Tribal families reoccupy forestland in Wayanad

E.M. MANOJ

Seek compensation for land given up by them

Sixteen families, including 12 tribal families, which left the Kottamkara hamlet in June, a settlement inside the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS), reoccupied the place on Saturday under the aegis of the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary Rehabilitation Action Council.

(The council had been seeking compensation for the land abandoned by the tribespeople).

The flaws in implementing the voluntary relocation project of the government left the tribespeople with no choice but to reoccupy the land, council convener S. Shobhankumar said.

Under the project, 40 families had been relocated on June 24. Only 24 of the families got the promised compensation of Rs.10 lakh each, he said.

When the project was announced on April 9, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had assured the tribespeople that they would get compensation as per the guidelines of the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitat Scheme in three months. But the Chief Minister could not keep his word, Mr. Shobhankumar said.

The guidelines said male children over 18 years of age; unmarried female children above the age of 18; physically and mentally challenged persons irrespective of their age and sex; minor orphans; and widows or women divorcees would be treated as ‘separate families.’

A survey conducted by the Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, a few years ago had identified 96 eligible families in the hamlet. But many families were excluded from the final list prepared by the Forest Department, Krishnan Kottamkara, 57, a tribal farmer of the hamlet said.

Krishanan Kottamkara was born and brought up in the hamlet and he had 520 acres of leased land there.

The authorities failed to include him on the final list as he was hospitalised following cardiac arrest. Many others who were not present at the hamlet during an inspection by the authorities had also been excluded, Mr. Shobhankumar said.

There were six ‘eligible families’ in his house according to the KFRI list, he added. “When the forest officials prepared the final list, I was undergoing eye surgery in a Coimbatore hospital,” Elias, another resident of the hamlet, said.

He was later included on the list after he could convince the officials about the issue but, was yet to get any compensation, he added.

They had left the hamlet in June expecting that they would get the compensation soon, Mariyil Kuriakose, who had been living outside the forest since, said.

“Hence, we decided to live in our land till we get compensation,” he added. As many as 12 tribesmen had got possession certificates for their land under the Forest Rights Act in 2010.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tribal-families-reoccupy-forestland-in-wayanad/article4278845.ece

Looks like mistrust, greed, lies & unfulfilled promises has lead to this situation. There are many who encourage them to occupy forest land.
- Mac Mohan

Leopard hit by vehicle dies

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
A wild leopard that was hit by a vehicle while it was crossing the road died of its injuries late on Friday.

The leopard, which was in the prime of its youth, was knocked down on the road between Konanakere and Talabetta road, is Kollegal forest division and M.M. Hills territorial range.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/leopard-hit-by-vehicle-dies/article4278757.ece

Wildlife getting killed in the road inside forest continues..
- Mac Mohan

Rs 20 lakh lizards new target of poachers in northeast

IMPHAL: It's not only big animals like tigers, rhinos and elephants that are being poached.

Lately, poachers in the northeast have been eyeing a much smaller creature — a reptile species called the tokay gecko — which can be smuggled in bulk and fetches good returns in the grey market. The tokay gecko, a nocturnal Asian lizard growing up to 40cm in length and weighing up to 200gm, is in great demand in some Asian countries for its reported medicinal values. A mature gecko can easily fetch up to Rs 20 lakh.

Poachers are raiding the forests of Manipur that have an abundant populace of the lizard species. Exact numbers are not known since no definite census of the species has been carried out, says experts. But in the past six months, over 70 tokay geckos have been rescued by police, forest officials, activists of the People For Animal (PFA) Thoubal unit and Assam Rifles personnel from various parts of the state.

Although wildlife experts and environmentalists say there is no scientific proof to substantiate the purported medicinal properties of this reptile species, the tokay gecko has become hot property. Even locals seem to have realized that selling a bunch of these can make one a millionaire overnight and want to cash in on the demand.

In fact, such is the craze for the lizard that many have begun rearing the rare reptile species at home. According to Lourembam Biswajit, managing trustee of PFA Thoubal, there have been reports of poor farmers in the valley districts being given baby geckos by smugglers for rearing in a clandestine manner. Once the lizards grow up, they are taken back by the smugglers who pay the farmers handsomely for raising them, says Biswajit.

In the face of the increasing poaching, smuggling and illegal rearing of tokay geckos in Manipur, the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has urged the Union ministry of forest and environment (MoEF) to include the reptile species in the endangered scheduled animals' list under the Protection of Wildlife Act, 1972. Incidentally, the golden gekco, which is reportedly found in some parts of south India, has been incorporated in Schedule I, a list of endangered wildlife animals of the Wildlife Act. "It's high time the tokay gecko gets listed as endangered," says noted wildlife activist Khangembam Shamungou. "This is essential if we are to protect and preserve it better."


Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Rs-20-lakh-lizards-new-target-of-poachers-in-northeast/articleshow/17864202.cms

Tiger strikes again

The elusive tiger has struck again at the Nayamakkad Estate in Munnar. It killed a cow on Saturday night, a portion of which was eaten. A forest team led by Munnar range officer Joshy Sebastian confirmed that the cow was killed by the tiger and advised the people to keep the carcass there in order to avoid it attacking other livestock. On Monday night, the tiger dragged the carcass nearly 50 metres away and ate it. An official said night patrol had been intensified to trace the tiger.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/tiger-strikes-again/article4267712.ece

Trade in jackal skin, meat continues despite stringent laws

In a brazen incident, a few families of an itinerant tribe (Narikorava) in Tiruchendur, Tuticorin district, killed nearly a dozen jackals from a nearby forest, skinned them and displayed them along with beads in a busy market in the temple town.

An activist, T. Murugavel of Environmental Monitoring and Action Initiating (EMAI), said he was in Tiruchendur last week. When he came out after darshan at a temple, he was shocked to see the dozen skinned jackals with their heads displayed along with the beads in a public market.

The families claimed that it was not wrong to kill the jackals. Further interaction with them revealed that they used snares to trap the jackals, which were then clubbed to death.

Later, the body parts were removed and the skull retained with the skin. However, they refused to tell him the forest area from which the scavengers were trapped, he said.

Mr Murugavel said superstitions surrounding the animal led to their killing.

State Wildlife authorities said the animal is categorised under Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act of India 1972 and killing and displaying the trophy would attract severe punishment along with imprisonment and penalty.

Despite strict enforcement of laws to curb poaching, raw meat of jackal was found to be sold in the market. Dinkar Kumar, District Forest Officer, when contacted, said it was shocking and added that any such act would attract severe punishment.

He said the wildlife officials had been directed to conduct raids immediately in the temple town and its surroundings to find out whether any such incident had taken place.

Similarly, the Revenue officials in the district P. Kongan, Revenue Divisional Officer, Tiruchendur and C. Sankaranarayanan, Tahsildar, Tiruchendur said they did not receive any such complaint from the people.

They asked the Village Administrative Officer and Village Assistants to inspect shops in Tiruchendur area to detect the unlawful activity.


Source: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/trade-in-jackal-skin-meat-continues-despite-stringent-laws/article4267446.ece

One trampled by elephants, another injured

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
One person was trampled to death and another sustained injuries when they were attacked by a herd of two elephants and a calf near Melmudi tribal settlement near Veerapandipudur, in Chinna Thadagam area of Thudialur police limits on Tuesday.

Oosi (50) and Pambaan (59) were on their way to Veerapandipudur from their melmudi tribal settlement in the morning, when they encountered the two elephants and the calf. As the elephants attacked them, Oosi was trampled to death on the spot, while Pambaan escaped with injuries. He was rushed to the Coimbatore Medical College hospital.

This is the second incident in the same region within the last 72 hours.

On Sunday, Palanisamy was trampled to death by an elephant in the closeby Periya Thadagam area.

In another incident on Monday, Dinesh (25) of Madathur had a miraculous escape from being trampled to death by an elephant. However, in his run for life, he fell down and sustained injuries.

Watchers employed

The Forest Department has deployed anti-poaching and anti-depredation squad-watchers in the area to monitor the movement of the herd and to chase them back into the forest in the event of an attempt to stray into human habitations.

The foothills of Western Ghats had been witnessing a steep increase in the movement of elephants, especially in search of water and fodder following a dry spell during the North East monsoon.

In addition, this being the migratory season for elephants, they find obstructions in the corridor hindering their movement and, therefore,they end up entering human habitations.

On Monday, an elephant was almost about to enter the IOB Colony in Vadavalli. On Monday, a group of four persons who strayed into forest areas in Pachapalayam were chased by a herd and they had to climb onto a concrete structure, that served the purpose of watchtower, and had to stay there for several hours, as the herd remained ferocious throughout.

With elephants causing deaths in Thadagam area and Madukkarai frequently, the Forest Department is toying with the idea of deploying its two kumkis, namely Nanjan and Pari, at the chadivayal camp to ensure instant reaction to visits from wild elephants.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/one-trampled-by-elephants-another-injured/article4263802.ece

Green passports in Kerala for young wildlife enthusiasts

By Viju B, TNN

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The holders of this passport may play a key role in protecting the virgin green zones of the state in the near future.
 The forest department has started issuing unique 'green passports' to young wildlife enthusiasts, an official stamp of approval for future conservation activities to be done along with state wildlife officials across wild life sanctuaries and parks in the state. 

Forest officials have already issued green passports to 40 school students from 17 schools situated in and around the Periyar tiger reserve. 

These students were an integral part of nature clubs activities in their respective schools and were nominated by the student coordinators based on their. 

"The passport holders who are selected are guided by foresters and ranger officers on various conservation issues and provided an insight into the flora and fauna in national parks and sanctuaries across the state. Their passports will have a stamp of approval from the wildlife warden each park after they complete these rounds. They will then have acquired the minimum knowledge required to be drafted as budding wildlife conservationist," said deputy director Periyar tiger reserve Sanjayan Kumar. 

The state has a forest cover of 29.1%, well above the national average of 20%. The total forest area in the state is 11,309.50 square kilometres. 

The reserve forests come to around 9,107 square kilometres; vested forest and eco fragile land comes to around 1;837.7 square kilometres. 

Forest officials point out that the state government will have to tackle numerous challenges to protect the environment hot spots, especially since the Western Ghats has been notified as a world heritage site by the United National Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). 

Many eco-sensitive zones amongst the 19 world heritage sites in the state face encroachments and unplanned development in contravention to the forest conservation act. 

"The department today is facing huge staff shortage and we need community initiatives and full support from wild life enthusiasts to protect the fragile green zones of the state," a senior forest official said. 

The department also plans to issue green passports through registered nature clubs and spread it across all major sanctuaries and parks in the state. 

"This is the first time such an initiative is done in the country. The passport would remain as a record and proud testimony with every green enthusiast in the country. We have imprinted our national animal, tiger, on each page of the passport as a reminder of its diminishing population," the official said. 

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Green-passports-in-Kerala-for-young-wildlife-enthusiasts/articleshow/17838554.cms?intenttarget=no

Khurshid sojourn in jumbo corridor resort irks greens

B. RAVICHANDRAN | DC

Ooty: It looks like the dawn of 2013 may not have been on a happy note for Union external affairs minister Salman Khurshid with greens here venting their anger against him for choosing to stay in a private tourist resort said to be declared illegal and directed to be closed down by the Madras high court as it is located in the elephant corridor.

K. Mohan Raj, coordinator of the Tamil Nadu Green Movement (TNGM), said that Khurshid, on a visit to the Nilgiris since Monday, had stayed in a private tourist resort in Bokkapuram, adjoining the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR), though the state government had allotted a VIP guesthouse at Mudumalai Tiger Reserve for him, as a protocol.

But the minister chose to stay in the tourist resort which has been declared illegal and directed to be shut by the high court.

His relatives reportedly own tourist resorts in Sigur plateau in the Nilgiris, which has been notified as elephant corridor based on the orders of the Madras high court. The matter is pending now before the Supreme Court, he added.

“We find this to be an unfortunate development and extremely discouraging to see the Union minister patronising a disputed resort at a controversial location. These resorts dismember a vital corridor that connects Eastern and Western Ghats’ elephant population. Had the minister opted to stay in the MTR guesthouse, he would have sent a right and encouraging signal,” he added.

Officials at Mudumalai Tiger Reserve were tight-lipped and only said the minister visited the jungles on Monday afternoon and left for Bokkapuram. However, police sources said the minister was scheduled to stay in the jungle guesthouse in the Upper Kargudi area in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve but chose to move to the Bokkapuram private resort.

The minister would leave the Nilgiris on Wednesday, the police said.

Source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com/130102/news-current-affairs/article/khurshid-sojourn-jumbo-corridor-resort-irks-greens

Salman Khurshid's Nilgiris stay irks activists

By Express News Service - COIMBATORE

Tamil Nadu Green Movement flays Salman Khurshid for staying in a resort at Bokkapuram declared illegal by HC. Express

The representatives of the Tamil Nadu Green Movement (TNGM) raised strong opposition against the stay of the Union Minister of External Affairs Salman Khurshid at a private resort in Bokkapuram.

According to the movement’s authorities, the Madras High Court had declared the resort illegal and had ordered it to be vacated.

In a statement, K Mohan Raj, coordinator of TNGM, said, “According to privileged information, Salman Khurshid had visited the Nilgiris and planned to stay in a private resort in Bokkapuram. This is when the state government has allotted a VIP guest house in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve as a protocol to the Minister. The Minister visited his relatives a few days ago and stayed in the resort that is declared illegal by the High Court of Madras and a clear mandate has been issued to vacate the resort. In this light, we find this move to be an unfortunate development and extremely discouraging to see the Minister patronising a disputed resort on a controversial location.”

Further, the TNGM has also alleged that the Minister’s relatives owned resorts in the elephant corridor in Sigur Plateau. “The area where the resort is situated has been notified as Elephant Corridor based on the orders of High Court of Madras and the matter is pending now before the Supreme Court. These resorts are dismembering a vital corridor that connects the elep hant population in Eastern and Western Ghats. If the Minister had opted to stay in Mudumulai Tiger Reserve guest house, he would have sent the right and encouraging signal,” Mohan Raj added.


Source: http://newindianexpress.com/states/tamil_nadu/article1404051.ece

Wildlife census at Anamalai Tiger Reserve begins today

V.S. PALANIAPPAN

Nearly 100 people to be involved in the exercise

•  Enumeration of wildlife will be held on January 2,3,4,5 and 6 
•  Visitors will not be allowed into the reserve on the five days

The five-day census to enumerate the wildlife population is all set to begin in the 958 sq km area spread over six ranges of Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) from Wednesday. Talking to The Hindu , Field Director of ATR Rajiv K. Srivasatava said that nearly 100 people including Forest Department staff, NGO volunteers, nature enthusiasts and environmentalists will be involved in the exercise. The staff and other volunteers will be divided into teams of three or four and will be involved in carrying out the census in Amaravathy, Udumalpet, Pollachi, Valparai, Manomboly and Valparai ranges.

The personnel to be involved in census exercises will be given training on January 2, They are being equipped with the latest state-of-the-art compass, Global Positioning System (GPS) and Range Finders. The actual census on the field would be on January 3, 4, 5 and 6.

Census is carried out in tiger reserves and sanctuaries twice a year i.e., in January and May. During this year, finer technical measures would be used for carrying out the census to ensure near accuracy of the data generated. While the focus will be on tigers, census would also enumerate elephants, leopards, tigers, Indian gaur, sambar deer, spotted deer, barking deer and mouse deer, besides civet cats.

The census staff would also spot, and record the presence of special and lesser known species, including weeds and invasive species, and there would be a special report on documenting these species.

The personnel would resort to line transect method, block count method and water hole counts to assess the population of wildlife Direct count (sighting) as well as indirect count (pug marks, dung and excrete) will also be considered.

The data generated will help the ATR officials to assess the health of the habitat and revisit the conservation and wildlife and forest management strategies and strengthen them.

Visitors will be not allowed into the reserve on the five days.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/wildlife-census-at-anamalai-tiger-reserve-begins-today/article4263754.ece