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

Vol. XVI No. 1 February 2010 (No. 83)

LIST OF CONTENTS 10 EDITORIAL 3 Dismantled film sets degrading forests adjoining Don’t forget those on the frontlines the Sanjay Gandhi NP NEWS FROM INDIAN STATES Van majoors protest non-payment of wages; 3 stops tourists from entering Nagzira WLS Jerdon's courser sighted in Sri Lankamalleswara Deer and neelgai translocated from to Wildlife Sanctuary Bor Wildlife Sanctuary 4 Shifting of villages from Tadoba Andhari TR to Database of all rhinos in Assam be expedited Increased human - elephant conflict in Assam MoEF rejects mining project near Tadoba Over one lakh people visited Kaziranga National Andhari Tiger Reserve Park in 2008-09 Orissa 12 PWD study for diverting traffic from NH 37 Seven month ban on marine fishing in Orissa section through Kaziranga NP from November 2009 14 rhinos poached in Kaziranga NP in 2009 Oriental small-clawed otter reported from Ramsar tag proposed for Dhir Beel, Son Beel, Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary Kaziranga Beel and Dordoibam Beel Punjab 13 Two senior Nagaland officials suspect in rhino Illegal fishing rampant in Harike WLS poaching 13 6 Illegal fishing in Sariska TR; four arrested Railway track creates new rhino habitat adjoining NTCA approves Darrah Tiger Reserve Valmiki TR New road threat to Ranthambore TR Tourism promotion plans for Valmiki TR 13 Tiger Protection Force proposed for Valmiki TR New facilities, tourism initiatives at Mudumalai Mining ban shows positive results in Valmiki Tiger Reserve Tiger Reserve Convention held on livelihood rights of peasants, Gujarat 7 repatriates and adivasis of Nilgiri District Bio-tech efforts to conserve Gir lion 14 Jammu & Kashmir 8 Additional compensation from FD to those killed Satellite collars for black bears in Dachigam NP in feline attacks 8 Advanced detectors to locate metal traps in Work to proceed on Mysore –Mananthavadi road Dudhwa TR through the Nagarhole NP Daily wages in Dudhwa TR not paid for seven 9 months Joint initiatives with Tamil Nadu for Periyar TR 17 tiger cubs sighted in Dudhwa TR 9 Rhinos near Indo-Nepal border to get unique State signs tri-partite agreement with NTCA for identities tiger conservation Wildlife law enforcement and training in Bhopal

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) 16 New threat to vultures from Ketoprofen 70% resorts around Corbett TR used for non- Ministry of Tourism to carry out audit of seven wildlife tourism protected areas 16 Central Empowered Committee of the SC under Pollution, road widening project threaten East purview of RTI Kolkata wetlands Sanctuary Wildlife Awards 2009 State signs tri-partite agreement for tiger conservation; allotted Rs. 300 crores for Buxa SOUTH ASIA 22 and Sunderbans TRs Nepal run over by train near Chapramari WLS Bardia NP expanded by 900 sq. kms Growth in elephant, rhino & gaur population in Pakistan Dooars region Virus kills more than 70 ibex in Khirthar NP Dalma WLS elephant herd caught in Maoist- police war in West Bengal OPPORTUNITIES 22 Deer in Sunderbans being poached for Kolkata WWF Prince Bernhard Scholarships for nature hotels conservation Move to supplement tiger prey base in Sunderbans CEPF-ATREE Western Ghats Small Grants Call for nominations: Wildlife Tourism Awards NATIONAL NEWS FROM INDIA 19 JRFs needed for research in the Southern Western Forest Area Under Encroachment Ghats SeasonWatch – A project to monitor plant phenology across India UPCOMING 24 IGNOU, WWF offer PG Diploma in 13th Biennial Conference of the International environmental law Association for the Study of Commons

Protected Area Update Publication of the PA Update has Vol. XVI, No. 1, February 2010 (No. 83) been supported by Foundation for Ecological Security (FES) Editor: Pankaj Sekhsaria http://fes.org.in/ Editorial Assistance: Reshma Jathar Duleep Matthai Nature Conservation Trust Illustrations: Madhuvanti Anantharajan C/o FES Greenpeace India Produced by: Kalpavriksh www.greenpeace.org/india/ Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Ideas, comments, news and information may www.rspb.org.uk/ please be sent to the editorial address: Indian Bird Conservation Network http://www.ibcn.in/ KALPAVRIKSH *** Apartment 5, Shri Dutta Krupa, 908 Deccan Information has been sourced from different Gymkhana, Pune 411004, Maharashtra, India. newspapers and the following websites Tel/Fax: 020 – 25654239. Email: [email protected] http://wildlifewatch.in/ Website: www.kalpavriksh.org http://indiaenvironmentportal.org.in

Protected Area Update Vol XVI, No. 1 2 February 2010 (No. 83)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) particular, why treat those at the bottom of the hierarchy with such callousness? And that too EDITORIAL for only their legitimate dues. The lesson should be a simple one – if conservation is to be successful, things need to Don’t forget those on the frontlines be in order, first, inside the home. Everything else can come later. If technology, money and good intentions were enough, there would be no reason for any In memorium concern about the fate of Indian wildlife. There The last few weeks have seen the sad passing is plenty of that in evidence even in this issue of away of a number of stalwarts - individuals the PA Update – calls for more PAs, declaration who inspired innumerable and who leave of more tiger reserves, larger demands and behind huge and important legacies: commitments for money, sophisticated conservationist and bird man extraordinaire, equipment for surveillance and use of newer SA Hussain; tiger man of the Dudhwa technologies for various aspects of research, grasslands, Billy Arjan Singh; and the tireless management, and protection. Much of this is fighter for the rights of the coastal fishing necessary and welcome. But, is it enough? Are communities and ecosystems, Harekrishna we, in the clamour for all this and more, losing Debnath. sight of something more essential and The Kalpavriksh team expresses its absolutely fundamental? heartfelt condolences to their families and There are at least two reports in the close ones. Their absence will be deeply felt. pages that follow that force these important questions – about the treatment and the neglect of the foot soldiers of conservation; those in the NEWS FROM INDIAN STATES forest staff that are out there, working where it matters the most. What can be the justification for non payment of many months of wages to daily wage workers in the Nagzira Wildlife ANDHRA PRADESH Sanctuary in Maharashtra and in Uttar Pradesh’s ? It is indeed a sad state Jerdon's courser sighted in Sri of affairs when these workers have to strike Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary work and block tourist traffic (like in Nagzira) to bring attention to their plight. After several years, the first confirmed sighting Needless to say, these are not new of two Jerdon's coursers was reported from the happenings and delayed salaries are only one of Kadapa district in Andhra Pradesh. The birds an array of problems that they are forced to face were seen by Bombay Natural History – working conditions are poor and outright Society’s (BNHS) senior research fellow Rahul dangerous sometimes; there are no family care Chavan in the Sri Lankamalleswara Wildlife facilities; training and equipment are often Sanctuary (WLS). The researcher also reported inadequate and there are few avenues for hearing the call of the bird on a number of promotions and other incentives. occasions in the last few months. If this is the treatment that will be The BNHS has a long term research meted out to the most vulnerable can we really project on the Jerdon’s Courser that has been hope that management, conservation or going for nine years. Those supporting the protection will happen effectively? Lofty hopes work include The Sheik Mohamed bin Zayed and pronunciations will remain merely those if Species Conservation Fund, United Arab issues of brass-tacks continue to be neglected in Emirates; the Royal Society for the Protection this manner. of Birds (RSPB), UK; the Andhra Pradesh When many crores of rupees are being Forest Department; and the Universities of allocated for wildlife conservation in general Cambridge and Reading, funded by the UK and to individual PAs and tiger reserves in

Protected Area Update Vol XVI, No. 1 3 February 2010 (No. 83)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) Government's Darwin Initiative. (Also see PA path of agitation, if the government fails to Updates Vol XII, Nos. 2 & 1) protect people. Four wild elephants have also been Source: ‘Jerdon's courser sight for first time in reportedly poisoned in the months of October many years in Andhra Pradesh’ and November. Locals allegedly mixed www.wildlifewatch.in poisonous substances in country liquor, Contact: DFO, Wildlife, Sri Lankamalleswara jackfruit, sugarcane and other eatables as a WLS, Cuddapah. Tel: 08562-244480 retaliatory measure Dr. Asad Rahmani, Director BNHS, In 2001, close to 40 elephants were Hornbill House, Shahid Bhagat Singh poisoned to death allegedly by the villagers. A Marg, Mumbai 400 023 Maharashtra. report by the wildlife department states that Tel: 022-2821811. Fax: 2837615. wild elephants have killed about 260 people in Email: [email protected] Assam since 2001. 280 elephants have also

died during the period, many of them victims ASSAM of retaliation by angry humans. Satellite

imagery shows that villagers have encroached Database of all rhinos in Assam about 280,000 hectares of thick forests in

Assam. Villagers in the past drove away Taking a cue from marauding herds by beating drums or bursting Kenya’s Masai Mara firecrackers. Now they poison the animals. National Park, the The last elephant census carried out by Assam forest wildlife authorities recorded about 5,500 department (FD) has elephants in Assam, more than half of India's decided to prepare a database of rhinos in all the count of about 10,000. state’s protected areas. The database will (Also see PA Updates Vol XV, No. 1; Vol include date of birth, body structure, behaviour XIV, No. 4 & 1; Vol XIII, No. 6, 2 & 1; Vol and the area of movement of each rhino. The XII, No. 4 & 1; and Vol. XI, No. 4) Geographical Information System (GIS) and

Global Positioning System (GPS) will be used Source: ‘Elephant depredations may force to monitor the rhinos at the parks on a day-to- shutdown of Assam tea plantations’, day basis. http://www.news.calcuttatube.com It has been suggested that having such a 25/11/09 database will give the FD an idea of the density of rhinos in the existing areas. The information Over one lakh people visited Kaziranga will also be useful to plan for relocation of the National Park in 2008-09 animals if the need for the same arises. Over one lakh people visited the Kaziranga Source: Pullock Dutta, ‘Assam to build rhino National Park (KNP), during the year 2008-09. database - Conservation efforts based on This included 100,284 domestic tourists and Masai Mara National Park in Kenya’, The 5,767 foreign visitors. This is twice the number Telegraph, 28/11/09. as compared to the previous year.

The revenue earned from tourism for Increased human -elephant conflict in Assam 2008-09 was Rs. 1.12 crores.

Following the deaths of five tea plantation Source: ‘Over one lakh people visited Kaziranga workers in different incidents involving wild National Park in 2008-09’ elephants, the Assam Tea Tribes Students’ www.wildlifewatch.in 03/11/09 Association (ATTSA) had threatened to cease Contact: Director, Kaziranga NP, PO Bokakhat, work. The ATTSA has demanded measures Dist. Golaghat – 785612, Assam. Tel: from Assam's wildlife authorities to keep 03776-268095(O), 268086® elephant herds from entering plantation areas, and has warned that they would have to take the

Protected Area Update Vol XVI, No. 1 4 February 2010 (No. 83)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) PWD study for diverting traffic from NH 37 killed with the help of automatic weapons in section through Kaziranga NP separate locations and their horns had been cut out. Forest department officials have suggested The Assam Public Works Department (PWD) is that the same poacher gang was involved in undertaking a feasibility study for diverting both the killings. traffic from the 100 km stretch of the NH 37 The spurt in rhino killings has forest which passes through the Kaziranga National officials and conservationists worried. 18 Park. The study comes after the Centre shelved rhinos were killed by poachers in Kaziranga in plans for four-laning of the portion of the 2008, the first time in a decade that the number highway following opposition from had reached double digits. Between 1980 and conservationists fearing the threat to wildlife 1997 some 550 rhinos were killed by poachers here. Tens of animals are killed every year in in Kaziranga - the highest being 48 in 1992. road accidents when crossing the highway. This (See PA Updates Vol XV, Nos. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, & occurs mainly during the monsoons when the 1; Vol XIV, No. 2; and Vol XIII, Nos. 6& 5). floods force animals to flee the low lying grasslands to the higher grounds of the Karbi Source: ‘Poachers kill two rhinos in Kaziranga; Anglong hills (see PA Update Vol XIV, No. 5). 2009 toll rises to 14’, The feasibility study will take about 18 www.wildlifewatch.in 27/12/09 months to be completed and will be considering the construction of a new 115 km route with Ramsar tag proposed for Dhir Beel, Son two bridges over the Brahmaputra. One of the Beel, Kaziranga Beel and Dordoibam Beel bridges has been proposed to be constructed parallel to the existing 3.2-km Bhumuraguri The Assam government has proposed the bridge near Tezpur in order to make the route inclusion of four wetlands in the state in the list four-lane. The second bridge over the of Ramsar sites. The wetlands are Dhir Beel, Brahmaputra has been proposed between Son Beel, Kaziranga Beel and Bordoibam Beel. Gohpur and Bokakhat. The main idea is to Deepor Beel is the only Ramsar site in the state divert the traffic from Nagaon to Tezpur and at the present. then via Biswanath Chariali and Gohpur to The state government has also said rejoin the road with the South bank of the that it will take all necessary steps to protect Brahmaputra through the second bridge near and develop the 3,513 wetlands in the state that Bokakhat. cover an area of over one lakh hectares. The The report of the feasibility study will government has assigned the Assam Science be submitted to the Ministry of Surface Technology and Environment Council with the Transport (MoST) and work on the detailed task of preparing maps and compiling data of project report would be taken up only after all the wetlands in the state. The government receiving a nod from the ministry. has said that it is also in touch with (Also see PA Updates Vol XIV, No. 6; Vol XII, international funding agencies to avail funds Nos. 6, 2 & 1 and Vol. XI, Nos. 6 & 4) for conserving the wetlands.

Source: ‘Two bridges over Brahmaputra, four-lane Source: ‘Assam push for Ramsar tags - State road by pass Kaziranga’, DNA, 11/11/09 forest department zeroes in on four wetlands’ The Telegraph, 09/12/09 14 rhinos poached in Kaziranga NP in 2009 Two senior Nagaland officials suspect in rhino poaching A total of 14 rhinos have been poached in the The rhino horn trail has led the Wildlife Crime in Control Bureau to two senior Nagaland state year 2009. The latest two government officials. One of them is a senior deaths were reported on education department official and the other is a December 22 from inside the park. They were medical officer. Both are based in Dimapur.

Protected Area Update Vol XVI, No. 1 5 February 2010 (No. 83)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) Their telephone numbers were found on the cell Earlier the rhinos used to visit the area for a phone of Harmuj Ali, the alleged poacher who few days but since 2004 they are reported to had died in an encounter with forest guards at have taken up permanent residence. Three Orang Rajiv Gandhi National Park on the night rhinos are regularly found here now. of October 17 (see PA Update Vol. XV, No. 6). The FD now plans to undertake a Officials have said that a number of survey of the area to figure out the feasibility calls were exchanged between these numbers of creating a protected area here for rhinos. and that of Ali on the 17th of October. There were also several missed calls on Ali’s cell Source: ‘New habitat for rhinos in Bihar’, Times phone from these numbers after he died in the News Network, 01/12/09 encounter. The calls kept coming till late in the Contact: Director, Valmiki Tiger Reserve, morning the day after the encounter. Bettiah, Dist. West Champaran, Bihar. It was also found that the SIM card Tel: 06254 – 235331/232909. recovered from Ali’s mobile had been stolen from the employee of a Guwahati-based Tourism promotion plans for Valmiki TR construction company. The police had arrested the owner of the SIM card. He was Special efforts are being made to promote subsequently released following information tourism in the Valmiki Tiger Reserve. The that he had lodged a complaint with the police authorities have prepared a Rs 30-lakh that the SIM card had been stolen. proposal for improving the condition of forest (Also see PA Updates Vol XIV, No. 3 & 2; Vol roads falling under Divisions I & II of the XIII, Nos. 6, 5 & 1; Vol. XII, Nos. 3 & 2; and reserve. Another proposal is for enhancing the No. 49) accommodation capacity of the reserve's rest house which can presently accommodate only Source: ‘2 Nagaland officials suspect - Wildlife four persons at a time. crime bureau tracks 4 calls on poacher’s A website on the reserve is also to be cell phone’ The Telegraph, 07/11/09 launched. Part of the Rs 1.08 crore fund Contact: DFO, Orang NP, Mangaldoi Wildlife received from Centre under the Annual Plan of Division, P.O. Mangaldoi, Darrang - 784 Operation head is to be used for the purpose. 125, Tel: 0914-22065(O), 22349(R) Chief Wildlife Warden – Assam, Source: Sanjeev Kumar Verma, ‘Efforts to help Rehabari, Guwahati – 781008, Assam. promote eco-tourism begin’, Times Tel: 0361-2566064. Fax 2547386 News Network, 17/12/09

BIHAR Tiger Protection Force proposed for Valmiki Tiger Reserve Railway track creates new rhino habitat adjoining Valmiki TR The Bihar Forest Department (FD) has sent a proposal to the Centre seeking Rs. 2.22 crore New swampy habitat of roughly 1000 hectares for the Valmiki Tiger Reserve. Of this an has been created adjoining the Valmiki Tiger amount of about Rs. 20 lakh would be spent on Reserve by the Bagha – Chitauni rail link that raising the Tiger Protection Force (TPF). The prevents the natural flow of some rivulets into fund would also be used for habitat the reserve. The link that had been converted to development and to meet other recurring costs a broad gauge line in the 1990s had been related to the management of the reserve. opposed by the Bihar forest department (FD) The TPF would consist of 20 and a legal battle had also been fought on the personnel of which 10 would be either ex-army grounds that it would be detrimental to the men or those from the special task force and habitat of the reserve. remaining 10 would be locals. Blockage of the flow of water has now The process of raising the TPF would created the swampy habitat and has attracted start once the Central fund is released. Bihar rhinos from across the border from Nepal. was ineligible for seeking central funds as it

Protected Area Update Vol XVI, No. 1 6 February 2010 (No. 83)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) had not signed the memorandum of GUJARAT understanding (MoU) with the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), which is now Bio-tech efforts to conserve Gir lion a statutory requirement for being eligible to receive central funds. Gujarat has planned to set up a genetic laboratory for the conservation of the Asiatic Source: Sanjeev Kumar Verma, ‘Bihar likely to lion. The laboratory will have a gene map, and have tiger protection force soon’ Times a sperm, egg, cell and tissue bank of the lion News Network 21/11/09 for biological use and genetic studies. The proposed laboratory, the Gujarat Institute of Wildlife Genomics (GIWG) will come up at Sakkar Baug Zoo in Junagadh. The estimated cost of this joint project of the state forest department (FD) and the Gujarat State Bio-technology Mission (GSBM) is over Rs 10 crore. The work was to be started in November, and is expected to take about three years to complete. Mining ban shows positive results in Valmiki The laboratory will have facilities for Tiger Reserve DNA banking, cellular studies, proteomics, cryogenics and bio-informatics. It will later The ban by the Supreme Court (under the work on similar conservation plans for other Godavarman case) on mining of stones from the endangered species in the state as well. bed of the Pandai river has started to show The project includes two pilot studies positive results in the Valmiki Tiger Reserve. on Asiatic lions — development of micro The green cover is reported to have reappeared satellite markers or specific sequence of DNA along the banks of the river and this in turn is unique to the Asiatic lion, and preliminary allowing easier movement of both prey and DNA banking of the species. GSBM and the predator species. Tiger movement that was FD will jointly conduct these studies. previously restricted to only the west of the A detailed genetic profiling of river has now been reported from the eastern the Asiatic lion will reportedly part as well. help scientists find out any More recent reports however indicate genetic structure that links the that mining is still continuing within one animal to some known disease kilometer of certain parts of the reserve or disorder/disease boundary. Though licenses for sand and stone susceptibility, help in their long mining have been issued for areas outside the term conservation, facilitate reserve, illegal mining is occurring even within correct medical treatment in the boundaries. 19 tractors with sand and stones case of a disease and provide mined allegedly from within the reserve, were forensic help in case of poaching. seized by the police in the month of November. Source: Vikram Rautela, ‘State-of-the-art genetic Source: Sanjeev Kumar Verma. ‘Ban on mining a lab to aid conservation of Asiatic lion’, boon for tiger reserve’, Times News Indian express, 12/10/09 Network, 10/12/09 Contact: CF (Wildlife) Junagadh, Sardar Bag, Reena Sopam. ‘Sand mining in Junagadh, Gujarat. Tel: 0285 - 631678/ Valmikinagar forests threatens habitation 630051. Fax: 631211. Email: of tigers’, Hindustan Times, 11/11/09 [email protected] Contact: CWLW, Government of Bihar, Patna, CWLW - Gujarat, Block 14, Dr. Jivraj Bihar. Tel: 0621-287507. Fax: 284425 Mehta Bhavan, Old Sachivalaya, Gandhinagar-382010, Gujarat. Tel: 02712-230007. Fax: 221097.

Protected Area Update Vol XVI, No. 1 7 February 2010 (No. 83)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) JAMMU & KASHMIR A 10-km stretch of the Mysore-Mananthavadi Road (State Highway 17D) was initially Satellite collars for black bears in Dachigam proposed through the southern side of the National Park national park. But the Mysore-Mananthavadi Road Monitoring Committee (MMRMC) The Jammu-Kashmir Wildlife Department has constituted by the CEC suggested diversion of initiated a project for satellite tracking of black the original alignment between Dammanakatte bears in the Dachigam National Park. and Udburu to avoid the national park limits. Researchers from the Wildlife Institute While the diversion suggested by of India (WII) recently put satellite collars MMRMC will increase the distance by just 3 around three black bears; a male, female and a km — from 10 km to 13 km — it has been cub in the park . suggested that it will benefit nearly 25,000 It is hoped that the study will help gain people who live in villages along the route. In a better understanding of the behaviour, habitat contrast, the original alignment of the road and food habits of the animal and also help in through the national park avoids villages and dealing the escalating human-wildlife conflict would have affected wildlife. here. More than 25 people have been killed and The diversion had been suggested another 150 have been injured in the Kashmir because the Mysore-Mananthavadi road is used valley in such incidents in the last four years. by timber, spirit and sand smugglers, poachers (Also see PA Update Vol. XV, No. 2) and those seeking to evade sales tax. Also, there is livestock smuggling from Karnataka to Source: ‘Satellite collars to track bears in Valley’, Kerala. The district administration too had The Indian Express, 17/11/09 expressed its support to the realignment. It has Contact: Wildlife Warden, Dachigam NP, C/o. been pointed out that the alternative stretch Chief Wildlife Warden, J&K State would pass through Honnammankatte, Tourist Reception Centre Srinagar – Hosaholalu, K.R. Pura, Magge, Malali, N. 190001. Tel: 0194-2492627 Belthur, Kharapura, Gundattur and Udburu villages and benefit them by increasing their KARNATAKA connectivity. The PIU has, however, questioned the Work to proceed on Mysore –Mananthavadi MMRMC’s credentials to make such a road through the Nagarhole NP recommendation. It has pointed out that the committee was constituted as part of the five The Project conditions of the CEC with the specific task of Implementation monitoring the mitigation measures for Unit (PIU) of the environment and wildlife during the Karnataka State implementation of the project along the Highway original alignment. As such the proposal of Improvement improvement of the alternative route and Project (KSHIP) consequent revision of the project scope was has decided to go not under the purview of the MMRMC. The ahead with the Mysore-Mananthavadi road PIU has also stated that it conducted a through the feasibility study through Scott Wilson Ltd., disregarding the recommendations of the U.K. and found that the alternative route was Monitoring Committee constituted by the neither feasible nor economically viable. Central Empowered Committee (CEC) of the The Forest Department meanwhile has Supreme Court. The work is part of KSHIP’s come out in support of the suggested 3 kms project to improve 34.50 km of the Mysore- diversion and extension. It has argued that if Mananthavadi road, which was initially planned the monitoring committee’s recommendations through Nagarhole National Park. However, the benefited the villagers and would not impact CEC, in March 2009, directed that work be wildlife it had to be considered feasible and suspended. economically viable. Protected Area Update Vol XVI, No. 1 8 February 2010 (No. 83)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) Source: R Krishna Kumar. ‘Road to cut through and the National Tiger Conservation Authority Nagarhole’, The Hindu, 28/11/09 (NTCA) for tiger conservation. The state had Contact: Dy. Conservator of Forests, Nagarhole been reluctant to sign the Memorandum of NP, Wildlife Division, Hunsur, Dist. Understanding (MOU) on the grounds that it Mysore, Karnataka. Tel: 08222- would make the Directors of its tiger reserves 252041(O), 252070(R) accountable for any lapses and liable to penal action if the tiger numbers decline. The state KERALA also did not want the NTCA to deal directly with the reserve directors by bypassing the Joint initiatives with Tamil Nadu for Periyar state government. The state has instead suggested a Joint patrolling, sharing of intelligence, bilateral pact between the centre and the state including information on poaching, and creation with the chief wildlife warden of the state of more eco-development committees on the signing an individual agreement with the Tamil Nadu border are the measures to be taken director of reserves on tiger conservation. Not up for protection of tigers in the Periyar Tiger signing the agreement would have resulted in Reserve (PTR) at Thekkadi in Kerala. the state losing substantial funds from the This was decided at an inter-State centre for tiger conservation. coordination meeting for preparation of a tiger MP is now the 16th state in the country conservation plan for the Periyar Tiger Reserve. to sign this tri-partite agreement. Attended by forest officers of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the meeting also decided to set up new Source: Sanjay Sharma. ‘Madhya Pradesh could permanent camps in Tami Nadu. The officers lose tiger conservation funds’, decided to take up survey of the inter-state http://india- boundary and also its consolidation and forums.com/news/article.asp?id=209732 maintenance annually. The PTR staff will also ‘MP inks pact with Centre for tiger be allowed to move through the forest division conservation’ www.wildlifewatch.in within Vellimalai and Manalar in Tamil Nadu. 26/11/09 Restrictions on issuing licences for Contact: Dr. Rajesh Gopal NTCA, Annexe No. rifles and guns to people living along the forests 5, Bikaner House, Shahjahan Road, New were also discussed. Institutional mechanisms Delhi-110011. Telefax: 2338 4428. E- for regular joint-patrolling, collection of non- mail: [email protected] timber forest produce and sharing of resources and Ariyankavu corridor were the other issues Wildlife law enforcement and training held that came up for discussion. in Bhopal Officials said that inter-state coordination for conservation planning was TRAFFIC India, in collaboration with the inevitable as the PTR shares a 100 km-long United Kingdom Government’s Department common border in the east and north side with for Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the the state of Tamil Nadu. Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) held a training workshop on wildlife law enforcement Source: ‘Joint patrolling agreed upon to protect for forest and police officers in Bhopal in tigers in Periyar reserve’, The Hindu November. The workshop was attended by 55 13/01/10. personnel from the two departments. The workshop was inaugurated by Mr MADHYA PRADESH RS Negi, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Madhya Pradesh. Those who State signs tri-partite agreement with NTCA spoke during the course of the workshop for tiger conservation included Mr Sartaj Singh, Madhya Pradesh Forest Minister; Mr Anup Naik, Joint Director The Madhya Pradesh Government has finally of WCCB; Mrs Rina Mitra, Additional signed the tripartite agreement with the Centre Director of WCCB; Mr C Behera, Deputy

Protected Area Update Vol XVI, No. 1 9 February 2010 (No. 83)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) Director of WCCB, Central Zone; Mr Samir Most of the sets used in the entertainment Sinha, TRAFFIC India; Dr Harsh Sharma, industry are made using non-biodegradable Senior Scientist, Regional Forensic Science items such as plaster of paris, plastic and Laboratory; Dr D K Satpathy, Director of the thermocol and this aggravates the problem. Medico Legal Institute of the Government of The reckless dumping is not only degrading the Madhya Pradesh; Dr SP Goyal of the Wildlife forests but also polluting the water bodies in Institute of India; and Mr Saurabh Sharma, the area. Supreme Court Advocate. The Bombay Natural History Society The second phase of the Sniffer Dog (BNHS) which has its education centre Training for Wildlife Enforcement was also adjoining the Film City has raised concerns inaugurated at the Dog Training Centre, 23rd about this. Volunteers from the BNHS recently Battalion of the Special Armed Police, Bhopal. collected 12 bagfulls of waste during a clean- Five German Shepherd Dogs and 10 forest up drive that was conducted within a one department (FD) staff were inducted into the kilometre radius of Film City. training that will continue for nine months. The The Chief Administrative Official of FDs of Haryana and Uttarakhand already have Film City is reported to have said that the one sniffer dog each that has been supported by television and film units are responsible for the TRAFFIC India. disposal of the sets and to keep the area clean. TRAFFIC India has said that following He also said that if environmental groups had the success of the pilot project, the dogs have complaints, those would be looked into. been made available to the states of Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, who have Source: Simit Bhagat, `Film sets killing Film sent their staff to be trained as handlers and City', Times News Network, 05/12/09 assistant handlers. Madhya Pradesh and Contact: Dy. Conservator of Forests, SGNP, Jharkhand will get two dogs each whereas Borivili (East), Mumbai – 400066, Maharashtra will get one fully trained dog for Maharashtra. Tel: 022-28860362, sniffing out tiger and leopard skins and bones. 28860389(O), 8862780(R) Email: [email protected] Source: Shubhobroto Ghosh. Email dated 17/11/09. Van majoors protest non-payment of wages; Contact: Shubhobroto Ghosh, TRAFFIC India, stops tourists from entering Nagzira WLS WWF India Secretariat, 172-B, Lodi Estate, New Delhi 110003. Tel: 011- Over 150 van majoors (temporary forest 41504786. Fax: 43516200. Email: workers) organized under the banner of [email protected] Web: Maharashtra State Forest Guards, Forest www.traffic.org Employees and Foresters Union stopped over 200 tourists from entering the Nagzira Wildlife MAHARASHTRA Sanctuary in December. They were protesting the non- payment of wages for the period June Dismantled film sets degrading forests to November 2009. adjoining the Sanjay Gandhi NP The forest workers launched peaceful protests by sitting on a dharna in front of the The reckless dumping of sanctuary gates at Pitezari, Chorkhamara and waste from dismantled Kosamtondi. 30 vehicles, including those of film and television sets two MLAs were stranded at the Pitezari gate as has been degrading the a result. forest area inside Film The union also warned that if the City at Goregaon in wages were not released by January 1, the Mumbai. This 500-acre forthcoming tiger census work would also be lush green area of Film boycotted. Forest officials tried to pacify the City borders the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. agitated workers by promising them to pay wages for three months (June, July & August)

Protected Area Update Vol XVI, No. 1 10 February 2010 (No. 83)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) but workers were firm on their stand. Official Contact: DCF, Pench National Park, Near Govt. sources said that Rs 19 lakh and Rs 75 lakh had Press, Civil Lines, Nagpur-440001, been released recently for wildlife and the Maharashtra. Tel: 0712 - 2524727(O) , Nagpur territorial circle towards payment of 2227282(R). Fax: 2539226 wages and other works. The MLAs who were stranded on Shifting of villages from Tadoba Andhari account of the agitation also offered to take up TR to be expedited the matter of the non-payment of the ways and that of the regularization of the workers with the The Maharashtra state government has asked state forest minister. the revenue and forest department officials to The latest in the matter is not known. expedite the relocation of villages from the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR). This Source: ‘No wages, no entry into sanctuary’ Times includes five villages that are still inside the News Network, 14/12/09 reserve and some families from the village of Contact: DCF, Wildlife, Nagzira WLS, ITI Road, Kolsa that have continued to stay on. Fulchur, Gondia 441601, Maharashtra. The issue was discussed in a meeting Tel: 07184-226399(O), 226564(R) called by the State Principal Secretary in Mumbai in October. This meeting was Deer and neelgai translocated from Nagpur followed by another one that was called by the to Bor WLS Divisional Commissioner and attended by the chief conservator of forests (CCF) for Nagpur 115 deer and neelgai were translocated from the Wildlife Circle, who has also been named as Seminary Hills in Nagpur to the Bor Wildlife the nodal officer for the work. Others attending Sanctuary situated some 60 kms from the city. included the Chandrapur district collector and The process was carried out by the Nagpur officials from Chandrapur zilla parishad and Forest Division (FD) and Nagpur Wildlife the irrigation department. Circle The re-location site was selected after Officials were asked to prepare a considering forest density, distance from revised estimate for resettling 778 families villages and water availability. from four villages- Jamni, Navegaon The relocation task was taken up in (Ramdegi), Palasgaon (Shingru) and Rantalodi. presence of senior forest officers and veterinary Individual families were to be asked whether experts. It had to be carried out as the National they wanted money or wanted to be resettled Zoo Policy does not allow small zoos or by the department. orphanages to keep more than 10 deer. The As per the new norms, each family excess animals are required to be transferred to will get a Rs 10 lakh package. It includes 35% other zoos or released in the wild. Former PCCF for agricultural land, 30% for settlement of (Wildlife) B Majumdar had in 2007 directed the rights, 20% for house construction, 5% as Nagpur FD to shift these animals to the incentive and 10% for community facilities Tiger Reserve. However, considering the long like drinking water, electricity, irrigation, distance between the two places, it was decided sanitation, roads, place of worship, and to relocate them to Bor. cremation and burial. Those not wanting to be While some of the animals have been resettled can opt for Rs 10 lakhs in cash. born at the orphanage, most of them have been Till now, around 116 families - 45 rescued. The deer park will now house only landless families from Botezari and 71 from animals which are not fit for release. In a similar Kolsa have been rehabilitated in compartment exercise six years ago, around 75 animals had number 524 in Tolewahi in Mul forest range. been released from an orphanage at Ramtek. However, over 70 landholders from Kolsa still remain and efforts are on to persuade them to Source: ‘Deer, neelgai being relocated from move out. Seminary Hills to Bor’, Times News (Also see PA Updates Vol. XV, No. 4 and Vol. Network, 11/10/09 XIV, Nos. 5 & 3).

Protected Area Update Vol XVI, No. 1 11 February 2010 (No. 83)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) Source: Vijay Pinjarkar. ‘Shifting of Tadoba Jagatsinghpur districts are likely to be affected villages gets fillip’, Times News by the prohibitory measures. Network, 12/11/09 The ban has been imposed in Contact: Field Director, Tadoba-Andhari Tiger accordance with the Orissa Marine Fishing Project, Mul Road, In front of Sanchiti Regulation Act (OMFRA), 1982 and the Chamber, Chandrapur – 442401, Wildlife Protection Act, 1971. As many as 212 Maharashtra. Tel: 07172-51414(O), marine fishermen were arrested and 84 sea 56382(R) worthy trawlers and vessels were seized during the ban imposed last time for fishing in the MoEF rejects mining project near Tadoba prohibited water zones. Andhari TR (Also see PA Updates Vol XV, Nos. 4 & 1; Vol XIV, No. 1; Vol. XIII. Nos. 6, 2 & 1; Vol. The Ministry of Environment and Forests XII, No. 6 & 1; and No. 59) (MoEF) has refused permission to the Adani Power Limited and the Maharashtra Coal Company to mine coal near the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve. The decision was taken in a November meeting of the environmental appraisal committee of the ministry. Adani Power Limited had applied for environment clearance for mining at Lohara, Source: ‘Ban imposed on marine fishing in Orissa while the Maharashtra Coal Company Limited for 7 months’, www.wildlifewatch.in had applied for mining near Agarzari. 03/11/09 After detailed discussions, the Contact: DFO, Bhitarkanika NP, At/PO committee came to the conclusion that at the Rajnagar, Dist. Kendrapada – 745225. time of grant of Terms of Reference (ToR), the Orissa. Tel: 06729-72460/64. Fax: MoEF was not aware that the projects were so 06727-20775 close to the tiger corridor. It also recommended that the MoEF and the Ministry of Coal must Oriental small-clawed otter reported from work together in the future to identify ‘go’ and Karlapat WLS ‘no-go’ areas while considering allotment of coal blocks in the country. Recent surveys done by the NGO Vasundhara (Also see PA Updates Vol. XV, Nos. 3 & 1) has revealed for the first time the presence of the Oriental small-clawed otter from the Source: Ashwin Aghor. ‘No mining at Tadoba, Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary. Signs of the says forest ministry’, DNA, 04/12/09 presence of the animal were found in most streams in the sanctuary and the maximum ORISSA presence was noticed in the Karlapat stream as the water depth was maximum and flow rate Seven month ban on marine fishing in Orissa was minimum. from November 2009 The survey has found a healthy population of the otters in 16 streams of the The Orissa Government has imposed a seven sanctuary. The research team also found out month fishing ban starting November along the that the crabs are the favoured food item of the 20 km stretch of Dhamra-Barunei mouth within otters. Local tribal communities here are Gahirmatha marine sanctuary. The ban was reported to believe that if anyone eats the otter, imposed in view of the commencement of mass his/her body will not decompose even after nesting of Olive Ridley sea turtles and resulted death. in protests and opposition by local fisherfolk. An estimated 25,000 traditional marine Source: ‘Ecologists find large population of fishermen in coastal Kendrapara and otters’, www.expressbuzz.com 21/12/09

Protected Area Update Vol XVI, No. 1 12 February 2010 (No. 83)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) Contact: Divisional Forest Officer-cum-Wildlife Contact: Director, , Warden, I/c Karlapat WLS, At / P.O. Sariska, Alwar – 301022, Rajasthan. Bhawanipatana, Dist Kalahandi, Orissa. Tel: 0144-241333 (O) Tel: 06670-230526. Fax: 230526 CWLW– Orissa, Plot No. 8, Shahid NTCA approves Darrah Tiger Reserve Nagar, Bhubaneshwar – 751007, Orissa. Tel: 0674- 2512502 / 2513134 / 2515840. The National Tiger Conservation Authority has Fax: 512502 given its in-principal approval to the Rajasthan state government proposal for the formation of PUNJAB the Darrah Tiger Reserve. It will be the third tiger reserve in the state after Ranthambhore Illegal fishing rampant in Harike WLS and Sariska and it has been proposed that the ‘surplus’ tigers of Ranthambore will be Large scale illegal fishing appears rampant in eventually translocated here. the waters of the Harike Wildlife Sanctuary. A The tiger reserve will be constituted of party of officials led by the State Chief Wildlife the Darrah National Park and the Chambal and Warden recently recovered three nets, each 100 Jaswant Sagar Wildlife Sanctuaries. metres long. The nets had been laid out in the water bodies fronting the Harike headworks and Source: Anindo Dey, ‘Third tiger reserve in state Churrian area on the Harike Left Marginal at Darrah’ TNN 07/11/09 Bandh (LMB). The forest department burnt the Contact: DCF (WL), Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary, nets after taking photographs. via Kamalpura, Dist. Kota, Rajasthan. The recoveries came a day after a Tel: 0744-2321263(O), 2324856(R), similar seizure from Churrian area by range Fax: 2322074/ 2329406 officers. A total of 18 nets were found by the forest officials. New road threat to Ranthambore TR

Source: Vikram Jit Singh, ‘Fish mafia lays siege to The Rajasthan state government has proposed Harike sanctuary’, Times News Network the construction of a new road connecting 24/11/09 Sawata and Hadoti that will cut through the Contact: Wildlife Warden, Harike Lake WLS, forest corridor connecting the Ranthambore Near Police Station, Harike, Dist. National Park and the Keladevi WLS. Firozpur, Punjab. Tel: 0181 - 248409 While most of the tiger population in the reserve is found in the national park, tigers RAJASTHAN are known to migrate to Keladevi and the Sawai Mansingh WLS and hence, the Illegal fishing in Sariska TR; four arrested connectivity of these parks is considered very important. Four persons were arrested for allegedly fishing in a water body located inside the Sariska Tiger Source: ‘New Ranthambore road spells trouble Reserve. They killed around 400 kg of fishes of for tigers’, The Pioneer, 16/12/09. four species and several frogs and snakes by Contact: Director, Ranthambore TR, dropping poison in the Bara Bear dam. Sawai Madhopur – 322001, Rajasthan. Forest guards reached the dam when Tel: 07462-220223 / 222004 / 221139 / the accused were trying to carry away the dead fish. Four of the alleged offenders were TAMIL NADU arrested, while four of their accomplices managed to escape. New facilities, tourism initiatives at Mudumalai TR Source: ‘Fishes found dead, four arrested from Sariska’, www.wildlifewatch.in A number of new facilities and initiatives for 09/12/09 tourism promotion are coming up at the

Protected Area Update Vol XVI, No. 1 13 February 2010 (No. 83)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. An eco-shop is notification declaring Mudumalai as a Critical being set up that will be run by an eco- Tiger Habitat was illegal and that it should be development committee (EDC) comprising withdrawn; that the illegal ban on basic tribals of the region. It will sell wildlife related facilities and development such as water souvenirs and also products produced by the supply, schools, hospitals, electricity and tribal communities like the Kurumbas, the housing be withdrawn; that the elephant Todas and the Kotas. corridor which the traditional inhabitants of Another tribal EDC is to soon start eco- Gudalur are aware of should be protected but camps at places like Pudhu Natham and that take over of agricultural and other lands Chemanatham and another will promote rural under the garb of elephant corridor be stopped tourism in places like Bhoodhanatham and immediately; that land holdings below two Kurumbarpadi. Finishing touches are also being acres should be exempt from the provisions of given to a new reception centre and a new the Tamil Nadu Private Forest Act of 1949; interpretation centre at Theppakadu. that banning of night traffic on Bandipur – The number of tourists visiting Thorappalli section of National Highway 67 Mudumalai has steadily increased. From 94,945 connecting Mysore and Ooty was causing visitors in 1995-96 it went up to 1,20,402 during serious problems to local residents and that a 2005-2006 and last year it was 1,63,610. flyover should be constructed over this section to protect the wildlife while ensuring the right Source: D Radhakrishnan. ‘Mudumalai Tiger to movement. Reserve to sport new features’, The Hindu, 02/11/09 Source: ‘Livelihood Rights Convention: Contact: Wildlife Warden, Mudumalai WLS, Reclaiming livelihood rights of peasants, Mt. Stewart Hill, Udhagamandalam - repatriates and adivasis of Nilgiri 643001 Tamil Nadu. Tel: 0423-244098 district’, Press Release, 08/12/09 Contact: M.S Selvaraj, VTMS, No.13/341, Convention held on livelihood rights of Kasim Vayal, Gudalur, Nilgiri District, peasants, Repatriates, and adivasis of Nilgiri Tamil Nadu. Tel: 0 9442085049 District UTTAR PRADESH A convention of the ‘forest people’ of the Nilgiri district was held in Chennai in the 2nd Additional compensation from FD to those week of December. It was organized by the killed in feline attacks Vyavasayikal Thozhilalarkal Munnetra Sangam (VTMS) and those participating included The Tiger Conservation Society (TCS) of the adivasis, repatriates, plantation labourers, Uttar Pradesh forest department (FD) has minorities and peasants from Gudalur. decided to give Rs 10,000 as compensation to A resolution passed at the convention the family of any adult killed in tiger or raised a number of issues and put forward a list leopard attack. Similarly, a sub-adult will get of demands. These included among others, the Rs 5,000. This would be in addition to the ex- demand that land and forest rights of all sections gratia payment made by the government. As of the poor and oppressed be protected; that all per a 1996 government order, the family of an land, forest and water management in the area adult who gets killed in tiger/leopard attack be done through democratic processes under the gets an ex-gratia payment of Rs 50,000. In the control of the people; that the right and power case of a the amount is Rs 25,000. of the ooru sabha to protect and manage forests In case of an injury due to an attack by be respected; that all estates whose lease period tiger/leopard, the department will release Rs is over be taken over by the government; that 5,000 for primary treatment to the injured. In the Silver Cloud and Glenrock estates should case a tiger/leopard kills a domestic animal and withdraw their case pending in the Supreme the remains of that animal are handed over to Court on the Janmom lands to enable the the FD, the owner of the animal will be given settlement of rights of the people; that the the amount as decided by the government

Protected Area Update Vol XVI, No. 1 14 February 2010 (No. 83)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) under ex-gratia payment rules. The payment Though the Centre is said to have released Rs will differ according to animals. 3.16 crore to the state government in The FD has also decided to put four September for maintenance of the reserve soon members in rapid response teams which have after it signed an agreement for tiger been created at the level of divisions and circles conservation, the workers were not paid even to deal with incidents of human-animal conflict in the first week of November. and also to check the entry of big cats into Daily wagers are paid Rs 100 per day human habitations. and their total salary bill for the period April – The decisions were taken at a meeting October 2009 stood at between Rs 60-70 lakhs. of the TCS which was presided over by principal secretary, FD. Source: ‘Workers in UP’s Dudhwa Tiger Reserve waiting for their dues’ Source: ‘Now, additional compensation to those www.wildlifewatch.in 05/11/09 killed in feline attacks’, Times News Network 18/12/09 17 tiger cubs sighted in Dudhwa TR

Advanced detectors to locate metal traps in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve authorities have said Dudhwa TR that they have spotted at least 17 tiger cubs in the reserve that are less than one year in age. The Dudhwa Tiger Reserve has received A tigress with three cubs was sighted advanced devices called deep search metal in Madraicha while Chhota Palia, Chaltua, detectors (DSMD) to detect metal traps laid by Kakraha, Puraina and Jhadi Tal areas of the poachers. The project is being implemented in national park and Sadar beat of Katarniaghat collaboration with the Wildlife Crime Control Wildlife Sanctuary were reported to have Bureau (WCCB) and TRAFFIC India. tigresses with two cubs respectively. A tigress Of the four DSMDs that were provided with one cub was reported to be staying in to the reserve, two are to be used in the Trans-Gerua area of the Katarniaghat Wildlife Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) while Sanctuary. one each will be used in the Dudhwa National Park and Kishanpur WLS respectively. The Source: Neha Shukla. ‘Tiger cubs usher hope for DSMD is a device mostly used by the army Dudhwa reserve’, Times News Network, personnel to detect explosive mines and has the 04/11/09 capacity to detect iron traps even when they ‘15 new tiger cubs sighted in Dudhwa’, have been buried deep into the ground. www.wildlifewatch.in 10/11/09

Source: ‘More advanced device to detect traps in Rhinos near Indo-Nepal border will get Dudhwa Tiger Reserve’, unique IDs www.wildlifewatch.in 17/11/09 Contact: Director, Dudhwa National Park, Dist. Wildlife officials are planning a database of the Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh. Tel: rhino population in Katarniaghat Wildlife 05872-252106. Fax: 05872-252106 Sanctuary and forest area. They will assign a unique identity card to each rhino, in Daily wages in Dudhwa TR not paid for order to keep a track of the individual rhinos’ seven months movement across the Indo-Nepal border. Rhinos will be identified on the basis of The Uttar Pradesh government has allegedly not physical parameters like shape of their horns, paid daily wages for the past seven months to its length and its size. Each rhino will be over 250 workers in the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve photographed and the data will be incorporated despite the Centre releasing money for running in making the IDs. of the park. This is based on reports received in Three rhinos – a male, a female and a November and the latest situation is not known. sub-adult have moved to the Katarniaghat WLS from Nepal through the Khata corridor,

Protected Area Update Vol XVI, No. 1 15 February 2010 (No. 83)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) while six from the Shukla Phanta Wildlife WEST BENGAL Reserve in Nepal have moved to the Lagga Bagga area in Uttar Pradesh’s Pilibhit forest Dalma WLS elephant herd caught in division. Maoist-police war in West Bengal

Source: ‘Rhinos wandering on Indo-Nepal border to get IDs’, Indian Express, 12/12/09

CWLW Govt. of Uttar Pradesh, 17, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow – 226001, Uttar Pradesh. Tel: 0522-206584(O), 237715 & 223015(R). Fax 0522-222061/ 206188

UTTARAKHAND The 70 strong elephant herd from the Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary that migrates regularly 70% resorts around Corbett TR used for between Dalma and forests in West Bengal has non-wildlife tourism now been caught in the gun battle between the police and the Maoists in the region. A study conducted by the Institute of Hotel It has been suggested that the herd Management, Pusa has found that 70% of the could land up in Jhargram town on their resorts around the Corbett Tiger Reserve are journey back to the Jharkhand hills unless used as venues for weddings, dances, firing in Lalgarh in West Bengal ceases by parties, and bike races rather than for visitors January. Hulla-parties and kunkis (tamed interested in wildlife. The study has been elephants) have been kept ready to drive the commissioned by the Union Ministry of pachyderms away in case they enter the town Tourism and Corbett is one of seven parks to avoid the jungles where the joint forces are where similar studies are to be carried out (see now crossing swords with Maoist rebels. National News for more details). The traditional route of the elephant The study looked at resorts within a 10 takes them to Lalgarh after passing through km periphery of the reserve boundary. There are Sankrail and it is feared that if the gun-battle 77 resorts in the area and 17 more are to come continues they will run into trouble here. It is up in the next few months. The study also found expected that the firing will force the elephants out that 31% of the properties dump their waste to the alternative Jhargram-Belpahari- outside, while 26% burn it. 94% of the Bhulabheda route. This is believed to be tricky properties were found to be fenced or walled. as Jhargram town is just two kms from the This, the study says, has impeded two animal forest and the elephants could enter the town migratory routes between Corbett and Rajaji like they had done on their journey into Bengal NP. Of the 77 vehicles plying in the park, 26 about six months ago. were reported to be running on diesel. Maoist camps deep inside the forests The tourism ministry is reported to at Lalgarh and Jhargram have forced the have expressed concern over this state of affairs Dalma herd to stray from their corridor. On and intends to bring this to the notice of the entering the state from Jharkhand through Ministry of Environment and Forests for Bhulabheda, the jumbos usually travel through corrective action to be taken. Belpahari and Lalgarh via Silda. With these forests now witnessing a fierce gun battle, the Source: Himanshi Dhawan. ‘Corbett turns haven jumbos stayed away from Lalgarh this year and for party animals’, The Times of India, passed through the Sarenga forest instead, 13/01/10. which is 10 km away. They then proceeded Contact: Field Director, Corbett Tiger Reserve, through Homgarh, Amlaghora and Garbeta on Ramnagar –244715, Nainital, their way to Bankura. Uttaranchal. Tel: 05947 – 285489. Fax: The deviation from the original route 285376 was as much as 25 km and this, foresters

Protected Area Update Vol XVI, No. 1 16 February 2010 (No. 83)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) believe, is worrisome because the area does not Bhattacharya and Kolkata Mayor Bikash have a good forest cover and there are chances Ranjan Bhattacharya recently laid the of increased human-elephant conflict. The herd foundation stone for widening the single-lane has been regularly trampling through Chowbagha Road to four lanes. The project to agricultural fields, destroying crops and expand the 4.3 m single-lane Chowbagha Road property and three people were also killed in to 18 m four-lane expressway connecting elephant attacks in September and October. Basanti highway at Chowbagha to Kalikapur Forest officials also fear that the on Eastern Metropolitan Bypass requires elephants could get killed by the land mines laid conversion of over 60,000 sq m of wetland out in this area. Officials are trying to figure out area into metalled road. ways of dealing with the problem; including one The approval of East Kolkata that will use tractors to block the main road Wetlands Management Authority (EKWMA), leading to Jhargram town. is mandatory for all projects proposed in the (Also see PA Updates Vol XV, No. 1; Vol XIV, wetlands, but is reported to have not been No. 4; Vol. XI, No. 6 and Nos. 55, 52, 47, & 39) taken for this road widening project. (Also see PA Updates Vol. XII, No. 5 & 4, Vol Source: Prithvijit Mitra. ‘Survival battle’, Times XI, No. 4 and Nos. 40 & 24) News Network, 24/12/09 Source: Subhro Niyogi. ‘Species vanish with Pollution, road widening project threaten wetlands’, Times News Network, East Kolkata wetlands 24/12/09 Subhro Niyogi & Swati Sengupta. A study conducted recently by the Institute of ‘State violates wetland act for 4-land Wetland Management & Ecological Design has road’, The Times of India pointed out that the East Kolkata Wetlands are under increasing threat. Over 36 fish varieties State signs tri-partite agreement for tiger recorded here have become rare and than 50% conservation; allotted Rs. 300 crores for of the rest are found only sporadically. The Buxa and Sunderbans TRs shrinking water spread is also altering the character of the Ramsar site and threatening the The West Bengal State government signed the livelihood of nearly one lakh fishermen. tri-partite agreement for conservation with the It has been pointed out that there is a Centre and the National Tiger Conservation rise in the salinity level of the waters and the Authority (NTCA) in the month of October. overload of the city’s sewage has also caused a This was followed by a release of Rs. 300 fall in the oxygen in the water. Another concern crores for tiger conservation in the Sunderbans is the excavation of ponds to a depth of 10-12 and Buxa Tiger Reserves. feet to scoop up earth to fill up low-lying land at Sunderbans received Rs. 260 crores New Town. while Buxa got Rs. 38.58 crores. The money is The East Kolkata Wetlands to be used to make the reserves free from Management Authority (EKWMA), meanwhile, human management and also to initiate steps has planned to kick start its conservation plan for their better management. by dredging channels that carry sewage. While EKWMA will dredge 95 km of canals, the Source: ‘Centre gives Rs 300 crore to West Kolkata Municipal Council will handle a further Bengal for tiger conservation’, 100 km under the Asian Development Bank www.wildlifewatch.in 06/11/09 funded Kolkata Environmental Improvement Contact: Field Director, , Project (KEIP) project. P.O. Alipurduar, Dist. Jalpaiguri - The West Bengal government has also, 736122. West Bengal. Tel: 03564- in alleged violation of the East Kolkata 256333 /255979. Fax: 03564-255577 Wetlands Management Act, 2006, announced a road widening project through the Ramsar site. The State Urban Development Minister Asok

Protected Area Update Vol XVI, No. 1 17 February 2010 (No. 83)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) Gaur run over by train near Chapramari National Park respectively, their combined Wildlife Sanctuary population now is 161. With no increase in corresponding An adult female gaur was mowed down by the forest area, this situation had led to an increase Delhi-bound Mahananda Link Express at in human-wildlife conflict in the region. The Hilajhora, near the Chapramari Wildlife FD has records of 10 cases of human deaths Sanctuary. The train hit the animal early in the being caused by wild animals and another 50 morning and dragged it about 300 feet, tearing where villagers have been attacked by animals. the body apart in the process. The forest There are also many reports of villagers having department (FD) has lodged an FIR with killed wild animals in retaliation. Nagrakata police. The incident occurred in the last week of November and is the latest in a Source: Subrata Bosu. ‘Growth in elephant, rhino long list of such accidents and deaths. & bison population puts the West The track, connecting New Jalpaiguri Bengal Forest Department in trouble in with Alipurduar, cuts through the Mahananda Dooars’, Anandabazar Patrika, Wildlife Sanctuary, Chapramari WLS, Jaldapara 29/11/09. WLS and the Buxa Tiger Reserve. In the past Contact: CF (Wildlife), North Bengal, West nine years, 20 elephants and at least 17 other Bengal Forest Dept. Aranya Bhawan animals — including leopards, gaur, deer and (Near Court) Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. pythons — have died on the track. Tel: 03561– 25627(O) 25596 (R) The accidents have increased drastically since 2003, when the track was Deer in Sunderbans being poached for converted to broad gauge from metre gauge. Kolkata hotels Though the Calcutta high court has set guidelines on the speed of trains running on this track through the Dooars, environmentalists and forest officers allege that these are never followed. (Also see PA Updates Vol. XV. No, 1; Vol. XIV, Nos. 5 & 1; Vol XIII, Nos. 6, 3 & 1; Vol XII, No. 3 and Nos. 49, 47, 39, 36, 34, & 29) The high demand for deer meat at some select Source: ‘Bison run over by train in Jalpaiguri’, Kolkata hotels has led to deer poaching in the Times News Network, 29/11/09 Sunderbans. This was revealed after the forest Contact: DFO, Jaldapara WLS, Cooch Behar department (FD) arrested four poachers and Division, P.O. & Dist. Cooch Behar, busted a deer-poaching racket in the month of West Bengal. Tel: 03582-227185. December. Forest officials also seized 20 nylon traps (the same traps used to entrap tigers), and Growth in elephant, rhino & gaur population two deer antlers from the poachers. in Dooars region Preliminary investigations revealed that patrons of some hotels in south and central The West Bengal Forest Department (FD) is Kolkata were ready to pay any price for deer reported to be concerned over the considerable meat delicacies and a kilo of the meat could increase in populations of the elephant, rhino fetch suppliers anything from Rs 450 to Rs and gaur in the Dooars region of North Bengal. 600. The FD started investigations following The gaur population here is said to have two cases of recovery of deer meat; 50 kgs of increased from 250 to 3000 over the past two deer meet had been recovered from the decades while that of elephants has risen to 400 Baruipur market followed by a seizure in the from about 150 three decades ago. The same first week of December of 70 kgs of meat situation is seen in the case of rhinos. While while it was being transported to Kolkata from rhino numbers in 1984 were 14 and three in the Sunderbans. Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary and Gorumara

Protected Area Update Vol XVI, No. 1 18 February 2010 (No. 83)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) An operation was then conducted on the Kumirmari Island in the Sunderbans following NATIONAL NEWS FROM INDIA which the arrests were made.

Source: Monontosh Chakraborty & Krishnendu Bandopadhyay. ‘Deer poaching racket Forest Area Under Encroachment busted, 4 held’, Times News Network, (as on dates indicated in brackets) 14/12/09 No State / UT Area in Hectares Contact: Field Director, Sundarbans Tiger 1 Andhra Pradesh 268853 (1/1/08) Reserve, PO Canning, Dist. South 24 2 Bihar 2634 (5/9/07) Parganas 743329, West Bengal 3 157092 (1/1/08) 4 Gujarat 22534 (1/1/08) Move to supplement tiger prey base in 5 Goa 4882 (24/3/08) Sunderbans 6 Haryana 1463 (25/4/08) 7 Himachal Pradesh 2229 (28/2/08) To combat the situation of an increasing number 8 Jammu & Kashmir 14374 (1/1/08) of incidents of tigers straying into the inhabited 9 Jharkhand 16524 (25/2/08) areas of the Sunderbans islands and attacking 10 Karnataka 108405 (1/1/08) the locals, the authorities have decided to 11 Kerala 12474 (1/1/08) introduce deer in the forested areas to 12 Madhya Pradesh 184740 (1/1/08) supplement the prey base for the big cats. 13 Maharashtra 177840 (1/1/08) The decision was taken based on an old 14 Orissa 53820 (1/9/08) recommendation made by the State Wildlife 15 Punjab 8114 (1/1/08) Advisory Board which said that prey-base

depletion may be responsible for the increasing 16 Rajasthan 29692 (30/6/08) incidents of tigers straying away from forests. 17 Tamil Nadu 15214 (1/1/08) Officials have pointed out that 12 incidents of 18 Uttar Pradesh 27281 (28/2/08) tiger attacks on humans or their livestock were 19 Uttarakhand 8757 (1/1/08) reported in 2009. This included the cases of four 20 West Bengal 13086 (1/1/08) human deaths. 21 89062 (1/1/08) The reserve officials have been 22 Assam 485674 (30/10/08) maintaining a population of spotted deer in 23 Manipur 5244 (25/2/08) Dobaki and Jharkhali since 2004. 70 of these 24 Meghalaya 9375 (1/1/08) deer are to be released in the wild this season 25 19127 (1/1/08) and are being checked by veterinary doctors for 26 Nagaland 1403 (16/5/08) any diseases before release. 27 Sikkim 3614 (23/8/08) Independent experts have however 28 Tripura 47758 (25/2/08) pointed out that habitat destruction and a 29 A&N Islands 3326 (4/12/09) depleting prey-base are responsible for the 30 Chandigarh Nil (1/1/08) increase in human-wildlife conflict. They fear 31 Dadar & Nagar Nil (6/11/08) that supplementing the prey base in this manner Haveli will not be successful because the deer that have 32 Daman & Diu 88(1/1/08) been reared by forest department staff won’t 33 Delhi 200 (15/3/07) have the capacity to survive in the wild and 34 Lakshdweep no forest area in could become easy target for poachers. this UT 35 Puducherry Nil (1/1/08) Source: Ananya Dutta. ‘Move to supplement tiger * Total 17,94,879 prey base in Sunderbans’, The Hindu, 22/12/09 Source: http://www.pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid =55568 09/12/09

Protected Area Update Vol XVI, No. 1 19 February 2010 (No. 83)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) SeasonWatch – A project to monitor plant Society for the Protection of Birds, the phenology across India Bombay Natural History Society and Bird Conservation Nepal are calling for a The team of MigrantWatch, the participatory mechanism to control the use of this drug in project in which volunteers contribute southern Asia. information on bird migration (see PA Update The research, published in the Royal Vol. XIV, No. 5) are now launching a sister Society journal Biology Letters shows that project SeasonWatch. This project seeks to Ketoprofen is lethal to the birds in the dosages monitor plant phenology (the timing of seasonal that would be administered to livestock events) across the country and is seeking help suffering from rheumatism or arthritis. Further, and participation from volunteers. it states that Ketoprofen could already be The team is also looking for a person to contributing to further declines of the help run the project. remaining vulture populations, and this trend is likely to increase if Ketoprofen replaces Contact: Uttara Mendiratta. Email: Diclofenac. [email protected] Other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory Web: http://www.ncbs.res.in/citsci drugs sold by veterinary pharmacies for treating livestock include Meloxicam, IGNOU, WWF offer PG Diploma in Phenylbutazone, Analgin, Nimesulide, environmental law Flunixin and Ibuprofen. Only three of these have been tested to determine their effects on The Indira Gandhi National Open University vultures. Diclofenac and Ketoprofen cause (IGNOU) recently signed a Memorandum of fatal kidney failure and only Meloxicam is Understanding (MoU) with the Centre for known to be safe. Environmental Law (CEL), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) India to jointly run a Post Source: ‘Second blow for Asian vultures, find Graduate Diploma in Environmental Law. The researchers’, www.wildlifewatch.in programme will be offered in the July 2010 09/12/09 session through the School of Law (SOL), IGNOU. Ministry of Tourism to carry out audit of While, CEL is already offering the seven protected areas Diploma programme in Environment Law in the online mode and has trained 500 students, The Ministry of Tourism (MoT) has assigned IGNOU Vice Chancellor, Professor VN the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) Pusa Rajasekharan Pillai has said that IGNOU would to carry out an audit of seven protected areas in be interested in introducing programmes in India. IHM Pusa along with Ecotourism conservation of species and biodiversity as well. Society of India (ESOI) and Travel Operators for Tiger (TOFT) will undertake a survey of Source: ‘IGNOU, WWF to jointly offer PG the PAs to assess the impact of tourism on the Diploma in Environmental Law’, ecology of these parks and areas around them. www.wildlifewatch.in 25/12/09 The entire project will be funded by the MoT. The project will start with a survey of New threat to vultures from Ketoprofen the Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand and will also cover among others the Ranthambore, After the drug Diclofenac, researchers have Kanha and Bandavgarh Tiger Reserves. A identified a second veterinary drug that can team consisting of one faculty, one M.Sc. have serious impacts on vultures. The drug in student and five students from B.Sc. in question is Ketoprofen that is used in livestock Hospitality and Hotel Administration treatment. Vultures feeding on the carcasses of programme from IHM Pusa will take part in recently-treated livestock were reported to have the survey, along with representatives from suffered acute kidney failure within days of TOFT. The survey is intended at collecting exposure. Following this discovery, the Royal data and assessing on how the working of

Protected Area Update Vol XVI, No. 1 20 February 2010 (No. 83)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) various stakeholders, especially jungle lodges simultaneously, and parity between number of operators are impacting the ecology of these judicial and expert members on the tribunal. protected areas. The government has, however, not accepted the suggestion of the Standing Source: P Krishna Kumar. ‘MoT assigns IHM Committee to give the tribunal ‘contempt of Pusa to carry out audit of seven wildlife court’ power to enforce their decisions. Neither sanctuaries in India’ has it accepted the recommendation that every www.travelbizmonitor.com 10/11/09 amendment to Schedule I of the Bill be voted by Parliament. Central Empowered Committee of the SC With Public Interest Litigations on under purview of RTI environmental issues flooding the courts, the proposed legislation aims to take off the The Supreme Court (SC) appointed Central pressure by handling all the civil cases related Empowered Committee (CEC) that is mandated to forestry and environment. The tribunal will with looking into issues of forests and wildlife also address all substantial questions relating to protection has been brought under the purview environment. of the Right to Information (RTI) Act. There has however been considerable The Central Information Commission concern about the bill. Activists and lawyers (CIC) recently rejected the plea of the CEC to have argued that the tribunal will not be review an earlier decision which had declared effective because among other things it has the CEC a public authority under the RTI Act. only a limited jurisdiction, defines locus standi The CEC has now been directed to facilitate the in a very narrow manner, denies social processing of RTI applications and post all the organizations the opportunity of taking up information about its working on its web site in matters, does not have a provision for ‘real accordance with the proactive disclosure clauses experts’, and provides only a limited and of the transparency law. arbitrary time frame for matters to be taken up and decided upon. Source: ‘CEC should give info on Wildlife act violations: CIC’, www.wildlifewatch.in Source: Aarti Dhar. ‘Cabinet clears National 27/12/09 Green Tribunal Bill’, The Hindu, Contact: Member Secretary, Central Empowered 04/12/09 Committee, Room No. 106, Paryavaran Ritwick Dutta. ‘The National Green Bhavan, CGO Complex, Lodi Road, New Tribunal: A Trojan horse’, Email Delhi - 110003. Tel: 011- 4361297 circulated on 03/12/09 Contact: Ritwick Dutta, Legal Initiative for National Green Tribunal Bill cleared Forest and Environment (LIFE), E-23 LGF Jungpura Extension New Delhi- The clearance granted to the National Green 110014. Telefax: 011 9810044660. Tribunal Bill has paved the way for setting up Email: [email protected] the National Green Tribunal to settle civil disputes concerning environment related issues. Sanctuary Wildlife Awards 2009 The National Green Tribunal Bill had been cleared by the Cabinet in July, and introduced in The Sanctuary Wildlife Awards for 2009 were Parliament that then referred it to a Standing given recently in association with the Royal Committee (see PA Updates Vol XV, Nos. 5 & Bank of Scotland. This is the 10th year of the 4). The committee, which submitted its report in awards. late November, had suggested some changes of The ‘Lifetime Service Award’ was which the government has accepted ten and given to Brijendra Singh for his work in rejected two. protecting the Corbett Tiger Reserve, while the Among the recommendations accepted Green Teacher Award was given to Dr MR by the government are notifying the tribunal for Almeida and Dr (Mrs) Sarah Almeida who the Centre and all States and Union Territories have over the years been associated with a

Protected Area Update Vol XVI, No. 1 21 February 2010 (No. 83)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) number of institutions including the Bombay Government of Nepal, and co-organized and Natural History Society, the Blatter Herbarium co-sponsored by the CITES Secretariat, Global of St. Xavier College, the Sanjay Gandhi Tiger Forum, Global Tiger Initiative, Save The National Park and the International Society for Tiger Fund, and the World Bank. Traditional Medicine. Wildlife service awards were given to Source: ‘Nepal expands critical tiger habitat’, Prabir Kumar Palei of the Orissa Forest http://nepal.panda.org/news 27/10/01 Department (Simlipal Tiger Reserve), Narhari Pandurang Bagrao of Maharashtra’s Shahpur PAKISTAN Forest Division, Paresh Porab of the Goa Forest Department, Drs. Divya Mudappa and TR Virus kills more than 70 ibex in Khirthar Shankar Raman of the Mysore based Nature National Park Conservation Foundation, and Delhi based filmmaker Mike Pandey. More than 70 ibexes are reported to have died Young Naturalists awards were given due to a virus infection in the Khirthar National to Prosper Marak of the Garo Students Union in Park in Pakistan’s Sindh Province. The toll was Meghalaya, Pune based student Aamod Zambre 74 since the first death on September 24. DNA and Vishal Bhave of Ratnagiri in Maharashtra. tests conducted subsequently by the Sindh Vijay Pinjarkar and the Times of India, Nagpur Wildlife Department revealed the cause of the were awarded the ‘Wing Under the Wings’ deaths to be a viral disease, Peste-de-Petits award. Ruminants (PPR). The viral infection is the first ever Source: ‘Guardians of the Earth’, Sanctuary Asia, reported since the declaration of the national December 2009. park. Officials of the World Conservation Contact: Bittu Sahgal, Sanctuary Asia, 145/146, Union (IUCN) and the World Wildlife Pragati Ind. Estate, NM Joshi Marg, Foundation (WWF) visited the park in an effort Lower Parel, Mumbai 400 011. Tel: 022- to deal with the prevalent disaster as well as 23016848. Email: plan for the future. [email protected] Web: www.sanctuaryasia.com Source: ‘Ibex death in Khirthar National Park’, Pakistan Wildlife News, Vol 1, Issue1, December 2009 SOUTH ASIA

OPPORTUNITIES NEPAL

Bardia NP expanded by 900 sq. kms WWF Prince Bernhard Scholarships for nature conservation The Bardia National Park located in the Terai Arc Landscape has been expanded by 900 sq. The WWF Prince Bernhard Scholarship Fund kms. The decision was made by the Nepalese (PBS) seeks to provide financial support to Government during the inaugural session of the individuals wishing to pursue short-term Kathmandu Global Tiger Workshop that was professional training or formal studies that will held in Kathmandu, Nepal in October 2009. help them contribute more effectively to The Prime Minister of Nepal, Mr. conservation efforts in their country. As a Madhav Kumar Nepal also announced that the priority, PBS supports mid-career training for country would set up a National Tiger those working in the field of conservation and Conservation Authority as well as a Wildlife associated disciplines directly relevant to the Crime Control Bureau. delivery and promotion of conservation (i.e. The workshop was hosted by the media, law, education). Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation,

Protected Area Update Vol XVI, No. 1 22 February 2010 (No. 83)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) Only nationals from Africa/Madagascar, b) The Best Park Guide/Naturalist Asia/Pacific, Latin America/Caribbean, Eastern c) The Best Park for Wildlife tourism Europe, Middle East or Mediterranean will be d) The Best Destination Management considered. Company for Wildlife Tourism For more details check e) Best Tourist related Community Initiative www.panda.org/scholarships f) Best Wildlife and Tourism Initiative

CEPF-ATREE Western Ghats Small Grants The deadline for submitting nominations is 12th February 2010. The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) and the Western Ghats Regional Contact: Abhishek Behl. Implementation Team (RIT) based in the Email: [email protected] Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) is inviting proposals for JRFs needed for research in the Southern its Small Grants Program (SGP). Western Ghats The objectives of the CEPF grant are to enable action by communities and partnerships The research organization FERAL is seeking to ensure conservation and enhance connectivity Junior Research Fellows (JRFs) for research in corridors and improve conservation of projects in the southern Western Ghats. The globally threatened species of the Western details are as follows: Ghats through systematic conservation planning a) A two year project starting from January and action. 2010 for the project "Bridging the Shencottah Those eligible to apply include non- Gap: How Payments for Ecosystem Services governmental organizations, community groups, Can Restore Biodiversity Outside Protected universities, private enterprises, and individuals. Areas in India". Individuals can apply for grants, but are The project aims to assess connectivity encouraged to work with civil society between large mammal populations in the organizations and communities to develop joint Periyar-Agasthyamalai landscape of the applications, rather than applying directly. southern Western Ghats. The main work will The projects must be located in one or involve carrying out large mammal surveys; more of the following states of the Western assessing bird and butterfly community Ghats region: Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, diversity and data entry and analysis Tamil Nadu and Kerala and must support a The applicant should be an Indian strategic direction and investment strategy as National with a relevant degree (undergraduate outlined in the Ecosystem Profile. or postgraduate) in biological science, and/or relevant professional experience in wildlife Contact: Dr. Bhaskar Acharya, CEPF Western research and conservation. Ghats RIT, ATREE, Royal Enclave, Srirampura, Jakkur Post, Bangalore Contact: V. Srinivas. 560064, India Tel: 080-23635555, M: Email: [email protected] 919008322664 Fax: 23530070 (Mention ‘Application for JRF4’ in the email) Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.atree.org/CEPF_WGhats/ b) A three years project starting from January 2010 to assess carbon sequestration rates in Call for nominations: Wildlife Tourism mixed landscapes between Periyar Tiger Awards Reserve and Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. Tourism Operators for Tigers (TOFT) has Registration for a Ph.D., or using the invited nominations for its First TOFT Wildlife information collected for a Ph.D. is desirable. Tourism Awards for 2010. The categories The applicant should be an Indian include: national with a relevant degree (undergraduate a) The Most Inspirational Eco lodge or postgraduate) in biological science, and/or

Protected Area Update Vol XVI, No. 1 23 February 2010 (No. 83)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) relevant professional experience in wildlife information commons, cultural commons, research and conservation. Knowledge of genetic resources, patents and the climate. botany, or the ability to learn the local flora The above subjects would be captured quickly, will be necessary. under the following sub-themes: 1. The Commons, Poverty and Social Contact: Dr. Rauf Ali. Exclusion; Email: [email protected] 2. Governance of the Commons: (Mention ‘Application for JRF5 in the email) Decentralization, Property Rights, Legal Framework, Structure and Organization; 3. The Commons: Theory, Analytics and Data; UPCOMING 4. Globalisation, Commercialisation and the Commons; 5. Managing the Global Commons: Climate 13th Biennial Conference of the International Change and other Challenges; Association for the Study of Commons 6. Managing Complex Commons (lagoons, protected areas, wetlands, mountain areas, The 13th Biennial Conference of the rangelands, coastal commons); International Association for the Study of 7. New Commons (Digital Commons, Genetic Commons is to be held in Hyderabad, India Commons, Patents, Music, Literature etc); from January 10-14, 2011. The Conference is being hosted by the Foundation for Ecological The organizers have invited abstracts for Security (FES) and will be chaired by Mr. Nitin panels, individual papers, poster and videos, Desai. The Co-Chair is Mr. Jagdeesh Puppala of which can be submitted through the online the FES submission process. The theme of the conference is ‘Sustaining our Future’ and will deal with a Contact: Subrat Singh, FES, PO Box-29, NDDB range of physical common resources such as Campus, Anand, Gujarat-388001Tel: forests, grazing resources, protected areas, water 02692-261239/261402. Fax: 262087 resources, fisheries, coastal commons, lagoon /262196. Email: [email protected] Web: http://iasc2011.fes.org.in/ commons, irrigation systems, livestock and

commons as well as new commons such as

For Private Circulation / Printed Matter

From To Kalpavriksh Apt. 5, Sri Dutta Krupa 908 Deccan Gymkhana Pune 411004

Protected Area Update Vol XVI, No. 1 24 February 2010 (No. 83)

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