Tigers seek new battlegrounds for the survival

Tiger burning bright in west TN
18 Jun 2009, 0215 hrs IST, Radha Venkatesan, TNN

SATHYAMANGALAM: Want to track a tiger in the wild? Trek into the deep forests of Sathyamangalam, in Erode district of western Tamil Nadu, and you
stand a wild chance of spotting the majestic, striped cat.

In the 1,455-sqkm forests, where no tigers were spotted 10 years ago, evidence of the presence of at least 10 to 12 tigers has been found in the latest wildlife census.

At least three tigers were sighted by the census team, which fanned out in all five ranges of the Sathyamangalam forests. Besides, pug marks and scat of another nine tigers were found. “By direct and indirect census, we can estimate that at least 10-12 tigers are there in the entire Sathyamangalam forest division,” said K Kalidasan, president of OSAI, which conducted the census with the help of 180 volunteers for the state forest department in March and April.

The team also spotted two tigers cooling their heels at water holes and tracked the pug marks of a male tiger in the Bhavanisagar range.

Significantly, the tiger sightings have been outside areas declared as sanctuaries. In fact, the Sathyamangalam forests, parts of which were declared a sanctuary only a few months ago, are not part of the ‘Project Tiger’ initiative, and the latest findings may bolster conservation efforts. These forest ranges are linked to of a contiguous stretch from the Nagarahole, Bandipur and Mudumalai sanctuaries, all tiger reserves.

The Greatest Comeback of all time - Black Leopard Spotted after 67 Years in India

Black leopard spotted after 67 years

Mumbai: Amid reports that habitat destruction is causing the extinction of various species, wildlife enthusiasts have a reason to rejoice. Two trekkers claimed to have seen a black leopard in Sindhudurg district -- for the first time since 1942.

Kolhapur-residents Sachin Kondekar and Abhijit Yadav had gone to Manohar Mansantosh, the twin forts between Amboli and Padgaon on June 3. "At 7.45am, while following a regular trail, we noticed the movement of a strange animal in the hills nearby," said Kondekar, "A closer look with binoculars revealed a black leopard."

Regular trekkers, Yadav and Kondekar have often encountered animals such as bison and antelopes. "This time we were lucky to see a black leopard, which was last seen 67 years backin the forests of Radhanagri Dajipur in 1942," Kondekar said.

Conservator of forests (wildlife), Kolhapur MK Rao confirmed the report. "There were reports of black leopard sightings around Amboli and Padgaon but till date we have had no evidence," said Rao, "The photographs taken have been from far, but the characteristics of the animal in the photo indicate that it is a black leopard."

Environmentalist Sunjoy Monga says there are records of black leopards in the forests of Dandeli on the Karnataka-Maharashtra border. "It is found in high density forests of Western ghats and North India," Monga said. Environmental designer Vibhas Amonkar, too, had seen a black leopard near Mahabaleshwar in 2002. "It was during one of my trips to Mahabaleshwar that I encountered the black leopard," Amonkar said.

MoEF Makes a Right Decision, Hope the same analogy is implied to Gundia Hydro Electric Project also

Hubli-Ankola rail line scrapped

The Centre has refused to give permission to the 167-km Hubli-Ankola railway project, which was to cut through 750 hectares of Uttara Kannada district’s lush green forest.
Sources said the Union Ministry of Forests and Environment has denied clearance to the project citing environmental reasons, sources in the state forest department said.
The Rs 1,000-crore project, for which the foundation stone was laid by the then prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in 1999, was considered to improve the transportation of iron ore from Bellary mines to Mangalore and Karwar ports and also agriculture produce from the north Karnataka districts to other parts of the state.
However, it met with stiff opposition by environmentalists and by the state forest department since it would the project would have required the destruction of around 750 acres of forest land and felling of around 2.65 lakh trees to lay the tracks. The forest department, on the contrary, had suggested a realignment to line parallel to the National Highway.
Meanwhile, acting on a PIL filed by environmentalists from Uttara Kannada, the Supreme Court ordered a stay on the project.
With the recent visit of the Union Minister Jairam Ramesh to Karnataka, the state government once again had appealed to him to look into the issue.
Sources told Express that the Union Minister cancelled the project and in about a day or two would be issuing a final order in this regard, thus dashing hopes of the government which was confident of getting it cleared this time around.
A senior official from the forest department said, ``We are very happy that the project has been stopped since we have been opposing it for a long time.’’ He said the forests where the proposed railway line was supposed to come up, ``was one of the best forests we have’’.
He said the would have have cut across the whole Western Ghats, leaving a trail of disaster for both its ecology and the environment.
He said the proposed project was line was in the heart of the area where there is animal activity. Bisons and elephants roam these areas, he said. ``Hence, we would never allow of the forest to be bifurcated and to lose a big chunk of the natural forests,’’ he said

Ecological disaster waiting to happen? - GHEP

Jayashree Nandi and Nirmala M Nagaraj | TNN



Bangalore: Is Karnataka sitting mutely on an ecological disaster? The government is going ahead with the Gundia hydel power project despite green concerns. In fact, 456 hectares of forest land will be razed in phases, starting November to make way for the project. The pre-construction work has started.
The meteorological department has warned of major impact on climate due to the massive destruction.
According to Wildlife Conservation Society, the project area falls within 9.5 km radius from the boundary of the Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary. The project violates the order of ministry of environment and forests which restricts such activities 10 km from the protected area boundary as it is an eco-sensitive zone.
Gundia is one of the three important locations in Karnataka where the Travancore flying squirrel and the slender Loris are found.

Officials say something else

But the KPCL has its own take. “The proposed project and the catchment areas do not have any wildlife sanctuaries and animal corridors. It is in effect about 30 km away from Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, about 60 km from Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary and about 90 km from the Kudremukh Wildlife Sanctuary. Hence, no impacts on visible sanctuaries and animal corridors are expected. The minor ones, if any, are insignificant.”
Environment Impact Assessment by Institute for Catchment Studies & Environmental Management too says that since there are no migratory species in the zone, the project will not affect any animal corridors.
Interestingly, weather being a significant aspect, the State Meteorology Department has not been consulted either by the Karnataka Power Corporation or by the Environmental Clearance Board.

Met department not consulted

Met department director A Muthuchami said that though Indian Meteorological Department is a member of the ECB in all states, in Karnataka met department officials were not consulted by the board. “Ever since I took over, ECB has not consulted us for any project. So all projects that have been approved by the ECB in the last one and half year do not have the consent of the weather department in the state.”
He said: “Apart from anticipated landslide and inducing seismic events, there is possibility of the project having overall impact on the hydro cycle in the area, resulting in gradual decrease in rainfall.”
As the check dams will be constructed across the streams, downstream areas in the region are likely to be affected from water shortage due to decrease in stream and groundwater table, especially during summer.

Power company unmoved


But the KPCL is firm. “There are not enough employment opportunities, cardamom yields are low, coffee rates are fluctuating. The local people are not bothered about how many frogs or birds will die. A development project like this one is needed and will be taken forward,” KPCL chief engineer S Ramesh said.
“Proposals were submitted two months back and an informal clearance letter has been received. Work will start in November,” he added.
KPCL representatives may meet the environment ministry on June 15 and 16.

MASS DESTRUCTION


456 hectares of forest land will be razed

12 villages, 264 families or 980 persons will be displaced

Impact on microclimate will be severe, rainfall pattern will change, landslides also possible

A Catasrophical Disaster: Panna Tigers from a Population of 40 reduced to Zero

Forest Minister Admits Panna Tiger Reserve Has No Tiger

Forest Minister Rajendra Shukla has admitted that Panna Tiger Reserve doesn’t have the big cat anymore; it’s a tiger-less tiger reserve as of now.

Though the fact was revealed by a central probe committee last month itself, Reserve officials launched a search operation in jungle to look for any sign of the presence of the big cat. However, no sign was to be found.

“’The Madhya Pradesh government has constituted a state-level committee to inquire into reasons behind disappearance of tigers. After submission of its report, action will be taken against guilty officials. An administrative reshuffle has been effected for firming up the system,” Mr Shukla told media persons yesterday.

Pointing out that indications were received about a decline in the state’s tiger population, he claimed that measures were being taken to boost and protect the tiger population. Two tigresses were recently brought to Panna from Kanha and Bandhavgarh and a tiger will soon be conveyed there, he said.

Environment Clearance Report - 2 Years 952 industrial projects approved, intrestingly None Rejected

Environment Clearance Report
In two years, 952 industrial projects have been approved, none rejected. Crucial safety nets to protect our well-being have failed, exposes PRERNA SINGH BINDRA


Going Under: Forests on the banks of the Subansiri might drown
THAT THE repercussions of the environment crisis are more devastating, and far-reaching than the economic slowdown, is established. The key tool used worldwide as a safeguard against the devastating impacts of unplanned and careless industrial expansion is the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA). Unfortunately, in India, the EIA, rather than respect its role as crucial decision making tool, is reduced to a tawdry joke. Sample this: An EIA report lists two tiger species (though the world has only one), two unknown cobra species (if these exist, it’s time to celebrate), Brown Pied Hornbill (there’s no such bird), and Python aculetes (really? Must be new to science!). Other wildlife listed includes red panda, snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, musk deer — all critically endangered species. The conclusion? No major wildlife observed.
Another report counts cows, goats, buffaloes, cats and dogs as endemic fauna species.
These two gems from EIA reports were part of assessments by which clearances were given to development projects likely to have serious environmental and social impact. The second extract, from the EIA of JSW Energy Ltd in the Konkan region, classifies cats and dogs as endemic species, when a six-year-old knows them as pets kept at home. The first extract — replete with fraudulent ‘discoveries’ — pertains to the 3,000 Dibang Multi-Purpose Project in Arunachal Pradesh, the foundation stone of which was laid by the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, in January 2008, in the face of stiff opposition from local tribals, and much before it got environmental clearance — a telling indication that a green signal is a foregone conclusion for a project. And why not?
IN DANGER
Three species threatened by fraudulent clearances
SNOW LEOPARD
This critically endangered animal faces further threat as tracts of its forests may be drowned by hydroelectric projects that have been given the go-ahead
GANGETIC DOLPHIN
Environmental clearances rarely care that dams will endanger the future of dolphins and otters, which require free-flowing rivers, not waters contained by dams
HOOLOCK GIBBONIndia’s only ape may not live another day as its forests in the North-east, part of a globalbiodiversity hotspot, will be flooded thanks to shoddy EIAs

ACCORDING TO investigations by the EIA Response Centre (ERC), an initiative of LIFE (Legal Initiative for Forests and Environment) and documents available exclusively with TEHELKA, in the past two years almost all submitted projects have sailed through the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). Let’s be precise: since September 14, 2006, when the new EIA notification came into force, to September 2008, every industrial project for which approval was sought was cleared: 952 industries approved, none rejected. Nor did the 134 thermal power plants face any environmental hiccups, though it is well-established that such carbon-intensive plants contribute significantly to global warming. The one nuclear plant was approved, while only four construction sites out of a whopping 1,073, and 10 of 587 non-coal mining requests were rejected, raising the question whether the mandate of the MoEF is to protect or destroy the environment.
The law says that major development, infrastructural and industrial projects require an EIA, which must include a comprehensive survey and investigation — including environmental, social and economic repercussions — and be cleared by the Expert Appraisal Committees formed by the Ministry under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. But the law is an ass. And the EIA a farce practiced by the MoEF. Documents with TEHELKA show how the Ministry has ignored environmental and social concerns in the face of glaring omissions, false information and public opposition.
Let’s pursue the JSW Energy Ltd in Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra, which first got into an MoU with the state, and only later applied for environmental clearance. The EIA conveniently ignores the existence of mangroves and reserve forests near the proposed thermal power unit. It also ‘forgets’ to mention that the area falls under the Ratnagiri- Sindhudhurg Regional Plan, which excludes thermal plants from the list of permitted industries. Telling of the EIA’s callousness is that it fails to assess the impact on fisheries and mango crops, which form the backbone of the local economy. Ratnagiri is the home of the Alphonso mango, which is exported across the globe. It is established that air pollutants from coal-fired thermal plants damage mango crops, and consequently the market for this highquality mango has already been affected. Rues Pradeep Parulekar, a lawyer based in the region, who has been campaigning against the project, “The cumulative impact of the various power projects and mines will ruin this region, its marine life and mango crops. We have already received letters from our exporters that if there are thermal power plants with sulphur dioxide emissions — as with JSW — our mangoes will not be acceptable under GAP (Good Agriculture Practice). We have already seen the sham of an EIA in the JSW case — I don’t hold hope for any others in the pipeline.” Need one mention that nothing of this carried weight with the MoEF, which, in its infinite wisdom, gave it the go-ahead.
SAYS CONSERVATIONIST Bittu Sahgal, “The MoEF was entrusted with protecting our life support systems like river, corals, forests and mountains. It has failed. Its officers have the notion that their job is to remove all obstacles and facilitate the speedy construction of dams, roads, or thermal plants. The MoEF has lost the plot.”
JSW and the Dibang project are just two tales in a saga of fraudulent EIAs. The EIA that procured clearance for Ashapura Minechem’s mining projects was simply a copy of a Russian bauxite mine report, and has bloopers like: “The primary habitat near the site, for birds, is the spruce forests and the forests of mixed spruce and birch.” Forests found in northern temperate regions, not in the tropical ecology and vegetation of Ratnagiri, the mine’s site.
Another example of the EIA’s cyclostyle method is the Vishnugad Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project. This EIA refers to the riverbed of the Teesta, the lifeline of Sikkim, though the project is actually located on the river Alaknanda in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand.
Even the MoEF admits that most EIAs are cut-paste jobs, “mainly executed by fly-by-night operators. Any Tom, Dick and Harry may do it — there’s no registration system.” But, the MoEF official hurriedly adds, “there are checks and balances to check faulty EIAs.” This refers to the National Environment Appellate Authority (NEAA), to whom aggrieved parties may appeal. “A futile exercise,” points out Ritwick Dutta, co-convenor of ERC, which has monitored and challenged faulty approvals, often based on fraudulent EIAs, for two years. “The NEAA has dismissed every appeal filed in the last 11 years — since it was formed — save one. A major flaw in the clearance process is that EIAs are prepared by consultants employed by the proponent of the project, and are biased towards getting clearance,” he adds. The NEAA hasn’t even had a chairperson for eight years, and no vice-chair for three.
Renowned environmentalist Claude Alvaris cites Goa as a classic victim of the laissez faire manner of giving environment clearances. “After 2005, almost all mines have been given environment clearance. The first set of mining leases were cleared in a belt of one kilometre from wildlife sanctuaries, and even to leases located within wildlife sanctuaries! The clearances for mines in a small state like Goa has crossed 160! It’s become the easiest parcha to get. Even if there are state policies that don’t allow certain types of industries, the Ministry clears them.”
WHEN, RARELY, the MoEF does ask for additional EIAs, it does little good. The Lower Subansiri Hydel-Project on the Arunachal-Assam border is a classic example. This is expected to drown 3,500 ha of pristine forest, part of a rich biodiversity hotspot — but the EIA glossed over this. Under pressure from various conservation bodies, an additional six-day study was produced. This included comments like, “The long and vast waterbody created by the reservoir will be a happy haunt for aquatic creatures.” Someone please inform these experts that still waters do not make happy haunts for native aquatic species, which need fast-flowing rivers. If it wasn’t tragic, it would be funny.
In a democracy, public participation is supposedly important, especially regarding a project with major implications for the local populace. However, public concerns have been callously dismissed. The first public hearing for the Tapaimukh Multipurpose Project was held at Tamenglong, Manipur, about 300 km from the site. This project is set to drown 270 sq kms (roughly half the size of Corbett Tiger Reserve) of forest in one of India’s two biodiversity hotspots, and cut 84 lakh trees. Similarly, in the case of Monnet Ispat and Energy Ltd in Raigarh district, Chattisgarh, the public hearing, was postponed, after which it was never held, even as the administration, on which also rests the responsibility, remained a mute spectator. They even began work without environment clearance. Regardless, clearance was granted on 26 December, 2007.
Public opposition is of little consequence. The Borga Iron Ore mine in South Goa was resisted by locals who feared loss of agricultural productivity and damage to water bodies. In the public hearing, the additional collector noted that “not one member of the public was in favour of restarting the mine.” But the mine is set to begin operation.
“The writing is on the wall: India has no environmental governance systems. If this continues, we might as well give up the pretence of environmental protection, public hearings, etc and say we can’t afford restrictive laws and prohibitory conservation measures — rather than waste taxpayers’ money over non-functional institutions,” says Dutta.
The problem is that the EIA process — ‘reformed’ in 2006 from an already weak policy — is geared to be investment friendly, not protect the environment. It aims “to do away with cumbersome environmental and forest clearance procedures.” Most EIAs, especially those on mines, are dismissed by Rapid EIA reports — studies done and data collected in just three months — though the EIA manual stipulates that over a year should be the norm for studies. Efforts to meet both the MoEF secretary, Vijai Sharma, and the Minister of State for Environment, Namo Narayan Meena, were resisted. This reporter attempted to meet the minister, but was refused entry by his private secretary, Rajeev Kumar, who dismissed the subject: “The minister cannot answer such conceptual questions. It’s nothing to do with him. He has nothing to do with policy. He merely passes on the papers to the PMO — the PM also holds the portfolio of the Union Minister of Environment and Forests.”
The watchdog for India’s environment has become a pet of the industrial and mining lobby.

Forest Rights Act: A blueprint for future conservation

Forest Rights Act: A blueprint for future conservation

By Tushar Dash
The Forest Rights Act has been opposed by those who fear it will pave the way for the destruction of forests and wildlife. But in Orissa there is evidence that the Act is in fact being used by local communities to strengthen their conservation initiatives
The Badrama Wildlife Sanctuary in Sambalpur district is one of 18 protected areas in the state of Orissa. Around 30 villages are located inside the sanctuary area, inhabited mainly by tribal communities that depend on the forest for their livelihood. As in other forest areas of the state, the livelihoods of these forest-dwellers had been severely disrupted because of the absence of legal recognition of their right to access common forest and land resources.
Badrama Abhyaranya Vikas Parishad, a people’s organisation formed by youth from villages inside the sanctuary area, has been working on issues like non-settlement of rights of tribal communities, restrictions on collection of minor forest produce, recognition of community conservation initiatives, and participatory management of protected areas for a number of years and has tried to evolve a framework to balance conservation and livelihood.
The Forest Rights Act of January 2008 has created an opportunity not only to secure local communities’ right to access forests but also to set out a rights-based framework for conservation and natural resource governance. Under the aegis of the Parishad, people from around 30 villages inside the sanctuary area, who are actively involved in the protection of forests and wildlife, have used the Act to strengthen their conservation initiatives. The villages already have forest protection groups with well developed rules and regulations for the protection of forests and sustainable use of resources.
In these villages, the rights determination process has gone hand-in-hand with another process – the setting up of conservation and development committees in each village, under Section 5 of the Act. This section empowers the gram sabha and the community to protect, conserve and manage community forest resources and also to stop activities that are detrimental to local resources. They also plan to chalk out community biodiversity management plans to protect and use forest resources and biodiversity sustainably. These plans will be based on existing traditional practices, knowledge, rules and regulations on conservation developed and evolved by each community. When the plans are developed, the Parishad hopes to advocate for mainstreaming them in the management of the sanctuary and adjoining areas. This will necessitate changes in the existing management and working plans formulated by conservation agencies of the government.
The Parishad also aims to explore how other provisions of the law, like the Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas Act (PESA), National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), Biological Diversity Act (BDA), and government watershed and soil conservation programmes can be used with the Forest Rights Act to strengthen community conservation initiatives and make productive use of community forest resources. For example, volunteers from village-level committees are actively involved in fire management work during the ‘fire season’. They are now demanding that conservation-related work such as forest fire management be included in the NREGS so that productive work can be generated out of the conservation process which, in turn, could provide incentives to the local community to participate in the community conservation process. Such integration could also lead to the realisation of ecological objectives of the NREGA that are neglected in the implementation plan and programmes. In addition, the organisation will try to influence panchayati raj institutions to integrate community-based resource management plans with the local governance agenda.
Badrama is not the only example in Orissa where the Forest Rights Act has helped the community conservation process. There are over 10,000 self-initiated forest protection groups in the state that have been fighting for legal rights over the community conservation process. Using this Act, community conservation groups in other parts of Orissa have also claimed rights over community forests and resources that they have traditionally been protecting. In Nayagarh district, forest protection groups have claimed rights over community forests under their protection. As have groups in other areas where the community forest management (CFM) process has been struggling for recognition and has held out against the joint forest management (JFM) process which often conflicts with the community conservation approach and practices. The Forest Rights Act now provides an opportunity for various community conservation groups to assert their rights over conservation in line with their own diverse management practices.
While the Act has directly helped the conservation process by recognising the rights of communities to conserve and manage community forest resources, it has also built hope for endangered communities to renew their efforts to save forests and resources threatened by massive industrialisation and mining. Niyamgiri, in Orissa’s Kalahandi district, is a case in point where primitive tribal groups like the Kutias and Dongrias have long protected the sacred forests and have fought to assert their traditional rights over them, in order to save them from unsustainable development projects. The Forest Rights Act’s particular provisions on the rights of primitive tribal groups, traditional and customary rights, and rights over community forest resources have given these people a chance to claim rights over sacred groves and sacred hills that are on the verge of destruction thanks to ongoing development projects in the area.
There are many such examples of how the law has created an opportunity to address issues of livelihood and the rights of forest communities. More importantly, the important issue of forest conservation.
Since its enactment, the Forest Rights Act has been challenged on grounds that it does not have any conservation potential and that recognition of rights would adversely affect forests and wildlife. But, as seen in the above examples, the emerging situation at the grassroots level is encouraging. The fact is that, until now, the conservation potential of the Forest Rights Act has either been overlooked or not yet fully explored. By securing the rights of communities over common property resources, the law has not only secured livelihoods for communities, it has also provided a framework for the protection, conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. This framework of rights and empowered conservation can be sustained and strengthened if, in addition to community and civil society efforts, the government focuses on the emerging opportunities.
The latest status report released by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MOTA) reveals that only 271,352 individual claims and 20,172 community claims have been filed at village-level committees so far. This means that the Act has reached only 20% of dependent communities; most have been left out of the process.
What is worrying is that community rights, which form a key component of the Act, are lagging behind. In many places, implementing agencies have not responded positively to community claims and have dealt only with individual rights. This suggests that there is a clear lack of commitment on the part of the implementing agencies to ensure rights over common lands and forest resources to the community. There is a need to renew work on this neglected aspect of the Act.
The following are some areas that require collective work among communities, civil society and government authorities.
There are a number of empowering provisions in the Forest Rights Act that have not yet been fully explored and implemented. There is a need to focus on rights such as a) right of protection and conservation of community forest resources, b) right of access to biodiversity, and community rights to intellectual property and traditional knowledge related to biodiversity and cultural diversity, c) other traditional and customary rights of forest communities, d) rights of primitive tribal groups and pre-agricultural communities.

Community rights secured under the Act, along with the empowered authority vested in the community and the gram sabha to protect forests and biodiversity, have brought about significant changes in the paradigm of conservation governance by laying a framework for rights-based conservation that encourages community participation and ownership and includes community conservation practices. This is a landmark shift in the process of conservation governance; its importance and potential must be appreciated by the government, conservation agencies and the community at large. Future conservation strategies need to be worked out on the basis of this changed framework. Ironically, government agencies have not yet come to terms with the conservation opportunities offered by the Forest Rights Act, let alone begun working on them. In Orissa, the government has recently embarked on a capacity-building programme which aims to cover all JFM committees within the next one decade, and will involve a huge investment. Government and conservation agencies need to appreciate opportunities in the Forest Rights Act, in the form of CFR rights and the empowered role of the community in conservation, and go beyond the JFM approach to strengthen the self-initiated community conservation process in the state. This would also require a role change for conservation agencies, in the changing scenario.

There is a need for creative integration of laws like the Forest Rights Act, the Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas Act, the Biological Diversity Act, the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and programmes for watershed development and soil conservation to provide greater space for community conservation groups to assert their rights over community forest resources and evolve ways for productive and sustainable use of resources.

Even after the enactment of the Forest Rights Act, forest clearances have been issued on forest land in areas claimed to be community forest resources. As the process of recognition and vesting of rights continues, and communities claim rights over common forest resources, the government authorities must refrain from giving away common resources over which communities have a substantial claim. Consultations must be held with the concerned gram sabha and with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs before any forest clearance for development projects goes ahead.

Finally, the political leadership must realise the importance of the Forest Rights Act in solving longstanding issues of rights, livelihood and conservation. It is unfortunate that in the 2009 elections, the issue of forest rights and implementation of the Forest Rights Act does not figure in the priorities of any political party as is evident from the election manifestos released so far, both at the state and national level.

A Ray of Renewed Hope at Sariska

Sariska tigers mate, first litter by monsoon end8 Jun 2009, 0041 hrs IST, Abantika Ghosh, TNNNEW DELHI: More than four years after the Sariska Tiger Reserve earnedworldwide notoriety for having lost its entire tiger population, hopesare high that the reserve will finally have its ``own'' tigers again.The three relocated tigers - two females and a male, all of them fromRanthambore - have taken to their new habitat very well and have beenmating. Two were recently ``caught in the act'' by a WildlifeInstitute of India researcher and the second tigress - which has beenmating with the male since November - according to WII officials, isin the family way.Tigers have a gestation period of about 100 days and WII expertsexpect the first litter to arrive before the end of the monsoon.According to WII research coordinator K Shankar, the two tigresses areaware of each other's presence but have not met so far probablybecause ``they are keen to avoid confrontation.'' While one of themhas settled in Bagani - the site of a village which was relocated outof Sariska last year as part of the initiative to make the forestsafer for tigers - the other, pregnant female has marked theSariska-Kalighatti valley as its ``territory''. It was the Baganifemale which was photographed with the tiger. The first tiger wasbrought to Sariska on June 28, 2008, the second on July 5 and thethird on February 25 this year.Shankar said mating does not necessarily result in pregnancy becausetigers have induced ovulation. ``The female releases the egg only whenshe is comfortable enough in her surroundings and feels that she isready to raise a litter. The Kalighatti female seems to have doneso,'' he said.Happy as they are at the prospect of the striped beauties returning toSariska, Shankar said there was hardly any doubt that the tigers wouldbreed. As members of the cat family, tigers are prolific maters. Thereal challenge, he added, is to save the coming generation frommeeting the same fate as their predecessors in the forest.``Tigers did not die out from Sariska. They were poached. There is anelaborate plan in place now to protect them. There are 100 homeguardsand another 100 ex-servicemen who have been recruited. All the olderguards have been shifted out of forest duty so that there is an entirestaff of young people patrolling the forest. Poaching routes have beenidentified and the intelligence network has been strengthened,''Shankar said.

WHAT IS ECO- TOURISM BY Sanjay Gubbi

.

WHAT IS ECO-TOURISM?
By Sanjay Gubbi
Tourism Vs. wildlife conservation
So, are wildlife reserves meant for wild
animals, or for the entertainment of humans? Is
there a link between promoting tourism and
wildlife conservation? During my work in both
Nagarahole and Bandipur, I have seen that
though the volume of park-based tourism has
substantially increased, there are few benefits
that have flowed to the forest or wildlife from
tourism entrepreneurs. The private sector, the
main engine of tourism development,
contributes very little, apart from meagre entry
fees. On the contrary, new roads and view lines,
being constructed to facilitate tourism, are
Sanctuary Asia, October 2008
had two cubs in tow. I knew it was futile to calm
the people in my vehicle. The ones with the
vantage point refused to budge. For all practical
purposes, these tourists were shouting and
behaving much the same as visitors watching
tigers in a zoo. Amidst this chaos, the mother
stood cautiously at the edge of the vegetation; the
cubs crouched some 10 m. behind. Silently, the
tigress turned towards the bushes, her rust-gold
coat blending quickly with the shrubbery. The
cubs followed. And then they were gone.
The people were disappointed at not being
able to see the tigers out in the open. I was
disappointed with the people.
Today tourism is ubiquitous in the best
sanctuaries and national parks and this is fast
becoming the principal means by which people
are able to experience and interact with wild
nature. The Corbett and Ranthambhore Tiger
Reserves, in the north, have their counterparts
in the Nagarahole and Bandipur National Parks
of Karnataka and Periyar in Kerala where people
with disposable incomes visit in increasing
numbers. With a high concentration of Asiatic
elephants or significant populations of tigers,
such reserves offer a huge wildlife tourism
potential since large charismatic mammals can
be sighted with little difficulty.

The term eco-tourism first
appeared in the 1970s but became
a buzz word in the early ‘90s in
western countries. The Quebec
Declaration (UNEP/WTO 2002)
suggested five criteria to define eco-
tourism, which are: nature-based
product,minimalimpact
management,environmental
education; and contribution to
conservation and the local
community. In India, tourism to
wildlife destinations in the garb of
eco-tourism is already a popular
concept, however the term is by and
large misused. In practice it is used
as an ‘eco-sell’ marketing tool. The terms used are numerous: eco-tour, eco-travel, eco-adventure,
eco-safari. Google the word ‘eco-tourism, India’ and one gets a plethora of websites claiming
to be involved in eco-tourism. A more scientific explanation for eco-tourism is “environmentally
responsible travel to natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature that promote
conservation, have a low visitor impact and provide for beneficially active socio-economic
involvement of local peoples”. It can be distinguished from other forms of tourism by its
emphasis on conservation, education, traveller responsibility and active community participation.
lucrative business. Hotels and resorts,
restaurants, souvenir shops, travel agents and
others who benefit directly or indirectly from
wildlife tourism, should contribute directly
towards wildlife protection, perhaps through
a distinct Protected Area Conservation Tax or
some such instrument that benefits the local
forest department and its staff.
Put simply, tourism owes it to the nation
to help protect destinations and the animals
that constitute such a lucrative source of
income. And this income should, ideally,
benefit local communities directly so that their
lives are improved and their relationship with
the parks is less antagonistic.
Estimates suggest that wildlife tourism is
growing at 10-12 per cent annually in India.
This is when people should be sitting together
to ensure that low-impact tourism, in
consonance with Protected Area management,
is the order of the day. In its current form,
what passes for wildlife tourism lacks focus,
discipline and sensitivity to wildlife
conservation and to local cultures.
Wildlife landscapes should be seen as
outdoor educational classrooms rather
than recreational locations. Undoubtedly,
well-implemented, scientific and
environmentally sustainable wildlife tourism
can win public support for conservation. But
this should follow scientific guidelines and
we must have trained, motivated education
staff employed by both government and
private sectors. The true test of eco-tourism
should be its ability to motivate visitors to
move from passive appreciation to concern
and then action to protect our threatened
natural heritage.
NGOs or academic institutions can
provide technical and educational support
to effective wildlife tourism efforts
through planning, monitoring and
research. Additionally, scientifically-designed
programmes for guides, safari drivers, and other
support services are vital and this is where
NGOs could play a very positive role.
Some years ago, on instructions from the late Prime Minister of India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi, the practice of baiting lions
for macabre ‘shows’ was stopped. This has vastly improved the quality of the viewing experience of visitors whose
support for wildlife conservation should be actively sought through the tourism interface.

New initiatives

The activities of three eco-development
committees in the Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR)
are examples that should be emulated. My
research on the India Eco-development Project
(IEDP) at Periyar provided me with close
insights into their work. The local Mannan,
Paliyan and Urali tribals, and former poachers
and timber smugglers directly manage a part of
the tourism activity and distribute the benefits
between themselves. This eco-tourism activity,
the flag bearer of the IEDP provided a source of,
primary occupation to about 1.5 per cent of the
targeted 5,540 households, which goes to show
that this can work; and that well-managed eco-
tourism can bring revenue and provide
sustainable livelihoods to some local
communities. However, it would be a mistake
to presume that this can be scaled up through
replication of such activities in the whole of
Periyar Tiger Reserve or in all PAs. These activities
need specific, thoughtful planning and
motivated staff to implement them.
Novel ideas that can provide viable
economic development alternatives for local
communities, based on tourism, are urgently
required. At places such as Nagarahole, where
forest-dwelling communities have been resettled
outside the park, they could still benefit from
low-impact tourism activities. People from such
communities would make excellent guides and
many could find gainful employment as guards
too. The more entrepreneurial among them
could be trained to carry out guided walks in
reserved forests adjacent to the national park for
those who wish to step off the beaten track.
Coffee plantations with natural tree cover are,
of course, already popular as home-stays and
they are good destinations for birding and
watching small animals.
Winning support
The key focus of wildlife tourism should
be on winning supporters for conservation.
This must offer economic benefits to locals
whose leadership and skills need to be honed
in ways that enable some to earn greater
incomes than can be offered to cooks, drivers,
gardeners, or cleaners. Essentially, livelihoods
need to offer better economic security so that
people themselves move away from options
such as marginal agriculture and animal
husbandry. Wherever possible, local
communities must own tourism facilities, or
have a distinct share in the profits.
This is new territory for the authorities too,
and we must therefore be open to new scientific
guidelines and polices that direct wildlife tourism
to go beyond conventional tourism. For
instance, carrying capacity is undefined for most
of our PAs. This capacity must not be determined
by politicians or bureaucrats, but rather by
ecologists who have a better understanding of
how forest ecosystems work. Enforcement is
poor. This is a fact. Fortunately, the National
Tiger Conservation Authority has brought in
new guidelines to restrict tourism activities in
tiger reserves. These need to be implemented
effectively and if this is done, it is the tourism
industry that will be the first beneficiary of the
rejuvenated biodiversity that is bound to follow.
In the past few decades, we have seen
almost every kind of tourism wrapped in a
veneer of green. This cannot be allowed, or
conflicts between conservationists and the
tourism industry are inevitable. After all,
people will continue to visit parks only if the
forest is alive with wildlife. Similarly, cornering
all the benefits of tourism by the ‘big boys’
will prove to be counter productive.
Responsible visitors want to see their money
benefiting communities. They want to know
that their money helps wildlife. This must be
the very purpose of tourism.

Someone in the bus shouted, “tiger, tiger!”
Immediately, the driver turned the vehicle,
spewing dust in the process, towards the
direction that had been frantically pointed out.
That cold February morning, I was in the
Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan. I
could see the stripes between the sparse
vegetation and the short leafless trees. It had
been beautifully camouflaged until now!
Suddenly, there were eight more vehicles that
zoomed in on the location, each jockeying for
position, literally encircling the unfortunate tiger.
There were shouts across vehicles, and even
more excitement when it was discovered that she
40
fragmenting more wildlife habitats every day,
leading to increased disturbance.
“In the monsoons, mud roads in tourism
areas are badly damaged by resort vehicles
making the mobility of departmental vehicles
for protection duty difficult,” says Sunil Panwar,
Assistant Conservator of Forests, Nagarahole.
In Nagarahole, the government had set
conditions that each resort should ensure
maintenance of two anti-poaching camps, but
this is not being seen in practice. A mandatory
distance of 30 m. is to be maintained between
each vehicle while watching wildlife; this
guideline, too, is ignored. Despite this, day by
day, there is pressure to permit new resorts to
operate in Nagarahole. In many areas, wildlife
tourism has also led to negative socio-cultural
impacts resulting in conflicts between local
communities and investors, and consequent
animosity towards wildlife conservation.
Tourism for wildlife conservation
This said, I would add that wildlife tourism
has the potential to be a useful tool that could
be synergised with wildlife conservation. But
for this to happen, a complete overhaul is
required. A good first step would be to enforce
existing laws and policies so that the worst
impacts of tourism are subdued.

CityThese techies go wild during weekends

CityThese techies go wild during weekends
Meet these corporate volunteers who spend their free time in forests for the cause of protecting wildlife
Niranjan Kaggere Posted On Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at 12:53:20 AM


Weekends are, naturally, the treasured days for the city techies and corporate associates. After a hectic week, many of them throng the swanky malls, pubs, discos and multiplexes these two days to unwind. But far from the din and bustle of the city, a group of volunteers, a majority of them are corporate professionals, spends its weekends protecting wildlife.
Weekend 'classes'Every weekend, they travel all the way to Bandipur and Nagarhole to educate the road-users and drivers on the rules they should follow in the forest areas. They ask people to drive slowly to prevent road accidents that involve animals.
And they paint the roads to alert vehicle users about the passing of animals during the night and day. All this is part of an initiative taken by the city-based Kenneth Anderson Nature Society (KANS) and its massive field conservation programme.
Active volunteeringAccording to Laxmeesha Acharya, president of the society, the conservation programme started during the 54th Wildlife Week celebrations in late October 2008. "Since then, the programme is gaining momentum with the active participation of interested people who volunteer themselves for a cause despite their busy schedule. One team dedicates its weekends for a month and every month, the teams of volunteers keep changing. The fourth such monthly activity since the inception of the programme will be held on Jan 25 and 26," he said.
Explaining the importance of such an initiative, Laxmeesha says, "In Karnataka, many forest areas have either the state highway or national highway passing through them. The density of traffic is very high and vehicles go at a very high speed. This puts wildlife in great danger. Though the roads cannot be blocked completely, useful alternatives can mitigate the risk. Hence, we started educating people on the importance of following traffic rules inside the forest areas. We have been guided by people who have gained expertise in wildlife conservation."
Multilingual presentationsThe volunteers have designed their presentations in Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil and English. "We distribute these pamphlets to vehicle users who pass through the Bandipur National Park. A few drivers take the materials and leave, while many of them stop and listen to our presentations which take just a few minutes. Sometimes, we explain to them the dangers involved in speed driving through detailed presentations comprising pictures," explained a volunteer.
"Not just the drivers, but also travellers in buses are also educated about the issue. We work all through the day educating the vehicle users. On a normal day, around 1,000 vehicles pass through Bandipur. The traffic surges during festivals and weekends," says Laxmeesha.
Besides this, the team also ventures out to Rajiv Gandhi (Nagarhole) National Park and takes up road maintenance work. "Volunteers work on aligning the speed breakers and improve their visibility by painting them. Moving further with the programme, we plan to take up the same activity in the Melagiri region of Krishnagiri district in Tamil Nadu which is an important elephant corridor," says another member.

Ore town gathers rust

Bellary: China's seemingly insatiable demand for iron ore led to a mining boom in Bellary six years ago. Then the Olympics drew to an end, and so did the economic boom years. Now demand has dried up and an entire workforce that came up around mining is in limbo. DNA visits Bellary to see the effects of this enormous fly-by-night operation.

Conversations in Bellary tend to veer towards mining -- the single activity that made it 'notorious' and wealthy overnight. 'Digging' is a commonly used English word in the villages too. There is always talk of the past, the glory years, of packed restaurants and parking lots, of traffic choking the city, of mine owners' clout in the Vidhana Soudha, of small entrepreneurs, farmers, and landlords raking in the moolah. Around seven years ago, when China began shopping for the ore from the heartlands of Karnataka at exorbitant prices, Bellary fell all over itself to satiate the country's appetite. As the curtains came down on the Olympics in China, Bellary's dream run to quick money also fizzled out, leaving behind a trail of woes. A Lokayukta report last year on 'illegal mining' in the area only expedited the rapidly declining industry's downfall.

The boom, that lasted 6-7 years, coursed through the mineral-rich district like a hurricane, tearing apart farmlands, flattening small entrepreneurs under burdensome loans, and filling the coffers of miners who were already flying high in choppers that their mines paid for. Now, the landscape is a dreary reminder of the 'prosperity' it had once seen. Desolate dhabas, petrol pumps, idling trucks and daily wagers, and loan defaulters speak of the time when fortune smiled on everyone.
"I used to earn Rs500-600 per day. Now, only Rs300," says Abdul Kareem, 42, owner of a tiny shop in Sandur taluk. This father of five is managing to make ends meet just as friend and truck driver B Basha is. The quality of life has dropped, he says, since his incentives were slashed after the prices for iron ore fell in the global market. Prices went up as high as $145 per tonne and dropped to less than $50 per tonne. "Earlier, we bought rice that cost Rs25. Now, we eat rice that costs Rs18. No more weekly non-veg meals," he says. Basha makes Rs5,000 a month now, Rs3,000 less than what he earned ferrying employees of steel plants. That's barely enough to provide for his family of ಇಘ್ತ್

The boom, that lasted 6-7 years, coursed through the mineral-rich district like a hurricane, tearing apart farmlands, flattening small entrepreneurs under burdensome loans, and filling the coffers of miners who were already flying high in choppers that their mines paid for. Now, the landscape is a dreary reminder of the 'prosperity' it had once seen. Desolate dhabas, petrol pumps, idling trucks and daily wagers, and loan defaulters speak of the time when fortune smiled on everyone.
"I used to earn Rs500-600 per day. Now, only Rs300," says Abdul Kareem, 42, owner of a tiny shop in Sandur taluk. This father of five is managing to make ends meet just as friend and truck driver B Basha is. The quality of life has dropped, he says, since his incentives were slashed after the prices for iron ore fell in the global market. Prices went up as high as $145 per tonne and dropped to less than $50 per tonne. "Earlier, we bought rice that cost Rs25. Now, we eat rice that costs Rs18. No more weekly non-veg meals," he says. Basha makes Rs5,000 a month now, Rs3,000 less than what he earned ferrying employees of steel plants. That's barely enough to provide for his family of eight

Wildlife at Cross Roads By Sanjay Gubbi

Sanctuary Asia, June 2003 Sanctuary Asia, June 2008 CONSERVATIONMay 1999: As I slowly drive in broad daylight on theMysore-Mananthavadi road in the southern part of the NagaraholeNational Park in Karnataka, I sense a faint movement, about 50 m.to the left, in the bushes along the road. Quickly but quietly, Ibring my vehicle to a halt. The source of the movement is a leopardunder a tamarind tree just behind the bush! As I watch the animalthrough my binoculars, a wonderful sight unfolds. The animalseems restless, then carefully scans the road, first left and thenright, then pads very delicately onto the tarmac. Behind the adult,follow two little, fluffy, spotted cubs. They cross the road andquietly fade into the undergrowth. I am overwhelmed by theenormity of the sighting.April 2000: As we drive back after our line-transect surveycounting tiger prey, I am again on the same road to reach our campat Kaimara on Karnataka’s border with Kerala. Robin Vijayan, afresh wildlife graduate, is my companion. It is twilight and in thefading light, we notice an animal walking ahead on the road.Amazingly, it is the striped predator. As the animal pads across theroad, she sprays urine on several trees on the fringes, marking herterritory. We switch off the engine and without disturbing her,push our vehicle forward using our feet on the ground throughopen doors. We follow the amber-eyed cat for about 1.5 km. beforeshe vanishes into the forest under the cover of lantana bushes.The road on which I had my cat sightings runs parallel to theKabini reservoir sandwiched between Nagarahole and BandipurTiger Reserves. It passes through one of the largest contiguouswildlife habitats in the country. Nagarahole, Bandipur, Nugu andBramhagiri in Karnataka, Wynaad and Arlam in Kerala, Mudumalaiin Tamil Nadu are all Protected Areas and these and other ReservedForests, including Nilgiri and Talaimalai form part of the colossalNilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Large mammal biomass in parts ofNagarahole is an incredible 15,000 kg./sq. km. and equals the EastAfrican plains. It has one of the highest densities of tigers anywherein the world (12/100 sq. km. compared to about 1/100 sq. km. inthe Russian Far East). There is no better place to see Asiatic elephantsthan the backwaters of the Kabini reservoir that supports the largestcongregation of these pachyderms. Chital densities are as high as50 per sq. km. and I would say that wild species are lucky to beborn here.Over the years, this wildlife has had more than its share ofproblems. For decades, forest officials, conservationists andresearchers have all contributed in different ways to make it safefor wildlife. Forest officers M. H. A. Shaik, S. G. Neginhal,C. Srinivasan, K. M. Chinnappa, S. N. Devaraju and A. T. Poovaiah,forest guards Kuttappa and Subbaiah, tiger biologist and Directorof the Wildlife Conservation Society-India Programme Dr. K.UllasKaranth and many others have all fought tooth and nail to ensurethat the rich biodiversity of this landscape is not destroyed. Theyhave also fought hardcore poachers, timber smugglers, landgrabbers and ill-planned government policies and educated localsand officials about conservation. They have toiled for fairresettlement of tribals to ensure a win-win situation for people andwildlife, supported good decisions of the forest department andprovided alternate compensation for non-tribals who were lookingfor better livelihoods and access to basic amenities outside thenational park.Like me, many motorists on the Mysore-Mananthavadi roadhave had memorable wildlife sightings. But this road, like othersin wildlife habitats across the country, also places animals at graverisk. In September 2003, a breeding tigress, no match for a speedingtruck, was found along the roadside bleeding heavily. It has beenseen that roads in PAs not only lead to wildlife mortality fromspeeding vehicles, but also modify animal behaviour, affect naturalmovement patterns, alter reproductive behaviour, disrupt migrationcorridors and shift animals’ home ranges. Roads act as barriers togene flow and also alter the physical environment of ecosystems.Experts add that spread of invasive plant species also increases.Roads also facilitate increased use of areas by humans, often forillegal activities such as timber smuggling and wildlife poaching.Despite the many obvious problems posed by roads throughwildlife areas, more roads are being planned in Nagarahole, by thestate government, supported by the World Bank, including ahighway that will cut right through the tiger reserve.FUNDING DEATH – THE WORLD BANKThe proposed World Bank-funded highway (See SanctuaryVol. XXIV No. 5, October 2004) between Mysore andMananthavadi will bisect the small but very crucial corridor thatconnects Nagarahole with Bandipur and thereafter with other areas(see map on page 35). This corridor is crucial for dispersion,migration of wildlife between these different forests and is anall-important link that ensures gene flows so critical to the healthof wildlife populations. In summer, several hundred elephants reachthe backwaters of Kabini for fodder and water and later return tothe forests using this very corridor. Upgrading it to highway statusas envisaged will place these animals in jeopardy.Unfortunately, the road is being pushed through despite thepragmatic suggestions and caution that Dr. Ullas Karanthcommunicated to Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick, the consultant assignedto work on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The keysuggestion was that a major part of the highway be diverted outsidethe national park. The diversion route not only reduces the lengthof the road passing within the national park but also providestransportation connectivity to nearly 50,000 villagers residing inNo match for a speeding truck, this full-grown tigress was found bleeding to death on the Mysore-Kalpetta road. Roads in PAs not only lead to wildlife mortality from speedingvehicles, but also modify animal behaviour, affect natural movement patterns, alter reproductive behaviour, disrupt migration corridors and shift animals’ home ranges!Wildlifeby Sanjay Gubbi‘Roads’ at crossLISTED BELOW ARE GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INSTALLINGWILDLIFE CROSSINGS
Wider crossings for animals are better.
Different types of crossings are required to accommodatespecies as different from each other as mongoose, mouse deerand elephants.
Ungulates and carnivores appear to prefer markedly differentpassages, the former more comfortable with overpasses and thelatter with underpasses.
It is important to provide cover at the ends of passages, and forsome species even inside the passage.
Providing logs, rocks in the overpass/underpass/culverts will helpsmall animals that prefer cover.
Straight line of sight should be ensured through a passage.
Natural light should be available in the middle of tunnels orunder-road passages.
Constructing underpasses or culverts that facilitate natural waterflow appear to work for animals such as deer and also for somesmaller animals.
Certain species such as sambar might require a larger‘openness ratio’.
Wet and cool culverts will also help smaller fauna such asamphibians.
It could take over two years for the wildlife to adapt to thesemitigation measures.
Adaptive management would need to be the order of the day tomonitor and improve designs.
The involvement of biologists with previous experience of thearea is vital.K. GUNSONDespite the many obvious problems posed by roads through wildlife areas, more roads arebeing planned in Nagarahole, by the state government, supported by the World Bank,including a highway that will cut right through the tiger reserve.hamlets such as Hosaholalu, Magge, Karapura, Malali and others. Atbest, the alternate route suggested involves an extra distance of ninekilometres, which would surely be offset by the advantages to thevillagers who would be able to avail of better connectivity for theirmedical, educational and employment needs and to reach farms andmarkets. It was also suggested that the road be closed for vehiculartraffic from dusk to dawn as implemented on roads in Nagarahole.The Karnataka State Highways Improvement Project (KSHIP),implementers of this highway, craftily split the highway projectDCF, BANDIPURAn overpass built to help wildlife cross a road in Banff National Park, Canada.Untitled-2 60-61 7/15/2008, 4:12 PM

Gundia hydel power project is illegal, its impact catastrophic: protesters

Bangalore: Citizen groups have described the government's move to launch work on the 200-MW Gundia hydel power plant as catastrophic. 

Save The Western Ghats campaign, the Appiko movement, and Bangalore-based Kenneth Anderson Nature Society are up in arms against the `illegal' project. They said KPCL, by going ahead with the project without clearance from the ministry of environment and forests, is acting in violation of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980. 

"According to the Act, it is mandatory to get permission for diversion of more than 40 hectares of forest land. In this project, the government has admitted the need to clear 700 hectares," Save The Western Ghats Campaign convener Panduranga Hegde said. 

The protesters stressed that destruction of the Western Ghats will not only cause decimation of biodiversity, but also accelerate impact of global warming. "The silence of the Western Ghats Task Force is a clear indication that the government got the green signal from them," he added. 

KANS members said the environment impact assesment report for the project shows technical irregularities. "The area has several endangered animals, birds and vegetation as recorded in studies by the Indian Institute of Science and Wildlife Conservation Society. Gundia is one of three locations in Karnataka where the Travancore flying squirrel is found. It is also an important habitat for the endangered slender loris," KANS president Laxmeesha Acharya said. 

 

Environmentalists fume at night traffic in Bandipur sanctuary

Environmentalists fume at night traffic in Bandipur sanctuary

Bangalore, IANS:

Friday, June 12, 2009

Environmentalists across Karnataka are fuming over the state government's latest decision to put on hold an eco-friendly ban on vehicular movement at night through the famous Bandipur game sanctuary.

Hours ahead of the ban coming into effect Wednesday night, the state government said the decision is on hold. "It's a sad development, it is anti-environment and wildlife. Because of the large-scale traffic movement right through the middle of Bandipur, especially during night hours, many animals have been killed," Hari Somashekar, an environmentalist, said. "I oppose the government's decision. Traffic movement should be completely banned in Bandipur at night," he said. Somashekar is director, publicity and awareness,  Kenneth Anderson Nature Society (KANS), a wildlife and environment group working for animal protection in Bandipur. The government's move to keep in abeyance its decision follows pressure from traders, the transport lobby and tourist operators, as they use the route mostly during night hours. The sanctuary covering 874.20 sq km is situated right on the border connecting three southern states - Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa directed the forest department not to implement the ban proposed from Wednesday after several leaders, including Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, spoke to him. Private transporters and tourist operators in the three states have also been demanding that the ban be not  implemented. "The forest department will hold talks with officials in Tamil Nadu and Kerala before a final decision is taken," the Karnataka chief minister's spokesperson said. The Karnataka forest department had proposed the ban on night vehicular movement along the national highway through Bandipur to save animals from being killed by speeding trucks, buses and vans. Although the forest department does not have a record of the number of animals killed in such road accidents, experts believe every year dozens of animals fall victim to speeding vehicles at night. Wildlife enthusiasts and environmentalists assert that animal casulaties from road accidents have been higher than poaching cases in recent years. The Mysore-Ooty national highway running through Bandipur serves as an animal corridor and several animals have been killed while crossing the road at night. The animals killed include deer, wild pigs and sloth beer. "This shows the lack of willpower on the part of the government to protect the environment," said Laxmeesha Acharya, a Bangalore-based environmentalist. Wildlife photographer and environmentalist Dinesh Kumble, the elder brother of cricketer Anil Kumble, said: "If the ban is not implemented we'll loose several of our wild population. Hope the government takes a decision to save the animals from falling prey to road accidents."

Greens seek young leader in cabinet

The Kenneth Anderson Nature Society (KANS) has written a letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi and general secretary Rahul Gandhi urging them to allow a young leader to head the ministry of environment and forests. Hari Somashekar, director of publicity and awareness of KANS, said the golden period for Indian Forests was in 1970-90, when Project Tiger was launched and enforced under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. But after Indira Gandhi's death, India's wildlife had taken a downward trend . "Today, we are faced with the bleak scenario of dwindling forests. Not a day passes without an animal being poached or wildlife habitat being encroached upon.  "There is a lot of cheer for a stable and young government. While this augurs good for the future of India, it will be sad if this freshness and integrity is not infused into the ministry," the letter said....

Going on safari? Mind your manners

BANGALORE: Going on a safari could be high on adrenaline and adventure, but it is surely not the same for the animals who are stared at from the jeeps. Very few realize that safaris are trips inside very sensitive protected zones. Spotting a majestic tiger or lion is not possible every time. 

Kenneth Anderson Nature Society, in association with Wildlife Conservation Society and the Karnataka forest department, is organizing a summer campaign every weekend on the dos and don'ts in a safari. Currently, they are campaigning in the Rajiv Gandhi National Park. 

"Every time we take a safari ride in a protected area, we expect to see the elusive tiger. What people don't understand is that Nagarahole is 634 sqkm and safari rides are up to a maximum of 25 km. Tigers are solitary and nocturnal in nature and hence, sighting them on safari rides is difficult. This holds good for other predators too. Secondly, since these are wild animals, by natural instinct they avoid humans. We have noticed that people brawl or ask for a refund when they don't sight animals," said founder member and director of publicity and awareness, Hari Somashekar. 

Nagarahole -- with a huge population of herbivores and home to the tiger, leopard and dhole -- is a hot favourite among tourists and children during summer. Some people try and get off the safari jeep to take pictures of small mammals, some smoke near the entrance of the park or around it, and some litter. 

The campaign involves educating visitors on the salient features of theflora and fauna of the park and the behavioural traits that visitors need to maintain when amongst wildlife, distribution of pamphlets to visitors, interactive sessions inside the safari vehicle on dos and don'ts, help the visitor spot some lesser-known mammals and try to educate people about all other species found inside the park. 

While KANS campaigners brief visitors on the protocol to be followed in National Parks, they feel children are the most sensitive to animals. "Kids certainly see the pictures we show and recognize the animals when they sight them. And the best part is they call spotted deer `Indian chital' and wild dogs `dholes'. They learn very quickly," laughs Hari. 

For more information, call 9886623950.