When the birds come calling

IANS

During the winter months the Odisha Bhitarkanika National Park plays host to thousands of birds. This year saw a record number of feathered friends visiting.

Black-tailed Godwit:Migratory birds.Photo: Lingaraj Panda

This year has been unusually good for bird watchers at the Odisha Bhitarkanika National Park in Orissa. They have spotted upto 81,000 migratory birds as well as resident birds at the park. Last year, the total count of birds was just 52,242.

According to the Divisional Forest Officer Manoj Kumar Mohapatra, at least 111 species of birds were spotted.

Visitors

The annual bird census was conducted on December 26, 2012 at the park in Kendrapada, about 170 km from the state capital Bhubaneswar. The major highlight of the census was that as many as 36,000 Black-tailed Godwits were spotted. The Black-tailed Godwit ( Limosa limosa ) is a large, long-billed shorebird. It is a member of the Limosa genus, the godwits. There are three subspecies, all with orange head, neck and chest in breeding plumage and dull grey-brown in winter. They have a distinctive black and white wingbar. They have a discontinuous breeding range stretching from Iceland to the far east of Russia.

Another interesting fact at the census was that enumerators spotted a rare group of birds which they are yet to identify.

Besides the Black-tailed Godwit the other prominent species visiting the park were the Brahmini ducks and the Bar-headed geese.

The Brahmini ducks are a small resident population in north-west Africa and Ethiopia. But, the main breeding area of this species is from south-east Europe across central Asia to south-east Asia. These birds are mostly migratory, wintering in the Indian subcontinent.

The Bar-headed goose breeds in Central Asia in colonies of thousands near mountain lakes. It winters in South Asia, as far south as the Indian peninsular. It lays around three to eight eggs at a time in a ground nest.

The Bhitarkanika park, also a wildlife sanctuary, is home to over 200 species of birds, including 98 varieties of migratory birds.

The sanctuary is widely known as the world’s largest rookery of Olive Ridley sea turtles.

Every year, more than a million migratory birds from places as far as Siberia and Iraq flock to various sites in Odisha in October, spending the winter here before returning in March.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-youngworld/when-the-birds-come-calling/article4285827.ece

MP, MLA booked for violating Wildlife Act

Forest Department officials on Monday booked Congress MP from Eluru Kavuri Sambasiva Rao, Kaikalur MLA Jayamangala Venkata Ramana and 12 others under various Sections of Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.

The Forest Department authorities also lodged a complaint with the Kaikalur Police against the MP, the MLA and their followers for damaging the Fifth Plus Contour, assaulting and deterring a public servant from discharging his duties.

Speaking to The Hindu , Divisional Forest Officer (Wildlife Management) B. Ramakrishna said that cases had been registered against the MP and the MLA and their followers under Sections.27, 29, 51 and 52 of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Kaikalur Circle Inspector E. Ashok Kumar Goud said that the police were examining the complaint and cases would be registered after obtaining legal opinion from the experts.

On Sunday, the MP and MLA, along with their followers, illegally entered the Kolleru Wildlife Sanctuary near Atapaka Bird Sanctuary. They tried to lay road on Kolleru Bund connecting Atapaka village in Krishna district and Komatilanka island village of West Godavari district.

The forest officials rushed to the spot and explained that movement of public and vehicles was banned in the sanctuary.

Mild tension prevailed on the district borders, when the leaders allegedly assaulted the forest staff and dumped sand with tractors to strengthen the bund.

“The accused violated the provisions of Wildlife Act and entered into the sanctuary on vehicles. No road should be laid and movement of public and vehicles restricted for providing conducive atmosphere for roosting of birds. But, the pelicans, storks, herons and other birds were disturbed due to the incident,” said a forest officer.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/mp-mla-booked-for-violating-wildlife-act/article4285115.ece

Mammoth problem for farmers in Sathyamangalam forests

S. RAMESH

A farmer showing banana crop damaged by elephants at Kunderipallam

The human-elephant conflict in Sathyamangalam forests has reached an alarming proportion with the jumbos killing three persons in the last two weeks.

A farmer guarding the crops in his field at Iruttipalayam village was the latest victim of the conflict. The farmer, Rangasamy (40), saw three elephants raiding the crops and attempted to chase them back into the forest with the help of two of his neighbours. But the elephants did not move. Instead, they attacked the farmer and crushed him to death.

On January 3, Chen Nanja (55), a resident of Neithalpuram village near Kadambur, was looking after his cattle grazing near the forests when an elephant attacked him. He suffered serious injuries and died in a hospital in Coimbatore.

A woman resident of Vinoba Nagar, who was returning home from a fair price shop, was killed by an elephant on December 31.

Fear grips the villages close to the forests after these incidents. “We are spending sleepless nights as herds of elephants continue to raid the crops in the fields, causing severe damage, and killing those who stand in their way,” said N. Nanjappan, a farmer in Kunderipallam area. A few days ago, a herd of elephants entered his field and damaged the banana crop.

Farmers in Bhavanisagar, Kadambur, Punjai Puliyampatti, Thalavadi and Thalamalai areas are the worst affected due to frequent intrusions.

Many farmers, who earlier used to guard the crops at night, now avoid doing so. In many places, residents have to be indoors as early as 6 p.m. to avoid being seen by the jumbos.

Shortage of water in the forest and the easy availability of fodder in the forest fringes are the primary reasons that make elephants stray from forest areas. “The poor rainfall has left many water sources in the forests dry and the elephants are coming out in large numbers in search of water and food. Once the elephants come out of their habitat and get used to the food crops, it becomes a habit for them. Farmers grow sugarcane, banana and other crops that attract the elephants and this leads to an increase in the conflict,” a senior forests official points out.

“An adult elephant needs at least 200 to 250 kg of food and 100 to 150 litres of water. Elephants stray out as there is less fodder and water inside the forests,” says Assistant Professor of wildlife biology B. Ramakrishnan.

The measures taken by the Forest department, including elephant proof trenches, did not produce expected results. The solar-powered fencing showed a positive result. “But not all the farmers have installed solar-powered fence,” another forest official said. Wildlife activists said the effective way to minimise the conflict was to remove encroachments on the elephant corridors and change the crop pattern on the forest fringes.

“The communities should be sensitised to the increasing conflict and they should be asked not to cultivate food crops in their fields abutting forests. Without their cooperation, we cannot produce a sustainable solution to the conflict,” says Mr. Ramakrishnan.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/mammoth-problem-for-farmers-in-sathyamangalam-forests/article4285285.ece

Tribal relocation proves tricky

K. JEEVAN CHINNAPPA

As the debate on the pros and cons of tribal relocation from different ranges in the Nagarahole National Park goes on, 487 tribal families have moved out of the Park areas since the relocation scheme was introduced by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests in 1999.

Initially, 280 families were relocated from different ranges to Nagapura in Hunsur taluk of Mysore district under the beneficiary-oriented tribal development scheme by the Forest Department, in association with LIFT (Living Inspiration for Tribals), an NGO. Each family was given Rs. 1 lakh in cash and five acres of land to take up agriculture. In 2007, 60 tribal families were relocated at Sollepura in H.D. Kote taluk of Mysore district, each getting Rs. 1 lakh but only three acres.

Under a National Tiger Conservation Authority-sponsored scheme in 2010, every family agreeing to relocate was offered Rs. 10 lakh (cash and land value). Thereafter, 147 families, including seven non-tribal families moved over to Shettalli in Hunsur taluk. As a result, all tribals who lived in Bogapura, Murkal, Ganagur, Madenur and Kallalla moved out, P.M. Muthanna of LIFT said. As on date, there were 300 pending applications for rehabilitation.

Tribals unhappy?

According to J.P. Raju, president of the Kodagu Budakattu Krishikara Sangha, which works for the welfare of tribals , the relocated tribals are not happy. Many leased out their lands to others for cultivation. On the one hand, the relocated tribals went back to the Kodagu coffee plantations for work, and on the other, measures to provide revenue records for the land were yet to be taken.

Mr. Muthanna said that during the lean period, even the tribals who did well in the rehabilitated areas went to work on plantations. Tribals who had grown maize at Shettalli sold the commodity worth Rs. 66 lakh this year.

Under the Forest Rights Act, of the total 5,387 individual applications received from tribals in Mysore district, 555 were regularised, said M.N. Ajay Nagbhushan, Deputy Commissioner (in-charge). Out of the total 107 applications received for community rights, 19 were regularised in the district. In Kodagu, 3,102 individual claims and nearly 57 community rights claims were received, and 1,112 and 45 claims respectively were cleared, said Deputy Commissioner N.V. Prasad.

Has the tiger population gone up in Karnataka? “There are 10-12 tigers in every 100 sq. km. area of the tiger reserves such as Nagarahole, Bandipur, BRT, parts of Wayanad, Mudumalai, covering around 2,500 sq. km. area,” said B.J. Hosmath, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, and Field Director, Project Tiger.

Praveen Bhargav, managing trustee of NGO Wildlife First, said parts of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala were fantastic habitat for tiger-breeding and conservation.

Fifteen tigers have died of various causes in Bandipur, Nagarahole and BRT reserves since 2010-11 to 2012-13.

Of this, nine have died in Bandipur, five in Nagarahole and one in the BRT reserve, Mr. Hosmath said. Significantly, no case of poaching was reported in the same period.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/tribal-relocation-proves-tricky/article4277189.ece

Know an eco warrior?

SUBHA J RAO
Nature Forever Society gives the Sparrow Awards to everyday heroes who care about conservation

Mohammed Dilawar of Nature Forever Society

Dilsher Khan, a welder in Satna, Madhya Pradesh, manufactures agricultural tools. He also monitors the local vulture population.

In the remote village of Mangvana in Kutch, a school with 121 tribal and socially backward community students has undertaken a massive afforestation drive, and transformed the barren landscape around them.

Bhavin Shah, a wholesaler in FMCG goods from Coimbatore, has helped nearly 25 industries adopt nest boxes to make their premises sparrow-friendly.

L. Shyamal from Karnataka is a bio-medical statistical analyst. He is also the biggest contributor of Indian natural history in Wikipedia. His software, Birdspot, has a database of 50,000 birds.

Drawn from different backgrounds and professions, they are all environment warriors. And, recognising these people and their initiatives are the Sparrow Awards. The Nature Forever Society (NFS), Nashik, gives away these awards.

“As far as conservation goes, citizens have been kept out. But, if we have to save species, such as the sparrows, it is vital to be democratic and involve more everyday people. The awards recognise the common man, not the professionals or organisations who work towards conservation and ecology,” says Mohammed Dilawar, founder and president of NFS.

These awards, Mohammed hopes, will make conservation seem less elitist and show that it can be done by anyone, in any scale. “People do so much work at the grassroots level, but never get any recognition,” he rues.

Mohammed has been part of the team that sifted through the entries for 2011 and 2012 and checked out the veracity of the people involved. “Their stories are morale boosters. When you recognise them, others think, ‘if they can do it, why not us?’”

The awards are given out in two categories — three for individuals and one for organisations including business/institutions/community group. Nominations are invited for the 2013 Sparrow Awards. Those involved in conservation work can apply themselves. Or, those who know of someone who is, can apply on their behalf. The Society scrutinises every person nominated to see how effective their work is.

“We accept nominations for every kind of work related to conservation, including green technology. Basically, any work that will make a difference to the planet,” says Mohammed. “We wish people send us more nominations. India is such a huge country; we depend on people to let us know of the good work being done.”

The last date to apply is February 23, 2013. For details, call 0253-2411022, e-mail info@natureforever.org or visit www.natureforever.org

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/know-an-eco-warrior/article4269099.ece

Plans afoot to reintroduce Nilgiri Tahr in two ranges

P. OPPILI & B. ARAVIND KUMAR

Glenmorgan Mountains and Thirukurungudi ranges selected

A Nilgiri Tahr in one of the upper ridges of Mudaliaroothu in Grizzled Giant Squirrel sanctuary in Srivilliputhur. Photo: Special Arrangement

Nilgiri Tahr, the State animal of Tamil Nadu, is likely to be spotted again on the Glenmorgan Mountains in The Nilgiris and Thirukurungudi ranges in the Kalakad — Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR), both original habitats of the Tahr until it went out of sight some years ago.

Acting on the suggestion of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBW), the Ministry of Environment and Forests has written to the State Forest Department for the reintroduction of the Nilgiri Tahr in these two ranges, MoEF officials said.

It was A.J.T. Johnsing, former Director of Wildlife Institute of India, who suggested that the Tahr be first introduced in Glenmorgan Mountain from Mukuruthy National Park, a known habitat of the Tahr in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, and thereafter plan reintroduction in KMTR.

Both Thirukurungudi and Glenmorgan were original habitats of Nilgiri Tahr, say wildlife officials in the State.

In KMTR, Thiruvannamalai Mottai, Nandoothi Moottai and Panchamthangi Moottai were the three original habitats. Till 1995, the animal was sighted in these places. However, there are no direct sightings in any of these areas now and there are indications of its presence in Thiruvannamalai Mottai and officials believe a small population of Tahr could be still living there.

These areas have rocky patches and grass lands above them. In Thiruvannamalai Mottai area, northern and eastern portions were full of rocky patches and the southwest corner is covered by Shola forests. Hence, the place was once the ideal habitat for Tahrs, said a senior officer. Glenmorgan near Mukurthi National Park in The Nilgiris was also originally a Tahr habitat.

Later the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board took over some areas to construct quarters for their staff. This, and the regular forest fires in the area must have driven the Tahr population away from the habitat, says a former wildlife warden.

Now the quarters have been abandoned but a critical habitat study has to be done before translocating a sizeable number of Tahr from Mukurthi National Park to Glenmorgan, says the forest officer.

“After that, a pilot project has to be implemented. Only after the results of pilot project are known, the Tahr population should be reintroduced here. Otherwise, Glenmorgan could become another Munnar [in Kerala], where the Tahr population has lost its wild instincts,” he cautions.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/plans-afoot-to-reintroduce-nilgiri-tahr-in-two-ranges/article4275814.ece