Thursday, September 2, 2010

Sub-adult tiger dies in territorial fight in Bandipur

After a long (welcome) lull, we hear of another tiger death in the Bandipur tiger reserve, taking the tiger toll to nine in eight months in this park.

According to Deputy Conservator of Forests, Hanumanthappa, the carcass of sub-adult tiger was found near the Maddur range of the sprawling (912 sq km) national park.

"There is an indication of a fight between two tigers. There are deep claw marks on the ground. Some bushes have also been ripped out of their moorings. It is indicative of a territorial fight in which this four year old male has succumbed to injuries about four or five days ago," says Hanumanthappa.

The carcass was discovered on the fringe of the forest on Thursday morning by forest guards.

"We don't suspect any foul play as all the body parts were intact. The post mortem will reveal the cause of death," says Hanumanthappa.

ends

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Tigers bred in Karnataka zoos in peril

The cow slaughter bill passed by the Karnataka legislative assembly will not hurt the sentiments of the minorities and the poor, but is also expected to increase the expenditure of the Karnataka Zoo Authority (KZA)by a whopping Rs 8 crore each year.
If the Governor gives his consent to the controversial bill, the KZA would have bear the extra expenditure borne out of purchase of mutton and chicken to feed over 400 tigers, leopards and other carnivores kept in captivity.
According to sources, the KZA needs 1700 kg of meat to feed the carnivores in eight zoos in the state. “We used to buy beef at Rs 60 (in Mysore) and Rs 80 (Bangalore). If the bill is passed, then we would have to buy either mutton (Rs 200-250per kg) or chicken (Rs 70 to 100 per kg) to feed the animals. We will incur extra expenditure of Rs 120 to 130 per kg,” said the source.
If the KZA was spending Rs 1.2 lakh on purchase of beef each day, it would have pay Rs 3.7 lakh for buying the same quantity of mutton.
Apart from extra expenditure, health of the animals is another concern for the zoo authorities.
“The fat content in beef is as low as two per cent, but mutton has a fat content of 10 to 11 per cent. If you have to give the same quantity of mutton instead of beef, the fat content could cause health problems among the animals. Subsequently, the health maintenance bills of the zoos will also go up.”
The rescue centres, which house confiscated circus animals, also face a similar predicament.
Saving the cow and buffalo from the guillotine is fine, but why should the poor carnivores animals suffer for no mistake of theirs. Tigers and leopards have no religion, no caste, no boundaries, no language, no political affiliations.
The Karnataka government would have to invest in deer, sambar and gaur breeding centres near zoos to feed the hungry carnivores. But then, killing deer and sambar could raise the hackles of conservation-oriented and cash-hungry NGOs.
Hopefully, there will be a solution for the carnivores’ sake.

Karnataka mining mafia set to exploit Khanapur forest, Western Ghats

Even as the ruling BJP and opposition parties in Karnataka are involved in a heated debate in the legislative assembly over rampant exploitation and thievery of natural and forest wealth, there is indication that mining activity could soon move base from Bellary to ore-rich Khanapur in Belgaum district.
According to sources in the revenue department, some politicians and miners have been buying up huge tracts of land in Khanapur, which abuts the Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve (DATR). “All I can is that people from the powerful mining industry have been buying land here,” said the source, requesting anonymity.
While chief minister B S Yeddyurrappa envisages to impress upon on the government of India to stop export of ore, the mining community, according to the source, is confident that it would be granted permission to exploit the verdant, undulating forest tracts in the Khanapur region, which is home to the endangered tiger, among several other flora and fauna that are typically endemic to the Western Ghats.
The region is home to the Wroughtens free tail bat, which isn’t found anywhere else in the world. Considering the special status of the species, the forest department is in the final stages of declaring its small habitat as a protected area.
To ensure that the protection of this endangered species of bats wouldn’t put a spoke in the wheel of mining activity, the mining lobby planted a story in a newspaper, highlighting that the bat species was found in large numbers in the Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve (DATR).
However, a survey conducted by the forest department has shown that the Wroughtens free tail bat does not co-habit with ten other species of bats found in the sprawling tiger reserve.
Wildlife conservationists and NGOs could use this survey as a tool to deter the state government from granting mining licenses in the region.
Conservationists are hopeful that former India captain Anil Kumble, who is vice-chairman of the Karnataka state wildlife advisory board would include this subject in the list of agenda for the next wildlife board meeting.
According to researchers Jones, Purvis and Gittleman (2003), “Approximately 25% of all species within Chiroptera (nearly 240 species) are considered threatened by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). At least twelve species have gone extinct in recent times.
Megachiropterans tend to be more at risk than microchiropterans (34% and 22% of species, respectively), but both groups are facing substantial threats from habitat loss and fragmentation. Destruction of, or disturbances to, roost sites is particularly problematic for bats. Species with relatively small geographic ranges and/or that are ecologically specialized tend to be at greatest risk.”
The western ghats which is one among the eight global bio-diversity hot spots has already been ravaged by the mining mafia. Mining dumps within the DATR make for an ugly sight in the otherwise pristine environment.
Like parthenium eating into huge tracts of forest land in Nagarhole and Bandipur tiger reserves, curry leaf plants (Karri Bevu), which are unpalatable to the already depleted herbivore population, dominate the plant species around these dumps which the forest department hopes to rejuvenate and green through acacia plantations.
Conservationists and NGOs fear that Khanapur would go the Kudremukh way (it was devastated before the Supreme Court stepped in) if the Karnataka government gives the go ahead for mining activity.
However, the state government has to obtain clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), before it can entertain the exploitation plans of the ruthless mining mafia.
Hopefully, the MoEF doesn’t get swayed by the cash-rich miners.



Monday, April 19, 2010

Interview: Tiger Crusader, Dr Rajesh Gopal Is Confident

Though the tiger population has fallen drastically in the wild over the last ten years, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) member-secretary Dr Rajesh Gopal is confident that the majestic beast could make a dramatic comeback if tiger reserves are managed scientifically.

Dr Gopal, who has given his life for tiger conservation and virtually run from pillar to post to get the powers-that-be to wake up to the grim situation, spoke about issues related to conservation of the endangered species.

This interview was done quite some time ago. But the situation hasn’t changed much, reflecting the apathy of the forest ministers in tiger states.

All of us -- government, senior forest officials, publicity-seeking NGOs, media (print and electronic), common man… -- need to take responsibility for driving the majestic tiger to this predicament.

Excerpts of the interview:

What is the present status of the tiger?
It is not a happy situation. However, it has shown where we must prioritize to protect the species. Certain things could have been done earlier. But we cannot blame the government alone. Professionals and experts in the field are also to be equally blamed. 25 years ago we should have been as serious as we are now. We could have identified the weaknesses. Sadly, we got lost in the battle of numbers.


Is the conflict between the department and researchers cause for the tiger crisis?
The conflict between the department and experts has unfortunately created animosity. The NTCA has decided to end this cold war. We need to rope in expertise from outside the system. We will get good practices in place soon.

Has resettlement of forest dwellers hampered the process?
We can't close our eyes to reality. If we allow disturbances in our forests, the tiger will be in great danger of extinction. The status of the tiger, co-predators and prey species is very important. The situation is very serious in nine reserves. We have set out advisors to these reserves to put an effective management system in place.

How much space does the tiger require to do well?
An area of 800 to 1000 sqkm is a must for a viable population. There should be a minimum of 20-22 tigresses in the core area. In such a scenario the population could lead to 65 over a period of time. If the buffer zone could be expanded, we could have anywhere between 80 to 100 tigers in an area of 800 to 3000 sqkm.

But to achieve those figures, we have to ensure all the 17 tiger reserves are made inviolate. So far 14 reserves have already been notified as inviolate areas and forest settlers are leady being relocated.

The government has set aside Rs 600 crore for the tiger, but temporary staff are being paid their salary once in six months. Why?
I admit this is a very serious issue. It is the common in several states. But some are pro-active and reflect this expense in their budget. They adjust the amount when we release the funds. The delay for some states is not from the government of India. Some states do not send their APO (Annual Plan of Operation) in time.
To address this issue, we amended the Wildlife Protection Act (1972) in 2006 to allow tiger reserves to create a Tiger Conservation Foundation (TCF). The TCF could provide for these expenditure and be paid when the funds come in. We have issued detailed guidelines. Unfortunately, there is dichotomy in some forest departments.


Are you happy with the system that is being followed?
We need to improve the delivery system. We need to have a sub-cadre to manage wildlife. We need to have scientific inputs to save wildlife. Without an effective delivery system no amount of guidelines will work.

Can the tiger survive extinction?
The blue print is ready. The relocation package has been increased. We still have scope to save the tiger. I am confident that we will succeed if the habitats and corridors are kept intact. I am glad that civil society institutions have woken up and the general public is aware of the crisis faced by the tiger.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Another Tiger Bites The Dust

It is increasingly frightening, even depressing, that we are recovering tiger pelts virtually every second month in and around the Bandipur and Mudumalai tiger reserves, where there is a viable, sustainable population of our flagship species.

On Tuesday (April 14, 2010), the Tamil Nadu Forest Department (TNFD) recovered a tiger skin and arrested five poachers and two of their accomplices in the Sigur range, near Anaikatty, indicating that all is not well in Karnataka’s neighborhood as well.

That there has been uncontrolled fire in this region (Sigur and surrounds), intriguingly since the TN government served notices to illegally established wildlife resorts in the elephant corridor near Masina Guddi, is a matter of grave concern.

Wildlife conservationists allege that irked resort owners could have possibly set the bush fire which raged for three and a half days. They are intrigued that the forest staff did precious little to stop the fire which engulfed almost 30 acres of forest cover in Thengu Marada.

It is surprising that this incident (fire) occurred, despite having a proactive district forest officer (DFO, north) in K Soundarapandian, who has done remarkable work since taking charge of the tiger reserve.

Obviously, some wildlife resort owners in Masina Guddi are up to mischief. We learn through "on ground" sources that the resorts, which have been asked to close shop to recover elephant corridor, have backed the Gudalur "rasta roko" bundh called by local tribal leaders on April 19. They are protesting against the night traffic ban which has imposed by the Chamrajnagar Deputy Commissioner and upheld by the Karnataka high court.

That one of the poachers arrested in Sigur allegedly belonged to the Paniya tribe, has infuriated the locals to take up the cudgels against the Tamnil Nadu forest department.

The latest tiger pelt recovery indicates that poachers are active in Sigur and Upkara ranges in Mudumalai and Gundre, Maddur and Mulehole ranges in Bandipur. For the record, as many as 14 tigers have died, some to territorial fights, in as many months in these “supposedly” inviolate, critical tiger habitats.

Wildlife activists allege that range forest officers (RFOs) have been squabbling over gate collection at the Kalhatti gate (which leads to the Ooty) and in their greed for quick bucks are allowing poachers to have field day in Mudumalai.

There have been reports that deer, sambar and gaur (Indian bison) meat are being sold in the markets at Masina Guddi and Gudalur, which has become the epicenter of wildlife trade in the southern India. It is believed that some hotels in the vicinity offer “wild meat” to their regular customers.

While it is obvious that poaching is rampant, there is also a lingering fear that tigers and leopards are being poisoned in this region. A fortnight ago, the decayed remains of a six-month-old (presumably) tiger cub was discovered in the Maddur Range of the Bandipur national park, near the carcass of a cow. Though there are reasons to believe that it could have been poisoned by irate villagers, the postmortem report suggests it had died of natural cause.

Instead of getting to the root of the cause of death, it is becoming fashionable for senior forest officers to lay the blame on territorial fights. If someone is murdered in Bangalore or Chennai , Delhi or Mumbai, every effort is made to get to the bottom of the cause of death. But when it comes to wildlife, everything is swept under the carpet to ensure that the officers involved in protection don’t waste their time filing forest offence cases (FOC) and attend court.

Now that five poachers, including two forest dwellers, have been arrested, the wildlife crime bureau would do well to cast its intelligence net far and wide and break the poacher-buyer nexus.

That as many as four tiger pelts and other body parts have been recovered in the last eight months in Bandipur and Mudumalai is indeed startling. Hopefully, our slumbering forest officers will awaken to this rude “Alarm Call.”

Else, more tigers, which have become increasingly vulnerable to poaching in our reserves, could be on their way to the flourishing body-parts markets in Nepal and the Far-East.



Sunday, April 11, 2010

An Ode To My Dying Bamboo Friends

Goodbye My Lofty Swaying Friends

Whither My Lofty Swaying Bamboo Friends
For Thine Time Hath Come
To Render Our Forests Bare and Brown

In Thine Demise And Barren Throes
Let Wisdom Sow From Thine Fallen Seeds
Let Not Our Forest Managers Repeat Blunders They Have Done To Thee

Let Thine Seeds Spring Forth Perspective Scientific Management Plans
Let Thine Seeds Enrich Our Natural Forests
Making It Luscious Habitats For Our Endangered Friends

We Pray Elephants That Browsed On Thine Succulent Nutritious Leaves
In Thine Time Of Opulence And Tender Green
Don’t Fall Prey To Electrocution And Gun

As They Trudge Yonder In Search Of Fodder
Trample And Devour Sugarcane, Banana and Maize
And Meet The Ugly Wrath Of Enraged Farmers

Awake Dear Slumbering Forest Managers
For Thine Time Hath Come To Introspect, Plan And Perform
Before Famine Bares Its tentacles Again On Our Abused Land.

Goodbye My Lofty Swaying Bamboo Friends
Until Thine Seeds Germinate To Thrive Again
In Thine Demise Let Wisdom Reign

----
Note: Bambo which constitutes 13 per cent of the forest mass in Karnataka has dried up completely in Nagarhole and Bandipur national parks. Elephants which browse on the swaying fronds and tender leaves have started to move into village environs in search of food. Unfortunately, the Karnataka forest department, despite having experienced this natural phenomenon of bamboo flowering and drying in the Bhadra wildlife sanctuary, has no scientific forest management in place to tide over this situation.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Coffee estates, resorts thrive in tiger habitats, but wildlife researchers get the boot

Now that the Karnataka Chief Wildlife Warden, B K Singh, has cited the National Tiger Conservation Authority order (N. PS—MS (NTCA)/2009 Misces, dated April 22, 2009) to stop research work and field interventions in core/critical tiger habitats, we could expect him to apply the same document to stop illegal poaching, timber felling, mining and tourism activities in Karnataka’s shrinking wildlife habitats.

While we should appreciate Mr B K Singh for being a honest, upright and principled Indian Forest Service officer, we also have to critique his knee-jerk action in stopping wildlife biologists/ researchers from pursuing their work for bettering wildlife management in our reserves.

The Minsitry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) and union minister for environment and forest, Mr Jairam Ramesh, have categorically encouraged the non-intrusive camera-trap method to enumerate tiger numbers in our reserves. They understand that molecular biology has been a handy tool as well.

Wildlife biologists and conservationists have been fighting against odds to put the future of the critically endangered tiger in perspective employing these methods. But suddenly, the CWW has woken up from his slumber, retrieved an old NTCA document from the KFD cupboard, and stopped all field research workers in their tracks. Wonder what he envisages to do or achieve.

If he truly has the interest of the tiger and all our wildlife species at heart, he would do well to address these issues:

1.There is rampant felling of trees and poaching in Bandipur Tiger Reserve. And as many as three tigers have been poached since he has taken charge. Yet, he has been unable to do anything about it. Also, the paws and claws of two dead tigers were removed. But no recovery has been made yet.

2.We find cattle grazing deep inside the forests, posing threat to wildlife populations. In the past foot and mouth disease had consumed several heads of gaur. Recently, a tiger cub was found dead in the Bandipur Tiger Reserve near a cattle kill. While there is suspicion that the six-month old cub could have been poisoned by enraged villagers, B K Singh deemed that the cub had been killed by its mother. When there was scarcely anything left of the cow and the tiger to conduct a post mortem, how could he/ vets conclude on the actual cause of death. We need a proper / true explanation, don’t we?

3.The NTCA tiger management plan clearly states that there should be no interventions in inviolate, critical tiger habitats. But there are five estates in the very womb of the BRT wildlife sanctuary, where the tiger population has increased manifold (33 now). If the same yardstick is being applied to evict tribal settlements, why shouldn’t estates be demolished and critical elephant corridors be restored?

4.The NTCA guidelines imply that tiger states should expand on the buffer zone in tiger reserves, but the CWW, who for some quaint reason believes that there are tigers and elephants in California, has done very little about. Should we ask, how much area of buffer zone has been added to Karnataka tiger reserves since he took charge?

5.As a matter of fact, though there is a restriction on the carrying capacity (tourism) in Bandipur Tiger Reserve, more and more resorts have been given permission to entertain their quests/ clients. He would do our harassed wildlife a favor, if he could also retract the tourism permits issued to resort operators, as he has done with the permission to wildlife researchers.

6.Again, if the CWW sincerely has the future of our flagship species at heart, he would do well to rid our wildlife parks of lackadaisical, incompetent and corrupt officers from eight of the 12 ranges in the Bandipur national park. Could he possibly relocate such range forest officers?

7.Since he has precious little background in wildlife and has a Field Director (Project Tiger) who is equally ignorant, he should talk the B S Yeddyurrappa government (if it cares) into relocating him in a position where he would be comfortable. He would do this if he has interest in saving the tiger from extinction in Karnataka’s forests.

8.More importantly, he has to motivate the field staff who are utterly demoralized. When range forest officers themselves don’t get the CWW’s backing when they take on poachers and timber smugglers living in the vicinity of the reserves, you can well imagine how the guards, watchers, trackers, who are effectively the nose, eye and ear of the forests, feel. With frugal salaries and emotional support, most of the staff are already looking for greener pastures.

9.BK Singh has stated that the Karnataka Forest Department would look after all issues related to protection of the tiger and its habitats. But the fact remains that the staff are just about learning the nuances of using scientific tools in assessing the tiger numbers in our reserves. He should understand that wildlife conservationists, researchers and NGOs have been active stakeholders in protecting Karnataka’s precious wildlife and its habitat. Without them, a lot more tigers would have made it to the lucrative markets of Nepal and the Far-East.

10.There are more questions that can be posed to this honest, upright senior IFS officer. But he would do well to address at least three of these issues, before hamstringing wildlife biologists and researches from doing what they are doing in the larger interests of our dwindling wildlife.

11.Is the CWW worried that wildlife researches would expose the nefarious happenings/ goings on in our tiger reserves?

Dr Rajesh Gopal, Member-secretary, National Tiger Conservation Authority, should be kicking himself to have such officers in crucial decision-making positions, especially when the tiger is under serious threat of going extinct.

God save our wildlife.




Friday, April 2, 2010

Spare Tuskers; Relocate Spineless Forest Officials

There is a move to tranquilize, capture and relocate elephants in the fragmented forest reserves of Karnataka. This was on the agenda of the discussions during an inter-action between the Project Elephant authorities, elephant task force, NGos and stake holders.

Eephant 'expertes"e met in Bangalore on Good Friday morning, discussing ways and means of stopping hungry, foraging elephants in their tracks. From what we gather, the agenda was on how to contain the growing man-animal conflict (crop raids, trampling and electrocution)in Hassan and Kodagu districts, more so in the periphery of Bandipur, Nagarhole and BRT.

While some suggested that the elephants be either be relocated or culled, others felt there was an urgent need to relocate jumbos from 'over-populated' parks, or those that have settled in small, isolated pockets of forests in Kodagu and Hassan.

A couple of NGOs are believed to have suggested that the government first address the man created problems (crop pattern, encroachment)before taking up the cudgel against forgaing elephnats.

We are losing elephants frequently to electrocution, poaching and infantile deaths. Our forests are shrinking. There is pressure from quarrying and mining. Poachers are shooting down tuskers for their ivory. There is mayhem in our forests. But the government does not seem to care about losing 200-300 elephants each year.

The recent Project Elephant exercise, to take the views all stake holders, seems to suggest our elephants are breeding like rabbits! We have taken have their habitats and destroyed elephant corridors (Raman Sukumar can throw light on how the Cicada Resorts came about in Bandipur). Yet, we blame the elephants for stumbling into our territory.

Is Project Elephant gathering consensus for culling. Wonder what Raman Sukumar, our elephant guru, has on his mind. Is he trying to please the government, which has been under pressure from MLAs from Kodagu and Hassan to rid their coffee estates of roving pachyderms? Somebody should ask him.

Sukumar and company could have done well to tell the Karnataka Forest Department (KFD) to get its act together, than relocate and cull jumbos. The KFD has comprehensively failed in its management plan. If it had bene prudent/ proactive, it would have planted bamboo saplings in its reserves, keeping in mind that the existing bamboo would flower sooner than later. Today, the entire bamboo crop, has flowered in Bandipur and Nagarhole. They are dry.

Though B G Hosmath, Field Director Project Tiger, had been approached by former conservator of forests, Mr A C Lakshman to plant bamboo saplings in Bandipur and Nagarhole, he had failed to respond the latter's call. We are told that he didn't bother to retunr the CCF's call.

According to Mr A C Lakshman, bamboo accounts for 13 per cent of Karnataka's forest cover. That means less food for our lovable elephants. Now that the bamboo has dried up, there will be pressure on villages adjacent of the forests, leading to a rise in man-animal conflicts and eventual death of more elephants.

The expert committee meeting could have probably been called keeping this in mind. Our forest officials seems to have knack at finding a way around the problems than finding long-lasting solutions. This knee-jerk capture-relocate, cull strategy will not help in the long run.

The experts and KFD should keep in mind the effect of the silastic hormone on elephants in Kruger national park in South Africa. The hormone had an adverse effect on elephants phsyology / cycle.

As early as 1994, the then Chief Wildlife Warden, M K Appayya, who had on-field experience unlike most other wildlife wardens, had talked about the need of culling elephants. At that point in time though, man-animal conflicts were not as intense as it is now.

Even if there is a boom in the elephant population in our parks, is this way out? There has to be a far-sighted solution to the elephant menace, accentuated by man's greed. Rather than taking (implementing) the recommendations of the elephant expert committee, the government should take the opinion of the masses before deciding on the fate of our jumbos.

As someone suggested, our spineless forest officials, who don't stand up for their on-field staff who are in the line of fire, should be relocated/ castrated. Not our Tuskers.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Tiger cub found dead in Bandipur

The carcass of an eight-month tiger cub was found in the Maddur range of the Bandipur national park on Wednesday, taking the death toll to six in this tiger reserve since August 2009.

“Evidently, the tiger might have died eight days ago. Though the carcass was found deep in the forest near a cattle kill, the post mortem did not indicate that the cub may have been poisoned.” said B K Singh, Chief Wildlife Warden.

Shockingly, Mr Singh suggested that the cub could have been killed by its mother. We have heard tales of a male killing cubs, more of other tigers' off-spring. But a mother killing its own cub is bewildering indeed.

Obviously, the CWW has no wildlife background. In such a scenario, he should make no comment at all. He has embarassed the IFS cadre in Karnataka and Dr Rajesh Gopal, member-secreatry, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

According to Sanjay Gubbi, India program officer of Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), there was nothing left of the cattle kill and the cub. “The cattle kill was dry and there was very left of the cub to do a post-mortem.”

There is concern that the mother might have perished after sharing the kill with its cub. “Normally a mother does not abandon a cub so young. There was concern that the tigress may also have died. But there were no such indication,” said Gubbi.

Though as many as six tigers have died in the Bandipur reserve in six months and the paws of a dead tiger are yet to be recovered, Karnataka’s chief wildlife warden was unperturbed. “I should worry if there are any unnatural deaths. But most have died naturally,” said B K Singh, who had asked conservationists if there were tiger sand elephants in California when he assumed office as the CWW.

God save our wildlife.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Save Tigers: Admonish Errant Forest Ministers

There is another earnest effort by the Indian government to save our endangered tigers. We have to appreciate Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for taking the initiative to personally talk to concerned ministers in Tiger States (states which have tiger reserves), cajoling them to save our flagship species, which has been under constant threat from poachers and cash-greedy, vote-hungry politicians.

Concerned with the recent death of 15 tigers, the Prime Minister has asked the tiger states to do more to save the tiger population, which is faced with a do-or-die situation in our reserves and protected areas.

If the states fail to respond to the prime minister's call forthwith, the situation could worsen as poachers are on the prowl. Like most of our pea-brained politicians, they wouldn't mind if another 200 tigers are killed for their pelt and 'invigorating' body parts. They are ruthless and know little about the natural prey-predator cycle in habitats and the role of the umbrella species in our eco-system.

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has been in place since 2007. the National Board for Wildlife meets frequently to assess the ground situation and briefs the PM. The PM in turn ensures all the requirements, including funds, for protection are met. All is hunky-dory until an advisory is issued to tiger states. As history manifests, nothing really happens thereafter. The advisory files merely cruise to and fro from the forest department to the forest secretary's office. Eventually, the files gather dust.


In Karnataka the situation is going from bad to worse. Though some officers are keen to follow and implement the Centre's orders, they are constrained from executing their tasks. Frequent transfers of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF)and Chief Wildlife Wardens (CWW) reflect the attitude of the Yeddyurrappa government which seems to have its own agenda.

The scenario is such that no officer is willing to question the authority or intentions of the forest minister for fear of being reprimanded with a transfer. The present Director General of Forests (now ensconced in New Delhi), Mr Dileep Kumar was a victim himself, as he dared the forest minister. He was transferred overnight.

Not many senior officers have the conviction to speak their mind. They merely, to some extent reluctantly, sign files that are sent to them from the forest minister's office. A rubber stamp could replace them, isn't it?

You can well imagine what lower-ranked officers would do when their seniors/ mentors themselves buckle under pressure. How we wish another Parameshwarappa is born to tame arrogant ministers and bureaucrats. As PCCF, Mr Parameshwarappa would ask the ministers themselves to sign the files if any favour was sought by the timber and mining lobby. He was tough as nails.

Unfortunately, we don't have officers of such ilk now. Of course, there are a good number of young and dynamic Deputy Conservator of Forests who are genuinely interested in saving our rapidly-decimated forests and wildlife. But they are not allowed to function.

Coming back to the PM's endeavor, Mr Singh would do well to have a central team of Chief Conservator of Forests to man our 38 tiger reserves. They should report to the Member Secretary, National Tiger Conservation Authority. They should be empowered to control/ enhance the protection mechanism/ execute guidelines laid down by the NTCA.

It is obviously highly difficult to have such an ideal scenario in a democractic system, where different political parties rule different states. But at least, the PM could get all the chief ministers of the states to agree on this principle in the interest of our dwindling wildlife, more so the future of our own children, grand children, great grand children, great great grand children (if our politicians don't plunder our forest wealth by then).

When the Centre provides funds to tiger states it obviously should have some control over the happenings in the reserves. It should get the errant states (Karnataka for one), to agree to certain conditions, like the appointment of an officer who has served in wildlife parks for the post of Field Director Project Tiger (FDPT) and in posting efficient, credible men as CCFs of DCFs in Tiger reserves. The sooner this is done, the better.

If any forest minister or bureaucrat infringes the Wildlife Protection Act (1972), Forest Act, undermines the guidelines of the NTCA and disrespects the CEC, he should hauled up in court and publicly questioned and admonished on all the national television networks. Else, it will be darn difficult to tame them.

Hopefully, our forest ministers accede to our prime minister's latest clarion call to save our endangered tigers.

Friday, March 19, 2010

God Save Bandipur's vulnerable tigers

It is heartening that the Indian government has willed itself to set up a new department for wildlife conservation under the Ministry for Environment and Forests to ensure regular flow of funds for wildlife protection.

The proposed department is to have its have a secretary and a separate budget. This has been done to relocate forest settlers from the core areas of tiger reserves. Great news!!

If the decision of the National Board for Wildlife, chaired by prime minister Manmohan Singh is to be translated into action, the government ought to do more than just dole out funds to states which have a viable/ vulnerable tiger populations. It has to act tough, even wrap the non-performing tiger states on its knuckles to get the results.

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) was created at the behest of the prime minister to save the critically endangered tiger from possible extinction in India's tiger reserves. But NTCA, despite drawing a techinal document to form guidelines for preparation of a tiger conservation plan, has been a mute, rather toothless, spectator to all the gory, heinous happenings in the 38 reserves that have been earmarked for the protection of India's flagship species.

If Dr Rajesh Gopal, member secretary, NTCA is vexed, there is reason. Not more than twelve tiger reserves have been following NTCA's guidelines. There has been utter disregard for the authority, with each tiger state having its own set of rules, problems relating to acute shortage of funds and field staff, rising man-animal conflicts, shrinking habitats...

Let's have a look at NTCAs "Approach to Tiger Conservation Planning'. It lists out seven points in consolidating and strengthening fo source populations of tiger in tiger reserves and protected areas:

1. Protection, anti-poaching activities and networking
2. Strengthening of infrastructure within tiger reserves
3. Habitat improvement, including water development
4. Rehabilitation package for traditional hunting tribes living around tiger reserves
5. Staff development and capacity building
6. Delineating inviolate spaces for wildlife and relocation of villagers from crucial habitats in tiger reserves within a time frame (five years) and settlement of rights
7. Safeguarding tiger habitats from ecologically unsustainable development.

Wow! That is promising, right? But in reality, though the guidelines were issued in 2007, tiger states are far from achieving at least three of these crucial tasks.

Let's take the porous, open-to-poachers Bandipur National Park for a case study. The 992 sqkm park, according to Wildlife Institute of India's (WII)figures, is home to approximately 80 tigers. Already, 15 tigers have succumbed to territorial fights and poaching over the last 12 months. If the present situation (lack of protection) is to be prudently assessed, it won't be long before Bandipur goes the Sariska and Panna way. Both these reserves lost all its tigers to poaching for obvious reasons. cing.

The ground reality in Bandipur national park: There is an acute 54 per cent shortage of front line staff. Of the 46 per cent on roles, 16 per cent fall in the "petty cash payment" temporary staff category. Most of those engaged in protection work are emancipated, bone weary and disillusioned.

It is fortunate that the temporary staff are now getting their pay in time (unlike when they would get their pay once in four or five months after much goading and remonstration). But without an off day to rest and share their life with their families, they are not even performing at 35 per cent of their ability.

So, what is the NTCA talking about "staff development and capacity building" and "protection, anti-poaching activities and networking." Apparently, these guidelines are Greek and Latin to the Karnataka government, which has done precious little to protect its endangered tigers, established to be 290 at the last count. The Karnataka forest minister we are told has no clue about what the "Save the tiger" clamour is all about. His inaction reflects that he doesn't care.

Forget the forest minister. Let's ask what the IFS-heavy Karnataka Forest Department is doing to protect wildlife and motivate its foot soldiers, who are the eyes, ears and nose of the forest. Without the watchers, trackers and guards our wildlife denizens would disappear, even before you utter "Swami Nityananda Namaha". Very few officers feel for the underpaid, overworked, stressed staff. Very few have a likening for wildlife. Some seem to have stumbled into the department for want of a decorated, cushy 10 to five job. So it seems.

Taken the argument further, it could be said that only a couple of range forest officers are doing or like doing what they have assigned to do. Bandipur, which borders the forests of Kerala (Waynaad wildlife sanctuary) and Tamil Nadu Mudumalai Tiger Resrve), is divided into 12 vast ranges.

We should glad even if three rangers are functioning. It is alleged that they had paid politicians to get themselves posted in places of their choice. Obviously, they have to recover their investment! Obviously, they have chores other than patrolling and protection to do!

Forget the lackadaisical attitude of the Karnataka government, the ineptitude of the decision-making IFS cadre and the slumbering rangers, the critical post of the Field Director Project Tiger (FDPT) can itself be questioned when it is not given to the right personnel. How can we expect a Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) who has no wildlife back ground to perform, protect tigers. It has been the fancy of the Karnataka government to appoint any Tom, Dick and Harry as FDPT, without a care in the world about the future of the vulnerable tiger.

We are told that the relocation of villages from critical tiger habitats have suffered a setback because of the frequent transfer of officers in Bandipur and Nagarhole national parks. The centre had set a five-year time frame to delineate inviolate spaces for wildlife and relocation of villages. But it could take an eternity before this can be achieved. Where are we heading?

To cut the long story short, the Centre, which frets over tiger death, and the NTCA, which is powerless as it is toothless, could do well to reprimand the tiger states if they don't follow the Tiger Conservation Plan. Unless, this is done, there is no point having high-level meetings and setting up new departments for wildlife protection.

Wish our Union Minister for Environment and Forests, Jairam Ramesh does something about the hapless situation in Bandipur before it goes the Sariska and Panna way.

Should we say, God save out dwindling tigers.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Tiger accidentally kills man in Bandipur National Park

Bangalore, March 13
A wood-cutter was accidentally by a tiger in the Bandipur National Park here today.

Confirming the news, Mr Alok Kumar, Circle Inspector, Gundulpet Taluk, Karnataka, said: "It is true that the remains of a middle-aged man was found in the tiger reserve. The body has been recovered and sent for post mortem."

Hanumantha Nayaka, the deceased, is from Berambadi village near the Tiger Reserve, where two cattle had been killed by a tiger recently.

That the partly eaten body of the 55 -year-old was recovered deep inside the tiger reserve by a patrol team has confounded the forest department.

"The park is an inviolate area. What this man was doing so far inside the tiger reserve has to be established. As there were no pug marks found near the body, we will have to do a thorough investigation before assessing the cause of death,: said Mr Hosamat, Field Director Project Tiger, Karnataka.

Incidentally, this is the first tiger attack in Bandipur in seven years, while as many as 22 tigers have perished in the 992- sq km park in three years.

ends

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Minister fiddles, tigers scurry for cover

It has been 12 days since the carcass of a tiger, presumably an eight-year-old male, was found in the Bandipur National Park. On e of its paws and 15 claws were found missing. But until today, the Karnataka Forest Department (KFD) has no clue of the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

Though the KFD isn't sure of the cause of death, it is content to buy the veterinarians' opinion that it had died of natural cause. A tiger, as wildlife biologists suggest, attains prime at five and is dominant until 8, unless it is injured in a territorial fight or perishesfrom wounds sustained in a tussle over a fertile tigress.

If this tiger had been involved in a fracas with another male, the wounds/ scars should have been apparent. But according to sources, it bore no injury, other than the ‘devastation’ wreaked on its carcass by poachers, who evidently seem to be actively trading in wild animal body parts.

"I was at the spot when the post mortem was done. The four vets who were present felt there was no indication of poisoning. In such circumstance, when the carcass has been recovered after three or four days and when there is no circumstantial evidence, we generally take it as natural death," says Mr Hosmath, Field Director, Project Tiger (FDPT, Karnataka).

To reiterate that it is a case of natural death, Mr Hosmath, who like most FDPTs has precious little wildlife background, says: "Except for the claws, the rest of the putrefying carcass was intact. We are investigating. It will take us a while to crack the case and arrest the culprits."

If the KFD does apprehend the poacher(s), it will help to curtail the poaching. But when its “arrest-conviction” record is abysmally low, can we expect it to solve the case? More so, where is an acute shortage (54 per cent) of staff in the 992-sqkm park, which borders Kerala (Waynaad Wildlife Sanctuary) and Tamil Nadu (Madumalai national park).

For the record, poachers had, not long ago, hacked the paw of a tiger and clandestinely taken away 15 of its claws in the Gundre range of the Bandipur National Park in 2009. Even today, the authorities haven’t been able to nab the suspect.

Wildlife conservationists believe that someone might have poisoned the tiger, a straggler, which had been lifting cattle from the village. "Someone who smeared pesticide on a cattle kill
certainly knew of the tiger's impending death. He must have tracked it and taken away the paw the claws. The claws could be on its way to either Mumbai or Delhi, en route to Nepal or China," says Ashok, a wildlife activist.

Interestingly, in 25 tiger deaths (12 of these suspected to be poached) since 2008, only five pelts have been recovered. There is a fear that three more pelts, which fetch Rs 5 to 10 lakh in the international market, are in the process of being sold.

Even as this story is being written, poacher are having a field day in our tiger reserves. Spotted deer, sambar deer and wild boar are being brazenly gunned down for their meat, which is being served in some hotels on the periphery of the national park.
While there is mayhem in our forests, the Karnataka forest minister, who has advertently or inadvertently frazzled the Indian Forest Service cadre with don-quixotic transfers, continues to fiddle in the confines of Vidhana Soudha.

If the minister continues to fiddle without a care in the world, we could wish some of our our dwindling wildlife species goodbye, much, much sooner than what wildlife biologists or doomsayers had predicted them to vanish from the face of the Karnataka landscape.


ends

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Tigers Faced With Tourism Threat In BRT Wildlife Sanctuary

Tigers Faced With Tourism Threat In BRT Wildlife Sanctuary


By Joseph Hoover

Karnataka’s wildlife is faced with a paradoxical situation. While the tigers are being hunted for its pelt and body parts in the Bandipur and Nagarhole National Parks, the critically endangered species is on the road to recovery in the BRT wildlife sanctuary.

The population, a dismal 11 at the turn of the millennium, has increased to an encouraging and sustainable 30. This has been established through genetic studies undertaken by Centre for Cell and Mollecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad.

When our flagship species has recovered from a vulnerable position, more so in a fragile eco-system which has been under severe pressure from the dependency of local people and their livestock, should the Karnataka government open the doors for eco-tourism in this sanctuary?

The Karnataka forest department has been under duress from the powers-that-be to accommodate the wishes of Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra (VGKK) to start eco-tourism activities in BRT for the development of tribals (Soligas). Intriguingly, the Karnataka chief minister Mr Yeddyurrappa, who holds the forest portfolio, had suggested that permission be granted for eco-tourism and participatory forest management on two occasions.

In the first instance, the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), Chamarajnagar, had quashed the proposal, deeming it would impact the already fragmented critical wildlife habitat. The issue had been buried until last week, when the forest minister apparently again recommended the case. We are told that the DCF has again refused permission (February 28, 2010). He has written to the Chief Wildlife Warden (Karnataka), strongly suggesting that the proposal should not be considered in the interest of the wildlife in BRT.

Interestingly, the eco-tourism initiative has been driven by Dr H Sudarshan, a national award winner for his contribution to the cause of tribal development in and around BRT. He does have the interests of the well being of the soligas at heart. He understands that wildlife tourism, which has been raking in dollars, could sustain the VGKK. But should he overlook the predicament of our dwindling wildlife and shrinkin habitats?

Dr Sudarshan has sought permission for taking tourists on jeep safaris and treks in designated trekking trails in the sanctuary with trained tribal guides. In his letter to Mr I B Srivatsava, Principal Chief Conservatior of forests and Chief Wildlife Warden, dated Nov 6, 2007, he has written: “For this initiative to take shape and to offer visitors a first-hand experience of the sanctuary’s wilderness, we request your good offices and the KFD for the necessary Government Order (GO) for VGKK to practice and develop eco-tourism in BRT.”

“The Deputy Conservator of Forests, on receiving the proposal from his seniors, had written: ‘The BRT wildlife sanctuary has a series of fragile eco-systems in existence. The rebuilding process with respect to tiger population in the sanctuary has already been initiated and the increase in tiger population (30) has already been investigated through genetic studies by CCMB, Hyderabad. Further increased dependency on natural resources by the local people and changes in consumption patterns are causing greater demographic impacts in BRT.

“The resource impoverished communities have therefore begun to exert greater pressure directly and indirectly on forest and wildlife. Also, the sustained inflow of tourists to BRT temple through the year and to the K Gudi unit of Jungle Lodges and Resorts Ltd have created tremendous pressure. There always has been serious conflict between tourism and conservation interests of protected areas.

“The paradigm for decision to have eco-tourism or not to have eco-tourism must be that tourism exists for the protected areas and not that the protected areas are for tourism. The Range Forest Officer and Assistant Conservator of Forests, Yellandur, recommend not to allow any new tourism initiative in BRT wildlife sanctuary, based on the situation prevailing at the field level.

“Further, the Government Order issued by the Government of Karnataka vide its Order No FEE GO FAP 2003, dated 28-08-2004 on Wilderness Tourism Policy does not permit any other agency other than government/semi-government organizations to undertake eco-tourism initiative in the Protected Areas.”

The Deputy Conservator of Forests has given his unbiased opinion. If the Karnataka forest minister overrides this decision, he would be imprudent. For, there is fear that eco-tourism operators, who have already bought huge tracts of land in the vicinity of the sanctuary, which is bafflingly home to five thriving coffee and tea estates within its enfolds, would seek permission to take guests/ tourists on wildlife safaris. It could lead to chaos in an already chaotic system.

ends

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Fewer Tigers in the Wild - Article by Joseph Hoover in Times of India

The preliminary tiger estimate submitted by the Tiger Task Force to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh a fortnight ago reveals that the majestic feline is more critically endangered than it was in the last estimate in 2001-2002.

If the controversial pug-mark method had accounted for 3,642 tigers in the country four years ago, the refined methodology approved by the Tiger Task Force and executed by National Tiger Conservation Authority and Wildlife Institute of India indicates that there could be less than 1,700 tigers in the wild now.

The preliminary estimate submitted on November 1, 2007 to the PM by the member secretary, National Board for Wildlife, shows that the central Indian landscape has lost more than half of its population due to poaching and habitat fragmentation. From a robust 1,233 cats, it is now down to 461.

For example, if Madhya Pradesh boasted 710 tigers in 2002, the numbers have drastically come down to 300. The percentage of decline in Chhattisgarh is alarming. If there were an estimated 227 tigers four years ago, there are a mere 26 now. Maharashtra, too, has lost more than half of its population (from a viable 238 to a vulnerable 103).

Rajasthan, which forced the Union government to constitute the Tiger Task Force after tigers vanished from the Sariska and Ranthambore reserves — is left with 32 cats as against 58 in 2002.

With the estimate for central India, done in three phases, being disappointing, conservationists are concerned that the figures for most of India, which is to completed by December 2007, could be even worse.

The NTCA and WII have drawn the attention of the PM, urging him to address the source-link situation on a priority. They have attributed the decimation to fragmentation of habitat.

"The assessment reveals fragmentation of forest connectivity around source population — tiger reserves and protected areas and forest areas outside protected areas. This indicates that they hardly have any viable tiger population. This calls for addressing the source-link situation on a priority," the National Board for Wildlife says.

Though the central India estimate is alarming, Karnataka forest department is confident its tigers are safe in its reserves. "Though the WII is yet to release the figures for Karnataka (401 in 2002), we are confident that we have a viable population. I am sure there are at least 250-300 tigers in our reserves," said chief wildlife warden I B Srivatsava.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2568293.cms?frm=mailtofriend

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Some relief for the critically endangered tiger!

Finally, there is light at the end of the tunnel. A breather. If we were brooding over losing two tigers in four days in Karnataka, there is some relief, albeit in a decision taken by the Karnataka high court. The HC has vacated a stay obtained by Assistant Conservator of Forests, J Kumar to retain his position in the Bandipur National Park.
Transferred from the tiger reserve, the ACF had approached the Karantaka Administrative Tribunal (KAT), contesting the jurisprudence/ authority of his senior officers. Fortunately, the HC quashed the stay, Justice Gopala Gowda implying that it had to be done in the interest of the public. Wow! Wish we get more judgment like these.
The said officer allegedly has a dubious record. When he was the ACF of the Antharsanthe division in the Nagarhole National Park, he was involved in acts which eventually led to his suspension. Itntriguingly, though the suspension order carried a remark that he should never be posted in a wildlife division again, he pulled political strings to have himself posted at Bandipur National park, which is home to 80 critically endangered tigers.
Though the government, as an afterthought, chose to transfer him from the critical and ravaged wildlife habitat, the ACF approached the Karnataka Administrative Tribunal (KAT) and succeeded in obtaining a stay. Senior forest officers were left an exasperated lot. The court order has certainly come as a relief to them. It is victory for wildlife conservationists as well.
But nailing one officer won't redress Karnataka's wildlife problems. If the government, which has disdainfully whittled the power of high-ranking officers (IFS cadre) and rendered them mere rubber stamps, is keen to save India's flagship species (tiger), it would do well to forthwith transfer incompetent RFOs (Range Forets Officers) from tiger habitats.
Evidently, there are only three or four rangers, who are competent and honest. The rest either have no wildlife background or care little for its well being.
Given their political affiliations and their money-power to buy postings (most are auctioned) in the ranges of their choice, they disregard the authority of their immediate bosses.
It is all about money, money, money. It can buy you a posting. It can influence you to fell a huge teak tree to recover your investment.
Often, the timber and mining barons call the shots. They use their cash reserves to get senior officers place in positions of their chose and go about devastating our forests. Wish somebody could deny this fact!
Imagine the plight of our wildlife in Bandipur. There re are 12 ranges in the 992- sqkm national park. If you come across two good officers, you should be lucky. It is good as a lost and parched adventurer finding water in the Sahara desert.
One corrupt officer being relocated is not going to solve issues afflicting our wildlife. We need a political will to right the wrongs before the tiger disappears from our wildlife reserves. It would be pre-budget bonus, if the Karnataka forest minister resolves to act. But will he?

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Another tiger killed in Karnataka

It is frustrating that another young tiger has been poached in Kollegal taluk, bordering the Billigiri Ranga Temple wildilife sanctuary in Karnataka, which boasts of having the highest population (290) of this critically endangered species. The pelt of a young tiger, which had probably just about weaned away from its mother, was recovered this morning (Wednesday, Feb 24, 2010). The seller, Mahadeva, has been arrested. The forest cell is on the trail of two others who apparently sold the pelt to Mahadeva.

As many as five tiger skins have been recovered in the last nine months, indicating that the trade in wildlife products is bigger and larger than what the lackadaisical Karnataka forest department believes. Tigers, leopards and elephants are being poached with impunity, the poachers virtually cocking a snook at the authorities who seem content to laze in the comfort of their officers.

The less said about the forest minister (FM), who is incidentally also the chief minister of Karnataka. That he has barely visited the tiger reserves since taking charge 20 months ago, reflects that he cares very little about wildlife and forests. For some (rather obvious) reason the FM has never commented on the death of a tiger or a leopard. Instead, he has fired those who have espoused the cause of widlife and ecology, putting the fear of reprimand (tranfers) in the hearts of the Indian Forest Service (IFS) cadre. That is the state of affairs of Karnataka's dwindling wildlife and its shrinking habitat.

The forest cell may have nabbed Mahadeva (he has confessed that he bought the skin from a duo from Tamil Nadu), but it will imperative that they get to the root of the trade and crack the poacher-seller-buyer nexus. In the past, arrests of sellers have been made. But the poachers have seldom been traced or arrested.

A year ago, the pelt of a tiger (poached in Bandipur) was recovered by the forest staff near Bagarhole. Two conduits (seller in this case) were arrested. Though they spilled the beans, neither the forest department nor the police could arrest the thug who had shot the tiger. Th ereason: he is a local politician's son. Intriguingly, the files are gathering dust. The poacher reportedly is active again.

In such a scenario, where the poacher walks free, only God can save our wildlife.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Mystery shrouds tiger death in Bandipur

The latest tiger death (on February 20, 2010) in Bandipur national park (Karnataka) is shrouded in mystery. Though the veterinary doctors who did the preliminary tests believe that the tiger wasn't poisoned, a doubt lingers over its actual cause of death. If it had died in natural circumstances, why would one of its paws be removed. Why were the claws yanked out? There are a lot fo questions which the Karnataka forest department would have to answer to convince the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

There is reason to worry that are at least three groups of poachers operating in the vast and porous 992 sqkm tiger reserve. Last August a tigress was found dead in the Gundre range of the park. Two ot its paws had been hacked. The rest of the claws were missing. No arrest has been made in this case as yet.

It is heartening that the Deputy Conservator of Forests, Bandipur) has sought his staff and the forest cell to arrest a few suspects. It will be interesting to see if the department could crack this case. The fact remains that there is a 54 per cent shortage of staff in this national park, which according to statistics from the Wildlife Institute of India is home to 80 critically endangered tigers.

STARTLING FACTS THESE:
•Total number of tiger deaths due to poaching with evident pelt recovery – 4
•Tiger deaths due to territorial fight – 5
•Tiger death due to translocation - 1
•Total number of leopard death due to poaching – 7 pelt recovered

Let's hope the death toll doens't increase.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Tigers in peril

Everytime I switch on the tv or the pc, I come across the aircel campaign ad in support of the tiger. It is indeed comforting that more corporates are getting involved in wildlife conservation. It is great to create awareness and sensitize people of the critical status of our flagship animal. It warms the cockles of my heart that a million and more people have joined Team India captain Mahender Singh Dhoni and soccer star Baichung Bhutia in the campaign to save the awe-inspiring animal from possible extinction. But merely creating a frenzy with numbers and making people comfortable with the thought of participating in the campaign would lead us nowhere.
The need of the hour is to step out of the drawing rooms and make a noise on the street everytime a tiger is lost to poaching due the callousness and complacency of the forest department and the forest minister. We ought to make our ministers accoutable. Until we do this, our tiger will take a beating.
I write out of experience, as I have fought battles for this cause for 15 years. Forest officers don't care. The ministers are thick-skinned. They don't care a damn about our forest and its beautiful denizens. They don't worry about ecology. They don't really care about the well being of the masses. All they care for is moolah (cash).
As I write my first blog and share my views with those who think alike, I hear another tiger has perished in the Bandipur national park. I am told that though it seems to have died out of natural cause, a paw had been severed and taken away. Besides, fifteen claws were found missing. We have to await the post mortem report to assess the cause of death. Was it poisoned?
Frustratingly, this is the fifth tiger death in Bandipur in the last four months.
I hope, the aircel campaign ad whittles down its "alive tigers" numbers. In the first place, I wonder how they got the "1411" figure. Only a genius could have computed it with such accuracy.
Come let's raise a stink to keep our ministers and officers on their toes.