sign in sign up
<<
Home , Srikakulam district, Vizianagaram district

EPTRI - ENVIS NewsletterVolume 12 No.1, Vol. 2006 12 No.1, 2006 The EPTRI - ENVIS Newsletter Conservation Status of Sanctuaries and National Parks in Eastern Ghats

Vulpes bengalensis Contents Ardeotis Page No. nigriceps 1. Forestry situation in Eastern Ghats of ...... 2

2. Publications, Newsitems & Abstracts...... 6

Our next issue of ‘The Eastern The ENVIS Centre on Ghats’ [Vol.12, No.2, 2006] will Eastern Ghats is a focus on “Relevance of Tribal decentralized environmental Knowledge in Biodiversity information centre Conservation of Eastern Ghats”. established by the Ministry of Environment & Bos gaurus Pelicanus philippensis Forests, GoI Foreword “The Eastern Ghats” are a series of discontinuous low ranges running generally northeast-southwest parallel to the coast of the . This region has a complex geography, with various mountains, valleys, plains and thus harbours a great wildlife diversity. Considering the importance of wildlife protection the subject chosen for this issue is “Conservation Status of Sancturies and National Parks in Eastern Ghats” . Axis axis Globally there are 104,791 protected areas listed in the World Database on Protected areas. harbours a rich wildlife variety that can be seen in the 80 national parks, 440 sanctuaries and 23 tiger reserves established by the in an attempt to conserve this vital resource. As of May 2004, India has 156,700 km² of surface area designated as protected areas and many of these fall under the Eastern Ghats.

Phoenicopterus minor It is our privilege to have a contribution from the Forest Anathona ellioti Department giving a detailed account of the wildlife sancturies in Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh. However, due to various reasons we did not receive adequate response from contributors on this issue. It seems this gap needs an urgent attention of all our readers and concerned contributors. As we have stated always that through this newsletter we try to cover those issues which have a great relevance to ‘Ecology of the Eastern Ghats’ and also the gap areas. ENVIS Coordinator Rhodonessa rufina Note: The views expressed in the article/s are of the Authors.

ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION TRAINING & RESEARCH1 INSTITUTE (EPTRI), EPTRI - ENVIS Newsletter Vol. 12 No.1, 2006

Forestry situation in Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh Mrs. N. Kshitija Curator, National Parks, A.P. Forest Department, Hyderabad. Introduction: 2. It comprises of forest areas of E.Godavari and a To understand the conservation status of wildlife part of Khammam districts. The area is sanctuaries and national parks, it is necessary to briefly characterized by the intersecting , understand the status of forests, forest types, important medium rainfall and vegetation in the higher flora and also endemic fauna, forest areas, climatic & ranges and deciduous forest in the lower regions environmental zones, rainfall, soil, flora, forest density, with considerable top soil. The highest elevation forest types and endemic fauna in general and Eastern in the zone is not more than 4000ft. the two Ghats in particular. important tribal communities inhabiting this zone are Reddis of Bisan Hills and the Koyas. The article includes information on the wildlife sanctuaries in Andhra Pradesh with special reference to 3. This zone spreads over the parts of three districts Eastern Ghats highlighting the efforts undertaken by the of Vishakapatnam, Viziagnagaram and A.P Forest Department in the management of the . The area is characterized by high sanctuaries and national parks during 2005-2006. rainfall, semi-deciduous forests with evergreen trees on the higher ranges. Elevation at some places The Eastern Ghats is located between 770 22' and 850 reaches more than 5300 feet. The top soil is of 20' East longitudes and 110 22' North latitudes in the considerable depth. Majority of the tribal tropical region. communities of Eastern Ghats in the State inhabit this environmental zone. The most important of In Andhra Pradesh the hilly region in the districts of them being the Bagathas, Jatapus, Khandas, , , Srikakulam, East Valmikis, Konda Reddis, etc; Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna, , Prakasam, , , , Chittoor and Cuddapah Status of forests in Eastern Ghats: form the Eastern Ghats. The Northern portion includes the Godavari, Sileru-Machkund Basin and covers the Rainfall: districts of Srikakulam,Vijayanagaram, Vishakapatnam, Rainfall is highly variable in Eastern Ghats tract ranging East Godavari and West Godavari. The southern from approximately 800m to 2000m. the higher altitudes Eastern Ghats portion cover the districts of Guntur, of Vishakapatnam districts like Chintapally and Paderu Prakasam, Nellore, Kurnool (Veligondas, Palakondas, taluks of Vishakapatnam districts, Rampachodavaram Nallamalais, Erramalais etc; and Amarbad plateaus of taluk of E.Godavari district and Polavaram taluk of adjoining Mahaboobnagar districts) and extends also, into W.Godavari district also receives high rainfall. adjoining Cuddapah and Chittoor districts of Seshachalams. Soil: Varied from sandy loam to red loamy soil, alluvial belts The Eastern Ghats of A.P. can be tentatively divided and clay pockets. into three climatic and environmental zones. They are: Forest density: The forest density ranges from 0.4 to 0.8. in more 1. Nallamalais of Kurnool and Mahaboobnagar luxuriant and moist formations, trees in top canopy often districts characterized by low rainfall, high attain height of 24 to 30 m. temperature, rocky soil and deciduous forest. Here, the highest elevation reaches not more than Forest types: 2000ft. This is the land of most primitive tribes, The forest type varies as we move along the coast to the Chenchus and Yanadis.

2 EPTRI - ENVIS Newsletter Vol. 12 No.1, 2006 plains. The forest types range from moist deciduous Ghats, we have rare species like Cycas beddomei, Red forests with pockets of evergreen forests to secondary dry sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus), Shorea talura, -deciduous and thorny scrub types in the fringes and S. thumbaggia, Eugenia alternifolia, Strobilanthes flyposens, adjoining . S.circarensis. Sal is found in the southern most extension. In addition to these endemic plants the other plants in The main forest types are as follows: the Eastern Ghats serve as a gene pool.

Endemic fauna of Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh:

I. 3(b) South India moist deciduous forests. II. 3(b)/c-2 Southern moist mixed deciduous forests. III. 3(b)/c-2 /2S-I Southern secondary moist mixed deciduous forests, mainly degraded Caloductyloides aureus stage of original forests caused by (Jerdon’s Courser - clearance, Podu cultivation, excessive Sri Lankamalleswaram grazing and over exploitation. WLS) IV. 5(a) Southern tropical dry deciduous forests. V. 5(a)/C-3 Southern tropical dry mixed deciduous forests. VI. 5(a)/C-3/2 S-1 Secondary dry deciduous forests VII. 5(a)/C-3/E-2 Boswellia forests. VIII. E-3 Babul forests mainly in tank fore shore areas and clayey soil. IX. E-5 Butea forests. A few left over growth of Butea monosperma. Loris tardigradus X. E-7 Laterite thorn forests on eroded and (Slender Loris- laterite soils with Predominance of Seshachalamhills) Acacia, Dodonia viscose, Gymnosporia Montana, Erytoxylon monogynum and stunted growth of Diospyros melanoxylon and Terminalia tomentosa. XI. E-8 Saline alkaline scrub Savannah which mostly exists beyond 4,500 feet on the top of the hills which is a permanent grassland with no appreciable tree growth e. g. sapparla hill type in Vishakapatnam district.

XII. E-9 Dry bamboo brakes. Caloductyloides aureus XIII. 6(a) Southern tropical thorn forests. (Golden Gecko - Seshachalam hills) XIV. 6(a)/ C-1 Southern thorn forests.

* A revised survey of forest types of India by Champion & Seth (1968), Government of India, New Delhi. Wildlife Sanctuaries in Andhra Pradesh with Special Reference to Eastern Ghats region: Important Flora of Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh: Andhra Pradesh is blessed with 22 Wildlife Sanctuaries Rare species like found are Cycas beddomei and Vanilla and 5 National Parks. Of which 2 National Parks, and 6 whitiana and Shorea robusta. In the southern Eastern Wildlife Sanctuaries are located in the Eastern Ghats, and

3 EPTRI - ENVIS Newsletter Vol. 12 No.1, 2006

4 are located along the east coast. They are as follows: 2. The main species used for Afforestation in River Valley catchments are Eucalyptus and Silver oak. On the higher reaches of hills in Visakhapatnam and East National Parkss WLS along E.Ghats WLS along along E.Ghats E.Coast Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh Forest Development C0orporation has raised plantations of Coffee and Sri Venkateswara Papikonds WLS Pulicat National Park Pepper. Girijan Co-operative Coffee Development Cor- poration (GCCDC) also has encouraged planting of Rameswaram Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Nelapattu National Park silver oaks and coffee and pepper under oaks in over 5000 ha tribal lands in Visakhapatnam and East GundlaBramheswaram Kolleru Godavari district. These plantations have protected a Kaundinya Coringa large forest area besides contributing substantially to- Lankamalleswaram wards soil and moisture conservation in this eco-

Peninsula Narasimha logically fragile area and provided gainful em- ployment to local tribals. It will be interesting to know that good forest patches are available only where coffee plantations are existing in Visakhapatnam and East Godavari districts 3. Afforestation of ex-podu areas and sensitive water sheds Efforts taken up by A.P. Forest Department: of important rivers has been done. 4. Priority catchment treatments are undertaken during 1. Extensive plantations of Teak, Bamboo, Silver oak are the last two decades both under Forestry and being raised in the Eastern Ghats under various on go- Agriculture sectors including biological and ing schemes of the Forest Department under River Val- engineering works for reducing sedimentation and silt ley Project Scheme. inflow into reservoirs and improving the water yield.

4 EPTRI - ENVIS Newsletter Vol. 12 No.1, 2006

5. Vana Samrakshini Samiti has been successful in 2. Conducting animal census. rearing and plantation of medicinal plants in the 3. Wildlife and Extension activities. sensitive areas.  6. The tribals or the locals living in the protected areas are With a total sanction of Rs. 66.00 lakhs the trained and employed under various schemes so that following activities will be taken up this year at they depend less on the forest. e.g. The Tiger trackers Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve: in Nagarjuna Sagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve are actually 1. Project allowance, compensation for cattle/human the Chenchu tribes living in that area. kill. 7. Training of self help groups for economic use e.g. rear- 2. Maintenance of EECs and animal care centre. ing of silk moth to produce silk, imparting train- 3. Eco- development initiatives. ing in making articles out of bamboo; etc. 4. Miscellaneous items like giving rewards to in- formers, providing medicare to interior villages, etc.

In addition to this every protected area falling under  Eastern Ghats has an Environment Education Centre, Sri Venkateswara National Park has been sanc- which has informative and interactive panels on nature and tioned an amount of 9.15 lakhs for the fol- wildlife aimed at educating the common public. lowing : 1. Establishing anti poaching camps, reward to All India Monitoring Tiger, co-predators , prey and their informers, etc. habitats: 2. Wildlife Education activities. 3. Maintenance of EECs, etc.

In addition to the above mentioned programmes the  forest department of Andhra Pradesh also conducted the A total amount of Rs.74.04 lakhs has been new method for estimation of Tiger population, its sanctioned under the Central scheme Project co-predators their prey and their habitats as prescribed elephant. The works included under this are as by Wildlife Institute of India. This estimation was follows: carried out extensively in the forests of Eastern Ghats 1. An amount of 15.50 lakhs has been sanctioned too. All the forest officers were trained for carrying out for protection of elephants and their habitats for the census and they in turn had trained the lower staff the following: that comprised of Beat Officers, Asst. Beat Officers and -Construction of patrolling paths, establishments Watchers. of protection camps in Rayala E.R, etc. 2. An amount of Rs.12.45 lakhs has been released This system not only served as a tool to monitor the tiger for Protection of Elephant Habitat and Corridors. population but also helped in monitoring its habitats, their This includes works like: co-predators, forests, threats to the forests, and vegetation - Demarcation and maintenance of boundary of in the forest. Thereby adding in better knowledge and Rayala E.R and corridors, improvement of management of the forests. The results of the census are habitats through Silvipasture plots, etc. still under process. 3. A total of Rs.41.26 lakhs has been released for eliciting public co-operation (including Activities taken up by the Forest Department for mitigation of human –elephant conflict): management of the Sanctuaries and National Parks - This includes conducting Wildlife education and during the year 2005-2006. With the release of funds extension programmes, offering exgratia relief to from the Ministry of Environment & Forests, the fol- victims of elephant degradation, etc. lowing activities will be taken up in the protected ar- 4. Rs. 4.53 lakhs have been released for eas. improvement of support services (including  The total amount of 13.55 lakhs has been re- monitoring, research and training) which includes - Research and monitoring of elephants, leased for Papikonda Wildlife Sanctuary for the providing proper veterinary support in following: Rayala E.R., etc. 1. SMC works and providing salt licks.

5 EPTRI - ENVIS Newsletter Vol. 12 No.1, 2006

Publications, News items & Abstracts

strength of the State Cabinet’s decision to go ahead with Wildlife Bill gets Parliament nod its “Liberation Kolleru’’ programme.

http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/12/20/stories/ 2002122004121300.htm]

NEW DELHI Dec. 19. Parliament today gave its nod for the Centre’s proposal to make the penalties stiffer for poaching and other wildlife-related offences, with the clearing the Bill to amend the Wildlife (Protection Act) in this regard. The Rajya Sabha had passed the Bill earlier this month. Under the new regime, hunting of wildlife and other such offences would attract a minimum penalty of three-year imprisonment, which is extendable upto seven years. Presently, the minimum punishment is imprisonment upto one year and extendable upto seven years.

Another major highlight of the new legislation is that it Blackbuck to be trapped in Rollapadu WLS treats hardcore criminals, who had been convicted in the past for heinous wildlife crimes, on par with offenders [Source: K Srimali & K Veerabhadra Rao. under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances ‘AP to trap blackbucks to restrict their numbers’, The Act and provides for forfeiture of their properties. In Times of India, 09/01/05. ] addition, it provides for the Wildlife Board, the highest- level agency for taking various decisions on wildlife The Andhra Pradesh Forest Department has launched protection and conservation, to be made a statutory body. ‘Operation Blackbuck’ to trap blackbuck in Rollapadu At present, though headed by the Prime Minister Wildlife Sanctuary in as they have himself, it is not a statutory body. The name of the Board is also to be changed as the National Board for Wildlife from the now Indian Board for Wildlife. As a corollary, the State-level Boards would also be renamed as the State Wildlife Boards and made as statutory bodies. In another major change, it also envisages creation of two new categories of protected areas — conservation reserve including the land owned by the Central or State Governments and community reserve belonging to community or individuals.

Save campaign gains more strength

[http://www.hindu.com/2006/01/19/stories/ 2006011912740300.htm.]

The administration is gearing itself to save Kolleru lake from encroachments with the

6 EPTRI - ENVIS Newsletter Vol. 12 No.1, 2006 become a serious problem for farmers in the region. While tigers in the Nallamalai range is bleak. This area also the estimated population inside the sanctuary is 1000 suffers massive bamboo extraction for paper mills. Several animals, villagers say that the total population in the 10 canals and rail lines cut through forested areas and thus mandals in this region is in the range of 10,000-20,000. amputate its continuity. Wildlife officials here have said that the problem has been caused because large tracts of marginal lands have been turned into farmlands over the years, attracting blackbuck Flamingo Numbers Decline in Pulicat and Neelapattu and supporting the growth in their population too. About 140 blackbucks were captured in this region in 2004 and [Source: Vani Doraisamy. ‘Sudden decline in flamingos were translocated to the Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger visiting Lake Pulicat’, The New Indian Express, 26/11/03 Reserve. Experts and officials are however, not sure that http://www.sanctuaryasia.com/resources/paupdate/ more blackbuck could be further moved here. 47apr04.doc.]

Reports published in November indicate that the number of flamingos visiting the Pulicat and Neelapatu Andhra Pradesh, Nallamalai Forests Wildlife Sanctuaries has fallen drastically, from an estimated 10,000 last seasons to about 6,500 this time [http://userpages.umbc.edu/~sjoshi1/mirror/ (also see PA Update 34). The reports are based on census threats.shtml] work carried out by volunteers of the Pulicat Lake Bird Lovers Society (PLBLS). The Andhra Pradesh State Highways Project currently threatens several wildlife reserves. The alignment of one of the routes has been shifted south of the Nagarjunasagar Tiger Reserve, but even the altered alignment passes through prime tiger habitat. The road in question passes through the reserved forests in the and Atmakur Range in the Nallamalais, between and to the south of the road connecting Nandyal to Kurnool. The recently concluded census suggests the presence of between 30-40 tigers here.

The biggest culprit in the case of Pulicat is the North Chennai Thermal Power Station (NCTPS) which discharges hot, untreated effluents into the Buckingham Canal which then empties into the lake. This has an adverse impact on all life forms in the lake and this eventually affects the bird populations as well. This also has implications for a large number of fisherfolk who live in the area. It is estimated that nearly 1,00,000 families depend on the fish catch from the lake for their survival. The MoEF has already granted environmental clearance NCTPS has claimed that it has upgraded its effluent to the project, however, it has not established any treatment facility by installing electrostatic precipitators monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance of the terms and has also stopped the discharge of the hot of clearance. If this habitat is dissected, the future of the effluents into the canal.

7 EPTRI - ENVIS Newsletter Vol. 12 No.1, 2006 involved in forest management and would be trained in Dam Construction Inside Venkateswara WLS catering and as tourist guides too.

[Source: ‘SC issues notices to Centre, Andhra on ’, Press Trust of India, 25/08/03. Vertebrate Fauna of Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife www.sanctuaryasia.com/resources/paupdate/ Sanctuary Orissa 45oct03.doc.] Tiwari, S.K., Alfred, J.R.B. and Dutta, S.K. 2002, Kolkata, Zoological Survey of India, VI [Conservation The Standing Committee of the Indian Board for Area Series 14] Wildlife recently allowed the Andhra Pradesh https://www.vedamsbooks.com/no29020.htm Government and the Tirupati Devasthanam to go ahead and construct the Kapil Teertham Dam inside “Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary, situated in the Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuary. It has however laid Khurda and Cuttack districts of Orissa, consists of the condition that a minimum level of water should be semi-evergreen forest, dry mixed deciduous forest and maintained in the lean season for animals. The bamboo brakes. Elephants form the most important committee has also stated that the construction should be vertebrate of these forests. Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife carried out under the supervision of the forest department; Sanctuary has an area of 193.39 sq km with a very rich the sanctuary area should be declared a no plastic zone; biodiversity, and especially along with its elephant and that the Devasthanam would provide Rs one crore to population, was elevated to a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1983. the Tirupati Zoo for its upkeep and a recurring expense However, due to its proximity (25 km) to the Capital of Rs 25 lakh per annum for its maintenance. The dam is of Bhubaneshwar and the increasing human population, expected to provide water for nearly 30,000 pilgrims that the anthropogenic pressure on the forest has increased visit the famous temple at Tirupati. A Supreme Court considerably during recent years. A stringent Bench comprising Justice Y K Sabharwal and Justice B N conservation measure is needed for the protection of the Agrawal recently also issued notices to the State and the biodiversity of this Wildlife Sanctuary. Central Government on the petition, which said that it would adhere to all environmental restrictions imposed on the construction of such a dam. Thousands of Birds Descend on Sanctuary in Orissa [Source: http://in.news.yahoo.com/031104/43/ 292l8.html]. Tourism Promotion in Protected Areas with World Bank Aid Bhubaneswar, Nov 4 (IANS): As winter slowly creeps in [Source: ‘World Bank aid for eco-tourism’, The Hindu, on Orissa, thousands of migratory birds have begun 23/06/04.] arriving at the Bhitarkanika sanctuary to escape the biting cold in their native lands in Central Asia and The Andhra Pradesh Forest Department has decided to Europe. takeup what it is calling ‘community-based eco-tourism projects’ with aid from the World Bank. Ten spots in A forest department official said around 80,000 birds had important protected areas have been identified to flown to the Bhitarkanika National Park in the coastal implement this project. These include Nagarjunasagar district of Kendrapada, 174 km from here. Approximately Srisailam Tiger Reserve, Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary, Sri 280,000 birds visit the park annually. Venkateswara National Park, Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary, Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, Katigi in Bhitarkanika is one of three prominent sanctuaries in the Viskhapatnam, Kuntala waterfalls in Adilabad and State that attracts thousands of resident and migratory Tatipudi reservoir in . birds, mainly during winter. The other places are Nandankanan Biological Park, on the outskirts of the According to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Capital Bhubaneswar, and , 100 km from Mr. SK Das, the World Bank would release Rs. 80 lakhs here. for the project this year. Local people would be actively

8 EPTRI - ENVIS Newsletter Vol. 12 No.1, 2006

Although environmentalists had warned that bad weather Saltwater crocodiles are carnivorous scavengers. They live conditions and low pressure in the Bay of Bengal would mainly on fish but also feed on carcasses flowing into the discourage birds this year, they have been proved wrong, area from nearby human habitations and occasionally on said the official, adding that the first of the winged cattle and deer. “Bhitarkantha is the most ideal site visitors had landed at the Bhitarkanika sanctuary in the because of the presence of mangroves and there is plenty first week of October. of food available, atleast fish and crabs, and the most important factor is that we are providing protection,” said Around 50 species of migratory birds have been spotted at Sudarshan Patra. Located near the Sunderbans in West the Bagagahana nesting site at the park, including the Grey Bengal, Bhitarkanika is spread over an area of 670 sq km. Pelican, an endangered species. A dozen Grey Pelicans have been sighted but their nests haven’t been seen yet, he said. It may be mentioned that the Ministry of Forest and “We have sighted a rare species of white-backed vultures environment along with UNDP had started a crocodile in mangrove areas near the confluence of the rivers Khola breeding and rearing project in Dangmal crocodile and Patasala. The species, known as Sonnerita, are on the breeding centre within the sanctuary. The increase in the verge of extinction in the subcontinent,” the official said. number of crocodiles is attributed to this factor. Bhitarkanika has the second largest mangrove ecosystem in India and houses some 215 species of birds and Now, You Can Watch More Crocodiles in Bhitarkanika animals, including eight varieties of Kingfishers. Wild Life Sanctuary By Sarda Lahangir The Gahirmatha beach in Bhitarkanika is one of the [Source:http://www.himtimes.com/features/ largest breeding grounds for the endangered Olive Ridley feature.php?subaction=showfull&id= sea turtles. (ANI) 1137942637&archive=&start_from=&ucat=13&]

Bhitarkanika (Orissa), Jan 22 (ANI): If the words of a group GPS Collars for Elephants in the Mayurbhanj Elephant of experts from Orissa are to believed, the latest reports on Reserve Crocodiles indicate that their number has increased as [Source: Jatindra Dash. ‘Orissa employs GPS collaring compared to previously recorded at Bhitarkanika wildlife to protect elephants’ Sanctuary in Orissa Hindustan Times, 21/05/04.]

Elephants in Orissa’s Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve which includes the Simlipal Tiger Reserve are to be fitted with Global Positioning System (GPS) collars in an attempt to protect them from the twin threats of encroachments and

In a jointly conducted Census survey by the State forest and wildlife department and environmentalists between January 6 and 9, it was revealed that the total number of the endangered reptile, Crocodile, has gone upto 1,552 from 1,449 last year at the sanctuary which is also a home to the largest population of giant saltwater crocodiles in India.

9 EPTRI - ENVIS Newsletter Vol. 12 No.1, 2006 poaching. The initiative is being funded by the Central Mapping the Spatial Distribution of Air and Water Government. Simlipal is the home to about 100 tigers in Pollutants in Kolleru Lake, the wild and about 500 Asian elephants. India using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) [Sreenivasa Rao Amaraneni, Sarnam Singh, P.K. Joshi 2004 Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal15: 6584 – 607] Orissa Demarcates Sanctuary for Turtles Kolleru Lake, a wetland located in India, is one of the [Source : www.zeenews.com/ largest natural freshwater lakes and is an important articles.asp?aid=270084&archisec=env&archisubsec=26 sanctuary for indigenous and migratory birds, particularly in winter seasons. The lake is located between latitudes 16°32' and 16°47’N and longitudes Puri, Jan 20: On a drive to save the endangered Olive 81°05' and 81°27’E. The lake is connected to the sea Ridley turtles from annihilation, environmental through the Upputeru River, at a distance of 60km. watchdog Greenpeace and the fishermen community in The lake water is mainly used for drinking water, India‘s eastern Orissa State have begun to demarcate the agriculture, fishing and aquaculture purposes. The lake Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary in the Bay of Bengal, one ecosystem is deteriorating due to the industrial, of the largest nesting grounds left in the country. agricultural and aquacultural activities. High volume sampler was used for the collection of air pollutants, namely suspended particulate matter, nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide from the lake at four locations over a period of one year. Water samples were collected from the lake in three seasons in a year over a period of three years and analyzed for water quality parameter, namely total suspended solids, hardness, chloride, sodium, chemical oxygen demand and biochemical oxygen demand. The aim of this study is to create the air and water pollution maps of Kolleru Lake using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for the better management of Kolleru Lake to control the pollution and also to avoid the risk of air and water pollutants on humans, aquatic organisms, birds and plants.

“Here the Greenpeace members are demarcating the sea. Participatory Development for We hope it will help us as most of the time we don’t know Biodiversity Conservation the prohibited zone and entering them as a result of which [Sailaja Mantha, and Narsimha Reddy/ Ramana the forest department arrest us on the grounds of causing Murthy V.B. : Member, SPECIES. casualties to the turtles. So, this problem will be solved people’s participation for conservation of wildlife after this demarcation,” said Narayan Chandra Haldar, a and e conservation through net-based organisation fisherman. Turtles, both fresh water and sea-based, are http://www.thinkcycle.org/tc-papers/ protected under India’s Wildlife Protection Act. But like ?paper_id=37979&show_full=1] other protected animals, they too are hunted with impunity due to lax laws. The bird population in Uppalapadu (Andhra Pradesh, India) used to be around 12,000 previously, however lately only about 7000 birds roost in this dwindling

10 EPTRI - ENVIS Newsletter Vol. 12 No.1, 2006 habitat due to anthropogenic causes. System for irrigating their fields. It emphasized and outlined on the Purposeful Environment by Conservation of Indigenous five-fold factors – nesting space, nesting material, and Endangered Species (SPECIES) is an e-conservation proximity of water as insulating medium, fishing grounds organization. It utilizes the novel concept of “abstract and protection from human activity, that were found to working” for conserving biodiversity at this habitat and be governing the success of the Nelapattu sanctuary and sustainable development by providing necessary the survival of Grey Pelican. environmental education for all the neighbouring village communities. It is directly integrating grass-roots level people with the global community to channel global resources for the conservation of biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation Strategy 2002 development of bio-villages through the medium of the Internet. [http://forest.ap.nic.in/wlm/ Wildlife%20Policy%20GOI.htm]

 Wildlife and forests shall be declared priority sector Trend of Population of Tiger and Leopard in Similipal at the national level for which funds should be Tiger Reserve: A Conservation Concern. earmarked.

[Prustry, B.C. & Singh L.A.K. (1996) Indian Forester,  Law enforcement agencies must ensure that those 122(10), 865-868. http://envfor.nic.in/paryaabs/ engaged in poaching, illicit trade in wildlife and v14n34/wild.html] wildlife products, destruction of their habitat, and such other illegal activities are given quick and During twenty years of existence of Project Tiger the deterrent punishment. human population in Similipal Tiger Reserve has increased by about 40%. The census data on tiger and  We should fully tap the potential in wildlife Leopard from 1989 to 1995 indicates that their tourism and at the same time take care that it does population is more or less stable. But the implications of not have adverse impact in wildlife and protected a stable tiger population against increasing human areas. The revenue earned from increased tourism population in the Tiger Reserve is a clear indication that should be used entirely to augment available the ecological density of tiger in Similipal has increased. resources for conservation. If the trend continues there is risk of inbreeding depression and population crash.  Protecting interests of the poor and tribals living around protected areas should be handled with sensitivity and with maximum participation of the affected people. They should have access to the The Grey Pelican at Nelapattu minor forest produce, in the forest outside of Nagulu, V. and Ramana Rao, J. V. 1995 Mayura12, national parks and sanctuaries. Employment and 92-96. means generation for these people is crucial for http://www.osmania.ac.in/Science%20College/ maintaining symbiosis between the forests, wildlife Controller%20Biodata.htm and the people. People should be encouraged to take up afforestation and conservation in new areas. This paper is an offshoot of doctoral thesis, and it emphasizes on the importance of the Grey Pelican  While strengthening protective measures against conservation at Nelapattu () – only site traditional threats to wildlife, we should also respond besides Telineelapuram () in Andhra to newer threats such as toxic chemicals and Pradesh, where this bird breeds. Pelicans, here, were pesticides. respected since times immemorial for their role in good agricultural yields as a result of their guano enriching the  There should be greater governmental as well as tank water that was used judiciously by the villagers for societal recognition and support for the many

11 EPTRI - ENVIS Newsletter Vol. 12 No.1, 2006 The Eastern Ghats : EPTRI - ENVIS News Letter non-governmental organisations engaged in wildlife  More than 2000 vacant posts in the frontline staff of conservation. Mainstream media to better highlight Protected Areas shall be filled immediately and their activities as also successes of governmental provided basic infrastructure for efficient discharge initiatives that have worked. of duties. Ban on recruitment of staff against vacant post should be lifted on lines with the Police  Creatively produced Television Programmes on Department. Innovative initiative such as wildlife and ecology are widely appreciated by young redeployment of surplus employees in other and old as seen from the popularity of dedicated T.V. departments, hiring local people on voluntary or channels like, Discovery, National Geographic and honorarium basis, raising donations from business Animal Planet. It is proposed that Prasar Bharati and houses and other members of the public in return our private channels along with agencies like WWF for a greater role for them in implementing for Nature should collaborate and increase original programmes need to be explored. Indian content in different languages on our television.  Every protected area should be managed by forest officers trained in wildlife management.  No diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes from critical and ecologically fragile wildlife habitat  Mitigation measures for human-animal conflict and shall be allowed. mechanism for crop insurance as also expeditious disbursements of exgratia payments should be  Lands falling within 10 km. of the boundaries of instituted by States. National Parks and Sanctuaries should be notified as eco-fragile zones under section 3(v) of the  Forest Commission should be setup to look into Environment ( Protection ) Act and Rule 5 Sub-rule restructuring, reform and strengthening the entire 5(viii) & (x) of the Environment ( Protection ) Rules. forest set up and affiliated institutions in the country.  Removal of encroachments and illegal activities from within forest lands and Protected Areas.  A working group shall be constituted to monitor implementation of Wildlife Action Plan.  No commercial mono-culture to replace natural forests.  Most importantly let us all resolve that we should end the relative neglect of wildlife conservation in  The settlement of rights in National Parks and recent years. To begin with board should meet more Sanctuaries should not be used to exclude or reduce often. Wildlife conservation is too important a task the areas that are crucial and integral part of the to be treated lightly or ritualistically. wildlife habitat.

For further information : Contact : ENVIS Coordinator, [email protected] Visit : http://envis-eptri.ap.nic.in

If undelivered, please retrun to: ENVIS CENTRE ON EASTERN GHATS ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION TRAINING & RESEARCH INSTITUTE 91/4, Gachibowli, Hyderabad - 500 032, A.P., India Ph.:+91-040-23000489, 23001241, 23001242 ; 23001707; Fax No: +40 - 23000361, EPTRI URL: http//www.eptri.com; http://envis-eptri.ap.nic.in; http://envis-soe.ap.nic.in

12