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JPAM UPDATE 6 File:///D:/Payal/Payal/ENVIS/ENVIS Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun/15.12.2011/ ENVIS W JPAM UPDATE 6 file:///D:/Payal/Payal/ENVIS/ENVIS Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun/15.12.2011/ ENVIS W... JPAM UPDATE 6, September 1995 News from Specific Areas Karnataka 1. Proposed Joint Management of Biligiri Rangaswamy Sanctuary (BRT): The Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple (BRT) Sanctuary is an important hilly forested habitat in southern Karnataka, well-known for its elephant population, medicinal plant diversity, the Soliga tribals, and the ancient temple itself. Several tribal hamlets have been in these forests for generations, and continue to stay there, possibly since the Forest Department realises that they do no appreciable damage to wildlife or its habitat. Proof of their sustainable ways is coming from the preliminary results of a study being conducted by the Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI) and other agencies, on the impact of non- timber forest product collection on biodiversity. Another group based inside the sanctuary, the Vivekananda Girijan Kalyan Kendra (VGKK), has been working among the tribals for over 15 years. Apart from health and education-related activities, and some marketing of tribal produce, VGKK is also helping with resettling tribals who want to move the sanctuary's periphery, and in promoting agro-forestry among them. Both TERI and VGKK are now exploring further possibilities of tribal entrepreneurship based on the area's biological resources, including local processing of medicinal plants (the ingredients of the famous Trifala come from these forests), honey, and other non-timber forest produce. On a recent visit to the area, IIPA had detailed discussions with members of these groups, as also with a senior forest officer at Bangalore. Dr. H.S. Sudarshan of VGKK felt that there should be some move towards involving the tribals in the management of the sanctuary, since they were extremely knowledgeable about the area's biodiversity (much of TERI's field work is based on the plant identification skills of the Soligas), and since they have a right to a sustainable harvest of the resources. We agreed, and gave him a brief note on how we think this could proceed. This note is enclosed at Annex 1. Interestingly, back in Bangalore we dropped in to see Mr. M.L. Ramprakash (whose proposal for joint management at Nagarahole National Park was reported by us in Update 3), who revealed that he had proposed joint management of BRT some years back. While the proposal was not taken up at that time, perhaps with the backing of the local groups, it could move forward. There are, of course, many issues to be sorted out before any form of joint management of BRT can be started. Some of these are listed in the appended note; others will come up when and if the discussions start between the Forest Department, the NGOs, the tribals, and independent conservationists who have been associated with the area. We would stress the importance of taking all parties into confidence right from the start; on this visit, IIPA was not able to talk with the forest officials in charge of the sanctuary, so we have stressed that VGKK should do this soon. Contacts : Dr. H.S. Sudarshan, Vivekananda Girijan Kalyan Kendra, P.O. B.R. Hills, Mysore Dist., Karnataka. Ph: 08224-8125/8425. Dr. K.S. Murali, Tata Energy Research Institute, 50/7 Palace Road, Bangalore 560052. Ph: 080-2268296; Fax: 2255760 Divisional Forest Officer (WL), Forest Department, Chamrajnagar, Karnataka. Madhya Pradesh 1. Campaign against destruction of Achanakmar Sanctuary: An NGO working in Bilaspur (Madhya Pradesh), Nature Club, has regularly been visiting the Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary (AWS). They recently reported that the sanctuary is being affected by serious overgrazing and disturbance caused by 'daihans' (cattle camps), belonging to influential owners from outside the area. These camps hold some 20,000 cattle, 1 of 7 12/16/2011 12:30 PM JPAM UPDATE 6 file:///D:/Payal/Payal/ENVIS/ENVIS Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun/15.12.2011/ ENVIS W... who are allowed to graze freely in the forests. Since the owners are people with clout, the Forest Department is unable to fully control the situation, though it has repeatedly tried. Competition between wildlife and cattle is reportedly severe, especially during summer when there is anyway water shortage. In addition, Nature Club members report that a large number of Gaur and deer (Spotted?) have died because of a disease spread by cattle known as 'Khurha'. Other problems, which may be related to the higher incidence of local human intrusion, is the increasing number of attacks on humans by Sloth bears. Nature Club also alleges that 'daihan' owners help poachers in killing wildlife, including tigers and leopards. Nature Club is now taking up a campaign on the issue, both locally in and around Bilaspur as well as in the state. Recently they have begun to consult the villagers living inside the sanctuary (many of whom, being pastoralists, are also seriously affected by the 'daihans', and are therefore vehemently opposed to them). They hope that with the help of these villagers, and the Forest Department, they can put adequate pressure on the government to curtail the activities of the daihans. Contact : Anurag Shukla, Nature Club, Mans Associates, Magarpara Road, Bilaspur, Madhya Pradesh. Ph: 07752-22181. Maharashtra 1. Dialogue at Bhimashankar Sanctuary: Kusum Karnik of Ekjoot Sanghatan recently reported that there was a consultation between forest officials, local tribals, and NGOs, on the various issues faced by the Bhimashankar Sanctuary in the Western Ghats. She also says that they are continuing to push for a joint management system with the Forest Department, local tribals, NGOs, and independent conservationists/activists being involved. She has promised to send a write-up on the latest situation; we will report it in the next issue. Contact : Kusum Karnik/Anand Kapoor, Solat Building, Manchar, Tahsil Ambegaon, District Pune - 410503, Maharashtra. Rajasthan 1. Fresh Threat to Sariska Tiger Reserve: Rajendra Singh of Tarun Bharat Sangh reports that a major hotel project of the Birlas has started construction within the boundaries of the Sariska Tiger Reserve last month. The TBS has organised villagers to protest against this, and managed to stall construction by physically blocking it for a few days. However, he has appealed for urgent help from outside, as the forces behind the hotel are very powerful, and have the backing of the state government. Readers will recall the famous struggle against mining, which was successfully waged by the villagers inside and adjacent to the Tiger Reserve. That struggle involved actions ranging from local blockades to a petition in the Supreme Court, considerable media attention, and support from the Forest Department. Perhaps something akin to that is needed against this new threat. Once again, this shows that in such situations some form of collaboration is needed, for any single party on its own may not be able to fight the vested interests bent on destroying the last of our wildlife habitats and rural livelihood resources. Contact : Rajendra Singh, Tarun Bharat Sangh, Bhikampura - Kishori, Via Thanagazi, Alwar -301002, Rajasthan. Ph: 014652/4443. Regional/State News Gujarat 1. Bharat Lal, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Junagadh, Gujarat, who has been working on the peripheries of the Gir National Park, has 2 of 7 12/16/2011 12:30 PM JPAM UPDATE 6 file:///D:/Payal/Payal/ENVIS/ENVIS Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun/15.12.2011/ ENVIS W... written to us supporting the idea of people's involvement in protected areas. Lal had been honoured by a local NGO, during the Jungle Jivan Bachao Yatra in January 1995, for his pioneering work in regeneration of forests in the Girnar area. Local conservationists report that not only has the grass output for livestock in the area increased significantly, but that some lions and other wildlife which had disappeared earlier have been resighted, possibly having moved back from the adjacent National Park. Lal has sent in an interesting document on the work done in the area, titled "Moisture Conservation Strategies in Drought Prone Areas: Technological Alternatives To Enlist People's Participation". In a recent note he has also written about the efforts of the Department to regenerate the productivity of the state's grasslands to meet the fodder requirements of livestock, and has reiterated that this sort of effort, along with watershed development, should be the endeavor of the Department in and around PAs. Contact : Bharat Lal, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Working Plan Division, Sardarbaug, Junagadh, Gujarat 362001. Ph: 0285-23180. National News 1. Workshop on Conflict Resolution: The Center for Environmental Law, World Wide Fund For Nature-India (New Delhi), organised a Workshop On Conflict Resolution in Biodiversity Conservation, in Bhopal from 27-29th July 1995. The workshop provided a forum where conflict situations could be discussed by various interest groups. The sessions included specific case studies of protected areas like Narayan Sarovar (Gujarat), Bhitarkanika (Orissa), Melghat (Maharashtra), Rajaji (Uttar Pradesh), and Pulicat (Andhra Pradesh/Tamil Nadu). Though unfortunately no concluding session could be held, WWF-I is hopefully formulating some concrete follow-up. The report of the workshop and the papers presented, are being published by WWF. Contact : Sanjay Upadhyay, Center for Environmental Law, World Wide Fund For Nature - India, 172 B Lodhi Estate, New Delhi 110003. Ph: 011- 4624197; Fax: 4626837; Email: [email protected]. 2. Committee to Recommend Conservation Measures: Alarmed at the recent spate of poaching and habitat destruction all over the country, and following the directives of the Delhi High Court following a writ petition by conservationists, the Ministry of Environment and Forests has set up a committee to recommend urgent measures to protect wildlife. The committee is chaired by the Inspector General of Forests, S.M. Ahmed.
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