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

Vol. XV No. 5 October 2009 (No.81)

LIST OF CONTENTS Rajasthan 10 EDITORIAL 2 Great Indian Bustard sighted in Tal Chappar Do we want the cheetah back? Wildlife Sanctuary Tamil Nadu 10 NEWS FROM INDIAN STATES Animal census in Point Calimere WLS 3 Uttarakhand 11 Habitat protection vital to save River Dolphin in SC abandons elevated corridor for elephants in the Brahmaputra Rajaji NP Study on implications of the Forest Rights Act Uttar Pradesh 11 around Nameri NP and Sonai Rupai WLS ‘Steering committee’ for tiger conservation Opposition to proposal of gifting rhino horns More stringent punishment for poaching in Assam NATIONAL NEWS FROM INDIA 12 Opposition to eviction for expansion of the Proposal to re-introduce the cheetah to India Kaziranga NP Report on Ecologically Sensitive Areas in India Gujarat 5 Four PAs proposed for inclusion on UNESCO MoEF rejects proposed port at Poshitara adjoining heritage list the Gulf of Kutch Marine NP SCB’S Distinguished Service Award to Dr Jharkhand 6 Kamal Bawa Mobile phones and flying squads to tackle man- National Green Tribunal approved elephant conflict CEE plans Hoolock gibbon conservation Karnataka 6 programme in NE NEAA rejects thermal power station close to 1st installment of CAMPA money for eight states; Anshi-Dandeli TR dissatisfaction with amount of money being Night traffic banned through Bandipur NP released Madhya Pradesh 7 Centre sends teams to assess situation in eight Displaced fisherfolk ask for full fishing rights in tiger reserves Tawa reservoir in Satpura TR Maharashtra 8 SOUTH ASIA 15 Rise in Giant squirrel population in Bhimashankar Bangladesh WLS US, Germany pledge US $19 million for Forest Dept employees warn of strike reforestation of Chunati WLS Large scale transfers; PAs left unprotected Nepal Meghalaya 9 121 breeding tigers counted in PAs in Nepal Land adjoining Balpakram NP reclaimed from illegal miners UPCOMING 16 Orissa 9 Great Himalayan Bird Count, Winter – 2009 223 tribal families to be shifted from Similipal TR International Conference on Wildlife & Punjab 10 Biodiversity Conservation Ranjit Sagar Dam reservoir to be declared a World Tiger Summit in Ranthambore TR in 2010 wildlife sanctuary Global Tiger Workshop in Kathmandu Call for Papers: People and Protected Areas - EDITORIAL India case studies

OPPORTUNITIES 17 Research position for project on Snow leopard Do we want the Cheetah back? phylogeography and conservation Research position for Population genetics of a It is not anymore a question only of academic montane bird in the Western Ghats interest. The ball, in some senses, is already Research positions on bio-resource ecology and rolling. A meeting was held in Rajasthan in climate change in the Sikkim Himalayas September (see national news) where a host of Diploma in International Wildlife Conservation international and national experts including Practice representatives from state and national Part time environment education work in Mumbai governments met to discuss and debate a proposal for the re-introduction of the cheetah IN THE SUPREME COURT 19 to India. A decision may not be taken for a PRESS RELEASES 19 while as the issues related to availability of National Conference of Ministers of Environment habitat and prey, of management and possible and Forests, 18/08/09 conflict with humans are studied, analysed and Future of Conservation Network, 19/08/09 decided upon. There are many areas where the

READERS WRITE 23 feasibility of the re-introduction will have to be carefully studied and this is what the meeting Protected Area Update has proposed to do. But the question really is a more

fundamental one. Why do we want the cheetah Vol. XV, No. 5, October 2009 (No. 81) back? There seem to be two different answers Editor: Pankaj Sekhsaria to this. One it would seem, and the Minister for Editorial Assistance: Reshma Environment and Forests, Mr. Jairam Ramesh Illustrations: Madhuvanti Anantharajan too referred to that - is to regain a part of the Produced by: Kalpavriksh lost glory and history of this country. The other, as has been pointed by some wildlife Ideas, comments, news and information may experts, is that the cheetah, like the tiger, is the please be sent to the editorial address: apex species of the grassland habitat and it’s KALPAVRIKSH , Apartment 5, Shri Dutta Krupa, presence would, both, indicate and ensure the 908 Deccan Gymkhana, Pune 411004, health of this badly abused ecosystem. Maharashtra, India. Tel/Fax: 020 – 25654239. Prima facie the arguments seem valid, Email : [email protected] but if looked at carefully, both have serious Website: www.kalpavriksh.org problems. It is certainly important to realize *** that grassland habitats are extremely Publication of the PA Update Vol. XV, No. 5 has productive but undervalued and abused. There been supported by the Duleep Mathai Nature is no doubt they should be conserved but Conservation Trust , the Foundation for introducing the cheetah from Africa hardly Ecological Security , Greenpeace India , the seems to be the way to do that. There are far Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and simpler and effective ways to do it if we have the common sense and political will for it. the Indian Bird Conservation Network . It is also an extremely unfortunate part of our history that this glorious animal was shot into extinction nearly six decades ago. What is a scarier reality is that many species of

plants, birds and animals stand today on the verge of joining the cheetah into that void

Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 5 2 October 2009 (No. 81) called extinction. Flagship programs - Project Research has also shown that accidental killing Tiger and Project Elephant, for instance, face through fisheries by-catch, poaching for oil, serious challenges and some might even say that dam building and the proposed seismic survey they are floundering. How prudent would it then in the are the major threats be to get into something new without ensuring to the dolphins. (Also see PA Updates Vol XV, the success of what we already have on hand? No. 1; Vol XIII, No 2; Vol XII, No.3; Vol XI, Rather than spending huge amounts of No 5 and No. 46) time, human resources, energy and money towards an ‘esoteric’ bringing back of the Source: ‘Ganges River Dolphin in dire straits’ ‘dead’ the effort has to be concentrated on 20/07/09 preventing it happening again – with other http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/brah species. That would be a far more worthwhile maputra_river_dolphins___psf_final_re and valuable endeavour. port.pdf We can’t undo the extinctions we have Contact: Sarah Horsley , IUCN caused already. Let the fate of cheetah be a grim Email: [email protected] pointer to that reality. Lynne Labanne , IUCN Species Programme. Email: [email protected]

NEWS FROM INDIAN STATES Study on implications of the Forest Rights

Act around Nameri NP and Sonai Rupai WLSs ASSAM Kalpavriksh recently conducted a short Habitat protection vital to save River exploratory study on the Scheduled Tribes and Dolphin in the Brahmaputra Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 in the areas around A study carried out under an IUCN Sir Peter Nameri National Park and Sonai Rupai Scott Fund project has expressed the need to Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam. The objective protect the habitat of the Ganges River Dolphin was to gauge the status of implementation of to save the species from extinction. the Act, understand people's perceptions and According to the study the total also the possible implications for, both, the population of the Ganges River Dolphin is biodiversity and forest-dependent communities around 2,000 and of these between 240 to 300 of the area. can be found in the Brahmaputra river system. Given the historical context of this This study was conducted in the 1,044km area, the findings of the study suggest that stretch of the Brahmaputra River system, some modifications are needed to the Act and primarily in Assam. A similar study carried out certain conservation safeguards should be in 2005 had estimated the dolphin population to integrated before the Act is implemented here. be 250. Some of the possible resolution Oil India Limited (OIL) has proposed measures suggested for this particular context to start prospecting for oil along the bed of the include the need for: Brahmaputra River using air guns and (a) an amendment of the cut-off date of the Act explosives; hence the need was felt for the study from 2005 to 1980 - to get an estimate of the population here. (b) steps to highlight conservation aspects of The research has identified eight river the Act, such as community forest rights sections as potential protected areas and provisions suggested that community-based dolphin (c) steps to prevent ethnic conflict resulting conservation is the best strategy to save the from varying eligibility of claimants under the dolphins. The project also carried out 32 Act awareness campaigns along the Brahmaputra (d) steps to actively involve communities in valley, focusing on fishing communities. conservation efforts

Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 5 3 October 2009 (No. 81) (e) steps to prevent fresh encroachments About 500 rhinos are reported to have (f) steps to regenerate forest areas on which died in Assam in the last 30 years and many of claims have been rejected these are believed to have been poached (see (g) steps to expeditiously recognize the rights of PA Updates Vol XV, Nos. 3, 2, & 1; Vol XIV, eligible claimants No. 2; and Vol XIII, Nos. 6& 5). A number of rhino horns that were Contact: Arshiya Bose , Kalpavriksh (for a copy of seized from poachers or retrieved from dead the report. rhinos are now decaying due to lack of proper Email: [email protected] preservation. The largest number of such horns Divisional Forest Officer , Nameri Tiger is believed to be in the possession of the Reserve Western Assam Wildlife Golaghat district treasury, since the Kaziranga Division, P.O. Koliabhomora, – National Park is under its jurisdiction. The 784001, Assam. Tel: 03712-220854(O), state government has also constituted a 220803(R committee headed by the Principal Chief DFO, Sonai-Rupai WLS , Sonitpur West Conservator of Forests for the purpose to Division, P.O. Tezpur, Dist. Sonitpur - gather data on the number of horns it has in it’s 784 001, Assam. Tel: 03712-220093(O), treasuries. 220091®

Source: Rahul Karmakar, ‘Greens see red over Opposition to proposal of gifting rhino horns Assam rhino horn gift plan’, Hindustan Times , 08/06/09. ‘A home for rhino assets - Assam may send rotting horns to world museums’, The Telegraph , 04/06/09. Contact: Bibhab Talukdar, Aaranyaak Samanwoy Path (Survey), PO Beltola, - 781 028, Assam. Email: [email protected]

The Assam State government has proposed to More stringent punishment for poaching in gift rhino horns to visiting dignitaries and Assam museums all over the world in a move to get rid of the large number of horns that are now lying The Assam State Assembly recently passed the with it. The state government is reported to have Wildlife (Protection) (Assam Amendment) also approached the Central government for Bill-2009, incorporating more stringent help as the proposal will need diplomatic provisions to check wildlife crimes, including a communication with various countries. The life term for poaching. Forest Department intends to present these The Bill (now an Act) has made first- horns in order to preserve them, and many time poaching a punishable offence by forest officials are reported to have welcomed imprisonment from seven to ten years in place the move. of the earlier provisions of three to seven years. The Indian Army too is said to have For a second offence, the quantum of requested the FD to provide them with rhino punishment will extend from ten years to life horns so that these could be displayed in various imprisonment. army museums across the country. The bill had been drafted after Environmental activists and pursuing the matter with the Centre besides organisations including Aaranyaak and People having discussions with wildlife experts, for Animals have, however, expressed their NGOs and members of judiciary. opposition to this move. They have warned that such a decision may legitimize poaching to a Source: ‘Assam makes Wildlife Protection Act certain extent and could fan the aphrodisiac more stringent’, The Assam Tribune , myth about the rhino horn. 17/07/09

Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 5 4 October 2009 (No. 81) Opposition to eviction for expansion of the action though the situation has been brought to Kaziranga NP their notice a number of times. The Mising student’s body has said Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK), the that the focus of the government should be on student body of the Mising indigenous evicting these encroachers of doubtful origin community has strongly opposed the eviction of and also to protect the park’s land area from their community in the name of the sixth the erosion of the Brahmaputra. expansion of the . The (Also see PA Update 41) body has alleged that the State Government was planning to settle the suspected Bangladesh Source: ‘Encroachers posing threat to Kaziranga, nationals in parts of the national park between local inhabitants’ The Assam Tribune, Jakhalabandha and Bagori along the national 27/08/09 highway and it was to facilitate this settlement ‘Mising body raps Govt over move to that eviction notices had been served on the evict locals’, The Assam Tribune , indigenous people of 18 villages under 11/09/09 . Bakoridoloni Gaon Panchayat, Bartamuly Gaon Contact: Director , Kaziranga NP, PO Bokakhat, Panchayat and Rawnamukh Gaon Panchayat in Dist. Golaghat – 785612, Assam. Tel: . 03776-268095(O), 268086® It has also been pointed out that the government was turning a blind eye to the rapid Chief Wildlife Warden – Assam, Rehabari, Guwahati – 781008, Assam. encroachment in the Orang National Park, the Tel: 0361-2566064. Fax 2547386 Pobitara Wildlife Sanctuary and the Laokhowa

Wildlife Sanctuary. Yet, about 10,000 Mising GUJARAT people who have been living in the areas around Kaziranga for a long time and have been paying MoEF rejects proposed port at Poshitara land revenue since 1947, have been asked to adjoining the Gulf of Kutch Marine NP vacate about 15,000 hectares of land for the expansion of the national park. The Union Ministry of Environment and According to other reports, hundreds of Forests (MoEF) has rejected the proposed port unidentified people (suspected to be at Poshitara adjoining the Gulf of Kutch Bangladeshis) have, over the last six months, Marine NP, and asked the private developer to occupied the tapus, chars and chaporis of the look for an alternate site. The decision was Brahmaputra in the southern side of , taken in a recent meeting of the Standing Jamugurihat and Tezpur in Sonitpur district. Committee of the National Board for Wildlife. The places so occupied include The MoEF rejected the Gujarat Labtapu, Dhakaltapu, Longketapu, Piajtapu, government’s proposal to conduct an Kalibhomora, and Burhachapari. The new environmental impact study of the project, arrivals are reported to have constructed stating that a national level study to assess the innumerable small huts and even started cumulative impact of all the forthcoming port cultivation on the land by challenging the local projects on the Indian coastline was already people as they are numerically larger than the underway and that it would be inappropriate locals. They have also started occupying and for this particular project to be considered until fishing in big beels like Kathdhora, Bowalmari, that report came in. Chenidhora, Gajalimora, Lathimari, Wildlife experts who carried out the Nangkhowasuti, and Jaranipuri. inspection of the port also said that the It has also been alleged these new proposed site of the port was adjacent to the settlers lend a helping hand to the poachers in Gulf of Kutch Marine and would pose serious fishing and killing wild and endangered animals threat to the marine biodiversity. of the sixth addition of KNP. The local administration, forest and police departments, it Source: ‘Environment ministry opposes port at has been pointed out, have also not taken any Poshitara’, PTI 05/08/09

Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 5 5 October 2009 (No. 81) Contact: Conservator of Forests , Gulf of Kutch KARNATAKA MNP, Ganjiwada Nagar, Nagnath Gate Police Choki, Jamnagar – 360001. Tel: NEAA rejects thermal power station close to 0288-2552077 Fax: 0288-2555336 Anshi-Dandeli TR CWLW - Gujarat, Block 14, Dr. Jivraj Mehta Bhavan, Old Sachivalaya, The National Environmental Appellate Gandhinagar-382010, Gujarat. Tel: Authority (NEAA) recently issued a stay on 02712-230007. Fax: 221097. the conditional permit issued by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) JHARKHAND for the Hanakona thermal power station in Karwar. Mobile phones and flying squads to tackle The conditional permit certificate was man-elephant conflict issued to the power company in June. The MoEF had suggested that any objections to the permit should be filed within 30 days, following which objections were filed by the North Karnataka District Consumers and Citizens Welfare Association and Hanakona Thermal Power Station Virodhi Horata Samiti. The objections stated that the site of power station comes within the 25 km. radius of the forests of the Anshi-Dandeli Tiger The Jharkhand Forest Department (FD) is Reserve and therefore violates the guidelines distributing mobile phones to villagers to keep issued by the National Tiger Conservation track of the movements of wild elephants. It has Authority. also constituted flying squads to drive away the It was also pointed out that the elephants that enter villages. The FD has listed company had secured the permit directly from 600 villages that regularly face problems the MoEF, instead of securing it from the State because of wild elephants and each of these Pollution Control Board, Gram Panchayat and villages is to be given one phone. Over 100 such other government departments. Forest officials phones have already been distributed. are also reported to have said that the company The phone which will be given to the has submitted false documents to the ministry. Joint Forest and Village Defense Committee member of each village will have contact Source: ‘Power project stayed’ Karwar, Deccan numbers of all relevant forest officials Herald , 26/08/09 Since the formation of state of Contact: DCF , Dandeli Wildlife Division, Jharkhand in the year 2000, 679 people have Dandeli – 581325, Uttar Kannada, died and 1,020 have been injured by wild Karnataka. Tel: 08284-231585(O), elephants. 90 elephants have, at the same time, 230114(R). Fax: 230300. been killed in Jharkhand by poaching and electrocution. (Also see PA Updates Vol XV, Night traffic banned through Bandipur NP No. 1; Vol. XIV, No. 2; Vol. XI, No. 6 and Nos. 55, 52, 47, & 39) The Karnataka High Court has banned vehicular traffic at night inside the Bandipur Source: ‘Jharkhand distributes mobile phones to National Park. A division bench recently tackle elephant menace’ IANS, passed the order and no vehicles will be http://www.prokerala.com/news/articles/a allowed now on the stretch of two roads in the 72522.html 17/08/09 Bandipur forests in Chamarajanagar district Contact: PCCF , Jharkhand, At- Doranda, P.O. from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Doranda, Ranchi. Tel: 0651-2500455(O), The Deputy Commissioner of 2500413(R) Fax: 0651-500413 Chamarajanagar had, in June, passed the order restricting night traffic on NH 212 (Gundlupet-

Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 5 6 October 2009 (No. 81) Sulthan Bathery and Gundlupet-Ooty), both claimed that these displaced people have the passing through the Bandipur forests. This order first right on the fish in the reservoir and this had evoked significant opposition following should not be denied to them. which a second order was passed to revoke the The appeal was part of a resolution ban (see PA Updates Vol. XV, No. 4 and Vol. passed on June 30, 2009 during the General XIV, No. 6) Body meeting of the organization that was held A public interest litigation (PIL) was in Kesla. It was also suggested that fishing filed in the court challenging this move permits should be issued to the co-operative following which the division bench passed an committees rather than to individuals. This, interim injunction, staying the second order. they have argued, will help eliminate The Kerala government, meanwhile, middlemen and ensure better management, has decided to approach the Supreme Court to protection and distribution of the fish. oppose the ban. Kerala politicians have said that Concern was also expressed over the Karnataka should have first tried alternative Supreme Court order of April 2009 that is measures like imposing speed regulations. They related to fishing in Tawa reservoir. It was also said that an increase in animal populations argued that if the shortcomings in the order had aggravated the problem. Traders and were not sorted out it would have negative vehicle operators have also planned various impacts on livelihoods of the fisherfolk and modes of agitation against traffic regulation. also on fish conservation. The SC order allows for fishing in Source: ‘High Court bans night traffic through only one part of the reservoir and also allows Bandipur forest’, The Hindu 28/07/09 for only 400 individual fishing permits. This ‘Rejoice over ban on night traffic in has been termed as both unfair and non- Bandipur sanctuary’ (IANS) workable because the reservoir cannot be http://www.headlinesindia.com/environm segregated in this manner. They have also ent-news/forestry/rejoice-over-ban-on- pointed out that presently there are 1600 night-traffic-in-bandipur-sanctuary- fishers who are part of 38 primary societies.

18353.html The SC order would therefore be unfair to a ‘Night traffic ban in tiger corridor has majority of the people dependant on the Kerala’s claws out’, The Indian Express , reservoir for their livelihood. 31/08/09 Fear has also been expressed that there Contact: Field Director , Bandipur Project Tiger Reserve, Aranya Bhawan, Ashokapuram, will be irregularities and corruption in the Mysore – 570008, Karnataka. Tel: 0821- process of the distribution of these 400 permits. 2480901(O), 2484980 (R). The Society has suggested that the local Chief Wildlife Warden - Karnataka, 2 nd organizations should be represented on the Floor, 18 th Cross, Malleshwaram, committee that will give these permits. The Bangalore – 560003, Karnataka. Tel: meeting was attended by a number of people 080-3341993 / 3345846. Email: from the Kesla and Sohagpur Block. [email protected] (Also see PA Updates Vol, XIII, No. 2; Vol. XII, No. 2; Vol. XI, No. 4; and No. 44) MADHYA PRADESH Source: Press releases by the TDAFPDCS dated Displaced fisherfolk ask for full fishing rights 01/07/09 & 03/07/09. in Tawa reservoir in Satpura TR Contact: Co-ordinator , Tawa Matsya Sangh, Kesla, Dist. Hoshangabad – 461111, The Tawa Displaced Adivasi Fish Production Madhya Pradesh. Tel: 07572- 272291. and Distribution Cooperative Society Director , Satpura NP Pachmarhi, Dist. (TDAFPDCS) has demanded that all fishing Hoshangabad – 461881. Tel: 07578- rights in the Tawa reservoir in the Satpura Tiger 252130. Fax: 07578-252217 CWLW, MP, Van Bhawan, Tulsi Reserve should be restored to those who had Nagar, Bhopal 462003, Madhya been displaced by the Tawa dam. They have Pradesh. Tel: 0755-557371/ 550391.

Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 5 7 October 2009 (No. 81) MAHARASHTRA with Naib tehsildars of the Revenue Department. The existing pay scales (fifth Pay Rise in Giant squirrel population in Commission) are 2750-4400 for forest guards Bhimashankar WLS as against 4000-6000 for revenue inspectors, and 4000-6000 for foresters against 5500-9000 A census conducted by for the naib tehsildar. the Forest Department The Unions pointed out that the (FD) in the demands were being raised since 1993, and the Bhimashankar Wildlife Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Sanctuary in June has had recommended as long back as in 2002 that counted 1,297 Giant pay parity be granted. The government, squirrels ( Ratufa indica however, is still to issue the necessary orders. elphinstoni ), also known as Shekaroo . This is a Source: ‘Maharashtra Forest Dept employees significant increase warn of strike’ from the 1,180 squirrels http://news.webindia123.com/news/Arti reported last year. cles/India/20090910/1338891.html The FD employed indirect methods of calculating the number that primarily included Large scale transfers; PAs left unprotected the counting of nests built by this animal just the setting in of the monsoon. The giant squirrel The Maharashtra Forest Minister, Babanrao is known to build six to eight nests around the Pachpute recently effected large scale changes area it has marked. in the postings of forest officers in the state The Giant squirrel is also the state leading to concern that a number of PAs would animal of Maharashtra. now remain unprotected. Over 350 forest personnel including Source: Umesh Isalkar. ‘Giant squirrels at home in over 240 range forest officers (RFOs) and the Bhimashankar, count up’, Times News field director (FD) and conservator of forests Network, 18/07/09 (CF) of the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve Contact: DCF, Wildlife Pune , (Bhimashankar (TATR) have been transferred without WLS). New PMT Building, 3rd Floor, replacements. The same situation is seen with Shankarseth Road, Swarget Pune- more than a dozen other RFOs from other 411042. Maharashtra. Tel: 020-24471465 wildlife areas. It has been pointed out that many of Forest Dept employees warn of strike these transfers have been effected regardless of continuity of postings and this has left a Class III and IV employees of the Maharashtra number of important posts vacant. nd Forest Department (FD), threatened in the 2 The Tadoba Andhari and Pench Tiger week of September, to go on strike in support of Reserves are believed to be worst affected. The their demands of pay parity and absorption in transfer of the Director of TATR, and of RFO the service after the state’s forthcoming Tadoba without replacements has left the tiger assembly elections. reserve headless. Similarly posts of the other The Maharashtra State Forest Guards RFOs in the reserve - Kolsa, Moharli and the and Promoted Foresters Union (MSFGPF) and one for Protection will be vacant because of Maharashtra State Forest Employees and forest transfers and retirement of officers. Labour Union (MSFELU) said that employees - Similarly two RFOs at Pench Tiger forest guards, foresters, permanent labour and Reserve, for East Pench and the other in charge daily wage labour - would wait for a month of the anti-poaching squad have been shifted to after the formation of the new government in Paoni and Kuhi respectively, without any the state before resorting to the strike. replacements. The RFOs post for West Pench The forest guards are demanding pay too is to fall vacant as the present officer is to parity with revenue inspectors, and foresters

Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 5 8 October 2009 (No. 81) be promoted to the rank of an Assistant The anti mining coalition has also petitioned Conservator of Forests (ACF). the Ministry Of Environment and Forest’s The other PAs that are expected to be regional office in Shillong regarding the affected because of the transfers include the violation of the Forest Conservation Act. Melghat Tiger Reserve, the Bhamragarh WLS Similarly a complaint has also been filed with in Gadchiroli, the Chaprala WLS, Yawal WLS, the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council Bhimashankar WLS and the Chandoli NP. for prosecuting the headmen of Gongrot and It has also been pointed out that in the Halwa Atong Akings for felling of standing eight protected areas in the Nagpur Wildlife forest, that too with malafide intent of illegal Circle, of a total 17 RFOs only three had mining. training in wildlife. (Also see PA Update Vol XV, No. 1 for story Source: ‘Reclaiming Land From Illegal Miners in on shortage of RFOs in Tadoba Andhari TR) Halwa Atong Aking, South Garo Hills District, Meghalaya’, Press Release by Source: ‘Minister ignores wildlife areas again’ the GSU, 12/08/09 http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEW Contact: Secretary , CHAMF, C/o President GSU S-City-Nagpur-Pachpute-ignores- South Garo Hills Unit, Simsang Bridge wildlife-areas- Junction, Bolsagre, Baghmara, South again/articleshow/4796507.cms Garo Hills, Meghalaya. Tel: Contact: Field Director , Tadoba-Andhari Tiger 09436742958. Email: Project, Mul Road, In front of Sanchiti [email protected] Chamber, Chandrapur – 442401, Maharashtra. Tel: 07172-51414(O), ORISSA 56382(R) 223 tribal families to be shifted from MEGHALAYA Simlipal TR

Land adjoining Balpakram NP reclaimed from illegal miners

The Garo Students Union (GSU) and the Chitmang Hills Anti Mining Forum (CHAMF) have recently reclaimed the land that had been illegally denuded of forest for constructing a road to the proposed mining spot in Gongrot Aking bordering the Balpakram National Park (see PA Updates Vol XV, No. 1 and Vol XIV, No. 6). The land that was reclaimed lies in the The Orissa Forest Department has said that 223 in Halwa Atong Aking in the South Garo Hills tribal families residing in six villages in the District of Meghalaya. core area of the Simlipal Tiger Reserve (STR) In a symbolic gesture of returning the will soon be shifted out. These villages include land to the forest, an 85 strong contingent of Jenabil, Bakua, Kabatghai, Jamuna, and GSU members and other NGOs of South Garo Khadia Settlements (I) and (II) in the Upper- Hills planted saplings on the 1.5 Km of road Barha-Kamuda Range of Simlipal. that has been cut through standing forest. The decision was taken at the second Though a commitment has been taken from the Rehabilitation and Periphery Development headman of Halwa Atong Aking to not permit Advisory Committee meeting held under the any further illegal activities on the land of his chairmanship of Revenue Divisional village, the anti mining coalition had decided to Commissioner, Central Division. The STR and maintain a constant vigil to ensure that no fresh the Forest Department were represented in the moves to start road constriction are made. meeting by the STR Field Director cum

Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 5 9 October 2009 (No. 81) Conservator of Forests HS Upadhaya, Deputy area of the dam reservoir as a sanctuary, Director Manoj V Nair and three DFOs from revenue officials had not provided the Rairangpur, Karanjia and Baripada. necessary land records, thus delaying the Meanwhile, an allocation of Rs ten lakh implementation for many years. for each displaced family has also been received for their resettlement and rehabilitation and for Source: Chander Parkash. ‘Dam reservoir to be ensuring all basic amenities at the places of their made wildlife sanctuary - Govt to issue relocation outside the sanctuary. notification soon’, The Tribune , The families to be displaced have been 06/09/09 assured that they will be relocated to places of Contact: Chief Wildlife Warden , Punjab, SC their choice as per the guidelines of the National No. 2463-64,Sector 22-C, Chandigarh - Tiger Conservation Authority. Some of the 160022.Tel: 0172-2705828(O), displaced families have opted for their 2675661(R). Fax: 2705828 relocation at Amdiha and Kapand model housing colonies, while others have sought their RAJASTHAN relocation at Arjunvilla near the Manda forest range. (Also see PA Update Vol. XIII, No. 3) Great Indian Bustard sighted in Tal Chappar Wildlife Sanctuary Source: ‘223 tribal families to be shifted from Similipal Tiger Reserve core area’, A pair of Great Indian Bustards (GIB) was http://www.odishatoday.com 13/08/09 sighted at the Tal Chappar Wildlife Sanctuary Contact: Director , Simlipal Tiger Reserve, P.O. in Churu district in August. The female bird Baripada, Dist. Mayurbhanj – 757002, was spotted on August 1, and the male was Orissa. Tel: 06792-252593(O), seen the next day. This is the first time in 30 252773(R) Fax: 256705 years that the GIB has been sighted in this sanctuary. CWLW– Orissa , Plot No. 8, Shahid Forest officials have suggested that the Nagar, Bhubaneshwar – 751007, Orissa. birds may have migrated to the sanctuary from Tel: 0674- 2512502 / 2513134 / 2515840. Bikaner and the area where it was spotted was Fax: 512502 immediately closed to tourists.

PUNJAB Source: Anindo Dey, ‘Rare bustard sighted at Churu sanctuary’, Times News Ranjit Sagar Dam reservoir to be declared a Network. 09/08/09 wildlife sanctuary Contact: I/c Tal Chappar WLS . Dist. Churu, Rajasthan. Tel 0291-2544371 / 2433656. The reservoir of the Ranjit Sagar Dam in Fax: 0291-2629038 Gurdaspur district of Punjab is to be soon declared a wildlife sanctuary. A declaration to TAMIL NADU this effect was made recently by the Punjab Governor, Gen SF Rodrigues (Retd.) after he Animal census in Point Calimere WLS held a meeting with officials of Forest, Wildlife, Horticulture, Soil Conservation, Agriculture, The Forest Department (FD) conducted a one- Animal Husbandry and Town Planning day wildlife census in August at Point Departments to discuss the modules of the Calimere Wild Life Sanctuary. The animal project in detail. census is held in the dry season of April, but The dam was constructed over the land because of the water logging due to heavy belonging to Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu cyclonic rain in April it was postponed to and Kashmir states. Except Punjab, all other August. states have declared their respective area as a The count was conducted with the wildlife sanctuary. Though the Punjab help of 165 people, including 130 students government had agreed to notify 30 per cent from seven colleges. The census covered

Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 5 10 October 2009 (No. 81) roughly a quarter of the 1,650 hectares The Amicus Curiae Mr. Harish Salve sanctuary and was based on King’s technique of has, however, been opposed to the elevated ‘direct-transect count’. The count was corridors for the elephants and pointed that the conducted with the help of 25 transects with animals could face problems in climbing the each team of five to six members being led by a flyover and that such a solution had not been FD official. tried anywhere else in the country. The A similar census for birds will be held proposal was subsequently dropped. in the first week of January. It has however been pointed out that the present arrangement still does not solve the Source: PV Srividya ‘Wildlife census taken’, problem of the elephants needing to cross the 03/08/09 railway track, something that has caused many http://www.cmsindia.org/cmsenviscentre/ deaths in the past (see PA Updates Vol XIV, newsletter/enews/NewsDetails.asp?id=27 No. 4 and Nos. 40, 36, 34 & 32). 022 Contact: Wildlife Warden , Point Calimere WLS, Source: Dhananjay Mahapatra. ‘SC shoots down 110, Public Office Road, Nagapattinam – flyover corridor for elephants’ Times 611001. Tamil Nadu. Tel: 04365-22349 News Network. 25/07/09 Contact: Director , Rajaji NP, 5/1 Ansari Marg, UTTARAKHAND Dehradun – 248001, Uttaranchal. Tel: 0135-2621669 Fax: 2621669 SC abandons elevated corridor for elephants CWLW, 5, Chandrabani, Mohobewala, in Rajaji NP Dehradun, Uttaranchal. Tel: 0135- 2644691

UTTAR PRADESH

‘Steering committee’ for tiger conservation

Three years after the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had made the proposal, the Uttar Pradesh government has set up its State Steering Committee to supervise tiger conservation in the state. The Supreme Court (SC) has abandoned the The committee will be headed by proposal of building two elevated corridors for Chief Minister Ms Mayawati, while the State elephants to cross over the highways and Forest Minister will be the vice-chairperson. railway line passing through the Rajaji National The Principal Secretaries of the Forest, Tribal Park. The National Highways Authority of India Welfare and Social Welfare Departments will (NHAI) has instead, been given permissions for be members of the committee the construction of three flyovers for vehicles Five other states – Andhra Pradesh, here ( PA Updates Vol XV, No. 3, Vol XIV, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Tamil Nadu and Nos. 5 & 3; Vol XIII, No. 5, Vol XII, No. 2). Madhya Pradesh have already set up these The NHAI had proposed a flyover steering committees. either for the elephants or the vehicles, and had

been pleading for a speedy solution as lakhs of Source: UP sets up steering committee to oversee pilgrims would be coming to Haridwar next tiger conservation, The Times of India , year for the Ardh Kumbh. 22/07/09. The NHAI and the Railway ministry Contact: CWLW Govt. of Uttar Pradesh, 17, both were agreed on the proposal of the flyover Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow – 226001, for elephants and the apex court’s Central Uttar Pradesh. Tel: 0522-206584(O), Empowered Committee (CEC) too had cleared 237715 & 223015(R). Fax 0522- it by a majority of 3:2. 222061/ 206188

Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 5 11 October 2009 (No. 81) The WTI and WII will develop a NATIONAL NEWS FROM INDIA detailed blueprint of the project, to be presented to the authorities for their consideration.

Proposal to re-introduce the cheetah to India Source: ‘Top international and national wildlife specialists meet to discuss cheetah International and national wildlife specialists reintroduction into the wild in India,’ met recently in Gajner, Rajasthan to discuss a http://www.wildlifetrustofindia.org/current- Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) proposal for the news/090909_experts_discuss_cheetah_reint re-introduction of the cheetah which went roduction_in_India.html extinct in the wild in India about six decades ago. The proposal is to bring in cheetahs from Report on Ecologically Sensitive Areas in countries such as Tanzania, Botswana and India Kenya in Africa, and keep them in captivity in semi-wild enclosures until they get acclimatized A report titled ‘India’s Ecologically Sensitive to local conditions. Areas (ESAs): The Story so Far’, a study on The meeting was attended by officials the history and current status ESAs in India of the Union Ministry of Environment and was published recently by Kalpavriksh. Forests (MoEF); the National Tiger The study traces the chronology of the Conservation Authority (NTCA); Chief Wildlife notifications declaring ESAs and also reflects Wardens of four states - Rajasthan, Gujarat, on the various mechanisms through which each Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh - that hold of these ESAs came to be declared, rejected or potential sites for cheetah reintroduction; remain pending with the Ministry of representatives from the Wildlife Institute of Environment and Forests (MoEF). The detailed India (WII); IUCN; international cheetah account of each of the ESAs, a comparison of experts, and members of Indian and the provisions, and understanding the range of International NGOs. actors involved, throw critical light on the The meeting debated several issues trajectories each of the ESAs have followed in pertaining to cheetah reintroduction including their declaration and implementation. habitat and prey availability, man-animal Based on indepth interviews, review conflict, professional project management and of a range of documents from government source of the reintroduction stock.. records and also those shared by The WII presented a comparative study activists/NGOs, the report arrives at some of the potential cheetah reintroduction sites in conclusions. These are both at the level of India and it was suggested that in terms of understanding the advantages that ESAs offer habitat suitability, density of human settlements, as a landscape-level planning tool for the and other considerations, cheetah reintroduction conservation of multiple-use areas. At the same was possible in certain sites. It was also pointed time the report also raises some critical out, however, that site-specific management concerns on how ESAs have come to be would be necessary and these sites should be declared as well as implemented. studied in greater detail before a final selection The report has been authored by can be recommended. Some of the sites Meenakshi Kapoor, Kanchi Kohli and Manju considered include the Tal Chappar Wildlife Menon of Kalpavriksh. The work on the report Sanctuary in Rajasthan, Velavadar WLS in the was supported by World Wide Fund for Nature Saurashtra region of Gujarat and the Banni (WWF)-India’s Civil Society Collaboration for grasslands in Kutch, also in Gujarat. Environment Governance Initiative. The Chief Wildlife Wardens (CWLW) of the four states pointed out that several issues Contact: Meenakshi Kapoor , Kalpavriksh such as habitat, prey availability and conflict Email: [email protected] with humans will have to be examined in Rahul Priyadarshi . greater detail. Email: [email protected]

Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 5 12 October 2009 (No. 81) Four PAs proposed for inclusion on the entire set of environment related laws, UNESCO heritage list including public interest litigation, would be entertained. It will also address all substantial Four protected areas from different parts of the questions relating to environment. country have been placed on the Tentative List According to the proposal, the tribunal of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. These are will not be bound to follow the procedure laid the Desert National Park in Rajasthan, the Great down in the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 or Himalayan National Park in Himachal Pradesh, by the rules of evidence contained in the Indian the Bhitarkanika Conservation Area in Orissa Evidence Act, 1872, but will be guided by the and the Neora Valley National Park in West principles of natural justice. It will have the Bengal. regular powers that other judicial institutions UNESCO keeps these sites on the carry. The appeals against this tribunal would tentative list for a year before the full go to the Supreme Court. nomination based on rigorous and competitive The NGT will have a full-time judicial processes is granted. member as its chairperson, and, three fulltime technical members — one an expert in Source: ‘Desert National Park in UNESCO physical, life sciences or engineering; one an heritage list’, The Hindu 12/07/09 expert in law and another with administrative experience in environmental policy. SCB’S Distinguished Service Award to Dr The Law Commission, had in its 186th Kamal Bawa report in 2003, recommended the setting up of green benches. This is 2 nd attempt since then The Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) on part of the government to set up an recently awarded Dr. Kamal Bawa with it’s exclusive green bench like this one. Distinguished Service award for 2009. The award was given in recognition of Source: Mahendra Kumar Singh & Nitin Sethi, his important contributions to conservation in ‘Green tribunal gets Cabinet go-ahead’, India through the establishment of the Ashoka Times News Network 25/07/09. Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) and its activities, and CEE plans Hoolock gibbon conservation was presented in SCB’s annual meeting held in programme in NE Beijing, China in July earlier this year. SCB (http://www.conbio.org) is an The Centre for Environment Education (CEE), international professional organization North East is planning a ‘Site Specific dedicated to promoting the scientific study of Conservation Education Programme (SSCEP)’ the phenomena that affect the maintenance, loss, in selected hoolock gibbon sanctuaries of and restoration of biological diversity. The Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya and Society's membership comprises a wide range Tripura. The program will be executed by of people interested in the conservation and forming clusters, each of which will involve study of biological diversity: resource 20-25 schools and a local NGO partner. managers, educators, government and private The programme will involve conservation workers, and students make up the development of gibbon educational packages more than 10,000 members world-wide. in the context of the North-east to support classroom teaching-learning; orientation National Green Tribunal approved workshop series for NGOs and teachers, year- long school cluster activities, evaluation The Union Cabinet has cleared the proposal for information and attitudinal changes brought the setting up of the National Green Tribunal about by the project; thorough pre- and post- (NGT) along with benches in different regions project Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (see PA Update Vol XV, No. 4). (KAP) surveys. Once established, the NGT will become Great Ape Campaigns will be the only forum where civil cases pertaining to organized at select places with support from

Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 5 13 October 2009 (No. 81) the local Forest Department. Campaigns will A number of states, have however, also emphasize on community participation and expressed their dissatisfaction that only 10% of local protected area management. the total amount would be released to states on Inputs and partnerships will be sought a pro rata basis every year, for the next five from a number of organizations that include the years. The dissatisfied states include Orissa, Primate Research Centre; the Gibbon Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Conservation Centre; Wildlife Areas Maharashtra who have together contributed Development Trust, Assam; Wildlife Trust of 55% of the Rs 9,900 crore principal of India; Zoo Outreach Organization; local NGOs, CAMPA funds. Orissa which is the highest institutions and allied departments. contributor with Rs 1,311 crore, will receive Rs 130 crore, while Chhattisgarh with a Source: ‘Hoolock gibbon conservation contribution of Rs 1,230 crore will get only Rs programme’ The Assam Tribune , 123 crore this year. The other three big 03/08/09 contributors—Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Contact: Simanta Kalita , CEE North East. Maharashtra — will get Rs 95 crore, 90 crore, Email: [email protected] and 90 crore, respectively. The states have argued that the funds st 1 installment of CAMPA money for eight would not be sufficient for any meaningful states; dissatisfaction with amount of money project. They have also demanded more being released flexibility in planning, saying that the three-tier system suggested undermines the country's According to information from the Ministry of st federal structure. Environment and Forests (MoEF), the 1 The apex court has asked the CEC to installment of the Compensatory Afforestation file status report on the issue after six months. Fund Management and Planning Authority (Also see (Also see PA Updates Vol XV, No. 4 (CAMPA) money was to be released to eight and Vol XIV, Nos. 6 & 2). states in the month of August. The eight states were Uttarakhand, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Source: ‘Provide Rs 1K cr to states for forests: Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Sikkim, Goa, Dadra SC to Campa’ Financial Express , and Nagar Haveli and Assam; all of whom have 11/07/09 opened their State CAMPA account according Urmi A Goswami, ‘States unhappy with to approved guidelines. 10% release of afforestation funds’, These guidelines envisage a three-tier 17/07/09, system — a state-level CAMPA governing body http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/art under the chairmanship of the chief minister, a icleshow/4787301.cms?flstry=1 state-level CAMPA steering committee under ‘First installment of CAMPA to be the chairmanship of the chief secretary and a released to 8 States tomorrow’, MoEF state-level CAMPA executive committee under Press Release, the chairmanship of the principal chief http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid conservator of forests. There will also be a =51913 , 17/08/09 national CAMPA Advisory Council headed by the Union Minister of Environment and Forests Centre sends teams to assess situation in for monitoring, technical assistance and eight tiger reserves evaluation. States are expected to utilize these funds for enhancement of forest cover in six In an attempt to avoid a repeat of the Panna million hectares of degraded forest land all over and Sariska-like situations where tigers were the country, through a scheme under Annual wiped out, the Centre recently decided to send Plan of Operation (APO). Union Minister, Mr. three teams to assess the scenario in eight Jairam Ramesh also announced that the "critical" tiger reserves and take adequate steps operational details would be left to the states, to save the big cats. and the centre would only plan and monitor the The move comes after it was felt that utilization of the funds. tigers in Dampa (Mizoram), Buxa (West

Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 5 14 October 2009 (No. 81) Bengal), Namdapha (Arunachal Pradesh), sanctuary, raise awareness through public Valmiki (Bihar), Palamau (Jharkhand) and education, and create alternative income Manas in Assam would become extinct if opportunities for over 125,000 people who live adequate and timely interventions were not in communities in and around the sanctuary. initiated to save the last species. The Indravati (also see PA Update XII, No. 1) TR in Chattisgarh and Nagarjunasagar Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh have also been identified for Source: ‘Bangladesh to get $19 mln for the study by the teams comprising experts from reforestation project’, NGOs. http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCris A senior official from the National is/idUSDHA532275 Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) said that these teams will re-evaluate the existing NEPAL strategies and explore alternative conservation measures. The team members will also identify 121 breeding tigers counted in PAs in Nepal administrative or ecological problems besides managerial problems in the identified areas and A nine-month research conducted to study tiger will submit reports within two months on the population in all the protected areas (PA) in basis of which further corrective measures Nepal has revealed the presence of 121 would be taken. breeding tigers in the country. The study was carried out jointly by Source: ‘Centre sends teams to assess situation in the Government of Nepal, the World Wildlife 8 tiger reserves’, The Hindu , 13/08/09 Fund (WWF) and the National Trust for Nature Contact: Dr. Rajesh Gopal NTCA, Annexe No. 5, Conservation with support from Save the Tiger Bikaner House, Shahjahan Road, New Fund and US Fish and Wildlife Service. Delhi-110011.Telefax: 2338 4428. E- Chitwan National Park (NP) reported mail: [email protected] a population of 91, and is relatively healthy in comparison to the data from three other PAs which suggested declining numbers; Parsa SOUTH ASIA Wildlife Reserve (WR) has an estimated four tigers, Shuklaphanta WR, eight tigers and Bardia NP has 18. BANGLADESH The report has suggested that these numbers are not strong enough to withstand an US, Germany pledge US $19 million for ever increasing demand for tiger parts and reforestation of Chunati WLS derivatives and that concerted conservation efforts were required as the remaining population was vulnerable to poaching, habitat The United States of America and Germany loss and encroachment. have agreed to donate US $19 million for the WWF has also committed to support reforestation of the Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary the government of Nepal’s Tiger Conservation in Bangladesh under a global climate change Action Plan 2008-2012, which plans to mitigation project. The sanctuary lies about 350 increase the population of tigers by 10 per cent km (219 miles) southeast of Dhaka and is also a within the first 5-year period. major corridor for the movement of Asian elephants between Myanmar and Bangladesh Source: ‘Nepal's Tiger Numbers Remain and home to an important timber species under Constant despite Political Upheaval And threat. Poaching, Census Reveals’ WWF Press Under the project, to be implemented Release, over the next four years, trees will be planted to http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/medi help restore 2,000 hectares of forest land and to a/press/2009/WWFPresitem13170.html decrease carbon emissions in the region. The Contact: Lee Poston , WWF. project will help restore the severely degraded Email: [email protected]

Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 5 15 October 2009 (No. 81) Complex (SKICC), near Dal Lake in Srinagar, UPCOMING J&K. The conference will deal with a number of topics that will include among others

- Importance of mountain wildlife biodiversity Great Himalayan Bird Count, Winter – 2009 conservation.

- Natural ecosystems, biodiversity conservation and nature- based solutions to increasing resilience and reducing vulnerability to climate change. - Status & distribution of endangered temperate wild herbivores - Climate change and wetlands - Aquatic wildlife conservation The Great Himalayan Bird Count, Winter – -Displacement of wildlife & integrated 2009 has been tentatively planned for approaches in their rescue, health care and November 7-10, 2009. The count will be rehabilitation/relocation for management and conducted over 36 popular trekking trails conservation biology. situated in the river-valleys of Tons; Yamuna; -Sustainable resource Utilization and Bhagirathi; Bhilangna; Ganga; Mandakini and Biodiversity Conservation. Alaknanda in Garhwal Himalayas and will also - Future developmental priorities & include the Asan & Jhilmil Jheel Conservation biodiversity Conservation. Reserves in Dehradun & Haridwar districts respectively. Contact: Dr. Khursheed Ahmad , (SKUAST-K). 16 Groups will be undertaking the 36 Tel: 0194 2262312 / 9419543879. different treks of about 10 kms each. Each Email: [email protected] Group size will be a maximum of five birders [email protected] ; plus 2-3 urban school students and will include local village youth, forest staff and govt. school World Tiger Summit in Ranthambore TR in students from nearby villages. 2010

Contact: Prateek Panwar , Action & Research for The Ranthambore Tiger Reserve will be the Conservation in Himalayas, MDDA venue for the World Tiger Summit to be held Duplex Villa No. 3, Sahastradhara Road, in 2010 (either October or November). 200 Opp. Petrol Pump, Dehradun- 248001, experts from all over the world are expected to Uttarakhand. Tel: 0 9412054216/ 0135- be present at the summit that is being held in 2114649. India for the first time. Ranthambore which is Email: [email protected] ; home to 44 tigers will be showcased as a role [email protected] model to the delegates. The summit will also seek to International Conference on Wildlife & strengthen and expand a system of tiger Biodiversity Conservation Vis-à-vis Climate reserves across 13 countries, including India, Change Management Indonesia, Thailand, China and Russia. The recent tiger census in India which The Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural is based on a new methodology, would also be Sciences & Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST- released during the summit. K) in collaboration with the Association of Indian Zoo & Wildlife Veterinarians (AIZWV) Source: ‘World Tiger Summit in Ranthambore is Organizing an “International Conference on next year’, The Hindu , 10/08/09 Wildlife & Biodiversity Conservation Vis-à-vis Climate Change” from 27-29 April 2010, at Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention

Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 5 16 October 2009 (No. 81) Global Tiger Workshop in Kathmandu and conservation practitioners both from tiger- range and other countries.

Source: http://www.globaltigerinitiative.org/global- tiger-workshop-kathmandu.Html

Call for Papers: People and Protected Areas - India case studies

Case studies from India on the subject ‘People and Protected Areas’ have been invited for the The Government of Nepal in association with Annual meeting of the Association of the World Bank and other Global Tiger American Geographers (AAG), to be held in Initiative (GTI) participants will host the Global Washington DC, from April 14-18, 2010 Tiger Workshop in Kathmandu from October 27 The paper session seeks to engage to 30, 2009. scholars conducting research about or in Indian The aim of the workshop is to frame protected area and reserve communities. innovative on-ground strategies for tiger Topics are open but papers examining policy conservation based on best practices identified initiatives, community-based conservation, during the last few decades as well as extensive JFM, community reserves, conflict with consultations with governments, NGOs, wildlife, interactions with the Forest conservation experts and practitioners. This Department, or methodologies for fieldwork milestone meeting will also serve the purpose of are of special interest. implementing Decision 14.70, adopted at the The organizer and session chair is last meeting of the Conference of the Parties to Monica Ogra, of the Department of CITES, and further consolidating and promoting Environmental Studies and Globalization action-oriented solutions towards the fulfillment Studies Program, Gettysburg College. of the GTI objectives. The Workshop will build Contact: Monica Ogra . on suggestions from international experts, Email: [email protected] existing national Tiger Action Plans and recent research to articulate: (1) targets, objectives and activities for the long- OPPORTUNITIES term conservation of tigers; (2) policies and practical measures for the integration of tiger conservation into national Research position for project on Snow development objectives; leopard phylogeography and conservation (3) principles of international co-operation and harmonization of national, regional and trans- For work on the enigmatic snow leopard and boundary management and, ultimately, use of genetic data to try and understand (4) a set of urgent actions to stop the further population structure, a one year position is decline of wild tiger populations. available in collaboration with the Nature The output of the Workshop will be a Conservation Foundation and the International Global Strategy for Tiger Conservation, and Snow Leopard Trust. will be reported to COP15. This Strategy will also form the basis of the Global Tiger Summit Contact: Uma Ramakrishnan . and the Asia Ministerial Conference on Wildlife Email: [email protected] Enforcement and Tiger Conservation, to be held in 2010 (see story above), that would endorse, at Research position for Population genetics of highest political levels, ambitious targets and a montane bird in the Western Ghats specific commitments for tiger conservation in each of the tiger-range countries. This Work involves use of micro-satellites to help Workshop will be attended by senior officials understand the colonization history and

Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 5 17 October 2009 (No. 81) connectedness between habitat patches interviewed by project Scientists in Bangalore inhabited by the White-bellied Shortwing in the or Sikkim. Western Ghats. Read more about the project at Interested candidates should send www.tinyurl.com/robinv . their CV and statement of interest by email to: [email protected] . Applications will Contact: Uma Ramakrishnan . be reviewed until suitable candidates are Email: [email protected] found.

Research positions on bio-resource ecology Diploma in International Wildlife and climate change in the Sikkim Himalayas Conservation Practice

Several long-term research positions are Applications have been invited for the available as part of a Department of WildCRU's 2010 Postgraduate Diploma in Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, International Wildlife Conservation Practice. funded project on Technological Innovations This newly established eight month full-time and Ecological Research for the Sustainable Use course is designed to enhance the skills of of Bioresources in Sikkim. The project is jointly conservation practitioners teaching the field, implemented by the National Centre for analytical, planning and reporting techniques Biological Sciences (NCBS) (Tata Institute for necessary for effective conservation research Fundamental Research, http://www.ncbs.res.in, and action. The course will focus on survey Bangalore, and the Ashoka Trust for Research and analysis methods commonly used in the in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) study of felids and other mammals in the (http://www.atree.org), Bangalore. developing world. Applications have been sought from Students will take modules on qualified, highly motivated candidates for wildlife ecology and behaviour; monitoring various research and technical positions at the skills including camera-trapping, radio- Junior Research Fellow (JRF), Senior Research tracking and line transect surveys; GIS Fellow (SRF), Post-Doctoral Fellow levels, and analysis, and population management. The in GIS/Remote Sensing. The research positions course will run from February to September can potentially lead to a PhD based at the two 2010. Students will take a one month online institutions. All salaries will be in accordance preparatory course from their home countries, with DBT specified norms. followed by seven months of residential The areas of research encompass both training at the WildCRU's Recanati-Kaplan basic and applied ecology and include the Centre in Tubney in the UK. mapping and monitoring of faunal and floral The 2010 course will accept up to 10 biodiversity, field and laboratory measurements students and applications from developing of biodiversity and ecosystem services (carbon, countries have been particularly invited. The hydrology, pollination, bio-resources) and their final application deadline is 20th November response to climate change, and work on 2009. For full details check sustainable use of bio-resources by local www.wildcru.org/diploma communities. Candidates with backgrounds in life Contact: Dr Lucy Tallents , Zoology Dept, sciences, botany, zoology, geo-sciences, University of Oxford, Recanati-Kaplan ecology, environmental science, social sciences Centre, Tubney House, Abingdon Road, and remote sensing/GIS and with demonstrated Tubney, Abingdon OX13 5QL, UK, Tel: field experience and interest in working in +44 (0) 1865 393125, Fax +44 (0) 1865 Sikkim and the Northeastern India will be 393101. Email: considered. Depending on the position, [email protected] laboratory work in Bangalore will be combined with field measurements and observations in Sikkim. The GIS/RS position will be based in Bangalore. Short-listed candidates will be

Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 5 18 October 2009 (No. 81) Part time environment education work in - Application seeking permission to divert Mumbai certain lands from the Majathal WLS , Himachal Pradesh for submergence by Kol The Energy Research Institute (TERI) Mumbai Dam Hydro Project office has initiated a project to promote activity based environment education. The candidate ‘In the Supreme Court' is based on the Forest should be someone with a research background Case Update, which is a web-based initiative to as well as skilled in field work. The job includes provide information and updates on visiting schools, municipal authorities, and developments related to forests and wildlife in NGOs in Thane, Navi Mumbai and Mumbai, the Supreme Court of India. conduct Internet search and reviews on different Contact: Ritwick Dutta & Kanchi Kohli . Forest topics/themes that will be assigned. Knowledge Case Update Editors, E-180, Greater Kailash of Marathi will be an added advantage. 2, New Delhi-110048. Email: [email protected] Web: Contact: Saltanat Kazi , Associate Fellow, TERI, www.forestcaseindia.org 318 Raheja Arcade, Sector 11, CBD Member Secretary , Central Empowered Belapur, Navi Mumbai. Website: Committee, Room No. 106, Paryavaran www.terin.org Tel: 022-27580021/ Bhavan, CGO Complex, Lodi Road, New 9326112410. Email: Delhi - 110003. Tel: 011- 4361297 [email protected]

PRESS RELEASES IN THE SUPREME COURT

National Conference of Minister of PA related matters before the Supreme Environment & Forests emphasize on Court appointed Central Empowered sustainable environmental management and Committee in July and August 2009 to increase green cover

- Application to save wildlife in the Narmada The one-day National Conference of Ministers valley of Environment and Forests emphasized that - Matter related to the construction of roads sustainable environmental management was a in the forest areas of Kodagu including shared responsibility involving all levels of Brahmagiri, Pushpagiri and Talakaveri government supported by the public at large, WLSs and Kadamakal and Pattighat civil society groups, private sector, the Reserve Forests. scientific community and other stakeholders - Application seeking stopping of all such as traditional forest dwellers. The construction activities and for removal of conference which was organised today was all structures in and around the parks in preceded by a preparatory meeting yesterday, sectors 14A, 15A and 16A of Noida in i.e. on 17th August with senior officers dealing Uttar Pradesh and in and around an area with environment and forests from the Centre within 10 kms of the Okhla Bird and States. This two-day meet succeeded to Sanctuary enhance the cooperative effort and identify - Application seeking use of 2.96 hectares of concrete actions in priority areas for protection land in the Kashi Wildlife Division, of the environment and forests. Ramnagar, Varanasi , Uttar Pradesh for The Conference recognized the non forestry purpose growing pressures on the ecosystems and the - Seeking permission for laying of a water weaknesses in the existing mechanisms, in pipeline over 0.170 hectares of land in the which context the need was underlined for Majathal WLS , Himachal Pradesh urgent institutional reforms commensurate with the goals of the Environment Protection Act 1986, the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980, the

Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 5 19 October 2009 (No. 81) Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, the Scheduled measures integrating the safety, health and Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers environmental dimensions. It was also (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 and recognised that ecological security was a other relevant laws. It also welcomed some of cornerstone for all-inclusive growth. Thus, the recent initiatives taken by the Union when assessing the environmental objectives Ministry of Environment & Forests, including, against developmental concerns, it was but not limited to, the following: recognised that there would be trade-offs and • Operationalization of the State-level difficult choices may need to be made, CAMPAs and disbursement of funds for sacrificing the immediate benefit for long term restoration and regeneration of natural environmental security. forests; In light of the above, the Conference • Additional central assistance of Rs 500 agreed upon the need to: crore provided in the 2009-10 Budget for • Establish an empowered Environmental restoration and regeneration of forest cover; Protection Authority, within a year, under • Provision of Rs 600 crore for the the Environment Protection Act, which Intensification of Forest Management would be an autonomous, professional Scheme and Rs 365 crore for Capacity and science-based body, fully authorized Building in the Forestry Sector Scheme to undertake effective implementation of during the XIth Plan; the legislation and rules therein, as well as • Provision of Rs 250 crore in the 2009-10 monitoring compliance with safeguards Budget for the National Ganga River Basin stipulated as part of environmental Authority and the steps taken to ensure clearances; speedy operationalization; • Initiate a time bound programme for • Steps taken to eliminate bottlenecks or preparation of State-level Action Plans on impediments, as exemplified by recent Climate Change consistent with the measures to enhance the transparency of the National Action Plan on Climate Change environmental appraisal process and with a view to enable communities and addressing conflict of interest issues, ecosystems to adapt to climate change synergizing the forest conservation and effectively; forest rights legislations, and issuing • Coordinate effectively the working of the guidelines for enhancing convergence Centre, States and Urban Local Bodies for between the NREGA and afforestation river and lake cleaning programmes; to programmes in coordination with the significantly enhance the resources Ministry of Rural Development; allocated for these programmes; and seek • Dropping the Integrated CMZ notification bilateral/multilateral assistance for the of 2008 and allowing it to lapse, and in its effort and put in place new implementation stead, taking steps to effect the required mechanisms, e.g., special purpose adjustments in the earlier CRZ regime; and vehicles, drawing upon the experience • The introduction of the National Green gained over the past two decades; Tribunal Bill, 2009 in the Lok Sabha. • Set up empowered structures in the States, headed by the respective Chief Ministers; The Conference underscored the need to complemented by tripartite Memorandums promote green initiatives, local innovativeness of Agreement (MoAs) between the MoEF, and cost-effective solutions taking into account the State Governments, and the Urban the need to address non-uniform environmental Local Bodies concerned to effectively performance in the country. The discussions plan, coordinate and implement river brought out the need for approaches in the conservation activities in an integrated direction of ‘green federalism’. One solution manner. States will allocate dedicated discussed was that states could be offered funds for meeting Operation and incentives for retaining high forest cover. Maintenance (O&M) expenses and Another aspect was the need for comprehensive consider measures for mobilization of

Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 5 20 October 2009 (No. 81) resources for this purpose by levy of user • Operationalize the crisis management charges, cess, etc.; systems to handle chemical accidents and • Conduct an immediate survey of the 17 related information using the web-based categories of highly polluting industries in Chemical Accident Information and the current year at the State level to ensure Reporting System. Preparation of compliance of relevant standards; emergency plans for the Maximum Hazard • Work out a time-bound action programme (MAH) units will be expedited; for handling the industrial clusters having • Modernize and revitalize forest serious environmental pollution levels, to administration at various levels, be implemented jointly by the Central and particularly at the cutting-edge level of State Pollution Control Boards. For this, the forest guards and rangers, including with Central Government will draft guidelines regard to new recruitment, improvement of for identification of critically polluted areas working conditions and better incentives and the monitoring protocol to be enforced. for field-level staff. States will endeavour High level monitoring at the State Level of to bring the Forestry personnel on par with these areas will be undertaken to ensure the Police Force in terms of remuneration timely intervention; and service conditions; • Expedite sanctions under the Water Cess • Speed up action under the CAMPA Act due by the Central Government to the guidelines, using the Compensatory State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs), Afforestation Fund, for regenerating with action to be taken according to a forests and increasing forest and tree system to be devised to enable cover; disbursements to the SPCBs without delay; • Mobilize local community participation as • Strengthen the SPCBs by allocating greater the primary instrument for protecting budgetary resources and sanctioning wildlife and for promoting conservation additional posts wherever needed in terms and sustainable management of forests; of technical manpower and infrastructure, • Recognize the imperative of linking forest as a primary responsibility of the State development with sustainable livelihoods Government. The Central Government will of the dependent communities. Fresh provide assistance to the Central and State impetus to be provided to community PCBs for this endeavour; participation with a focus on scientific • Set up and strengthen, in view of the management of Non Timber Forest decentralized appraisal procedures, State- Produce (NTFP) and forest plantations; level Environmental Impact Assessment • Act effectively against poachers and, Authorities and Coastal Zone Management simultaneously, amend the Wildlife Authorities, with professional and technical Protection Act, as necessary, to enhance its expertise in the environment and forest effectiveness for protecting the reserves; related fields, supported by technology- • Expedite tripartite MoUs for availing enabled monitoring mechanisms for central assistance under Project Tiger enhancing environmental compliance; along with effecting the requirements of • Put in place innovative funding buffer-zoning and the stepping up of mechanisms, public-private partnerships intelligence networks; and special purpose vehicles for setting up • Take concrete steps, with the Centre and common facilities, such as common effluent States working together, for addressing the treatment plants (CETPs), treatment, special needs of communities living in and storage and disposal facilities (TSDFs) for around the wildlife habitats, supported by hazardous wastes, and devices for treating management plans for the protected areas, bio-medical facilities, keeping in view the which recognize the local communities as need to substantially enhance the assistance stakeholders; by the Central Government; • Expedite notification of critical wildlife habitats to facilitate implementation of the

Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 5 21 October 2009 (No. 81) Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 taking into account cases where the statutory settlement of rights may be required before diverting forest land under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980; and • Ensure apportionment, by the State Governments, of Central Assistance for implementation of Divisional Plans for Strengthening of Forestry Administration in Naxal Affected Districts, for improving the field situation in areas affected by left wing extremism.

In reply to several questions, Shri Jairam Future of Conservation Network Ramesh, Union Minister of State for Press Release 19/08/09 Environment and Forests (I/C) said the Ministry will call a special meeting for Elephant Project Implement Critical Wildlife Habitats and with states having elephant population and Community Forest Rights for Better problems. He also reminded that the Ministry Conservation! has projects for ‘vulture’ besides tiger. He informed that the ministry will look into the Conservationists, social activists, and problem of the neelgai soon. The minister also government officers from across the country informed to make a proposal to institute medals today commended the Ministry of for meritorious service of forest staff working in Environment and Forests for its recent circular the field. Ministry will institute special fund for requiring state governments to comply with forestry staff welfare fund to support the provisions of the Forest Rights Act, when families of ground staff in case of injury or applying for diversion of forest lands for any death, he added. non-forest use. This was cited as an example of The Conference was inaugurated by the how the Forest Rights Act 2006, could be a Prime Minister. The Conference thanked the major tool for conservation, by participants at Prime Minister for his thought-provoking the 2 nd National Workshop on Critical Wildlife address, which set out a national agenda for the Habitats and Community Forest Rights, held in conservation of natural resources, Delhi on 17-19 th August 2009. The Workshop modernization of forest and wildlife was organized by the Future of Conservation management, sound environmental planning Network, a coalition of conservation and social and sustainable development. action groups. The Workshop discussed the Source: provisions of the Forest Rights Act 2006, and http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=51960 , of the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act 18/08/09 2006, which enabled the declaration of Critical Wildlife Habitats, Critical Tiger Habitats, and Community Forests. These were highlighted as important new tools for safeguarding India’s forests and wildlife, as also water sources. Additionally they are crucial for securing livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people. These points have been reinforced by the Prime Minister at the State Environment Minister’s Conference in New Delhi where he

Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 5 22 October 2009 (No. 81) stated that “Tribal Rights Act is an opportunity • Ensure full establishment of rights within to guarantee the legitimate rights of forest protected areas including Tiger Reserves, dwellers and to bring them in the frontline of and initiate a dialogue which would help the environment movement for regeneration” secure such areas for conservation with the Initial implementation of these help of local communities. provisions has shown their potential. For • Use all available funds, including those instance, two communities in Maharashtra have under CAMPA, to facilitate community just this week secured legal protection for their based forest conservation. community conserved forests. • Initiate a dialogue on the collaborative Participants however expressed concern arrangements between communities and regarding the following: the Forest Department, in community 1. There are significant delays in most states, forest areas and protected areas. regarding the implementation of these provisions; Participants also expressed the hope that states 2. Community Forest Rights (vis-à-vis and the centre would strictly implement the individual rights) have not been encouraged new MoEF circular mentioned above, for this in many states. would be a strong tool to check the 3. Due democratic and knowledge-based deforestation caused by mining, industries, processes (as required by both the Acts) are expressways, and other such projects. not being followed in many cases, for instance in many protected areas (national Contact: Vishaish Uppal , WWF – India. parks, sanctuaries, tiger reserves) where Tel: Mobile 09818345439 Email: local communities are to be consulted. [email protected] 4. In some areas, such as tiger reserves, Arshiya Urveeja Bose, Kalpavriksh. communities are being told they cannot Email: [email protected] claim rights, though the Acts provide for it. 5. State governments are facing serious capacity constraints in implementing the READERS WRITE Act, and at the Centre, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has hardly any staff to handle an Act affecting millions of people. Regarding illegal mining in Nagarhole NP…

6. Vested interests are attempting to misuse provisions of the Act in many places, to In pursuance of the report ‘Illegal sand mining enlarge areas under encroachment, without in Nagarhole NP’ ( PA Update Vol XV, No. 3), adequate checks by the government. I would like to state that the Veeranahosahally Wildlife Range is one among the seven ranges Many of these issues emerge from a lack of under the Nagarahole National Park. It is the understanding and misinterpretation of the Act northern most part, which is abetting Sollepura and its rules. S.F. on Northern & Eastern side. The Sollepura The Workshop participants stressed the need to: S.F. is not included in the National Park • Intensify processes of identifying Critical notification No. AHEF 91 FWL 87 Bangalore Wildlife Habitats through democratic Dt: 08/11/1988. means and using best available knowledge During the rehabilitation programme (modern and traditional). for the Tibetans, a portion of Sollepura S.F. • Ensure that threatened species are fully was denotified and distributed on lease and protected within the process and during the consolidation of the national park implementation of the Act. boundary by digging Elephant Proof Trench • Encourage and facilitate Community Forest (E.P.T.), a portion of the left out Sollepura R.F. Right claims, especially to protect which was under the jurisdiction of Hunsur community conserved forest areas. Territorial Division was annexed to National Park to avoid encroachment between 1993-94.

Protected Area Update Vol XV, No. 5 23 October 2009 (No. 81) As the Tibetan rehabilitated area is next Stones pertains to Veeranahosahally S.F. On to the E.P.T., the agriculture land allotted to inspection and verification of the boundary it them remained fallow for years due to severe was noticed that the particular spot from where crop depredation by wild animals like elephants, the sand was transported is located 1 Km away and wild boar. from the park boundary. The GPS reading of As is known Elephant Proof Trenches the spot from the where the sand was collected are not a full proof solution and the Tibetan has been reported to higher authorities as Society therefore, started construction of lining below N 12 0 12’ 131” E 76 0 15’ 250” the outside peripheries of the EPT Wall at their A case (FOC 12/2009-10 on expense. Lining work was done for about 5 11/03/2009) was registered for having Kms in that particular stretch. Surprisingly collected the sand by tractors even outside the wherever the lining work was completed the Jurisdiction of National Park by the man-animal conflict was seen to have Veeranahosahally Range Forest Officer. The drastically reduced. matter has also been reported to the Deputy The Tibetan Society people were in Conservator of Forests, Territorial Division, practice of collecting sand from outside the Hunsur and higher authorities. E.P.T. in streams touching the E.P.T. for these I would therefore like to point out that lining works. On that particular day i.e. no mining works were done in the Nagarahole 11/03/2009 the Tibetan Society workers crossed National Park as it was reported in the June over the E.P.T. to collect the sand from the 2009 issue of the PA Update annexed extra area which is not the part of the National Park. Deputy Conservator of Forests Office of Working Plans Mysore Hunsur Wildlife Division Division, have surveyed the National Park Hunsur boundary during 2008-09 and fixed the R.F. Email: [email protected]

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