Habit.. !! We still have it.. !!!!

Planning a holiday to Kanha, Bandhavgarh or Pench National Park .. ?? Drop your plans. Book your holiday at PANNA NATIONAL PARK because in sometime all the tigers of Madhya Pradesh will be sent to Panna. And it won’t be a bolt from the blue if we start re locating them from other states too. After all everything is doable in India !

Panna has a lot to offer. Two tigresses flown recently(though they are missing), A full grown male(Only seen, spotted and recorded by the hard working staff at Panna), and now two male tigers that are to be sent soon to Panna from Pench. Where do you get to see so much?

I am not against re locating tigers. But I feel sad when tigers go missing due to the inefficiency and laziness of the staff. For once when Panna lost all its tigers, they should have taken it as a warning and should have worked day and night to save them. After all what are they posted there for?



Scanned Image of Dainik Bhasker Newspaper, Jabalpur dated 28th June, 2009


Panna has lost all its tigers in the last decade. And trans locating tigers has become a habit here in Madhya Pradesh it seems.

Is the forest staff trained and equipped just to re locate tigers from one reserve to another?
Are they not there to save them from intruders and poachers?
Is the government only spending money to send them from one place to another?
Is relocation some kind of a joke to the officials?
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संता : साहब कहाँ जाने की तय्यारी है ? बंता : छुट्टियाँ है, सोचा कहीं घूम आये, तो पन्ना टाईगर रिजर्व घूमने जा रहे है. संता : क्या आप फॉरेस्ट डिपार्टमेंट में काम करते है ? बंता : नहीं.. संता : तो फिर न जाइये, क्यूकि टाईगर तो सिर्फ वहां सिर्फ और सिर्फ फॉरेस्ट वालो को ही दिखा करता है....







अरे ! अब तो संता को भी पता है की वहां टाईगर नहीं है ..

The Missing Stripes.. !!!!

Friday, June 26th, 2009: Living in Jabalpur, which is surrounded by the most popular and famous TIGER RESERVES in the country, I feel being far away from the magical stripes. Not more than a decade ago, Tigers could be easily spotted on the way to the Dumna Airport, Jabalpur. But the development, construction and opening of numerous colleges here has led to the fading away of the stripes, and the animals are forced to a few square kilometer FENCED JUNGLE. The pakki sadak clearly tells the story of the diminishing pugmarks. Everyone here has a story to tell about the tiger, but no one has seen him since years. The King is gone………… Where.. ??

When the news channels and newspapers reported that the last living Male Tiger in Panna has moved in to some nearby jungle in search of a soul mate, I had an intuition that there was no tiger left in Panna. Then came the relocation process, Tigresses from Bandhavgarh and Kanha were airlifted and Tran located to Panna. They were radio collared and were followed for a few weeks. And since the last week, the radio collars are not answering. Both the tigresses of Panna are now missing. The Panna’s forest officials have been boasting about the Tiger number being 30, five years back. NOT EVEN A SINGLE TIGER IS PRESENT IN PANNA TODAY. The report sent to the Chief Minister of the State clearly confirms the inability of the staff at Panna. If we are to believe that Forest people, then Panna has lost over 30 Tigers in the last five years. Panna has even lost the two BORROWED Tigresses. The sweep was the last alarm for Panna. Does it have any hope now.. ??

This is not the story of only one park in our country. Everywhere it’s the same. A Tiger goes missing, the local forest officials report the matter and send their report about the missing tiger, the govt. constitutes a team for the investigation, Investigations are held, but none of the poachers are arrested or no staff is penalized or punished for the lazy behavior.

Stories about the Tigers being electrocuted, shot and even poisoned are very common these days. And that does not even make a difference to the general public today. We have our own lives and we are busy fighting for our own needs. Nobody cares for the national animal. The decline in the number is so swift that in and around the next decade we shall be forced to choose a new national animal for the country. Tiger would then appear in magazines, postcards, stamp, documentaries and pictures. We are killing ourselves……..


A HUMBLE REQUEST TO ALL THE READERS,
A CAUSE DEDICATED TO SAVE THE TIGER ON FACEBOOK.
EVERYONE IS REQUESTED TO JOIN IN AND HELP.
YOU CAN ALSO MAKE YOUR DONATIONS HERE.

THE DONATIONS GOES TO

TIGER MISSING LINK FOUNDATION,
Official Information
Full Name: Tiger Missing Link Foundation
EIN: 34-1827209
Tax Status: 501(c)(3)
Website: http://www.tigerlink.org
Address: 17552 Fm 14
Tyler, TX 75706

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE CAUSE ON FACEBOOK.

Iski Topi Uske Sirr.. !!!!

Panna, One of the five Tiger Reserves in Madhya Pradesh, was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1994 is nestled in the Vidhya Hills of Bundelkhand region. Merely an hour away from one of the most favorite destination of foreign tourists, Khajuraho, Panna has just pugmarks to offer. Whatever may be the official figures, The State’s Chief Conservator of Forests, Mr. H.S. Pabla, could also not get a glimpse of the National Animal.
(As per the Hindustan Times, 21st Feb, 2009 “Two days after the state’s Chief Conservator of Forests, H.S. Pabla, was not able to sight a tiger in the 540 sq km reserve, he told HT on Saturday that he was not adverse to the idea of relocating even a tiger. "If required we will even relocate a tiger to Panna," he said.”)

After the success of relocating tigers in Sariska, now its Panna’s turn. Tender forms calling bidders for filming and photography rights of the translocation of two tigresses from Bandhavgarh, Kanha/Pench to Panna have been called by the Field Director Panna Tiger Reserve.
But would it turn out to be a Success in Madhya Pradesh.. ?? I personally don’t think that this would work in M.P. How can we trust the same staff which was present when all the wild cats in Panna disappeared?

Relocating tigers may be answer to the ever declining population of tigers in the reserves. But this situation could have been avoided only if the officials would have worked when Dr Radhu Chandawat first alarmed the officials about the missing tigers in Panna long time back.

Why do we have to Relocate Tigers, when we can Save them.

Were the Panna officials not aware of the poaching done inside the restricted area? If not, why are they posted there?

What were they doing after the first tiger went missing?

What happened to the Tigers that were in Panna in the last census? What is the surety that illegal killing will not be done now?

Who will be held responsible if the new tigers that are being relocated are poached?

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For now, the relocation is to take place sometime in the last week of February. And all I can do is to pray that it turns out to be a success.

"LONG LIVE THE TIGER"

Some Good News.. !!!!

Every now and then we come across news reporting Poaching of Tigers, Arrests of Poachers and siezing skins and other body parts of the Tiger.. The census of 2007 made it very clear that poaching still is done on a large scale in the most protected forests of India.. This may be our last chance to Save the Last Surviving Royal Bengal Tigers in our Country.. The final figures of the census should not only be taken seriously but as a WARNING.. !!!!

It is never too late to start.. The result of the census came as a Shock to most in our Country.. With only 1411(The figure of 2007) Tigers left, It is high time when steps for Tiger Conservation be taken up more seriously..

I came across a news article from Reuters where the Indian Conservationists say that its too late to Save The Tiger now.. There is the video showing what different conservationists have to say about the last living Tigers in India.. Click Here to See The Video..

But the Tigers themselves have not lost hope.. There has been growth in the Tiger numbers in the last month.. On May 16, A Tigress in Pench Tiger Reserve gave birth to four cubs.. Five days later another Tigress gave birth to three cubs.. On May 25 another Tigress in Pench had a litter of three cubs.. Two more Tigresses are expected to litter in the coming days.. Official figures say that there are 22 cubs ( aged 15 days - 2 years old) in the Park.. There are a few Tigresses in Bandhavgarh National Park who are also expected to litter soon.. The Banbie Female in Bandhavgarh gave birth to cubs a few days back.. The Churbehra Queen is also expected soon.. When the Tigers have not lost hope.. Why should we.. Long Live the Tiger.. !!!!

The Photos of Banbei Tigress and her Cubs were taken at Bandhavgarh National Park by Mr. Kaustubh Rishi..

The Elephant Show has also been stopped in Pench Tiger Reserve to provide security to the Cubs and their Mothers.. The Elephants are being used for protecting Tigers.. Four camps have also been set up in the Park.. 30 Tiger Protection Force Personnel, 17 ex-servicemen and over 300 daily wagers are maintaining security of the Reserve..


Nobody gets to live life backward. Look ahead, that is where your future lies. -- Ann Landers



* I Thank Mr. Kaustubh Rishi for providing me the Photos of the Tigress and her Cubs.

The Kings Share.. !!!!

The fall in number of Tigers in the census of 2007 was at last taken seriously

by the Government of India. The Finance Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram alloted a grant of Rs. 50 Crore for the Protection of Tigers following pressure from International conservationists to save the last tigers of the country.

While presenting the budget of 2008-09 Chidambaram told "The number 1,411 should ring the alarm bells.. The tiger is under grave threat." Further Chidambaram said that the National Tiger Conservation Authority would be granted Rs. 50 Crores to "raise, arm and deploy" a Tiger Protection Force.

The Project Tiger plans to create eight new Tiger Reserves across the country at a cost of $153 million. An estimated 2,00,000 people from across 250 villages will be relocated as the human interference in Tiger territories and encroachment are considered equally dangerous as Poaching.

THERE IS STILL SOME HOPE FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL CREATION OF GOD.

The Diminishing Pugmarks

February 19, I am One year old in the Blogging World today. The day I posted the first entry on my Blog, The Tiger count in the country was estimated about 3500-5000 (Approx). But after the 2007 Census, a mere 1500 wild cats roam free in India.. 1411 to be more precise..

The very first post on my Blog was “Is capital punishment enough for people involved in Poaching”. Every one had a different view. Some felt it is the correct punishment but some on the other hand felt that poachers should be fed to the Tigers.. Here are the views of a few people about this.. Click here

I personally feel that people involved in Poaching should be hanged. But sometimes I feel that Tigers should also be given a chance to deal with these killers the way they want. Not just feeding them but throwing them to hungry predators. But I know this is next to impossible. According to the Official figures the population rose from 3508 in 1997 to 3642 in 2002. But in 2008 there is a fall of 60%. The figures of 2007 shows that only 1411 Tigers are left in the Country known as The Land Of Tigers..

There are several methods for Tiger Census. Prey density estimation, radio telemetry, digital photography of pugs, camera trapping method, Identification using DNA from Tiger droppings and the very famous Pugmark Method. Camera trapping method is not practical especially where there are 1 or 2 Tigers per 100 sq. kms. This method was confined to a few major tiger habitats. The Final figure was an outcome of the new and advanced techniques used in 2007 Census.

Encroachment by humans in their natural habitat and Poaching are the prime reasons for the fall. Relocation and Resettlement is only done on papers and is never taken seriously.

How long are we going to remember these figures? It is quite possible that some might think about this issue after the next census. Wouldn’t it be a little too late? A decline of 60% in a decade makes the picture very clear. There is still hope if saving tigers is taken as a priority.

The World would not be as Beautiful as it is, Without Tigers…. !!!!

BATTLE TO SAVE THE TIGER..

Another Sariska in the making…. ??

The Orissa Government claims that there are 101 Tigers in Simlipal National Park. While the official figure of the census has reported the presence of not more than 30 Tigers in the Park. This clearly proves that the Government has failed in Tiger conservation.

A couple of days after the Chief Minister of Orissa denied the figures of the report, NDTV had posted pictures that clearly show Poachers in the core area of the Park. Poachers were armed with Bows and Arrows and had dogs along with them. No one is allowed in the Core Area of a Protected Forest and it is to be heavily patrolled. The photograph clearly show that there is absolutely no patrolling in the forest.

Is this the making of another Sariska.. ??

Save the Tiger..

- Aman Williams

I DO NOT HOLD ANY RIGHTS OF THE PHOTOS USED IN THE POST.
Photograph of Poachers in Orissa taken from NDTV.
I THANK THE OWNERS FOR ALL THE PHOTOGRAPHS.

Birding and Blogging.. !!!!

It’s been a long long time since I last published any post on my Blog. And if I ask myself Why? I don’t find an answer to it. No, My love for wildlife has not curtailed. Tigers are still the first love of my life. My last trip to any National Park was in October when the Bandhavgarh National Park re-opened after monsoons. It’s been 4 months since I last saw the majestic cat in the Wild. And it’s been 3 months since I last wrote an entry here.

What was I upto all these days.. ?? I don’t have much work but whatever work I have keeps me busy all day. In these three months I have witnessed lots and lots of things. Gone Birding to Dumna Nature Reserve in Jabalpur, Trekking at Village Sarrai, near Jabalpur (Not exactly, Kind of :p), And the worst part was to see a sad end to a very very precious life. When a Tiger Cub took its last breath in Government Veterinary College at Jabalpur after being rushed for treatment from Bandhavgarh National Park.

Birding may be a new passion for me. But I seem to be falling in love with Birds. Dumna Nature Reserve, though not a very big forest area has a lot to offer to Wildlife lovers. Chital(Spotted Deer), Mongoose, Langurs, Rhesus Monkey, Jungle Cats and if you’re lucky you might come across a Leopard. Magpie Robin, Drongo, Asian Koel, Alexandrine Parakeet (The common parrot), Rose-ringed Parakeet, Plum-headed Parakeet, Spotted Owlet, Peafowls, Bee-eaters, Kingfishers and Indian Rollers are a few birds to name. Not very far away from the city, Dumna gets many visitors. I mean the Migratory Birds. And what better season than winters to see them glide over the lake in Dumna. The local and the visiting birds makes this place worth exploring.

It’s always a sad feeling to hear about Tiger deaths. Though not a poaching case this time, A Two month old cub was admitted to the Government Veterinary College, Jabalpur ailing from severe pneumonia and gaestroentitis. After being separated from it’s mother, this cub was found in a very critical condition. The body temperature was above normal and the cub was vomiting. A team of several doctors gave their best to save it’s life. The cub was also kept in incubator and was attended 24 hours a day. Despite all efforts the Cub died on 25th December 2007.

Saving a Life....

Rahul Jain, A Farmer by profession and a very dear friend, found a Pariah Kite/Black Kite on the terrace of his house after being injured in a clash. The poor bird had wounded its right wing and was not able to move. The Bird was in a furious mood and was not letting anyone come near itself. After a little trouble the bird was carefully placed in a box and was taken to the Government Veterinary College for treatment. From where the Bird was released after recovering. Pariah Kite undergoing treatment in Govt. Vet. College.