allocated during the NTCA in light of recent field the F. Y. 2018-19. experiences. (Chief Wildlife Warden, Maharashtra) Delegation of powers to the Members Secretary - NTCA Need of the NTCA to monitor status of notification of Critical The Authority approved Wildlife Habitats (CWH) as delegation of powers to the enshrined in the Scheduled Tribes Member Secretary, (NTCA) and other Traditional Forest to incur expenditure on Civil Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Works up to an amount of Rs. Rights) Act, 2006 across States. 5,00,000/- from the present limit (Joint Secretary, Ministry of of Rs.50,000/-. Tribal Affairs)

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Photo Credit: NTCA Delegates of transnational collaborative consultation-GTF Mission Visit to Malaysia

TRANSNATIONAL COLLABORATIVE CONSULTATION - GLOBAL TIGER FORUM (GTF) MISSION VISIT TO MALAYSIA 12TH TO 17TH MARCH 2019

Dr. Amit Mallick, IGF, representing regard to funding of the national The GTF Mission had a NTCA, Govt. of India, was part of parks, state parks is left with the consultation meeting with WWF, the Global Tiger Mission (GTF) State Governments, which, at Malaysia at the headquarters. led by Dr. Rajesh Gopal, Secretary present, is creating a distinct gap A detailed presentation was General, GTF, Mr. Mohnish in managing and protection of the made by Dr. Mark, Head, WWF, Kapoor, Head – Programme and protected areas in the country. Malaysia, deliberating upon the Partnerships, GTF, Mr. Soumitri The Royal Belum State Park, Gerik corridors and linkages in the tiger Das, USAID and Mr. Lam, GTF and Perak’s State Park Corporation sites and the kind of shrinkages, Administrator. The Mission had a are merely managed with limited which have happened over the detailed stock taking consultation funding received from the State. years, reasoning out concerns, meeting with the GTF Focal The range staff engaged in these which need to be addressed to Point, Malaysia Dr.Shivanathan parks is bare minimum, vis- carry forward tiger agenda in the to get an update on the status à-vis, the area required to be Malaysian context. of National Tiger Action Plan, protected and, thereby, unable Malaysia and its implementation. to control the poaching related The Mission attended the Pertinent aspects in the context protection issues at the field consultative meeting chaired by of the federal structure and the level. The overall structural Dr. Xavier Jayakumar, Hon’ble State governance with regard to changes in administration and Minister of Water, Land and managing forest and wildlife areas management at the national Natural Resources, Malaysia was discussed and gaps in respect level for flagging the issues for and Secretary General, KATS, of centre – state cooperation was consideration at the national level DG and other senior officials in pointed out categorically by the was also discussed during the the government department. A focal point. The main issue with meeting. detailed discussion with regard to

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the tiger recovery in Malaysia was d. Stepping up protection a GTF programme office in held and a presentation was made infrastructure in vulnerable Malaysia was also indicated. by the Head of the Mission during areas would be equally the meeting. important. j. Hon’ble Minister and Secretary General of KATS During the deliberations, priority e. An active revival of were invited to visit India actions were also dealt upon and opportunity, as per the so as to experience the suggested, as follows: - National Tiger Action Plan management and good with focus on micro cores will practices being undertaken a. In order to set the house have to be initiated. in India. This could be in order, committed funding facilitated through GTF–WWF support from federal and state f. Creating stakeholder agenda collaboration. governments (60:40) would be with a landscape approach required. and master plan will have to be prioritised. b. Boots on the ground will have to be the motto g. Creating an endowment and thereby stepping up fund / trust fund to address protection. Immediate action funding to meet cost will also would include engaging army be required. / police though an MoU and suitable orientation. h. Trans-national actions and engagement will also have to c. Also engaging local work be given priority. force and giving remuneration will have to be explored. i. For continuous facilitation, Photo Credit: NTCA Participants from the NTCA and GTF for transnational collaborative consultation-GTF Mission Visit to Malaysia

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TOURS

APPRAISAL/SUPERVISORY VISITS BY THE NTCA HQRS OFFICIALS TO THE TIGER RESERVES/LANDSCAPE

Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve: It was appraised that only areas 48 tigers for which photographic 22.01.2019-23.01.2019 under tiger reserves are being documentation is going on. assessed for tiger estimation this Dr. Anup Kumar Nayak, ADG (PT) & cycle which should have covered This needs to be continued more MS, NTCA visited Ranthambhore all potential tiger habitats. so for dispersing tigers. Tiger Reserve between 22.01.2019 According to Tiger Cell the and 23. 01.2019 and had discussion number of camera traps placed 6. Core with Field Director, Deputy as per Phase III protocol appears Total area of Ranthambhore Director RTR on various issues, to be less than compared to Tiger Reserve is 1345 sq.km., out viz. tiger monitoring, village previous cycle of assessment. It of which core area is 1030 sq.km. relocation and works under was advised to check the data and and the rest 315 sq.km. is buffer. Annual Plan of Operations etc and get back to NTCA for any possible details of observations during the rectification. It was apprised that there are still tour are given below: 60 villages inside the core, for 3. M-STrIPES which efforts are on to relocate 1. Monsoon Tourism Patrolling module of M-STrIPES which should be expedited Carrying capacity for tourism has not been implemented by the following due procedure. calculated by park authorities as field staffs as yet. 280 vehicles per day. However, patrolling is being 7. Ramgarh-Bishdhari 4 lakhs tourists visit the park monitored through HEJJE module. Sanctuary annually. It was advised to shift to Ramgarh-Bishdhari Sanctuary M-STrIPES without delay. is located adjoining the Erstwhile core areas of the Park Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, remain closed during monsoon for 4. Tiger Conservation Plan which is looked after 3 months, viz. July to September. Queries raised by NTCA on the administratively by DFO, Kota. draft Tiger Conservation Plan There are 10 tourism zones of Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve It was advised that this area operating in the entire tiger needs to be complied at the should either be brought under reserve out of which 5 zones are earliest. It was also suggested to tiger reserve or under the unified closed during monsoon as stated incorporate caracal conservation control of Field Director for better above and rest 5 zones are still as part of the theme zone, due management. operating in the core during to its very small population in monsoon against the advisory of Ranthambhore. Gujarat Forest Department, NTCA. This should be complied Sasan Gir: 26.02.2019- with immediately. 5. Phase-IV monitoring 27.02.2019 As per Phase IV monitoring 2. All India Tiger Estimation taken up during 2017, there are Dr. Amit Mallick, IGF, NTCA

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visited Gujarat between issue of inter-state tiger dispersal required details, as per norms 26.02.2019 and 27.02.2019 and and movement. within a month’s period. had discussion with PCCFs and CWLWs in the light of the recent Forest Department The details pertaining to All camera-trap photographs of a (Consultation with CWLW, CCF India Tiger Estimation, pending tiger from Santrampur forest (Wildlife) and other concerned verification was also discussed area. Monitoring protocols being officers of Kerala): 28.02.2019 with concerned officials and followed and the required amount to 02.03.2019 the same was facilitated to be of assessment and technical submitted to the Tiger Cell in knowhow required was also Dr. Amit Mallick, IGF, NTCA the Wildlife Institute of India. discussed. The CWLW, Gujarat visited Thiruvananthapuram and Data pertaining to Calicut and informed that the required attended detailed consultation Thiruvananthapuram Divisions monitoring had been initiated meeting with CWLW, Kerala were pending the same was and would be sending a proposal with regard to the recent assured to be furnished to Tiger for technical assistance from communication with the State Cell at the earliest. Progress of NTCA, which needs to be followed on the proposal for declaring implementation of M-STrIPES up. the tiger reserve in Wayanad in the tiger reserves and in landscape in Kerala. It was the adjoining areas was also Unfortunately, the day after the emphasized that the Bandipur- discussed. The efforts being discussions, the said tiger was Mudumalai-Wayanad landscape made by the State is promising reported to be found dead in holds the highest density (570) of and M-STrIPES Patrol Module about 15 Km. from where it was tigers in the world and, therefore, would be greatly benefitting the seen. The CWLW, Gujarat was bringing Wayanad landscape in protection initiatives in the State, given the necessary guidance Kerala, which harbour one of the once M-STrIPES is made fully with regard to the SOP to be best tiger habitats, needs to be functional. followed and detailed report in brought under the ‘Project Tiger’ respect of the death of the tiger. umbrella more so to get CSS Rajaji Tiger Reserve , It is necessary to analyse the funding support, enabling better : 09.03.2019- pathway/ passage used by the management and long-term 10.03.2019) said tiger, as the presence of the sustenance at the landscape level. tiger has opened up possibilities The CWLW, Kerala has initiated Shri Nishant Verma, DIG, NTCA of such dispersal in future as well. the process and would be sending visited Rajaji Tiger Reserve on It would be in the fitness of things a formal proposal to NTCA. 09.03.2019-10.03.2019 and details to continue to keep the area of observations during the tour under a coordinated inter-State Detailed discussions on are given below: monitoring so as to have a better acquisition of Panchakanam understanding of movement of big Estate in Periyar Tiger Reserve 1. Meeting with the Field cats in future. The SOP for inter- were also held, as a fellow up to the Director, Rajaji: State coordination to strengthen earlier interactions. The detailed It was emphasized the the capacity the tiger conservation is required evaluation and beneficiary building of the field formations be to be activated amongst the State details required, as per norms, done for the compliance of SOPs of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and was discussed and issues related of NTCA dealing with tiger death, Maharashtra so that more efforts to management due to presence disposal of Tiger / leopard body get into the management of tiger at of the estate inside the Periyar parts / carcass and dealing with the landscape level. All concerned Tiger Reserve was emphasized. emergency situations arising for States need to be taken up on The State would be submitting a the straying of tigers in Human board for jointly coordinating the formal proposal after getting the dominated landscapes. Also, the

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activities for AITE, 2018 were 4. Tourism in the tiger response to NTCA’s letters dated inquired and it was emphasized reserve: Tourism in Chilla range 9.11.2018 and 11.12.2018 before to submit Phase-I & Phase-III data was reviewed and it eas found proceeding to Satkosia Tiger as per the timelines decided in that at present, the Gypsies Reserve. During the 2-day trip to the NTCA regional meetings and operating in Chilla tourism zone Satkosia, following observation the Field Directors, Chief Wildlife are provided by EDCs viz. Kasan are made: Wardens meeting conducted on and Ganga Bhogpur Malla and 19.11.2018 at New Delhi. Also, the the canteen at Chilla is also run 1. Monitoring of resident submission of village relocation by EDC. The forest track open tigress: While interacting with proposal (if any) from the tiger for tourists is 36 kms long and staff of Athagarh and Satkosia reserve as per the NTCA format around 45 Gypsy are operational Divisions, it was evident that the was emphasized. on daily basis. It was emphasized staff of Athagarh Division are not to estimate carrying capacity for intensely involved in monitoring 2. Implementation of vehicle-based tourist visitation and supervising the movement of M-STrIPES Patrol app: Since, and come out with effective the tigress although the tigress M-STrIPES Patrol app is not yet permissible carrying capacity spends more than 30% of its time functional in the tiger reserve, to be incorporated in the TCP of in the Division during a month. it was suggested to have a RTR. Therefore, it was urged upon handholding training session of them to constantly hold periodic field staffs by M-STrIPES team of 5. General: The joint meetings of the concerned staff, WII. patrolling with the official of step up foot patrolling in all Haridwar Forest Division and vulnerable and inaccessible areas 3. Tiger Augmentation exchange of intelligence / and ensure that deficiencies in Project: Koelpura area of information sharing on periodic patrolling are plugged at the Motichur range was inspected it basis was emphasized. It was earliest. was found that a team has been advised to submit the draft TCP of constituted for tiger monitoring RTR incorporating the suggestions 2. Augmentation of prey base: and the documented patrol / / action taken points given by It was advised to augment the monitoring reports were seen. It NTCA in the last TCP meeting held prey base in Tulka-Katrang was emphasized that M-STrIPES at NTCA Hqrs without any further and Majhipada-Baghamunda patrol and ecological module delay. sub landscapes as proposed in should be used for patrolling and the project, as the above areas ecological monitoring. This area Forest Department and appear to have very low prey base is not having villages nearby and Satkosia Tiger Reserve, Odisha: apart from the fact that sambar with protection inputs can be 22.03.2019-26.03.2019 population is negligible in the potential habitat / choice site for entire tiger reserve. proposed tiger supplementation Dr. Anup Kumar Nayak, ADG (PT) in western Rajaji. It was suggested & MS, NTCA visited Bhubaneshwar 3. T-1 tigress that the TR management should and held discussion with Chief T1 tigress kept in enclosures undertake the pre-release Wildlife Warden, Odisha on has now been allowed to move activities / preparations including implementation of M-STrIPES, between both the enclosures active communities’ engagement submission of APOs 2019-20 for as apprised by DFO Satkosia. as per the guidelines of the NTCA Satkosia, Similipal and Sunabeda Rewilding of the tigress need and the supervisory constituted proposed tiger reserve, Convening to be taken up following the team of the NTCA shall be of a landscape level meeting SOP issued by this Authority to reviewing the preparedness very for Sunabeda Tiger Reserve and deal with orphaned/abandoned soon. actions to be taken at Satkosia in tiger cubs and old / injured

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tigers in the wild at the earliest 5. Vacancy: leaders as a priority through to make the animal fit for It was apprised that about 30% continuous communications, as release. of posts of frontline staff are the present efforts seems to be vacant at present. It was advised inadequate. 4. M-STrIPES to engage young educated local Rigorous patrolling and Monitoring protocols across the villagers for special protection supervision be resorted to cover landscape need to be strengthened activities, which will not only the entire Satkosia Tiger Reserve with active involvement of staff provide them employment but through M-STrIPES without any of all the 5 divisions. M-STrIPES also aid in winning back the trust delay. has started being implemented in of the locals. the tiger reserve. Field Director, Capacity building of the staff for Satkosia Tiger Reserve is urged to 6. General: the entire landscape need to be look at the patrolling pattern and It was urged upon the Field taken up at the earliest for which take remedial measures to cover Director, Satkosia Tiger Reserve NTCA is willing to facilitate. each and every inaccessible area and his DFOs that all out efforts in the landscape through foot should be made to win the trust patrolling. of the local villagers and opinion

Important meetings in the NTCA Hqrs, New Delhi under Chairmanship of ADG (PT) & MS, NTCA

Date Subjects 21.1.2019 Meeting in context of finalizing the All India Tiger Estimation, 2018 Participants were the NTCA officers and Scientists from WII, Dehradun. Broad framework of AITE 2018 report and timeline for the report preparation were finalised. 23.1.2019 Meeting in respect of WP (Civil) No. 202/1995 reg. Constructions for providing facilities to the pilgrims at Sabarimala located within Periyar TR, Kerala. It was attended by the CWLW, Kerala, FD, Periyar and representative from Sabarimala Devasthanam Board and all possible aspects of the facilities to the pilgrims were discussed. 13.2.2019 Meeting with officials from the GTI/GTF/Clemson University wherein the future scope of collaboration between the NTCA and Clemson University were discussed. 22.2.2019 Meeting to deliberate upon standardization of primers for generating a referral genetic database for tigers in the country which was attended by Scientists from CCMB, Hyderabad, WII, Dehradun and NCBS, Bengaluru and it was decided to finalize the number of primers for use in tiger all across the country uniformly. 12.3.2019 Draft report prepared on "study on Economic Valuation of TR in India: Phase II" was discussed for finalization for 10 tiger reserves of the country. It was attended by the Representatives from the IIFM, Bhopal and officials from the NTCA, New Delhi.

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APPRAISAL/SUPERVISORY VISITS BY THE OFFICIALS OF THE NTCA REGIONAL OFFICES TO THE TIGER RESERVES/LANDSCAPE

NTCA, Regional Office, Nagpur

Date Place of visit Subject

22.01.2019 Gadchiroli -SEC Railway site appraisal

19.01.2019 to 20.01.2019 Nagpur -Reconciliation of AITE data

05.02.2019 to 08.02.2019 Kolhapur/Sahyadri -Inter-Agency Co-ordination Meeting and Supervisory visit organised by the WCCB. - Supervisory field visit of Sahyadri Tiger Reserve

10.03.2019 to12.03.2019 Bhubaneshwar -Reconciliation of data from All India Tiger Estimation

13.03.2019 to 14.03.2019 Ranchi Reconciliation of data from All India Tiger Estimation Photo Credit: NTCA Inspection of PIP- Supervisory visit of Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra

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Photo Credit: NTCA Inspection of Camp - Supervisory visit of Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra Photo Credit: NTCA Inspection of waterhole- Supervisory visit of Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra

January - March 2019 www.projecttiger.nic.in | 17

NTCA, Regional Office, Guwahati

Date Place of visit Subject

07.01.2019- Dibang Wildlife -For facilitating the deployment 13.01.2019 Sanctuary and Anini, of Camera traps, Scat collection and Polygon Search Method in the Dibang WLS for All India Tiger Estimation (AITE) exercise. - Attended a meeting called by the Deputy Commissioner, Anini to address the concerns of the Idu Mishmi Elite Society (IMES) members and to make them participant in the on-going AITE exercise.

17.01.2019 to Sundarbans Tiger -Supervisory field visit of 20.01.2019 Reserve, Sunderbans Tiger Reserve for discussions with the forest department on various issues pertaining to the management of the Tiger Reserve

15.02.2019 to Orang Tiger Reserve, Supervisory field visit 16.02.2019 Nameri Tiger Reserve, Assam

17.02.2019 to , Supervisory field visit 18.02.2019 Arunachal Pradesh

12.03.2019 to Itanagar, Arunachal -Training workshop on AITE, 14.03.2019 Pradesh Itanagar for all tiger bearing forest divisions of Arunachal Pradesh. -Highlighted the importance of the concurrent monitoring by using MSTRIPES application and on the need to check poaching and other wildlife related crimes.

18 | www.projecttiger.nic.in January - March 2019

NTCA, Regional Office, Bengaluru

Date Place of visit Subject

04.01.2019 Chennai, - Attended the inter-agency coordination meeting organized by Wildlife Crime Control Bureau

07.01.2019 Mancherial, - Site appraisal of proposal involving diversion of 5.7414 ha of forest land for four laning of NH 363 from Mancherial to Chandrapur.

07.02.2019 to Kawal Tiger Reserve, - Supervisory Visit to Kawal Tiger 08.02.2019 Telangana Reserve

13.02.2019 Tirunelveli, Tamil - Visit to Kalakkad Mundunthurai Nadu Tiger Reserve in connection with All India Tiger Estimation (AITE) data verification

15.02.2019 Thiruvananthpuram, - Attended the meeting of High Kerala Power Committee for Sabarimala Master Implementation

16.02.2019 Periyar Tiger Attended AITE data verification Reserve, Thekkady, work at Periyar Foundation and halt Kerala at Thekkady.

26.02.2019 to Bandipur Tiger Field visit for assessing the forest 27.02.2019 Reserve, fire damage.

27.02.2019 to Mudumalai Tiger Field visit for assessing the forest 28.02.2019 Reserve, Tamil Nadu fire damage.

19.03.2019 Thiruvananthpuram, Attended High Power Committee Kerala (HPC) meeting on implementation of Sabarimala master plan implementation at Government guesthouse, Thycaud, Thiruvananthpuram.

January - March 2019 www.projecttiger.nic.in | 19 STRIPES QUARTERLY OUTREACH JOURNAL OF NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY (A STATUTORY BODY UNDER MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA)

National Tiger Conservation Authority, Pt. Deendayal Antyodaya Bhawan, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi Published and Printed by SKM Wildlife Conservation Foundation Photo Credit: NTCA