Survival of rhino at risk due to horn trade: Report

PTI

Today, rhino poaching and illegal horn trade are at their highest
levels in over 20 years, threatening to reverse years of
conservation effort, particularly in Africa.

Escalating levels of poaching and illegal trade in rhino horns are seriously undermining rhino conservation efforts, putting the survival of the species at risk, according to a report by two global conservation organisations.

The report, prepared by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) and TRAFFIC, a wildlife trade monitoring network, says that illegal trade in rhino horns involves highly organised, mobile and well-financed criminal groups, mainly composed of Asian nationals based in Africa.

“The findings of the report are alarming,” says Tom Milliken, a rhino expert from TRAFFIC. “Today, rhino poaching and illegal horn trade are at their highest levels in over 20 years, threatening to reverse years of conservation effort, particularly in Africa. There is no doubt that rhino species are facing a serious crisis.”

In Asia, although conservation action in Nepal and India has resulted in increased numbers of the Great One-horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis), the situation in Indonesia and Malaysia remains serious for the world’s two rarest rhino species- the Sumatran Rhinoceros and the Javan Rhinoceros, it says.

The report came at a time when India is making major efforts to deal with the incidents of poaching involving the rhinoceros in Assam.

“Rhinos are killed for their horns, which are seen as highly desirable status symbols in parts of Asia, notably Vietnam, but also increasingly in China,” says Bibhab Kumar Talukdar, head of IUCN Species Survival Commission’s (SSC) Asian Rhino Specialist Group.

“Horns are also increasingly used for non-traditional purposes such as hangover cure and body detoxifier, especially in Vietnam,” he says.

According to the report, the crime networks have recruited “pseudo-hunters including Vietnamese citizens, Thai prostitutes and proxy hunters from the Czech Republic and Poland” to obtain rhino horns in South Africa on the pretence of trophy hunts for illegal commercial trade.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/survival-of-rhino-at-risk-due-to-horn-trade-report/article4316187.ece

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

Uppalapadu tank works get forest clearance

P. SAMUEL JONATHAN

CC road will be laid from main road to bird sanctuary

Avian paradise: Pelicans soaring at the Uppalapadu bird
sanctuary in Guntur district.— Photo: T. Vijaya Kumar

The Forest Department has given the nod for undertaking developmental works at Uppalapadu tank, the famed breeding place for migratory birds. District Forest Officer S.K Salaam told The Hindu that the Forest Department has given financial clearance to undertake works at a cost of Rs 17.28 lakh.

The works including laying of a CC road from the main road to the bird sanctuary, afforestation, strengthening of tank bund, removal of water hyacinth and appointment of watch and ward staff at the sanctuary.

The Eco Development Committee, which is yet to be constituted, would be undertaking the works.

The works would start once the department gets funding.

The action plan was part of a major scheme for development of the sanctuary at a cost of Rs.2 crore, with which the Department has plans to take up construction works, setting up of cafeteria and establishing an eco-tourism centre.

The nondescript village would soon get a face lift.

Water contamination

The district administration has already pledged to lay a pipe line at a cost of Rs.35 lakh and part of the funds would be drawn from MPLADS. For years, villagers have been voicing their concerns over the contamination of water in the village tank due to the presence of a large number of migratory birds. Signs of a conflict between human beings and the birds endangering peaceful co-existence had appeared recently when villagers began felling giant trees abutting the water tanks that provided refuge to birds.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/uppalapadu-tank-works-get-forest-clearance/article4311586.ece

Threat of forest fires looms large

R. KRISHNA KUMAR

High temperature, depleting water-levels have compounded situation

• ‘We have burnt 10-metre patch of vegetation along the fire lines in Nagarahole’
• Wildlife activists dismayed that some critical posts are yet to be filled

Preventive measure:Vegetation being cleared along
the fire lines at Chamundi Hills in Mysore on Tuesday.

The threat of forest fires looms large over Bandipur and Nagarahole national parks even as the Forest Department is gearing up to combat one of the worst droughts in recent decades.

The soaring mercury level coupled with depleting water-levels has compounded the situation, and the possibility of animals straying into human habitations in search of food and water is likely in the days ahead. The severity of the fodder crisis this year has been amplified by the devastation wreaked by the major fire that reduced a vast swathe of Nagarahole to cinders last March.

R. Gokul, Conservator of Forests, and Director, Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, told The Hindu that the Mysore portion of Nagarahole was dry though there was moisture and greenery in the Kodagu portion. “But most of the watering holes in the national park have run dry while a few water bodies around Kalahalla and Nagarahole range can at best last for another 45 days.”

Water tanks constructed

The authorities constructed a water tank in the Metikuppe range as it was found that elephant herds were straying from their natural habitat in search of water. “It has helped arrest the elephants’ movement and they have returned to the core forest areas,” Mr. Gokul said.

A tank will also be constructed in the Antharsanthe range which has a large elephant population.

However, Mr. Gokul said that construction of the tank had been taken up on an experimental basis. He said that three to four tanks could be constructed in Veeranahosahalli and Antharsanthe.

“But, this will not help all animals because the prey density in Nagarahole is 50 animals per sq km and the requirement of all the animals cannot be met through artificial means,” Mr. Gokul said.

He said: “We have burnt 10-metre patch of vegetation along the fire lines on either side of the game (safari) roads. This works out to about 1,700 hectares out of a total area of 64,300 hectares or 2.65 per cent of the total forest area.”

Meanwhile, wildlife activists are dismayed that in spite of the possibility of a crisis, some critical posts are yet to be filled, which could affect forest fire protection. Sources said there was no range officer in Metikuppe range, which bore the brunt of last year’s fire. The situation is similar at Veeranahosahalli, while the post of Director at Bandipur National Park is vacant. Activists also sought a ban on tourism during the ‘forest fire season’ as this could augment available resources such as staff and vehicles to combat forest fires. Responding to the suggestion, Mr. Gokul said there was no such proposal at present though they may take a call on it later.

In Bandipur, BRT

The scenario in Bandipur and BRT sanctuaries is similar.

D. Rajkumar of Wildlife Conservation Foundation expressed the fear that watering holes could go dry after 15 to 20 days. However, vegetation along the fire lines had been burnt and fire spotters had been hired, he said.

Meanwhile, the authorities in Mysore began clearing of vegetation along the fire lines at Chamundi Hills on Tuesday.


Source: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/threat-of-forest-fires-looms-large/article4311531.ece

Wildlife Memoirs: Traffic or Tigers? Versus in Deccan Chronicle

Let forest officials escort vehicles at night

I.C.Balakrishnan, MLA, Sulthan Bathery, Kerala

It has been four years since night traffic was banned in Bandipur. Initially, Karnataka agreed to lift the bank during the talks with Kerala government, but then some environmentalists went to court and had the ban enforced again. But it is affecting tourism as people have trouble planning their schedules to avoid going through Bandipur at night. Many, who want to start their journey to Bandipur Friday night and return Monday morning, cannot do so on account of the ban. Students and businessmen from areas on the Karnataka-Kerala border, who study or do business in Bengaluru are also inconvenienced as they need to plan their trips a day in advance now. 

The alternate route suggested through Gundalpet, Hunsur, Kutta and Mananthavadi, is a lot longer and unpleasant as the roads are not in good condition. The government should instead increase the number of forest officials and use them to escort convoys of vehicles through the forest at night.

There have been no proper studies to support the ban on night traffic through Bandipur. In fact, when it was allowed, there were only a few cases of animal road-kills. The issue needs to be studied in depth by a combined team of Kerala and Karnataka.

Wild animals do not understand convoy system

Sanjay Gubbi

The welcome benefits of economic development have come with serious costs to wildlife through loss and fragmentation of habitats, especially for rare and endangered animals. The backbone of country’s infrastructure growth has necessitated the expansion of road network. Coupled with high speed vehicles, roads have turned out to be an important linear fragmentation threat to wildlife. Mortality due to speeding vehicles and acting as barriers for animal movement are the two important impacts of highways.

The closure of highways for night traffic through Bandipur Tiger Reserve is one vital step to minimise the impacts of highways on tigers and other species. An alternate road that is 35 km longer acts as a mode of transport for night travel and the state has recently taken up repairs of this road. This rare 48 crore investment for infrastructure to save tigers, is a unique highly laudable gesture.

The state of Kerala has proposed alternatives such as allowing vehicles in convoy system under close supervision, building flyover and barriers along the highways. Wild animals clearly do not understand convoy system and their movements are based on their biological and ecological needs. Any supervision cannot dictate the movement patterns of wild animals. The other civil engineering solutions are neither economically or ecologically viable.  A flyover through Bandipur would cost a horrendous 4,000 crore not to forget the enormous disturbance during the construction phase, and barriers such as walls will wholly stop the movement of wildlife.

As the country moves forward with its ambition of 8% economic growth, more land is taken for the rapid expansion of its infrastructure. Places like Bandipur are one of the last strongholds for tigers and we need to support alternatives rather than continue to pursue ecologically destructive options that are largely driven by deceitful economic interests.

Source: Wildlife Memoirs: Traffic or Tigers? Versus in Deccan Chronicle

HC tells Himachal govt to ban cookies, chips in polythene packs

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the state government to ban sale of ‘junk food’ in non bio-degradable packs from April 1 but exempted essential items like edible oil and milk from the ban.

A Division Bench of Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjay Karool directed that the list of non-essential items (junk food), identified by committee set up by the High Court, are not to be sold in non-biodegradable packing. The items included chips, wafers, biscuits, namkeen, candy, chewing gum, ice cream, chocolates, noodles, sugary cereals, among other items.

“We are not in any manner issuing directions that such items are banned because that is not within the purview of the court but if we follow the law enacted by the state (Himachal) Pradesh Non-Biodegradable (Control) Act, 1995, the least we can do is to direct that these harmful items, which are classified as junk foods, if sold in the state in packing condition should be sold only in bio-degradable packing,” the judges said.

The Bench proposed use of options such as tetra packs, tin packing or biodegradable plastic of 20 micro metre thickness is proposed.

The Bench, however, said the list of food items identified for the ban is not final.

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/HC-tells-Himachal-govt-to-ban-cookies--chips-in-polythene-packs/1059361/

NGT asks Centre to fix noise norms for public vehicles

Vehicles with multi-tone horns and sirens are found to be violating noise pollution rules
Premal Balan / Ahmedabad

The National Green Tribunal ( NGT) has directed the Union government to notify standards for sirens and multi-tone horns used by vehicles including those of Government, police or ambulance  within three months.

The directions were issued by principal bench of Justice A S Naidu and G K Pandey who felt an urgent need to have source specific noise standards, as there were no standards specified by the Union government with regard to use of horns and sirens in ambulances, government and police vehicles.
 
The bench was hearing an application filed by a senior citizen Dileep B Nevatia residing on the Worli Sea Face road in Mumbai. Nevatia had alleged there was gross violation of the Noise Pollution (Regulation & Control) Rules 2000 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 by vehicles using multi-tone horns and sirens.

He had claimed that the vehicles fitted with multi-tone horns were emitting sounds in far excess of the levels prescribed and were causing noise pollution.

The applicant had demanded specifying standards for sirens and multi-tone horns wanted ban on vehicles that violate those stipulated standards.

"The controversy before us is pertaining to vehicular noise caused by unrestricted use of sirens and multi-tone horns having un-specified standards, being fitted in the ambulances, Government and police vehicles," the bench observed in its order of last week.

"Needless to say that there is urgent requirement to evolve source specific (noise) standards for sirens and multi-tone vehicles, constant use of sirens and multi-tone horns much above noise standard, causes immense hardship to common people and also poses serious affects on human health," it further observed.

So far no source specific standards have been evolved or specified for sirens and multi-tone horns by the Union Government.

"In order to control ambient noise pollution, it is essential to control emanating noise at the source itself for which source specific standards are required to be formulated. Source specific standards have already been evolved by the MoEF and CPCB for the D.G. Sets, Industries, etc. However, so far no source specific standards have been evolved or specified for sirens and multi-tone horns by the Union Government," the bench observed.

Hence it issued direction for Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, "to notify the standards for sirens and multi-tone horns used by different vehicles either under Government duty or otherwise within a period of 3 months."

Based on which, the Maharashtra government will have to issue specific notifications. The NGT also directed Maharashtra police to ensure that no private vehicle be allowed to use sirens or multi-tone horns in residential and silent zones and in the vicinity of educational institutions, hospitals and other sensitive areas and also during night except emergencies and under exceptional circumstances.

Source: http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/ngt-asks-centre-to-fix-noise-norms-for-public-vehicles/202774/on

Panel backs NHAI: ‘MoEF can’t insist on Forest Act’

Things may have come to a boil between the National Highways Authority of India and the Ministry of Environment and Forests over green clearances to road projects last week with the former going to court in protest, but they have been simmering for long enough. The NHAI has for long been demanding exemption from the Forest Rights Act for its road projects and now derives strength from the recent recommendations made by a Committee of Secretaries on the issue.

Chaired by the Law Secretary, this committee — specifically examining the NHAI’s demand vis-a-vis the ministry’s contentions — gave an opinion in favour of the NHAI. The committee has opined that the FRA may not be insisted upon as far as road projects are concerned. Sources said the MoEF wrote to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for its views on the committee’s opinion. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, in turn, passed the buck to the MoEF arguing that since the guidelines to FRA were issues by the latter, any changes will have to be effected by the same ministry.

The FRA to which the MoEF issued guidelines in 2009 require public hearings and consent of related gram sabhas before forest clearance for a project can be given. The process, a time consuming one, is said to delay projects. Under pressure over delays, the MoEF is of a view that forest clearance should not be delinked from environmental clearance.

The MoEF argues that it has already been sympathetic to the NHAI’s demands by relaxing its guidelines for linear projects, facilitating phased processing of these proposals, provided feasible alternate alignments are submitted for stretches in forest areas.

The Forest Ministry contends that its notifications, dated March 2012 and September 2011, on re-diversion of forest land for non forest purposes facilitated linear projects.

The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has been at loggerheads with the MoEF over alleged delays in granting of clearance and blames it for slow progress in projects worth over Rs 2,000 crore. They had even sought the PMO’s intervention to expedite linear projects like roads, railway tracks and transmission lines awaiting green clearances.

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Panel-backs-NHAI---MoEF-can-t-insist-on-Forest-Act-/1059309/0