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

Vol. XIII No. 5 October 2007 (No. 69)

LIST OF CONTENTS Wildlife research institute for EDITORIAL 2 Elephant carcasses in Bandipur being left for other A crisis of governance? wild animals NEWS FROM INDIAN STATES 10 3 Kerala tourism to promote forests, PAs Fall in GIB numbers in Rollapadu WLS 11 3 SC allows for completion of canal work in Karera Train kills two elephants near Deepor Beel WLS Wildlife Sanctuary Flood waters drown Pobitora WLS Cash incentive for florican conservation in Sailana Bodo council looking at alternative livelihood and Sardarpur WLS not working methods for conservation 2005 Rajiv Gandhi Award for Deputy Director, Two flyovers in Manas to protect wildlife Kanha TR World Heritage Committee’s monitoring mission SC nod for development work in forest villages in not satisfied with Manas NP PAs The India Rhino Vision 2020 relocation program Maharashtra 12 to take off soon State for denotification of Jayakwadi WLS Project to showcase Karbi culture bordering Officials with wildlife training posted in non- Kaziranga NP wildlife posts Metal detectors for Kaziranga by year end 13 Kaziranga TR boundaries notified New species records for Mizoram PAs Hollock Gibbon Conservation Training Orissa 13 Gujarat 7 State sitting on proposal for Satkosia Reserve Vehicles kill two big cats in Gir 13 Further steps to protect Gir New interpretation centre at Guindy NP Carcasses of four Cubs found in Gir WLS Forest Commission set up in Tamil Nadu Project to cover open wells in, around Gir Confiscated star tortoises to be released in Point Himachal Pradesh 8 Calimere WLS FD looking for person with expertise in 14 Himalayan Fresh water fishes Flyovers as elephant corridors in Rajaji NP Six sanctuaries to be handed over from territorial Elephant tramples two to death near Rajaji to wildlife wing 15 HP to have new state animal, bird and flower Tiger rescue centre in Sunderbans Jammu & Kashmir 9 Eco-Development initiative bordering Senchal WLS Kashmir wildlife benefiting s from insurgency, NATIONAL NEWS FROM INDIA 16 hunting ban New popular science publication on conservation SC allows Mughal road, lays conditions Photo IDs for wild elephants Karnataka 9 Three PAs likely as UNESCO World heritage sites Police enquiry into elephant deaths in Nagarhole in 2009 CMS Vatavaran 2007 held

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) MigrantWatch launched Policy for relocation of wild animals soon EDITORIAL Money from Centre yet to reach Tiger Reserves Assessment of trade in peacock feathers. Details of Wildlife Crime Control Bureau Toll-free number to protect wildlife A crisis of governance? Tracking the Social and Ecological Impacts of Forest Rights Act Will wildlife protection and protected area CEC to continue management be possible in the absence of Paul Getty Award to Dr. K.Ullas Karanth properly trained, sufficiently staffed and First meet of Butterfly Northeast held adequately funded Forest Departments? The question sounds ridiculous. The answer too would SOUTH ASIA 21 be a straight forward one - An obvious no! NEPAL The issue, however, is precisely this. The WWF Nepal’s conservation Awards shortage of well trained personnel and financial resources is a real problem on the ground– though UPCOMING 21 it might be the most obvious thing to do, the fact Transboundary Mountain PAs Workshop of the matter is that PA managements in some 1st International Wildlife Reintroduction cases and entire State Forest Departments in Conference others, are short on basic staff and money to 28th Annual Sea Turtle Symposium manage, protect and conserve our forests and

OPPORTUNITIES 21 protected areas in particular. Coordinator, Wildlife Conservation for project A few months ago (PA Update Vol XIII, near Kuno WLS No. 2 June 2007), it had been reported that the Volunteers needed for Biodiversity West Bengal Forest Department is facing a Documentation in Eaglenest WLS serious shortage of staff. Anywhere between 20 to CISED is looking for Core Faculty, Visiting 50% of posts were vacant in various categories Fellows and Postdoctoral Research including forest guards and rangers. A report of Associates the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India indicated, for instance, that patrolling staff READERS WRITE 23 in the was short by over

Protected Area Update 60%. Additionally, a large number of staff in Vol. XIII, No. 5, October 2007 (No. 69) premier parks like the Buxa and Sunderbans Tiger Editor: Pankaj Sekhsaria Reserves were found to be over-age as per the Illustrations: Madhuvanti Anantharajan guidelines of the Wildlife Institute of India. Produced by: Kalpavriksh In Gir, in Gujarat, it took the huge crisis Ideas, comments, news and information may please of lion poaching (see edit of the last issue of the be sent to the editorial address: PA Update) to galvanise the department into KALPAVRIKSH, Apartment 5, Shri Dutta Krupa, 908 filling up the number of vacant posts and also Deccan Gymkhana, Pune 411004, Maharashtra, getting staff that is young and fit. India. Tel/Fax: 020 – 25654239. News from Maharashtra this time Email: [email protected] highlights another equally important matter– Website: www.kalpavriksh.org officers of the State Forest Department with Production of PA Update 69 has been supported wildlife training are actually not being posted in by Foundation for Ecological Security (FES), wildlife management posts. The state has only 78 Anand. officers who have some training in wildlife as

against the state’s requirement of 141. Quite inexplicably, only 10 of the 78 are actually posted The PA Update needs your support in wildlife areas – the other 68 are in places that For details see Page 24 have nothing to do with wildlife. None of the three tiger reserves in the state have, at the helm, an officer who has wildlife related training. Why

Protected Area Update Vol XIII, No. 5 2 October 2007 (No. 69)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) is money from the public exchequer being widening of the Alagnur Balancing Reservoir, spent for the training when the expertise is not located few kilometres from the sanctuary. This used where relevant? had forced the birds to move. The other related issue is of finance, Another serious problem is the rather its non-availability. Excellent examples accumulation of water in the vicinity of the are the high profile tiger reserves of the country sanctuary that is causing serious ecological as was reported recently in the national media. changes in the habitat. The groundwater levels are In spite of the huge hue and cry about poaching increasing in the sanctuary leading to change in and the need to augment facilities including vegetation, which in turn is resulting in a change those of protection, most of the reserves are not in the insect life and on food sources of the birds. getting the money that is due to them. It is not that money is not available – it appears to be Source: ‘Concern over dwindling number of Great the lack of the correct systems and an Indian Bustard’, The Hindu, 23/090/07. accountability that will ensure the needful is Contact: DFO (Wildlife Management), Rollapadu done. Either the National Tiger Conservation WLS, Atmakur, Kurnool. Andhra Pradesh. Authority has not released funds to states, or Tel: 08516-283337 where it has, it is stuck in state bureaucracies. Whatever be the reason, the net result on the ASSAM ground is the same- no money to pay staff, to hire vehicles or to reimburse costs. Train kills two elephants near Deepor Beel When, even the high profile reserves WLS like those in , Ranthambore, Buxa and Dudhwa have not received the money, the fate Two elephants were killed after a goods train of lesser known sanctuaries and national parks knocked them down near the Deepor Beel can only be imagined. Is it realistic to expect Wildlife Sanctuary in August. The calf and a nine that management and protection work can be year old adult were part of a herd that was carried out effectively in such a situation? crossing the track at night when the accident The crisis here is, clearly, one of occurred. governance. If the fundamentals of the Forest officials have pointed out that the foundation will be neglected in such a manner, train was moving at a speed of 40 kmph. The the edifice, if it can be constructed at all, can driver of the train is reported to have said that the only be a shaky one. accident occurred about three kms away from the earmarked speed restriction zone where the speed limit is 25kmph. Additionally, the engine headlight could not illuminate the herd as the train was negotiating a curve and it was too late NEWS FROM INDIAN STATES by the time the driver applied the brakes. The Forest authorities are seeking permission to arrest the railway driver while the ANDHRA PRADESH Railways officials have said that this was not a solution as the driver was only discharging his Fall in GIB nos in Rollapadu WLS responsibility of running the train. They have, instead, insisted that the FD should keep them Latest reports indicate that the population of the posted regularly on elephant movement so that Great Indian Bustard has come down timely action could be taken to lower the speed drastically in the Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary. and avoid such accidents. The number now is said to be only eighteen Three elephants had similarly been which is less than half the 40 birds seen here knocked down by a goods train in the same five years ago. stretch in 2004. There are various factors being held responsible for this decline. This includes the Source: Sushanta Talukdar. ‘Freight train kills two blasting of rocks during excavation works for elephants’, The Hindu 11/08/07

Protected Area Update Vol XIII, No. 5 3 October 2007 (No. 69)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) Contact: Divisional Forest Officer, Assam State Department and the Green Heart Nature Club in Zoo Division, I/c Deepor Beel WLS Kokrajhar recently. R.G. Baruah Road, Guwahati - 781 024, The BTC Deputy Chief said the success Assam. Tel: 0361-261363(O), of the tourism initiatives in the Manas National 263331(R) Park (also see PA Updates 65, 63, 60, 56, 54, & 45) had encouraged the to focus itself on Flood waters drown Pobitora WLS alternative methods of livelihood support as part of its forest and wildlife conservation programme As much as 95 per cent of the Pobitora Wildlife and that tourism was one of the areas being Sanctuary was reported to be under floodwaters stressed on. in the middle of September. A large number of Residents of 169 forest villages wild animals - mainly rhinos, buffalos and wild participated in the seminar. boars were found taking shelter on the raised roads running inside and along the sanctuary. Source: ‘Bodo council looking at alternative The wild animals, particularly livelihood methods for conservation’, the herbivores, were also said to be suffering www.wildlifewatch.in, 14/09/07. from a serious food shortage and forest personnel were forced to ensure that food was Two flyovers in Manas to protect wildlife made available to them. Forest Department elephants also had to be shifted to higher ground outside the sanctuary. This hampered the movement of the forest personnel but the elephants had to be moved as they were also facing a food shortage. The rising waters had also forced the abandonment of many of the forest camps. Of the 22 camps in the sanctuary three camps were

completely damaged and nine others had to be Two flyovers will be built on a stretch of National abandoned. Deaths of two was also Highway 152, flanked by the wilds of Manas reported. A complete list of the casualties National Park, to divert speeding vehicles away would be available only once the waters from wild animals crossing the road. A 12-km subsided. stretch of the busy highway, which connects The sanctuary authorities have Pathsala in Barpeta district to Nganglam in submitted a proposal for the construction of Bhutan, cuts through the park. highlands in the sanctuary to deal with such The project for the flyovers was situations in the future. sanctioned recently by the Union ministry of Surface Transport. The budget and the Source: ‘All of Pobitora is virtually under water’, specifications of the proposed flyovers have not http://www.wildlifewatch.in/news/area/a been finalised yet, but each of the structures ssam/2007/09/61 Contact: Divisional Forest Officer, Pobitora would be between 1km and 2km long. WLS, Nagaon Wildlife Division, P.O. The highway is also to be realigned to & Dist. Nagaon – 782001, Assam. Tel: facilitate construction of the flyovers, resulting in 03672-223104(O), 222310(R ) a portion of it moving further east. The project includes two more bridges on the Pota, which Bodo council looking at alternative flows along the Indo-Bhutan border.The Manas livelihood methods for conservation flyover project is the result of a suggestion made by the Deputy Commissioner of Baksa District, A seminar on ‘Alternate Livelihood Support for Anwaruddin Choudhury, to the Public Works Conservation of Forests and Wildlife in Department (PWD) in September 2005. Bodoland’, was jointly organised by the A meeting was convened on December 3 that Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), the Forest very year to discuss the issue with engineers of

Protected Area Update Vol XIII, No. 5 4 October 2007 (No. 69)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) the PWD’s highway division following which The WHC has asked the Central they gave their ascent. Government to provide an updated report on the park by February 1, 2008 for examination by the Source: Pullock Dutta. ‘Fly over forest, spare committee at its 32nd session next year. animals’, The Telegraph, 21/09/07. Contact: Director, Manas NP, PO Barpeta Rd. Source: ‘Why is Manas still in danger’, The Dist. Barpeta – 781315, Assam. Tel: Telegraph, 02/08/07 03666 – 261413. Fax: 232253 / 260253 Contact: Director, Manas NP, see above

World Heritage Committee’s monitoring The India Rhino Vision 2020 relocation mission not satisfied with Manas NP program to take off soon

Manas National Park continues to be on The India Rhino Vision 2020 programme, which UNESCOs’ List of World Heritage in Danger aims to attain a population of 3,000 rhinos in the because many recommendations of the World wild in Assam, is likely to begin by end of 2007. Heritage Committee’s (WHC) Monitoring Under this programme, the rhino population will Mission of 2005 have not been implemented. be distributed over seven protected areas by 2020. Some of recommendations that were The programme would involve made include the need to work with the Bhutan translocating rhinos from two source populations government regarding release of water from the (Kaziranga and Pobitora) into at least three target upstream dam as it causes widespread floods in protected areas (Manas, Laokhowa-Buracharpori- Lower Assam; setting up of a co-ordination Kochumora, Dibru Saikhowa and possibly mechanism between park staff and the Bodo Orang). people on planning and conservation activities; The infrastructure at Manas National identifying sources of funds and timely release Park is expected to be ready by October, of money for the park’s management in following which at least 20 rhinos will be moved compliance with the Supreme Court ruling; here from Kaziranga. A total of 13 new camps mechanisms for transferring funds directly to will be set up and 50 volunteers would be brought the park through agencies such as the Wildlife in for the programme to help provide a safe and Areas Development and Welfare Trust; a secure site for the rhinos in Manas. management plan for invasive species and The Indian Rhino Vision 2020 project is defining roles and expectations of all relevant being implemented by the Department of stakeholders in relation to future community Environment and Forests of the Assam development activities. government and is being supported by a number The Govt. of Assam had submitted its of other organizations including WWF India and report in response at a recent meeting in the International Rhino Foundation (IRF). (also Christchurch in New Zealand and the WHC see PA Update Vol XIII, No. 2, April 2007) found many inconsistencies. It was pointed out, for instance, that there was a discrepancy in the Source: ‘Succour for rhinos, at last’, The Telegraph, elephant population reports for 2006 and 2007. 10/08/07. The 2006 report noted an increase from 567 to 658, whereas the 2007 report indicated a Project to showcase decline from 567 to 247. The report did not Karbi culture bordering include new information on communication Kaziranga NP facilities within the park, particularly re- building of bridges and culverts. On vacancies As part of a project too, it was found that there was a shortfall of funded by the Central 140 positions out of 445 sanctioned posts. The Government and committee also made a note of the fact that the implemented by the information on bird population and habitat was Karbi Anglong District very limited. Administration efforts are being made to set up a

Protected Area Update Vol XIII, No. 5 5 October 2007 (No. 69)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) Karbi village to enable visitors to Kaziranga to Kaziranga TR boundaries notified sample a way of life of this local community here. The village will be named after the Karbi The demarcation of the boundaries of the mythological heroine Kajir Ranghangpi. Kaziranga Tiger Reserve was announced in a A sum of Rs. Two crores has already notification issued in the first week of August. It been released for the first phase of the project. will cover an area of 1,030 square km of which The project involves the setting up of more 482 square km will be the core area. than a dozen hamtuns (Karbi homes), an The core area comprises Kaziranga amphitheatre where the traditional culture of National Park and the first, second, third and fifth the community would be displayed, a restaurant addition areas while the buffer zone comprises the where the emphasis would be on traditional fourth and sixth addition areas, the Kukurakata cuisine, a centre where an outsider would be Reserve Forest, the Panbari Reserve Forest, the shown how the community uses herbs for Bagser Reserve Forest, and the Laokhowa and treatment as well as fashion shows. A team of Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuaries. trained youths will also guide tourists in tracking and exploring the adjoining hills. Source: ‘Tiger Reserve status for Kaziranga NP’, The Telegraph, 13/08/07. Source: Sarat Sarma. ‘Glimpses of Kajir’s realm’, Contact: Contact: Director, Kaziranga NP, PO The Telegraph, 25/09/07. Bokakhat, Dist. Golaghat – 785612, Assam. Tel: 03776-268095(O), 268086® Metal detectors for Kaziranga by year end Hollock Gibbon Conservation Training The Guwahati based NGO Aaranyaak has decided to gift metal detectors to the to help deal with the poaching problem. It is hoped that metal detectors will help forest guards locate guns and rifles hidden in the park by poachers. 17 rhinos have already been poached this year, 10 of which were shot inside the park. The NGO is looking for different models of metal detectors in various countries and the one best suited for the situation in Kaziranga will then be procured. This is being tried as a pilot project and if successful similar detectors will be made available in other PAs as well. The Fourth Hollock Gibbon Conservation Training session was held from September 8, Source: Pullock Dutta. ‘Hunt for rhino calf after 2007 at the Gibbon Conservation Centre at the poachers kill mother’, The Telegraph, Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary in Jorhat district. 62 17/09/07. participants from different Forest Divisions of Roopak Goswami. ‘Metal detectors to Assam have participated in the training during the outwit poachers’, The Telegraph, preceeding three sessions. 25/09/07. The workshop was inaugurated by MC Contact: Bibhab Talukdar, Aaranyaak, Malakar, PCCF, Govt. of Assam. Samanwoy Path (Survey), PO Beltola, The Gibbon Conservation Center was Guwahati - 781 028, Assam. Email: established in 2004 with a mission of carrying out [email protected] research, training and conservation activities in Northeast India with the Hoolock Gibbon as the flagship species. So far the center has organized a series of five training programs for foresters from gibbon habitats in Assam. The workshops have

Protected Area Update Vol XIII, No. 5 6 October 2007 (No. 69)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) been organized in collaboration with the with close circuit televisions and night vision Primate Research Center, School of Desert cameras to capture any suspicious movement in Science, Aaranyak, and Assam Forest the jungle. Department and with financial support from the The Forest Department is also reported to US Fish and Wildlife Services (Great Ape have completed the process of recruiting new Conservation Fund). staff. Accordingly, 81 guards have been inducted in Gir west and 37 have been inducted in Gir east. Contact: Dr. Dilip Chetry, Gibbon Conservation (Also see PA Update Vol XIII, Nos. 4 & 3) Centre, Meleng, Mariani, Jorhat – 785634. Tel: 09435043982 / 03771- Source: Himanshu Kaushik. ‘Hi –tech security for 244378. Email: [email protected] Gir lions’, The Times of India, 19/08/07.

Chief Wildlife Warden – Assam, Carcasses of four Cubs found in Gir WLS Rehabari, Guwahati – 781008, Assam. Tel: 0361-2566064. Fax 2547386

GUJARAT

Vehicles kill two big cats in Gir

One cub and one lioness were killed in road accidents in the first week of August in the Gir East Forest Division. The lioness was killed on the state highway No. 90 between Chaturi and Khadadhar villages in Khambha taluka. The post mortem revealed that the animal had suffered multiple fractures in its right limb and Carcasses of four lion cubs were found in the the right side of the head and had subsequently month of September in the Gir Wildlife succumbed to the injuries. Sanctuary. Forest guards found the dead bodies of The Forest Department officials have two cubs and body parts of two others in the said that they have identified three roads which Bhuribhekh area of the Hadada range while they have frequent movement of wild animals. were searching for an ill lion. Letters have been written to the government Twelve claws were also reported to be departments concerned to put up speed missing though the cause of the deaths has not breakers on these roads. been confirmed. A number of wild animals have also Samples have been sent to Forensic been killed in road accidents in the past in Gir Science Lab in Junagadh and the Veterinary (Also see PA Update Vol XIII, No. 1, and PA College at Anand to ascertain the cause of death. Update No. 50) The Gujarat State Forest Department has claimed these deaths as natural and due to diseases. Source: Sibte Husain Bukhari. ‘Two big cats come under wheels within 24 hrs’, The Source: ‘Carcasses of four cubs found in Gir WLS’, Indian Express, 04/08/07 Gujarat Samachar, 22/09/07

Further steps to protect Gir Project to cover open wells in, around Gir

The Gujarat Government has announced further A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has steps to augment protection of the forests of been signed between the Rajkot based Wild Life Gir. 18 new check posts are being set up in the Conservation Trust (WLCT) and the Gujarat park. Five of these which will be located at Forest Department to construct parapet walls Jasadhar, Tulsishyam, Dalkhaniya, Jamwada around open wells in and around the forests of and Bamansa ranges. These will be equipped Gir. There are nearly 9000 such wells in 158

Protected Area Update Vol XIII, No. 5 7 October 2007 (No. 69)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) villages in this landscape where nearly 50 lions HIMACHAL PRADESH are reported to have fallen into them in the last six years. At least 24 of these big cats FD looking for person with expertise in eventually died. (Also see PA Updates Vol. Himalayan Fresh water fishes XIII, No. 2, and Vol XII, No. 6) Already 700 of these wells have been The HP Forest Department is looking for a person covered by the Forest Department and work for with expertise in Himalayan Freshwater Fishes parapet walls around the rest is to be completed for conducting research including inventorying in the next three years. The most dangerous and breeding status in wetlands and freshwater wells for wildlife are the ones that are located streams in the state. in Kotda, Paniya, Chanchai and Dalkhania villages and it is here that the construction of Contact: Vinay Tandon, Chief Wildlife Warden, parapets on wells will be taken up on a priority Himachal Pradesh, Talland, Shimla – basis. The expenditure per well is Rs. 10,000 171001. Tel: 0177-2624193. Email: The WLCT, along with the Reliance [email protected] Rural Development Trust (RRDT) and Ambuja Cement would also construct parapets on 2,000 Six sanctuaries to be handed over from wells. Other corporates who are interested in territorial to wildlife wing supporting this project include the Tatas and Shell. Six wildlife sanctuaries in the state: Tundah The Forest Department has prepared WLS, Kugti WLS, Saichu Tuan WLS, Shimla two plans for the implementation of the project. Water Catchment WLS, Gobindsagar WLS and The first is where the government would the Dhauladhar that have been under the control monitor the process of parapet construction and of the territorial wing of the Forest Department are to be handed over to the Wildlife Wing. This would give a total of Rs 4,000 per well and the rd remaining would have to be financed by the decision was taken during the 3 meeting of the NGOs and corporates. In the second model, the State Wildlife Board held in Shimla recently. NGO would give the money to Lion Earlier (see PA Update Vol XII, Conservation Society formed by the state No. 3, June 2006), the Central Government had government and the government would take up denied resources to the tune of Rs. 1 crore to the the construction on behalf of these NGOs or the State Forest Department because these sanctuaries corporates. had not been transferred to the wildlife wing. It was also decided during this meeting Source: ‘NGOs, corporates give lions wall cover’, that the State Wild Life Wing would be the nodal The Times of India, 28/09/07 agency for the five wetland and wildlife Contact: Bharat Pathak, CF (Wildlife) sanctuaries which included Renuka, Khanniar and Junagadh, Sardar Bag, Junagadh, Chandertal wetlands and Gobind Sagar and Gujarat. Tel: 0285 - 631678/ 630051. Pongdam lake Wildlife Sanctuaries. Fax: 631211. Email: [email protected] Source: ‘Himachal to have new State Animal, Bird Kishore Kotecha,WLCT Asiatic Lion and Flower’, Protection Society, 128, Star Plaza, http://himachal.us/2007/08/10/himachal-to- Phulchhab Chowk, Rajkot, 360001, have-new-animal-bird-and- Gujarat. Tel: 0281 2444 074 Mobile: flower/2636/news/himachal-news +91 98240 62062. Email: [email protected]. URL: HP to have new state animal, bird and flower www.asiaticlion.org As per a decision taken during the 3rd meeting of CWLW - Gujarat, Block 14, Dr. Jivraj the State Wildlife Board held recently in Shimla, Mehta Bhavan, Old Sachivalaya, Himachal Pradesh will have a new state animal, Gandhinagar-382010, Gujarat. Tel: state bird and state flower. These will now be the 02712-230007. Fax: 221097. Snow Leopard, the Western Tragopan and the

Protected Area Update Vol XIII, No. 5 8 October 2007 (No. 69)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) Pink Rhododendron Rhododendron The CEC also laid down a series of campanulatum respectively. They replace the conditions which were also accepted by the court. Musk Deer, the Monal and the Rhododendron These include: arboretum. a) Complete ban on the movement through the sanctuaries and conservation areas by Source: ‘Himachal to have new State Animal, graziers and their livestock. Bird and Flower’, b) Sanctuary/conservation areas which are in the http://himachal.us/2007/08/10/himachal- neighbourhood areas of human settlements to to-have-new-animal-bird-and- be fenced to prevent poaching and other flower/2636/news/himachal-news illegal activities. c) The areas of the 3 continuous PAs: JAMMU & KASHMIR (Lachipora WLS, Limbar WLS and the Naganari Conservation Area falling in the Kashmir wildlife benefiting s from Kaj-i- Range to be upgraded as a National insurgency, hunting ban Park and the management of the entire area should be transferred from the Forest Wildlife officials in Jammu & Kashmir say that Department to the Wildlife Protection a ten year old hunting ban and the ongoing Department. insurgency have benefited wildlife in Kashmir. d) An additional area of 149 sq.km. located on They have said that the crack down on gun the eastern side of the Hirporal WLS and ownership at the start of the rebellion and the under the possession of the Peer Panjal Forest risk of being caught in the cross-fire between Division to be included within the boundary militants and troops have largely kept poachers of the sanctuary. out of the forests in the region. e) Requisite Environment clearance for the As a result there are increases in project to be obtained as per the prevalent number of many wild animals including rules/guidelines. , black bears, musk deer and a number f) 5% of the project cost to be deposited in of bird species. CAMPA. It has also been pointed, however, that g) Monitoring Committee to be set up under the increase in predators like the leopard has Chairmanship of the Chief Secretary with increased the threat for certain animals like the PCCF and Chief Wildlife Warden as hangul whose numbers have dropped in recent members. The Committee is to be responsible years There has also been an increase in attacks for strict compliance of the stipulated on humans by the predators. conditions. It is also important to consider that earlier reports have indicated that increase in Source: Forest Case Update, Issue 37, August 37. insurgency and the presence of troops has Contact: Wildlife Warden North, Incharge – actually negatively affected wildlife in Kashmir Lachipora and Limber WLSs, C/o CWLW, (see PA Update Vol XIII, No. 1, Feb 2007) Government of Jammu & Kashmir, Tourist Reception Centre (TRC), Srinagar – Source: ‘Kashmir wildlife benefits from 190001. Tel: 0191-544575, 0194-452469 insurgency, hunting ban’, AFP KARNATAKA SC allows Mughal road, lays conditions Police enquiry into elephant deaths in Following the recommendations of its Central Nagarhole NP Empowered Committee the Supreme Court has allowed the construction of the 83.90 km long The CID Forest Cell of the Karnataka State Police and 10 m wide Mughal Road from Bafliaz has begun investigations into the deaths of (Poonch)to Shopian (Phulwama). elephants that had occurred in the Metikuppe Range of the Nagarhole NP between June 2006

Protected Area Update Vol XIII, No. 5 9 October 2007 (No. 69)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) and May 2007. Eight elephants had died here in without being burnt or cremated. Park officials this period in mysterious circumstances. were reported to be are leaving carcasses as food The police inquiry has been instituted for other animals. As many as eight elephants as the carcasses were found without tusks and were found dead at the park between June 2006 autopsy reports were unable to establish the and June 2007 (see PA Updates Vol XIII, Nos 4 cause of death. In some cases discrepancies &1). They said that the earlier practice was to were also observed in the spot inspection burn the carcasses but this was changed following reports related to the deaths and the autopsy’s instructions from higher ups. that were subsequently conducted. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests The order of the Chief Wildlife (Wildlife) of the State, Mr IB Srivastava has Warden of the State that the DCF should visit denied that any such instructions were issued. He the site and also take photos in the case of said the department has laid down guidelines for death of a Schedule I animal were not followed. disposal of bodies of wild animals in accordance Assistance for the investigations is with Supreme Court rulings. Guidelines prescribe being be sought from the Bangalore based that in case of the death of a tiger or a leopard, the Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary carcass should be burnt. In case of elephants, it is Biologicals. (Also see PA Update Vol XIII, No left to the discretion of the local officer to either 1 and PA Update 54) bury or burn it, but in any case the dead body should not be left in the open. Source: KV Subramanya. ‘Police begin inquiry Officials of the Institute of Animal into elephant deaths’, The Hindu, Health and Veterinary Biological Sciences have 11/08/07... expressed concern that leaving bodies in this Contact: Dy. Conservator of Forests, Nagarhole manner could lead to the spread of diseases, NP, Wildlife Division, Hunsur, Dist. including anthrax and the foot-and-mouth disease. Mysore, Karnataka. Tel: 08222- There have been, in the recent past, 252041(O), 252070(R) several instances of wild animals being infected by anthrax. In March 2004, three elephants died Wildlife research institute for Karnataka of anthrax suspected to have been carried by cattle, in the Nagarahole National Park. The Central Government has sanctioned Rs Two crores for an animal husbandry and Source: ‘Elephant carcasses being left for other wild wildlife research institute to be set up in animals’, Kodagu in Karnataka. The institution will be http://www.wildlifewatch.in/news/species/ the first of its kind in the country. It will come mammals/elephants/2007/09/42, 13/09/07 up on 74 acres of land in Chikkaaluvaara Contact: Field Director, Bandipur village of Somwarpet taluk in about a year’s Reserve, Aranya Bhawan, Ashokapuram, time. Mysore – 570008, Karnataka. Tel: 0821- It will be governed and monitored by 2480901(O), 2484980 (R). the Karnataka Animal Husbandry and Fisheries University, Bidar. Chief Wildlife Warden - Karnataka, 2nd Floor, 18th Cross, Malleshwaram, Source: ‘Wildlife research institute to be set up in Bangalore – 560003, Karnataka. Tel: 080- Karnataka’, 3341993 / 3345846. Email: http://www.wildlifewatch.in/news/area/k [email protected] arnataka/2007/09/6, 10/09/07. KERALA Elephant carcasses in Bandipur being left for other wild animals Kerala tourism to promote forests, PAs

The Forest Cell of the State Police has found The Kerala Tourism Department is working that carcasses of elephants in the Bandipur towards promoting tourism in the forest areas of National Park were being left in the wild the state including in protected areas. It is said to

Protected Area Update Vol XIII, No. 5 10 October 2007 (No. 69)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) be fine-tuning a new forest tourism product that the scheme had been a good success. aimed at attracting tourists to explore the lesser Incentives of upto Rs. 5000 are being given for known areas and wildlife sanctuaries in the information on the bird and for protection of its state. eggs (see PA Update Vol. XII, No. 4, Aug. 2006). 25 projects have been taken up for the It has been found that people, in lure of purpose and to build infrastructure. These the cash being awarded have started to tamper projects relate to building up a trekking trail with the nest and the eggs at the bird’s breeding and working out packages for guided tours to sites. Many farmers also reportedly tried to shift the forest areas. the nests from their actual breeding sites to their An amount of about Rs Two crore is fields to be eligible for the money. In other cases being spent on the initiative. farmers received the cash awards by showing eggs of other birds, which looked identical to the Source: Kerala tourism shifts focus from eggs of the florican. backwaters to forests, A total of 16 birds have been sighted in http://www.wildlifewatch.in/news/area/k the two sanctuaries this season erala/2007/09/78 According to official records, 26 Contact: Chief Wildlife Warden – Kerala, floricans were spotted in Ratlam in 1997, 31 in Vazhudacaud, Trivandrum – 695014, 1998, 26 in 1999, 30 in 2000, 35 in 2001, 38 in Kerala. Tel: 0471-2322217 / 2360452 / 2002, 38 in 2003, 32 in 2004 and 28 in 2006. The 2204896. Fax: 2360452 / 2322217 reporting of 2007 has not been done yet.

MADHYA PRADESH

SC allows for completion of canal work in Karera WLS

The Supreme Court has accepted the recommendation of its Central Empowered Committee to allow for the construction of Right Bank Canal upto Mahuar river, which is Source: ‘Jumping kharmors a rare sight now.’ The within the boundaries of the Karera Wildlife Pioneer, Wednesday, 29 August 2007 Sanctuary. Contact: DFO Ratlam. Tel: 07412-235179. The project authorities have been asked to deposit an amount of Rs. Two crores 2005 Rajiv Gandhi Award for Deputy in CAMPA for the protection and conservation Director, Kanha TR of the sanctuary. The Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Conservation Award Source: Forest Case Update, Issue 37, August in the individual category for the year 2005 has 2007. been given to Dr. HS Negi for his significant Contact: DFO, Karera WLS, Dist. Shivpuri, contribution to wildlife conservation as deputy Madhya Pradesh. Tel: 07492-23379. director , buffer zone and Fax: 07492-33692 deputy director Kanha National Park. He is credited with resolution of the issue Cash incentive for florican conservation in of opposition to the creation of a buffer zone Sailana and Sardarpur WLS not working forest division of Kanha National Park, convincing the target villages of the importance Last year’s initiative of the Madhya Pradesh of the buffer and motivating them to be a partner Forest Department to give cash incentives to in wildlife conservation. local people for information on the lesser Dr. Negi is presently Director of the florican in the Sailana and Sardarpur Wildlife Kanha Tiger Reserve. Sanctuaries (WLS) is reportedly not yielding good results. Reports last year had indicated

Protected Area Update Vol XIII, No. 5 11 October 2007 (No. 69)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) Source: State bags Rajiv Gandhi award for Source: Vivek Deshpande. ‘State to have Jayakwadi wildlife conservation’, The Pioneer, denotified to facilitate agriculture’, Indian 19/09/07. Express, 26/07/07 Contact: Director, Kanha Tiger Reserve, Contact: Dy. Conservator of Forests (WL) Mandla - 481661, Madhya Pradesh. Aurangabad Division, Incharge Jaikwadi Tel: 07642-250760(O), 250761(R). WLS. Aurangabad 10, "Paripurti" Gurujan Fax: 251266, 250830 Sahakari Gruh Nirman Sanstha, Tilak Nagar, Aurangabad-431 005. Tel: 0240- SC nod for development work in forest 331027(O), 480965(R) villages in PAs Officials with wildlife training posted in non- The Supreme Court is reported to have granted wildlife posts permission to the Madhya Pradesh Government for carrying out construction works relating to drinking water, power supply, school buildings, aganwadis and hospital buildings in the forest villages located within the national parks and sanctuaries in the State. The decision came in response to a petition filed in the matter by the State Government. Details of the number of villages and the respective PAs where this work will be now undertaken is not known. (Also see PA Update Vol. XIII, No. 2, April 2007)

Source: ‘SC nod for development works in forest Of the 78 officials in the state that have wildlife villages’, The Pioneer, 25/09/07. related training 68 are reported to have been Contact: CWLW, MP, Van Bhawan, Tulsi posted in non wildlife areas in the state. None of Nagar, Bhopal 462003, Madhya Pradesh. the three Directors of Tiger Reserves of Melghat, Tel: 0755-557371/ 550391. Tadoba or Pench have any training in wildlife. The state has 141 officers posts MAHARASHTRA sanctioned for the state’s wildlife areas, which indicates a serious shortfall of availability of State for denotification of Jayakwadi WLS appropriately trained personnel. Even those who have been trained are not being deployed in the The Maharashtra State Government has right areas. decided to approach the Supreme Court for the Further 126 (or about 10%) of the 1295 denotification of the Jayakwadi Sanctuary to posts of officers, forests and forest guards in facilitate galpera (draw-down) agriculture by protected areas are vacant. Of these 15 vacancies project affected families. are of the Range Forest Officers where the The issue had come up for discussion sanctioned strength is 93. in the state assembly in July following which The Principal Chief Conservator of the State Chief Minister called a separate Forests (PCCF) – Wildlife, Maharashtra is meeting of political leaders of the region and reported to have acknowledged the problem but forest officials. pointed out that he has no say in the deployment The proposal will have to be first of personnel in wildlife areas. approved by the National Board for Wildlife In a response to a writ petition filed in following which it will have to be cleared by the Bombay High Court in 2002 in a matter the state assembly. related to tree felling and wildlife protection, the FD had said that it would send two Deputy Conservators of Forests (DCFs) or Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs), five ACFs and 12 RFOs

Protected Area Update Vol XIII, No. 5 12 October 2007 (No. 69)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) to the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) for The Orissa Government is yet to training at a cost of Rs. 16 lakhs per annum. formulate this committee and this is one reason The cost was to be borne by the Centre. why the proposal for Satkosia is said to be stuck. A proposal, in fact, already exists and Source: Vivek Deshpande. ‘Only 10 trained consultation with the expert committee is officers in wildlife areas’, Indian believed to be only a formality. In the absence of Express, 09/08/07. the committee, however, even this is not presently Contact: Chief Wildlife Warden, Maharashtra possible. State, Dr. Ambedkar Bhawan, 4 & 5th An earlier proposal submitted to the Floor, M.E.C.L. Building Seminary Hills Project Tiger Directorate had been sanctioned & Campus, Nagpur – 440001, (see PA Update 41, April 2003) and the tiger Maharashtra. Tel: 0712-2526758 / reserve was to cover an area of 1093 sq km. In the 2530126. Fax –2510671. Email: new proposal, that is presently pending, the area [email protected] of the tiger reserve has been reduced to about 900

sq km. It constitutes the Satkosia Gorge and MIZORAM Baisipali Wildlife Sanctuaries. The core area

comprises 55 percent of the total area of the New species records for Mizoram PAs reserve and has five villages in it. The buffer zone

has about 115 villages in several clusters. Two new species of mammals have recently

been reported from PAs in Mizoram. A Source: ‘Will tiger reserve go the elephant way?’, Malayan Bear Helarctos malayanus was The New Indian Express, 28/08/07. recorded via a camera trap in the Dampa Tiger Contact: Divisional Forest Officer, Satkosia Reserve while the Asiatic brush tailed Wildlife Division, At/P.O Dist. Angul – porcupine (local name Sumsi) was found in the 759143, Orissa. Tel: 0674-230218(O), Tawi Wildlife Sanctuary. 230219® Contact: Biswajit Mohanty, Wildlife Society of Source: Navraj Pradhan. Email dated 24/08/07 Orissa, Shantikunj, Link Road, Cuttack – Contact: Navraj Pradhan, ACF, Khawzawl, 753012, Orissa. Tel: 0671 – 334625. Fax: Incharge Murlen NP & Lengteng WLS, 610980. Email: [email protected] Mizoram Forest Department. Email: [email protected] CWLW– Orissa, Plot No. 8, Shahid Nagar, Bhubaneshwar – 751007, Orissa. ORISSA Tel: 0674- 2512502 / 2513134 / 2515840. Fax: 512502 State sitting on proposal for Satkosia Tiger Reserve TAMIL NADU

The Orissa State Government is reported to New interpretation centre at Guindy NP have not yet forwarded the proposal for the creation of the Satkosia Tiger Reserve to the A new interpretation centre spread over an area of Centre, raising fears that the idea itself might 4000 sq. ft to provide information on various therefore get dropped. aspects of wildlife and forests is being established Recent changes have meant that at Guindy National Park (GNP). The upcoming while earlier, the Directorate, Project Tiger was facility will have pictorial display boards and will the nodal agency to declare tiger reserves, now also have a library. it is the newly formulated National Tiger The authorities are also putting up Conservation Authority (NTCA). New rules models on the city beautification programme also stipulate that the proposal for constituting launched by the Forest Department and about a tiger reserve should be prepared in climate change and role of medicinal plants. consultation with an expert committee constituted by the state.

Protected Area Update Vol XIII, No. 5 13 October 2007 (No. 69)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) Source: ‘Interpretation centre at Guindy park’, (SGNP), Borivali, are to be released in Tamil The Hindu, 23/09/07 Nadu's Point Calimere Sanctuary. Contact: Wildlife Warden, Guindy NP, 259 The tortoises had been seized in two Anna Salai, DMS Compound, Chennai – separate instances recently: 670 in November 600006, Tamil Nadu, Tel: 044-24321471 2006 and 1,235 in March 2007 from smugglers who later confessed that the tortoises had been Forest Commission set up in Tamil Nadu brought from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. An official in the forest department's anti- The Tamil Nadu State Government has set up a poaching cell said, that 1,666 surviving tortoises Forest Commission to look into various aspects will be released in their natural habitat. of forest and wildlife management in the State Point Calimere has been chosen as the and to make recommendations in this regard. site of release for the tortoises because the semi- The objective of the Commission is to arid grasslands here constitute the natural habitats review the existing forest policy and legal of the animal. framework of forestry and its impact from ecological, economical, social and cultural Source: ‘Rescued star tortoises to be released in viewpoints. It will also recommend specific Point Calimere’, Email from Rajesh policy options to achieve sustainable forest Sachdev dated 25/07/07. management in production and protection- http://cities.expressindia.com/local- forestry, protected area management, social and news/fullstory.php?newsid=247542 extension forestry to bring one-third of the land area under tree cover. Contact: CWLW, Tamil Nadu,6D, Panagal Additionally it will also suggest Building, No.1, Jeenis Road, Saidapet, technological innovations in communication, Chennai - 600015. Tel: 044-24321738 / technology-enabled solutions to manage remote 22353589. Fax: 2433707/24321738 forest areas and to take up research innovation activities to increase forest productivity. Other UTTARAKHAND responsibilities include suggesting measures to improve the skills of officers and staff of the Flyovers as elephant corridors in Rajaji NP Forest Department and helping forge a partnership between the Forest Department The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) personnel and locals, especially tribals for has sought the National Wildlife Board's forest management and protection and studying clearance to build two 750-metre-long flyovers in the service conditions, excluding pay and the stretch of the Delhi- allowances, of the field staff Dehradun highway. The area below flyovers will The Commission is to be headed by a be considered ‘elephant corridors’ that will former/serving civil servant. A professor or an hopefully be used by the animals and thereby academic with science background will be reduce the danger posed to them while crossing appointed as Member and an Indian Forest the road. Service officer of the rank of Chief Conservator About 5-6 km stretch of the Dehradun- of Forests will be appointed as its Member- Haridwar highway witnesses a lot of elephant movement. This area falls in NHAI's National Secretary Highways Development Project phase-III plan to

widen the Delhi-Haridwar-Dehradun road. The 77 Source: P Oppili. ‘Forest commission set up in and 69-km stretch between Muzaffarnagar-Haridwar state’, The Hindu, 22/08/07. and Haridwar-Dehradun, respectively, fall in the

phase III. In this phase, the government has Confiscated star tortoises to be released in approved four-laning of 12,109 KM of national Point Calimere WLS highways at a cost of Rs 80,626 crore.

Nearly 1,600 star tortoises rescued by the Source: ‘Flyovers as elephant corridors in Rajaji’, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and http://www.wildlifewatch.in/news/species/ housed at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park mammals/elephants/2007/09/12, 01/09/07

Protected Area Update Vol XIII, No. 5 14 October 2007 (No. 69)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) Elephant tramples two to death near Rajaji It has also been pointed out that the state government has already earmarked the Jharkhali A tusker ran amok in Haridwar district in the island for refugee rehabilitation. The fisheries first half of September, trampling two sleeping department, too, is planning to set up a fishing children to death and injuring another. The harbour. incident occurred in the early hours when the This plan for the rescue centre had earlier elephant entered the gujjars colonies in Kotwali been announced in May 2005 and it had been said area and began attacking their mud houses at that time that it would be completed within a Forest officials had gone to the area to year (see PA Update Vol. XI, No. 4, Aug. 2005). chase away the elephant, who was then seen to move into the jungles of nearby Rajaji National Source: ‘Tiger rescue centre in Sunderbans’, The Park. Times of India, 18/08/07. Contact: Director, Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve, rd Source: ‘Two children trampled to death by Bikash Bhavan, 3 Floor, North Block, elephant’, Salt Lake City, Kolkata - 700091, West http://www.wildlifewatch.in/news/area/u Bengal. Tel: 033-3211750. Fax: 3211529 ttarakhand/2007/09/118, 26/09/07. Contact: Director, Rajaji NP, 5/1 Ansari Marg, Eco-Development initiative bordering Senchal Dehradun – 248001, Uttaranchal. Tel: WLS 0135-2621669 Fax: 2621669 The Rajahata Ecodevelopment Committee (EDC) CWLW, 5, Chandrabani, Mohobewala, bordering the Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) Dehradun, Uttaranchal. Tel: 0135- has built a sales counter for organic vegetables in 2644691 association with the Forest Department (FD). The counter is located along the NH 55 and will be WEST BENGAL used to market vegetables like radish, cabbage, cauliflower and beans grown by the 35 families of Tiger rescue centre in Sunderbans the village of Rajahata. The FD provided a sum of Rs. 50,000 to the EDC for the purpose from the North Bengal Forest Project, which is an extension of the joint forest management programme. This is the first project that has been taken up by the EDC of this village. They have formed self-help groups with six members each and will be running the counter by turns. A bank account has been opened for the EDC and the profits from the sale of vegetables will be deposited in this account. This will be later distributed among the villagers to buy seeds The West Bengal State Government has again and other inputs needed for agriculture. brought up the plan for setting up a Tiger It is hoped that initiatives like this will Rescue Centre at Jharkali island in the help in moving villagers living along the forests Sunderbans. To be spread over 100 acres it is away from activities like timber extraction and hoped that this centre would then also become poaching. a major tourism attraction. The discussions in the matter were Source: Vivek Chhetri. ‘Vegetable counter to save held recently between the Land and Land green wealth’, The Telegraph, 22/09/07. Reforms Minister, Abdur Rezzak Mollah; the Contact: DFO, Senchal WLS, Wildlife Division-I, Sunderbans Development Minister, Kanti Old Secretariat Campus, P.O. & Dist. Ganguly; State Forest Minister, Ananta Ray Darjeeling – 734101, West Bengal. Email: and Irrigation Minister Subhas Naskar. [email protected]

Protected Area Update Vol XIII, No. 5 15 October 2007 (No. 69)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) Contact: CWLW, Vikas Bhawan, North Block, sampling roads and waterholes over an 80-day Salt Lake, Calcutta - 700 091, West period. Male elephants in particular were given Bengal. Tel: 033-3346900/3583208. special treatment, with the scientists recording Fax: 3345946. Email: data such as tusk length, thickness, angle, [email protected] arrangement, as well as other characteristics like ear shape, shoulder height, tail length and scars. This data revealed some 134 individual male NATIONAL NEWS FROM INDIA elephants in a population of 991, with an adult male/ female ratio of 1:4.33.

New popular science publication on Source: ‘ IDs’, The Statesman, conservation 08/090/07

A new popular science publication on Three PAs likely as UNESCO World heritage conservation ‘Current Conservation’ has been sites in 2009 launched with the support of the Foundation for Ecological Security (FES) and the Ashoka Three protected areas in the country: the Trust for Research in Ecology and the Kanchendzonga National Park in Sikkim, the Environment (ATREE). in Edited by Dr. Kartik Shanker and Dr. and the Wild Ass Sanctuary in the Rann of Kutch Ankila Hiremath it carries the latest in research and the Western Ghats have been put on news from the natural- and social-science UNESCO’s tentative list of World Natural facets of conservation, such as conservation Heritage Sites. biology, environmental history, anthropology The decision for the final inclusion will and sociology, ecological economics, and be taken in 2009. landscape ecology. Source: Bishal Cintury. ‘World heritage tag beckons Sikkim park’, The Statesman, 18/08/07 Contact: Meera Anna Oommen.ATREE 659, 5th A Main Road, Hebbal, Bangalore 560024, Karnataka. Tel: 080 353 0069, CMS Vatavaran 2007 held

353 3942 Fax: 353 0070. th http://www.conservationandsociety.org/c The CMS Vatavaran 2007, 4 Competitive urrentconservation.html Email: Environment and Wildlife Film Festival was held [email protected] in Delhi in the month of September. The festival attracted a total of 275 entries and 72 films were Photo IDs for wild elephants nominated. A five member final jury chaired by Mr. Shyam Benegal, selected the winners from Scientists from the Wildlife Conservation nominated films in the Indian categories. The Society and the Nature Conservation International jury was chaired by Mr. Ashish Foundation have developed a unique Kothari. “photographic capture-recapture” survey In Indian category ‘Wild Dog Diaries’ by method that identifies individual males by the Senani Hegde bagged the Best of Festival 2007 shape and size of their tusks, ears, and such with a Trophy, citation and Rs. 1,50,000/- and other features. These photo ids will help create also received award for Best story telling. ‘Tiger - an archive of individual animals and also help The Death Chronicles’ by Krishnendu Bose won in monitoring their survival rates and the award in the Wildlife Conservation Category. movement. The Forum of Environmental Journalists Working in collaboration with the of India and CMS Academy Award for Young Karnataka State Forest Department in the Environmental Journalist (Print and Broadcast) Nagarhole and Bandipur reserves, the was given to Amar Jyoti Baruah from Assam and researchers systematically took more than Bahar Dutt from CNN IBN respectively. 2,400 photographs of individual elephants, Protected Area Update Vol XIII, No. 5 16 October 2007 (No. 69)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) Contact: Alka Tomar, Festival Director, Centre habitat and carrying capacity of the forests to for Media Studies (CMS), CMS identify the areas for translocation of the animals. Research House, Saket Community The animals could be relocated either within the Centre, New Delhi 110 017. Tel: 011- same state or be shifted to some other states, 24992597 / 26522244/55. Fax: subject to their willingness. The Centre would 26968282. Email: also support programmes to contain the [email protected]; population of animals like monkeys through [email protected] Web: sterilisation and other methods. www.cmsvatavaran.org Source: ‘Policy to relocate wild animals soon’, The MigrantWatch launched Tribune, 20/09/07

A new, participatory activity involving Money from Centre yet to reach Tiger naturalists and enthusiasts from across the Reserves country has been launched to gather information on bird migration to the Indian subcontinent. The exercise involves keeping a record of the first date of sighting of nine migratory species of birds – Northern Shoveler, Marsh Harrier, Wood Sandpiper, Common Swallow, Grey Wagtail, Brown Shrike, Black Redstart, Greenish Warbler, and Rosy Starling. Sign up information, and information on who is participating, identification tips can be accessed at http://www.ncbs.res.in/citsci/. Reports in early August indicate that tiger reserves across the country were facing a funds Contact: Suhel Quader, National Centre for crunch as money had either not been released by Biological Sciences, Bangalore, the Centre or money that had been was stuck in Karnataka. Tel: 080-23666339. Email: the state level bureaucracies. [email protected]; Web: States for which funds had not been www.ncbs.res.in/~suhel/ released were Assam, Orissa, Tamil Nadu and Arunachal Pradesh. Besides, funds had also not Policy for relocation of wild animals soon been released for Tadoba-Andhari and Melghat in Maharashtra, Panna in Madhya Pradesh, Palamau The Central Government will soon be coming in , Dudhwa in and Buxa out with a policy related to relocation of wild in West Bengal animals to help reduce animal-human conflicts. In Melghat, as a result, about 250 daily This was announced by the Union Minister of wagers who have been deployed for additional State for Environment and Forests, S protection have not been paid for three months. In Raghupathy, during a recent visit to Himachal Dudhwa too, protection staff was not paid for five Pradesh where there is a serious problem with months, while in Satkosia services of 40 local monkeys and leopards straying into fields and people who were trained and hired on daily wages human habitations. to supplement the highly inadequate staff had to The Minister pointed out that the be discontinued. government had granted permission for In many other cases while the funds have selective killing of monkeys in severely been released by the National Tiger Conservation affected areas but people had not taken Authority (NTCA) they have not reached the park advantage of this. managements as they were stuck at the state He also said that the proposed policy government level. Part of the problem has also would take care of all aspects like nature of been created because state governments have not

Protected Area Update Vol XIII, No. 5 17 October 2007 (No. 69)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) yet formed the state level Tiger Conservation Details of Wildlife Crime Control Bureau Foundations (TCF) as provided for by the NTCA. A meeting was held recently in New Delhi where While NTCA had already released a Regional Deputy Directors and officers of the total of Rs 1,531.96 lakh the only parks that Wildlife Wing reviewed the progress of the newly had received the money were Kanha, constituted Wildlife Crime Control Bureau Bandhavgarh and Satpura in Madhya Pradesh. (WCCB).A number of decisions related to the The case of Ranthambhore TR working of the WCCB were taken at the meeting. represents the worst case scenario of money It was decided that till a full time Officer lost in the bureaucratic maze. Though Rs was appointed, the Regional Deputy Director 197.51 lakh were been released in two (WR) will look after the functioning of the newly installments on June 21 and July 12 no funds - created office at Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. had reached the park management. Rs. Six Out of six posts of Assistant Directors, three will Lakhs are needed every month for the Home be posted at Sub-Regional Offices and three will Guards who have been employed to protect be posted at Headquarters. Out of these six posts, against poaching, but paying them had become two will be selected from the Police and four difficult. In the case of Karnataka the NCTA is from the Forest Service. A decision was also said to have released Rs 335.9 lakh but the taken to fill the 18 posts of Inspectors. money has yet to reach the state. One reason Regional Offices at Chennai, Kolkata for that is that the state level TCF has not yet and Mumbai will have two persons each while been formed. New Delhi and Jabalpur will have one person each. Three Sub-Regional Offices as well as Five Source: ‘Prerna Bindra. ‘In monsoon gloom, tiger Border Stations will have one Inspector and one reserves wait for Central funds’, The Person respectively while Headquarters will have Pioneer, 03/08/07. two Inspectors. Contact: Dr. Rajesh Gopal, Director, Project The jurisdiction of Regional Offices also Tiger Annexe No.5, Bikaner House, has been defined. Shah Jahan Road, New Delhi 110 001. Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, Regional Email: [email protected]; dirpt- Office (WCCB-RO), Mumbai, will look after [email protected] Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Daman and Diu and Dadara and Nagar Haveli. Assessment of trade in peacock feathers. The WCCB-RO, Delhi, will cover Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, , Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Delhi. TRAFFIC India is WCCB-RO, Kolkata, will cover , undertaking a Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura short term and West Bengal. assessment of the Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu trade in peacock and Pondicherry are under WCCB-RO, Chennai feathers. Inputs while , Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and references and Orissa will fall under jurisdiction of the new have been sought Office of WCCB-RO Jabalpur at MadhyaPradesh. on various aspects of the trade as also instance Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and of killing the bird. Chandigarh, have been placed under WCCB- Sub-RO, Amritsar; Arunachal Pradesh, Assam Contact: Samir Sinha, TRAFFIC –India, WWF and Manipur are under WCCB- Sub-RO India Secretariat, 172-B, Lodi Estate, Guwahati, while Kerala, Lakshadweep and New Delhi 110003, Tel: 011-41504786. Andaman and Nicobar Islands will fall under Fax: 43516200. Email: [email protected] Web: WCCB- Sub-RO, Cochin. www.traffic.org These offices will assist and advise Custom Authorities in the inspection of consignments of flora and fauna as per the Protected Area Update Vol XIII, No. 5 18 October 2007 (No. 69)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) provisions of Wildlife (Protection) Act, CITES protected areas (PAs) and Community Conserved and Exim Policy. They will collect and collate Areas (CCAs) intelligence related to organized wildlife crime The activities proposed include: activities and disseminate them to State and 1. Tracking the development of the Act at a other enforcement agencies for action. national and state level, e.g. The regional offices will develop - Are some states organizing programmes to infrastructure and capacity building for prepare people or state departments for the Act? scientific and professional investigation into - Do some states have state-specific guidelines or wildlife crimes. They will also assist State implementation schemes? Governments to ensure success in prosecutions - What kind of information/public awareness related to wildlife crime. material is being circulated by various states or the MoTA? (e.g. newspaper/radio/TV notices Source: ‘Wildlife Crime Bureau to strengthen its etc?) regional offices’, UNI, 13/08/07. - What institutional structures are set up for implementation (e.g. who is getting appointed to Toll-free number to protect wildlife the sub-divisional, district, and state level committees? Who is the specific person or department responsible for taking action on the misuse or non-implementation of the Act, or on unwanted ecological and social impacts?) 2. Collating information about actions by civil society and people's organisations, e.g.: - Are some organisations arranging preparatory workshops with people, or taking other steps to inform people about the provisions of the Act? - Is there any ongoing mapping of lands/resources? - Are organisations aware of any incidents of fresh encroachments or other misuse of the Act?

The Ministry of Environment and Forests Are they aware of enhanced evictions before the (MoEF) will soon provide a toll-free number on Act comes into play? Are they taking steps to flag which interested people can report cases of this or who do they think should take action? illegal activities related to forests and wildlife. - Are organisations taking matters relating to the The number will be set up by the Ministry’s Act to court? With what results? Wildlife Crime Control Bureau. The pilot project will be first Those interested in being part of the process are implemented in Delhi and then extended to requested to get in touch at the contact details other metros depending on the response. mentioned below.

Source: ‘Toll-free number to protect wildlife’, Contact: Arshiya Urveeja Bose. C/o Kalpavriksh The Hindu, 20/08/07. (editorial address). Tel: 09764141867. Email: [email protected] Tracking the Social and Ecological Impacts of Forest Rights Act CEC to continue

In an effort to understand the implications of The Supreme Court has struck down the plea of the recently passed Scheduled Tribes and Other the Central Ministry of Environment and Forests Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of (MoEF) to wind up the Central Empowered Forest Rights) Act, Kalpavriksh has initiated a Committee, the body set up by the SC in 2002 to process to track the social and ecological help in dealing with matters related to forests and impacts of its implementation, particularly in wildlife conservation (see PA Update Vol. XIII, No. 4, Aug. 2007).

Protected Area Update Vol XIII, No. 5 19 October 2007 (No. 69)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) The decision was taken by a three- benefiting both people and wildlife; and his judge bench of the apex court, headed by Chief current focus on perfecting methods for Justice K.G. Balakrishnan during a recent monitoring wildlife abundance and distribution. hearing. The court did, however, state that if The award ceremony will take place in the MoEF did manage to make a convincing Washington DC on October 16, 2007. representation, then the modification of powers and functions of the committee could be Source: http://www.wildlife .in/content/ 25 considered. Contact: Dr K Ullas Karanth, Wildlife The issues that the MoEF had raised in Conservation Society, India Programme, their affidavit include those related to the 403 Seebo Apts, 26/2 Aga Abbas Ali Road, constitution of the committee under Section 3 Bangalore - 560042, Karnataka. Tel: 080- (3) of the Environment Protection Act, its 5591747 / 5591990. Email: indefinite term and the inclusion of retired [email protected] forest officials as members. First meet of Butterfly Northeast held Source: Padmaparna Ghosh. ‘Plea to wind down green panel rejected’, The first meet of Butterfly Northeast - a network http://www.livemint.com/2007/09/08001 for butterfly study and conservation was held in 422/Plea-to-wind-down-green- Kaziranga on September 1 and 2, 2007. It was panel.html attended by 75 participants from various parts of Contact: MK Jiwarajka, Member Secretary, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Central Empowered Committee, Room On the 1st day there were 10 No. 106, Paryavaran Bhavan, CGO presentations by different scholars / young Complex, Lodi Road, New Delhi - researchers on the butterfly diversity of 110003. Tel: 011- 4361297 Northeastern India. Subjects included ‘Swallowtail butterflies and their Behaviour’ (Dr Paul Getty Award to Dr. K.Ullas Karanth Dinesh Kakoti), ‘The Identification of Bushbrowns’ (Jatin Tamuly), ‘Some Questions The World Wildlife Fund-US (WWF-US) has regarding the ecology of Butterflies in Lowland selected Dr K Ullas Karanth, Director Wildlife Forests of Assam’ (Maan Barua), ‘The Butterfly Conservation Society - India Program as the Diversity of Jokai Reserve Forest’ (RR Tariang) winner of the prestigious J. Paul Getty Award and ‘The Tragedy of Butterflies in Ripu-Chirang’ for Conservation Leadership for the year 2007. (Kushal Choudhury). Previous winners of the award include Field trips were organized in the Panbari Jimge Singye Wangchuck, King of Bhutan; Reserve Forest where participants were pioneer in chimpanzee research Dr. Jane acquainted with the butterflies of the area. Goodall; Dr. Boonsong Lekagul from Thailand; As an outcome of the meet, it was famed ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali; and Sir decided to form an informal regional network - Peter Scott from Great Britain. Butterfly Northeast - in order to further research The award's cash prize of $200,000 and conservation of butterflies in the region. An will be used to establish graduate fellowships online community on Orkut called Butterfly named in honor of Dr. Karanth and J. Paul Northeast has also been initiated. Getty. The fellowships will support graduate It can be accessed at students in conservation- related fields at an http://www.orkut.com/Community.aspx?cmm=37023664 institution of higher learning of the winner's (Also see PA Update Vol XIII, No. 1, Feb. 2007) choice. Dr. Karanth's contributions that have Contact: Maan Barua, Wild Grass, 107, MC been considered in giving the award include his Road, Uzan Bazar, Guwahati 781001, work for the conservation of Asian elephants Assam. Email: [email protected] and ; facilitating the creation of three protected areas in the Western Ghats; innovative work on voluntary resettlement

Protected Area Update Vol XIII, No. 5 20 October 2007 (No. 69)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) The workshop is being organized by the SOUTH ASIA World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) Mountain Biome in collaboration with ICIMOD and the WCPA Transboundary Task Force.

NEPAL Contact: Nakul Chettri. Email: [email protected] WWF Nepal’s conservation Awards 1st International Wildlife Reintroduction WWF Nepal recently honoured nine Conference individuals and organizations dedicated to conservation with Abraham Conservation The IUCN /SSC Reintroduction Specialist Group Award, the Matthew Preece and Yeshi Choden (RSG) and Lincoln Park Zoo will host the 1st Lama Young Conservation Leaders Award and International Wildlife Reintroduction Conference the WWF Conservation in Media Award. on April 15 and 16, 2008 in Chicago, IL, USA. Tseten Dandu Sherpa - Chairperson, The theme of the conference will be Kangchenjunga Conservation Area ‘Reintroduction programs: Applying science to Management Council; Bijay Raj Shrestha from conservation’. Kailali; Akhanda Upadhyay from Dolpa; Devendra Subedi – Superintendent of Police, Contact: Devra G. Kleiman, Zoo-Logic, LLC, 7216 Kathmandu Metropolitan Police Crime Delfield St. Chevy Chase, MD 20815 USA. Division of Nepal Police; Samaj Kalyan User Tel: 301-652-0647. Email: Group from Neulapur; and ECO-Nepal from [email protected] Web: Naxal received the Abraham Conservation www.reintroduction.org Awards. Matthew Preece and Yeshi Choden 28th Annual Sea Turtle Symposium Lama Young Conservation Leader Awards were awarded to Karma Bhutia, Non-Timber The 28th Annual Sea Turtle Symposium will be Forest Products Officer from The Mountain held in Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico from Institute and Sadhana Thapa a student from January 22-26, 2008. The theme of the Kaushaltar. symposium is Native Oceans. Subodh Gautam, a senior reporter with national daily Kantipur received the WWF Contact: Wallace Nichols, President, International Media in Conservation Award. Sea Turtle Symposium. Email: [email protected] Contact: Sanjib Chaudhary, WWF Nepal Programme Office, PO Box 7660, Baluwatar, Kathmandu, Nepal. Tel: OPPORTUNITIES +977 1 4434820. Fax: +977 1 4438458. Email: [email protected]

Coordinator, Wildlife Conservation for project near Kuno WLS UPCOMING The Samrakshan Trust is looking for a Coordinator, Wildlife Conservation for their Transboundary Mountain PAs Workshop ongoing project in the Chambal valley in the vicinity of the Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary in MP. A Transboundary Mountain Protected Areas The work includes: Workshop will be held from November 11-14, - Managing a team that is engaged in control of 2008 to produce a ‘best practices’ manual for poaching, inventorying biodiversity, and capacity building. conservation education;

Protected Area Update Vol XIII, No. 5 21 October 2007 (No. 69)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) - Capacity building in biodiversity conservation looking to recruit Core Faculty, Visiting Fellows to a variety of audiences, including rural and Postdoctoral Research Associates in the populations; following areas: (a) water resources, (b) forests - Designing conservation education content for and common lands, and (c) energy and pollution. a variety of audiences, including illiterate ones, train personnel in the delivery of such packages Core Faculty Positions: and monitoring implementation; Applicants must be dynamic and highly - Designing and implementing simple methods motivated scholars, typically with a Ph.D. and of monitoring biodiversity, particularly flora, one or more years of post-doctoral experience, large mammals and birds; with a strong track record of academically - Independently handling documentation, rigorous but socially relevant research in the areas monitoring and planning of the ecological indicated above. Applicants must have a strong aspects of the organization's intervention. interest in interdisciplinary research and teaching on environmental issues. Contact: Anirban Datta Roy. Email: [email protected]. Web: Visiting Fellow Positions: www.samrakshan.org Visiting Fellow positions are for persons interested in pursuing a writing project in Volunteers needed for Biodiversity residence for 6-12 months. Candidates could be Documentation in Eaglenest WLS from academic, activist, policy-making or practitioner backgrounds, with a strong record of The Eaglenest Biodiversity Project is looking work on issues at the environment- development for volunteers for its ongoing biodiversity interface. documentation work in the Eaglenest Wildlife The proposed writing project must be Sanctuary. This is part of a non-profit activity based upon field data or experiences mostly the ‘Vacations for Conservation’ program that already gathered, and must be related to the areas was initiated in March 2006 under which ‘self of interest of CISED, viz., forests and common funded’ volunteers work in the sanctuary in a lands, water resources, or energy and pollution. co-ordinated manner. Following are the dates and activities Post Doctoral Research Associate Positions: for the coming year: Postdoctoral Research Associate (PRA) positions 1st-10th October 2007: primarily for of one to two years duration are available to in the documenting herps areas listed above. Candidates should have 15th-24th October 2007: primarily for submitted their Ph.D. thesis by the time they join. documenting lepidoptera Complimentarity with the ongoing activities of 1st-10th March 2008: primarily for birds CISED or specific research interests of CISED 11th-20th March 2008: primarily for birds core faculty would be desirable. May-June 2008 (dates to be decided): for all fauna The deadline for receiving applications for the three positions is November15, 2007. Contact: Ramana Athreya. Kaati Trust, NCRA, Pune University Campus, Ganeshkhind. Contact: Coordinator, CISED, Institute for Social Pune - 411007, Maharashtra. Email: and Economic Change Nagarabhavi, [email protected]; Bangalore 560 072, Karnataka. Tel: 080- [email protected] 23217013. Fax: 23217008. Email: [email protected] CISED is looking for Core Faculty, Visiting Fellows and Postdoctoral Research Associates

The Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Environment & Development (CISED) is

Protected Area Update Vol XIII, No. 5 22 October 2007 (No. 69)

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) 4) Licence fee should be substantial, and the limit READERS WRITE of 10 animals in three weeks is probably a little on the higher side. These are of course minor details that need to be rethought if the principle is

accepted. Great Illustrations 5) If implemented successfully, this could used as The illustrations in the PA Updates look very a model for other states which are facing the same good. Congratutations to the illustrator. problem. It is not possible to carry out a physical survey of wild boar numbers unlike some other  Venkat Ramanujam. Email: species because of the wide range and type of [email protected] habitat. Those with field knowledge are aware of this. Thank you for the issue of PA Update. It really is good to have news from across India in this  Karnasingh Ghorpade. Email: format. I especially like the cartoons with the [email protected] news items - the turtle one (PA Update Vol. XIII, No. 3, June 2007) was funny. Community participation needed for conservation  Kashmira Kakati. Email: [email protected] Your editorial ‘Some lessons from Gir (Protected Area Update Vol XIII No. 4, August 2007) points Suggestions on wild boar hunting in HP to real wildlife management issues. The report about losing lions to greedy poachers is another This is with reference to the report ‘HP to allow signal of political corruption which is rampant in hunting of wild boar’ (PA Update Vol. XIII, India, especially so in Gujarat. The strategy of No. 4, Aug. 2007). I feel the Forest Dept has working with the local communities is the most taken a bold step in going on record with this important thing in this scenario, if it is taken up issue. Here are some suggestions to prevent earnestly. misuse and allay apprehension amongst the However, I would recommend doubters: recruitment and training of tribal people of the 1) No hunting should be permitted from area for wildlife protection and management. As vehicles at night or day under any an erstwhile Asst. Professor of Wildlife and a circumstances. researcher, I sincerely see this as the only possible 2) Hunting should be allowed only by cure for the malaise of wildlife politicism. I just traditional methods of stalking and beating. want to remind you of such a work by Bishnois. This will increase the degree of difficulty, and Charge-sheeting of Salman Khan in two cases has also prevent the wild boar from concentrating brought the Wildlife Act to the fore front in India. in any one area. The objective is not to eliminate the Wild boar but to control numbers.  Jaswinder Sandhu. Email: 3) Licensed sportsmen hunting under [email protected] conditions of fair chase will also be a source of data for the condition of the forests and population of other species.

Protected Area Update Vol XIII, No. 5 23 October 2007 (No. 69)

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The PA Update needs support

It was around the same time last year that we had sent out a similar appeal for support for the Protected Area Update. Many readers and organizations had responded positively, which itself was an indication to us that the PA Update is useful and we have a number of well wishers. The Foundation for Ecological Security continues to be our biggest supporter and has willingly agreed to provide a majority of the funding for the PA Update for another year. Just like last year, however, we are still short by about a 30% of the budget. There are various ways, big and small, in which we can be helped. Individual readers are urged to send in their contribution as subscription. These are small amounts but if we receive a large number the help will be great. Organisations like Forest Departments and NGOs can avail of the bulk subscription method where we can together reach out to a larger number of people as well. We also have back issues of the Update is a simple hard bound three volume set that would be a very valuable resource base for researchers, officials, activists or anybody else interested in getting a comprehensive picture of what has happened in the country’s PA network over the last few years. I do hope you will consider contributing. For any further details or clarifications please do write to me. We would also welcome any other ideas that you might have for us.

Pankaj Sekhsaria Email: [email protected]

SUPPORT THE PA Update SUPPORT THE PA UPDATE Annual Subscription: Rs. 150 /- Subscription a) Individual Annual Subscription: Rs. 150

Name: b) Bulk Annual Subscription: Rs. 100 per subscription, for 20 subscriptions and more. Address: An option for Organisations and Institutions c) Back Issues: All the back issues (Total no. 69) are available in a five volume hard bound set. Cost Rs. 500 d) CD: All the issues (Nos. 1-69) are in simple Email ID: format. Cost. Rs. 150 Please make the payment via DD in the name of Kalpavriksh, payable at Pune. All payments should be made via DD in the name Send to Kalpavriksh, C/o of editorial of Kalpavriksh, payable at Pune address.

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Protected Area Update Vol XIII, No. 5 24 October 2007 (No. 69)

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