Agri pattern, poaching affect keep migratory bird arrivals

By T Ramavarman, TNN | Jan 17, 2013

KOCHI: The water bird count conducted at the Kole wetlands of Thrissur has found a significant dip in arrival of birds this year, compared to the last two years.

Kole wetlands had been declared 'Ramsar Site' or wetlands of international importance, as it is one of the globally recognized areas that see noticeable bird movements and is rich in biodiversity.

The survey was conducted as part of the Asian Water-bird Census, with support from the Kerala state forest department, Indian Bird Conservation Network, Kerala Birder and College of Forestry.

"A total of 30,764 birds were counted this year. This is about 16,000 birds less than the 46,002 counted in 2012, and about 7,000 birds less than the count of 37,742 in 2011,'' PO Nameer, head of the Centre for Wildlife Studies, College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University (KAU), who led the survey team told TOI.

Dr Nameer, however, observed such fluctuations in bird population have shown in past annual surveys as well, hence there was no need for undue anxiety over this.

"Kole fields have been witnessing changes in the cropping periods according to the water availability. This could be one of the reasons that has caused fluctuations in bird arrivals. There have been reports of poaching incidents in the area, and we must be vigilant about this,'' Nameer said.

Indian Pond Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Great Egret, Lesser Whistling Duck, Northern Pintail, Garganey, Asian Openbill and Whiskered Tern are some of the birds that have shown a decline in their arrival trend this year.

On the brighter side, the survey team located two vulnerable species -- Indian Spotted Eagle (Aquila hastate) and Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga). There has been a steady increase in the population of the near-endangered Oriental Darter, from 148 in 2011 to 163 in 2012 to 189 this year, Nameer said. Other threatened birds sighted at Kole this year included Black-tailed Godwit, Painted Stork and Black-headed Ibis.

About 100 birdwatchers participated in the counting conducted at 10 places in Kole.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/Agri-pattern-poaching-affect-keep-migratory-bird-arrivals/articleshow/18055138.cms

Forest officials cannot be granted immunity: State

Government has to implement provisions of the SC & ST Act’
In a setback to the forest force, the State government on Wednesday informed the Karnataka High Court that it cannot provide any “immunity” to officials of the Department of Forests from being “falsely” prosecuted under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act by persons accused of forest land encroachment, poaching and smuggling.

State Advocate-General S. Vijay Shankar made submissions in this regard during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) petition initiated suo motu by the High Court on the issue of false complaints filed by accused persons against forest officials under the provisions of the Act.

The court had initiated the PIL petition based on a plea by the Karnataka State Range Forest Officers Association and the Karnataka State Assistant Conservators of Forests Association.

It was complained that during the past one year, in a majority of cases booked by forest officials against those indulging in encroachment of forest land, poaching, timber smuggling, etc., the offenders had subsequently lodged counter-complaints with the police under the Act against forest officials.

“The government cannot direct the Home Department not to register case against forest officials under the SC and ST Act. It is the State government which has to implement the provisions of the SC and ST Act, which is a Central legislation,” Mr. Shankar argued pointing out that the petition cannot be treated as in “public interest” as it was related to private interest of forest officials.

Can seek bail

Mr. Shankar also submitted that the forest officials, against whom cases under the Act were registered by the jurisdictional police, would have to approach the jurisdictional court either seeking bail or anticipatory bail, while making it clear that forest officials probing forest offences cannot be granted “immunity.”

However, K.N. Phanindra, court-appointed amicus curiae , pointed out that the issue taken up in the suo motu petition was of public interest as the provision of a law was being misused against officers of the State by the accused persons.

Mr. Phanindra insisted that the contentions raised by the Advocate-General be submitted to the court in form of a statement by the government.

Different say

Interestingly, during earlier hearing on December 13, 2012, the government had informed the court that it would submit a draft notification to grant relief or immunity to forest officials who had taken action against any person belonging to SC or ST community, from being prosecuted by such accused persons.

This submission was made on behalf of the government when the court asked what step was taken to protect forest officials, probing forest offence cases, when a large number of cases under the Act were filed against such officials.

A Division Bench comprising acting Chief Justice K. Sreedhar Rao and Justice B.V. Nagarathna adjourned further hearing by three weeks.

Elephant Pongal at Mudumalai Tiger Reserve draws tourists

D.RADHAKRISHNAN | January 16, 2013

Most of the hotels in the region reported good occupancy during the Pongal holidays this year

Festival mood:Elephant Pongal being celebrated at
the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve on Tuesday

• Tourists, including a good number of foreigners flocked to scenic spots
• Local people made a beeline to various temples in the hill-station

With thousands of tourists thronging this holiday destination, thanks to the Pongal holidays, was celebrated with considerable enthusiasm notwithstanding the abnormally warm weather (that is, by local standards) during the day and the bitter chill experienced after dusk.

Tourists including a good number of foreigners flocked to scenic spots while the local people made a beeline to various temples.

Speaking to The Hindu , V.Ramsundar, Assistant Director of Horticulture, said that from Friday itself the number of tourists visiting the Government Botanical Garden (GBG) had been steadily rising.

Tourists

While it was 3,270 on January 11, it had gone up to 6,800 the following day. On January 13 it was 7,900 and on Pongal day 9,600. On Tuesday the total number of visitors was about 10,000 according to sources here.

The Secretary, Nilgiri Hotels and Restaurants Association (NHRA), N.Chandra- shekar, said that most of the hotels had reported good occupancy during the Pongal weekend.

At the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) near here many tourists celebrated Elephant Pongal on Tuesday. About 22 camp elephants participated. A few of them performed puja at the local temple.

A special puja was also performed for Ranga, an abandoned elephant calf which has been ailing for the past few weeks.

The Deputy Director, MTR, A.Ameer Haja, served Pongal to the visitors.

Interacting with them, he explained the significance of the occasion.

The tourists were informed that they were lucky to celebrate Pongal at one of the best known wildlife reserves in the country.

Along with their regular food, pongal, jaggery and sugarcane were served by Mr.Haja and some tourists to the pachyderms.

The curtain will be brought down on the Pongal celebrations on Wednesday with a Tourist Pongal Festival at the Boat House here.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/elephant-pongal-at-mudumalai-tiger-reserve-draws-tourists/article4311341.ece