Gir Eco Friends....

Gujarat: New sea turtles policy in offing..

2020-03-28T00:55:00.005+05:30

The government of India will soon come up with a separate policy for the protection and conservation of marine turtles.

"We will soon come up with a Marine Turtle Policy for preservation of the five species that are found in India. Some concerns have been raised that India should do more for marine conservation. The new policy will be a step in this direction," said Soumitra Dasgupta, additional director general of forests (wildlife), ministry of environment, forests and climate change (MoEFCC) in an interaction with TOI.

Dasgupta was speaking on the sidelines of the United Nation's Convention for Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) at Gandhinagar on Saturday. The new policy will be implemented through a one-decade programme with various state governments as partners. The project will need central assistance of Rs 100 crore, he added.

The five species found in India are the olive ridley Turtle, green turtle, hawksbill turtle, loggerhead turtle and the leatherback sea turtle. Apart from the olive ridley, all the other species are either 'endangered' or 'critically endangered'.

"Although the loggerhead sea turtle is said to be present in India, for the last couple of decades there has been no record from Indian waters," said Sajan John, chief of the marine division at the Wildlife Trust of India.

All these marine turtles have nesting sites along the Indian coast. Odisha on the eastern coast has one of the largest mass nesting sites in the world for olive ridleys.

The new proposed policy will chalk out a habitat recovery programme involving stakeholders including fisherfolk. "The new plan will also track the movement of ships and their impact on sea turtles. Marine pollution is another area that the new policy will cover. We will also seek the support of the Indian Navy in the conservation of turtles," said Dasgupta.

Studies suggest that predation of nests by animals and people is a common threat to sea turtles along the Gujarat coast.

Source By : TOI

CRZ Notification are implemented properly, coastal zones and fragile ecosystems can be safeguarded

2020-01-08T23:13:00.001+05:30

The coastal zone is a transition area between marine and territorial zones. It includes shore ecosystems, wetland ecosystems, mangrove ecosystems, mudflat ecosystems, sea grass ecosystems, salt marsh ecosystems and seaweed ecosystems.

It is assessed that about 4,800 billion tonnes domestic waste and 65 million tonnes solid waste are dumped annually in the sea. Due to continuous onslaught on the coastal areas, the extent of mangroves, coral reefs and fish breeding gets diminished adversely impacting the livelihood of 200 million people who live along the 7,517 kilometre-long coastline of our country.

Hence, it was decided to introduce a plan of action with an aim towards sustained utilisation of the coastal zone. Based on that, the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification was issued in 1991 under the Environmental Protection Act, 1986, by the Ministry of Environment and Forest to regulate activities in coastal areas of India.

CRZ consists of coastal land up to 500 metres from the High Tide Line (HTL) and a stage of 100 metres along the banks of creeks, estuaries, backwater and rivers where tidal fluctuations occur.

The coastal areas have been classified into four categories—CRZ-I, CRZ-II, CRZ-III and CRZ-IV—in the 1991 notification, which aimed at restricting establishment of industries in these areas.

The ecologically sensitive areas that lie between high and low tide line, and are very much essential for maintaining the ecosystems, are covered under CRZ-I. Natural gas exploration and salt extraction are permitted in this zone.

The areas up to the shoreline of the coast are notified under CRZ-II. Unauthorised structures are not allowed here. Rural and urban areas which fall outside CRZ-I and CRZ-II are covered under CRZ-III. Only agriculture-related activities and public facilities are permitted in this zone. Aquatic areas up to territorial limits are notified under CRZ-IV. Though originally this zone was notified for Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands, fishing and allied activities were subsequently allowed here after due modification. It’s permitted to let off solid waste in this area.

The 1991 notification was amended about 25 times—considering the requests made by state governments, central ministries and NGOs, besides many orders were issued by MoEFCC clarifying certain issues.

Finally, consolidating above modifications, a new notification was issued in 2011 based on the recommendations made by the committee chaired by Dr M S Swaminathan on coastal regulation.

The 2011 CRZ Notification aimed at ensuring livelihood security of the fishing communities as well as other local communities who inhabit the coastal areas, conserving and protecting coastal areas and promoting development in a sustainable manner based on scientific principles.

CRZ area was classified as CRZ-I (ecologically sensitive areas), CRZ-II (built-up areas), CRZ-III (rural areas) and CRZ-IV (water areas). The only change made was the inclusion of CRZ-IV, which includes water areas up to the territorial waters and the tidal influenced water bodies.
Presently, the MoEFCC has issued the Draft Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2018, based on representations received from different coastal states, Union Territories and other stake holders in supersession of the CRZ notification 2011.

It is clearly mentioned in the Draft that the present notification is issued with a view to conserve and protect the unique environment of coastal stretches and marine areas, besides livelihood security to communities and to promote sustainable development based on scientific principles taking into account the dangers of natural hazards and sea level rise due to global warming.

According to the new notification, the projects which are located in CRZ-I (ecologically sensitive areas) and CRZ-IV (areas covered between LTL and 12 nautical miles seaward) will require necessary clearance from the Union government.

The powers for clearances with respect to CRZ-II (areas that have been developed up to or close to the shoreline) and CRZ-III (areas that are relatively undisturbed) have been delegated to the state governments. The construction norms on floor space index (FSI) have been relaxed now. The new notification relaxed the No Development Zone (NDZ) criteria as well.

The Draft notification permits temporary tourism facilities such as shacks, toilet blocks, changing rooms, drinking water facilities, etc, on beaches within 10 metres of the waterline, making the state and even the town planning authorities empowered to grant permission.

Temporary tourism facilities are now permitted in NDZ of the CRZ-III areas. Again, the CRZ-I is further classified into CRZ-I A consisting of the ecologically sensitive areas and CRZ-I B covering the area between Low Tide Line (LTL) and HTL.

After classifying ecologically sensitive areas under CRZ-I A, activities such as mangrove walks, tree huts, nature trails, etc, were exempted in the name of ecotourism as tourism facilities.

Rural areas with a population density of 2,161/square kilometre, which fall under CRZ-III A shall now have NDZ of 50 metres from the HTL, against 200 metres stipulated in the 2011 notification.

In the mangrove buffer, laying of pipelines, transmission lines, construction of road on stilts, etc, that are required for public utilities are permitted.

When such activities are permitted in the fragile ecosystems, it is likely to disturb marine life further leading to depletion and destruction of the ecosystems in due course of time.

If the regulations listed in the CRZ Notification are implemented properly, the coastal zones can be safeguarded against encroachments. However, since it is only a notification without any punitive measures, it could not be enforced strictly.

Even the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India pointed out that the frequent amendments, made to the notification, have paved way for commercial and industrial expansion in coastal areas, while natural disasters have become more frequent causing severe loss to human lives and property.

The CRZ Notification 2011 entailed a Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP), to be prepared by the coastal states within a year. However, till 2018, many states had not prepared any plan; while few plans submitted lacked any proposal for housing facilities for fisherfolk.

It is high time that the present notification be revoked for the sake of protecting the fragile coastal ecosystems. Promulgation and enactment of a new Act for protection of the coastal zones—with clear classification of various zones, after due consultations with the fishing communities, stakeholders, scientists and the department concerned—is the need of the hour.

8,000 e-eyes to count lions across 25,000 sq km in Gir

2020-01-02T21:49:00.000+05:30

Lion Census 2020 in Gujarat has got a shot in the arm as around 8,000-10,000 cameras would be used to count the burgeoning population of big cats in the last abode of Asiatic lions.

Against 15,000 sq km area surveyed in 2015 census, lions will be counted in 25,000 sq km area spread across seven districts.

For the first time, expertise of Wildlife Institute of India (WII) will be utilized in the census scheduled to be held in May next year.

Scientist at WII and lion expert, said. "The WII has sent a proposal to government of Gujarat and two rounds of meetings have taken place for finalizing the modalities of lion census."

The 2015 census had pegged the lion numbers at 523 in Gujarat. This number is expected to have grown phenomenally with internal assessments of the forest department hinting population may have crossed the 1,000-mark.

Top sources said the government has in-principle agreed to adopt the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) technology for counting lions.

8-10K cameras will catch lions

The census area will be divided into a three-km grid each. Officials said that first field officers will carry out human surveillance wherein scat, hair, teeth, nails of the big cat will be collected.

Physical forms will also be filled out noting description of the lions. This time, only 1,500-2,000 personnel will be out in the field. Unlike last census, 1,500 volunteers used will not be deployed. “In the second phase, 8,000-10,000 camera traps will be installed,” said a senior official.

lioness saves 'footloose' cub on busy highway

2020-01-02T21:23:00.002+05:30

In an unusual occurrence, a month old lion cub strayed on to the busy Dhari-Visavadar highway in Amreli district on Saturday night.

With vehicles zooming past by in great speed, the terrified cub stood frozen in the middle of the road.

"However, before any harm came its way, the mother lion rushed to its rescue. Picking little Simba gently in its mouth, the lioness made it across to the other side of the road and escorted it back into the safety of the dark forest," a forest officer said.

A wildlife enthusiast who happened to be passing by the area stopped in front of the lioness and her cub and filmed the entire incident on his cellphone and uploaded it on WhatsApp and the social media which later went viral.

However, another cub of Amrapur village of Maliya-Hatina taluka in Junagadh district was not so lucky. Forest officials, who found the carcass of a two-year-old lion from a farm on the outskirts of Amrapur village, said it may have been a victim of in-fighting.

"The cub appeared to have fallen prey to a male lion which are known to kill cubs in order to mate with the lioness," an officer explained.

Source By : TOI

Rasila Wadher: 1st Woman Forest Rescuer Has Rescued 1000+ Animals in 12 Years

2019-12-27T13:39:00.003+05:30

Rasila Wadher had shot to limelight in 2008 as the first woman forest guard in Gir National Park, the last abode of Asiatic lions. Her exemplary courage in rescuing ferocious animals has drawn global applause.

Now, gun-totting 33-year-old Rasila Wadher is all set to head the entire rescue department of the sanctuary. In fact, Wadher will be the first woman to helm this crucial post ever since the department was formed 22 years ago. On an average, 700 rescue operations are undertaken in four districts - Junagadh, Gir-Somnath, Amreli and Bhavnagar - in a year.

Wadher, who has rescued 1,100 wild animals in her decade-long career, will now oversee these operations, which has become more challenging due to lions frequently straying close to human habitations. In Gir, she will be handling a team of 18 trackers, but her job is not limited to the four districts.

"Whenever there is a rescue call anywhere in Gujarat and there are no experts available, our teams rush to those places," said Wadher, who was promoted as sanctuary inspector two months ago. In 2008, Wadher was offered the posting in forest department's back office. But itching for a field job, she applied for recruitment as forest guard and got selected.

"Mine is a 24 hours job because you never know what would happen and where," said Wadher, mother of a nine-month-old boy whom she takes along sometimes when there is no one at home to take care.

Rasila was recently promoted to Forest Rescuer. She is now the head of Gir’s Rescue department. From having just one star on her uniform to now having three, from working as a subordinate to now heading a department, Rasila’s journey defines courage, dedication, hard work and genuine love for animals.

Wildlife Service Award: Rohit Choudhury ,Determined campaigner, activist and committed environment protector

2019-12-27T13:03:00.001+05:30

The quintessential bookworm, Rohit Choudhury spends his days navigating India’s labyrinthine judicial system, dodging bullets both literal and figurative, to win legal battles for conservation. Born and brought up in Bokakhat, Assam, Choudhury’s contribution to his state’s rich and threatened biodiversity is both unique and unsung. A wildlife activist, he deploys the powerful Right to Information Act (RTI) to protect the biodiverse landscapes of the Kaziranga National Park, Manas National Park and a host of lesser-known Protected Areas. Extracting valuable information from reams of case documents and reports, he has committed himself to the tedium of careful reading and research that are critical to any conservation battle.

He’s working to put a halt to the unregulated dumping of garbage from Guwahati city in the Ramsar Site of Deepor Beel; fighting the unlawful diversion of the Beki river in the core of the Manas National Park at the National Green Tribunal (NGT); and petitioning against the destruction of prime elephant habitats in the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong landscape by illegal mining operations.

His work on the latter resulted in the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) ordering a ban on all mining activities in the concerned landscape. Here, he has also approached the NGT to address the issue of roadkills on NH37, where dozens of wild animals die agonising deaths under the wheels of speeding vehicles when they try to cross the road. Choudhury also won a stay order on the illegal expansion of the highway from Jakhalabandha to Bokakhat. Perhaps best known for his heroic fight against the Numaligarh Refinery for blocking an elephant corridor, Rohit Choudhury faces threats from all those that he brings to task. Yet, this gutsy activist continues undaunted.

Source By: Sanctuary Asia

Himalayan flora-fauna in critical phase to global warming: Scientists

2019-12-27T12:14:00.001+05:30

The total 19,600 endangered species of flora and fauna in the country, the Himalayan region is home to 133 which are passing through a critical phase due to changing weather patterns and massive deforestation, scientists warned at a seminar in Almora on Wednesday.

"Scientists maintained that if the global warming trends in the Himalayan region remain as they are, several flora species of fungus, algae and lichen besides fauna species like bharal, snow leopards and musk deer will disappear from Himalayan region," R S Rawal, Director of G B Pant National Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development that hosted the event said.

Massive deforestation, rampant conversion of agricultural land for construction purposes and the ever growing concrete jungle were held by scientists as the principal culprits for the changing weather patterns in the region, he said.

Flora and fauna in the 2,400 km long Himalayan range are passing through a critical phase as global warming is affecting the regional eco system most, he said.

Arun Kumar, Director of Dehradun-based Dolphin Institute said that the depleting number of bharal and musk deer in their habitats in the Himalayan region is a problem on which the new researchers in the field need to focus.

Scientists from several institutes across the country took part in the seminar including Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, Nature Conservation Foundation, Pantnagar University, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, Kathmandu (Nepal), IIT Roorkee, Central Agricultural University Sikkim and BSIP Lucknow.

Making a special reference to the research paper presented by P R Ojaswai, Director of Dehradun based Indian institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Rawal said Ojaswai claimed that global warming has started affecting crops in the region as an increase of one degree in temperature has lead to a decrease in wheat production ranging between 15 to 20 per cent.

source by:TOI

India should take urgent action to tackle air pollution: WHO

2019-12-27T01:19:00.000+05:30

India should take “urgent action” to tackle air pollution as the levels of toxic air in many cities of the country are much higher than the recommended guidelines, which could have a major impact on people's health, WHO director Maria Neira said.

Several studies conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO), Centre for Science and Environment and others published in journals such as The Lancet have linked pollution with premature deaths in India.

Union environment minister Prakash Javadekar recently told Parliament that there was no Indian study to show any correlation between pollution and shortening of lifespan.

"The studies conducted in India have not shown a direct correlation of shortening of life because of pollution. Let us not create a fear psychosis among people," the minister told the House.

When asked to comment on the minister's speech in the Lok Sabha, Neira told PTI "a very strong scientific evidence is telling us that exposure to air pollution is having a major impact on people's health."

"Independently of which methodology is used or what are the estimates, it is urgent to take action because the levels of air pollution in certain cities in India are very high, and this is definitely having impact on people's health," notec Neira, Director, Public Health, Environment and Social Determinants of Health Department (PHE), WHO.

"Therefore, we urge governments to take measures to reduce pollution, to reduce the massive damage this pollution is causing to health of their citizens, particularly in those cities where the levels of air pollution are far beyond those guidelines recommended by the WHO," she said.

A study published last year in The Lancet journal found that one out of every eight deaths in India in 2017 could be attributed to air pollution.

This study showed that India has a higher proportion of global health loss due to air pollution than its proportion of the global population.

Around 12.4 lakh deaths in India in 2017 can be attributed to air pollution, it said, terming toxic air a leading risk factor for deaths in the country.

The study also noted that the average life expectancy would have been 1.7 years higher if the pollution levels were less than the minimal level responsible for causing health loss.

WHO air quality guidelines estimate that reducing annual average fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations from levels of 35 microgrammes per cubic metre (µg/m3) to 10 µg/m3, could reduce air pollution-related deaths by around 15 per cent.

Source by : TOI

Lion mauls farm labourer to death in Gujarat's Amreli

2019-12-27T00:52:00.000+05:30

A 55-year-old farm labourer was savagely mauled to death by an Asiatic lion in Jira village of Amreli district's Dhari taluka early on Monday morning. ... The lion dragged him for nearly half a km and bit into his neck and chest, leaving him dead on the spot

A farm labourer was mauled to death by a lion in a village of Amreli district on Monday early morning. Acting swiftly, the forest department captured the lion and initiated the process to send it to Sakkarbaug Zoo, Junagadh.

The deceased was identified as Kadu Bhilad, aged 55, a farm labourer from Madhya Pradesh.

Source by : Times of india

250 lions killed over past 5 years in Gujarat

2014-06-21T10:06:00.002+05:30

the world's only abode of Asiatic lions in Gujarat under threat? The Gir wildlife sanctuary and its periphery have witnessed no less than 250 deaths of lions in the last five years. This has raised concerns over the safety of the big cats.

According to the May 2010 census, there are 411 lions in the state spread in the area of 10,000 sqkm. But according to 2013 statistics, lions are now spread in an area of 20,000 sqkm. Experts feel that the death of 250-odd lions is alarming. In 2012-13, the number of deaths was 48, which increased to 53 in 2013-14. Also, in the first three months, approximately 20 lions have died, including eight in accidents. Of these eight, six were run over by trains.

Experts feel that the increase in number of such cases is mainly in the category of unnatural death. This includes electrocution or falling in wells. Officials said that the death of 20-odd lions — over 40% — were because of unnatural deaths in the state.

READ ALSO: Lions outside Gir get radio collars
Forest officials said "The death of 50-odd lions in the area is totally normal as the figures include that of the new born cubs where the survival rate was only 50%. Earlier, the maximum of two cubs were born to a lioness, but now the number has increased and it is on an average three to four cubs and hence the deaths are also more."

There are high turnover rates (20%) in high density tiger populations that is lots of individual can die if lots are present. As long as the population shows a positive growth, individual deaths are not a cause of worry for the conservation of a species that has numbers over 150 individuals. Besides only deaths of prime age lions are of concern, in cubs 50% mortality is to be expected. Old lions will die by one cause or other, so when we have over 400 lions large number of deaths is expected, outside of forests most lion deaths get detected and reported.

Therefore, unless population shows a decline (estimated by a rigorous scientific method) individual deaths are not a cause of worry," said Yadvendradev Jhala, a scientist with Wildlife Institute of India and a researcher on big cats.

Pride endangered

Year No. of deaths

2009-1045

2010-1144

2011-1237

2012-1348

2013-1454

Total 228

Figures from April 1 to March 31

Environment ministry to crowd source green ads...........

2014-06-20T09:45:00.003+05:30

Seeking to involve the general public in its effort to create awareness over green issues, the environment ministry has decided to 'crowd source' ideas or creative inputs for its 'official' advertisements. Official advertisement of the ministry will now be based on ideas of the common man or experts from outside the government.

The ministry had successfully experimented with 'crowd sourcing' while bringing out an advertisement in newspapers across the country on the occasion of the 'World Day to Combat Desertification' on June 17.

The experiment was in tune with environment minister Prakash Javadekar's announcement on the 'World Environment Day' on June 5 when he promised to take several measures to end 'officialdom' in his ministry and promote decision-making with public involvement.

In line with the promise, the ministry had for the first time sought direct public participation in creating 'official' advertisement for any such event and invited entries ahead of the 'World Day to Combat Desertification'. The ministry selected from the entries and brought this out as advertisements in newspapers on Tuesday.

Officials said similar entries in the form of concept along with painting /designs/ captions will be crowd sourced in future for other occasions. "The best entry/entries will be used to develop communication product like advertisement/poster," said an official.

The ministry also decided that the winner of the best entry will be invited for the event and his\her contribution will be suitably recognized. The government will, while inviting the entries, come out with all details of the event for which it intends to crowd source the ideas.

"The ministry will, however, reserve the right to make changes as deemed fit in the original concept\design for development of the final communication product," said the official.
He said the changes would, at the most, be in the form of putting up pictures of Prime Minister and environment minister or any other minister on the final product.

Agra bans plastic bags to curb pollution..............

2014-06-20T09:43:00.000+05:30

With an aim to curb the rising pollution in Yamuna, the Agra district administration has decided to strictly implement the ban on use of polythene in the city. For the same cause, the municipal authorities have been asked to place barricades at Yamuna ghats to resist locals for throwing garbage and polythene into the river.

In December 2012, the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court ordered the state government to impose a ban on plastic bags across the state.

Heading a meeting of senior administrative and municipal authorities on Thursday, divisional commissioner Pradeep Bhatnagar instructed the officials to place an immediate ban on the use of polythene below 40 microns in the town.

Special measures have been directed to the civic body regarding the use and sale of plastic and polythene bags near Taj Trapezium zone. Orders were also passed to place wastepaper bins near the bathing ghats for people to deposit polythene bags and other waste.

"The polythene nuisance has to be curbed as it was a major source of pollution in the city. Not only are the bags an eyesore, but their use is proving a major hurdle to clean up the city," said Bhatnagar.

GC Upadhyay, a senior citizen and an environmentalist, said that the residents of Agra must rise against the use of polythene. People have to change their mindsets and life-styles and continue to pressure government agencies to implement the law.

Agra produces more than 1,000 tonnes of waste daily. The Agra Municipal Corporation has so far been able to process only around 500 tonnes through various recycling ways.

The Recycled Plastics Manufacture and Usage Rules 1999, several directives of the Supreme Court and the notifications of the ministry of environment and forests, ban the use of polythene bags under 20 microns.

Dolphin chokes to death on plastic off Gujarat coast.....

2014-06-03T17:32:00.000+05:30

The pollution in the sea is taking a heavy toll on the marine life along the coast. Latest in the series of tragedies is death of the 14-foot-long dolphin that choked to death after swallowing plastic.

Prakruti Nature Club's Jignesh Gohil, who was present in the rescue attempt, said, "During the postmortem we found that the dolphin, which was about 20 years old, had died because of chocking. In autopsy, we found four thick plastic bags.

The dolphin was 14.4 feet in size and was about one ton in weight. It was found dead along the Sutrapada coast. Senior officials said this was the first incident where plastic bags were recovered from the stomach of a dolphin. In the past there have been incidents where dolphins or dugongs were found dead on the Gujarat coast, but in no plastic was found inside the bodies.

The official said that the presence of plastic in the stomach was an indication of the increasing level of pollution along the coast. Recently a dolphin in the Narmada estuary was spotted which according to the fishermen was nothing new. The fishermen in south Gujarat and Saurashtra and mostly in Kutch have reported the presence of this aquatic mammal.

The population of this large marine mammal is touted to be rising in Gujarat, but there is no specialized force to guide them to freedom in such exigencies, a forest department official said.

Dolphins in Gujarat are frequently spotted in Gulf of Kutch, off Jamanagar coast, and their numbers is growing, he added. It is estimated that Gujarat is home to around 50 to 100 dolphins, though no official census has been conducted so far.

Don't believe in 'environment versus development': Prakash Javadekar

2014-06-03T17:27:00.002+05:30

Union minister for environment and information & broadcasting Prakash Javadekar today said the new government believed in coexistence of environment and development, and not in "environment versus development".

Addressing a press conference here this evening, the minister said the proposals for a coastal road and a bridge across Mithi river in the city will be taken up on a priority by his ministry.

Facility of online submission of applications for environmental clearances will be introduced to promote transparency and to expedite the process, he said.

The new I&B minister said the issue of news on FM channels was close to his heart and it will be examined before the third phase of FM auction.

Speaking on cable TV digitisation, he said the government may relax the deadlines if necessary, and put a stress on indigenous manufacture of Set Top Boxes.

During his first visit here after taking charge as the minister, Javadekar met senior officials of All India Radio, Doordarshan, Press Information Bureau, Films Division, etc.

Source by : times of india

No headway in Gir lion cub's poaching case............

2014-03-04T14:02:00.001+05:30

The state forest department seems to be groping in the dark while searching for the bones and chopped legs of the lion cub that is suspected to have been killed by poachers in Amreli. The department has formed special teams to inspect the area around Liliya where the incident took place and has launched a combing operation in the nearby villages to nab the poachers.

On Friday night, a five-month-old lion cub was found dead on the outskirts of Gir sanctuary in Chandgadh village near Liliya in Amreli district. The cub's carcass was found in mutilated condition. Forest officials suspect that the poachers may have cut off its feet after trapping and killing the animal.

An official involved in the search operation said that in the last 36 hours of intensive search, they could only get some pieces of bones which might have been eaten by other animals after the poaching.

Since they have failed to find the bones, the officials' suspicion that a gang of professional poachers having killed the cub has only grown stronger. However, initial reports which have been received by the department indicate that all the lions in their respective beats were spotted and found to be safe. However, in the revenue area in Liliya and Savarkundla, even the officials themselves were not aware of the exact count and number.

The officials are keeping their fingers crossed, fearing that more carcass may not tumble out. Officials said that they have even rounded up some local labourers who they suspect to be involvement in the poaching. Officials said that based on their intelligences, these labourers have been rounded up and investigations are going on.

Source by : Times of india

Palitana to junk plastic..............

2014-02-11T19:06:00.002+05:30

Palitana to junk plastic..............

Counted among the holiest shrines of Jainism in the world, Palitana's Shetrunjay Hill will soon be a plastic-free zone.

Sources in Anandji Kalyanji Trust that manages the Jain temples in Palitana said the trust functionaries have already started the process of making the religious destination free of plastic menace. The project is to be implemented in a phased manner.

Sources said over 400 volunteers came to Palitana from Mumbai last month and collected plastic from all over Shetrunjay Hill, where a large numbers of Jain temples are located. They picked up plastic pouches, water bottles, wafer packets among other plastic waste.
"We were shocked to find that the waste collected by volunteers amounted to over 900 bags each containing about 15kg of plastic. So we decided to prevent carriage of plastic material atop the hill to reduce the plastic menace," a representative of the trust said.

"We have also written to Pavitra Yatradham Vikas Board of the government to issue a notification in this regard and ban plastics at this religious place," one of the trustees said. Devotees are asked to dump plastic before they start climbing the hill for prayers.

"Every Saturday and Sunday, our volunteers stay at the entrance of the hill at Samvasharan Derasar and request devotees not to carry any plastic material. Our volunteers give them jute bags free of cost to dump platics," a trustee said.

On an average over 10 lakh people visits the Jain temples every year in Palitana. Besides being a religious place, Shetrunjay Hill is close to the forest where Asiatic Lion has its abode. There are about 15 lions are in Palitana area in Bhavnagar.

15 bird species in India critically endangered: International report..............

2014-02-11T19:02:00.001+05:30

Fifteen species of birds seen in India have been declared critically endangered by theInternational Union for Conversation of Nature(IUCN) for 2013. The endangered birds, including the Great Indian Bustard, Siberian Crane, White backed Vulture and Red-headed Vulture, are on the decline, said a report ofIUCN updated till December 2013.

The major reasons for the decline in the population of these birds include loss, modification, fragmentation and degradation of habitat, environmental contaminants, poaching and land use changes, particularly conversion of large areas for crop cultivation. Also, changes in cropping pattern due to various reasons, including implementation of irrigation schemes, increased pesticide usage, livestock-grazing, high levels of disturbance and developmental activities like mining and hydel projects resulted in marginal fall in their population, said the report.

Threats posed by infrastructure development, such as collisions with vehicles, power-lines and wind turbines pose danger to the birds.

The other birds in the revised list are Baer's Pochard, Forest Owlet, Bengal Florican, Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Sociable Lapwing, Jerdon's Courser, Whitebellied Heron, Slender-billed Vulture, Indian Vulture, Himalayan Quail and Pink-headed Duck.

Studies by Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and similar organisations on what contributes most to the decline of several bird species revealed that just like wetlands, most other habitats such as grasslands and forests also faced severe threat due to development pressures. Destruction of deciduous forests in central India has led to the decline in Forest Owlet numbers.

Destruction of forests in the Western Ghats and the Himalayas continues to endanger many other species, an official of BNHS said.

Replying to a query in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, Union environment minister Veerappa Moily said India was a signatory to several major international conventions relating to conservation and management of wildlife, including endangered species of birds. "Financial and technical assistance is provided to state/Union territory governments for protection and management of protected areas as well as other forests under centrally-sponsored schemes," he said.

by : times of india

Gujarat launches awareness drive to protect Asiatic lions.....

2013-08-16T23:27:00.001+05:30

With a view to inform people about legal provisions pertaining to protection of Asiatic lions, the forest department of Gujarat has launched a 'Sinha Rath' (lion chariot) from Sasan Gir in Junagadh to be taken across 130 villages to spread awareness about wildlife conservation.

The awareness drive was launched on Sunday amid reports of deaths of five Asiatic lions in last 15 days.

"It is a modified jeep with flax banners listing dos and don'ts with respect to lions. A loudspeaker has been mounted on the vehicle which plays a pre-recorded audio message asking villagers to support conservation of lions," Deputy Conservator of Forests, Gir (East Division) Anshuman Sharma told PTI.

The vehicle will pass through 130 odd villages located on the Gir East forest division border and create awareness about wildlife and legal provisions, he said.

Forest department staff members accompanying the vehicle have been interacting with villagers to emphasise the need to protect Asiatic lions, he said.

The Gir National Park and wildlife sanctuary which is spread over 1,412 square kilometres, is well known as the remaining habitat of Asiatic lions, which also has a large leopard population.

The sanctuary also has a thriving population of sambar and spotted deer, chinkara gazelle, neelgai and chowsingha, the world's only four-horned antelope.

Source By :Timesofindia

Residents file PIL against Chandrabhaga pollution

2013-04-12T10:04:00.002+05:30

Complaining about environmental pollution and difficulty faced due to the very dirty Chandrabhaga river, residents of Ranip area have moved Gujarat high court by filing a public interest litigation.

The PIL contends that solid waste is being dumped in the ravines of Chandrabhaga at Ranip and the river carries polluted water from upstream - from Tragad, Kaligam and Chainpur villages. The dumped waste and polluted stream have created a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.

The PIL contends that residents of Ninjaripunj Co-operative Housing Society have been suffering due to this environmental pollution for the last ten years and they have repeatedly made representations before various authorities. But the administration hasn't heeded to their requests.

The PIL has also highlighted that due to garbage dumping, the stream has been obstructed and with percolation of dirty water, the area now does not have potable drinking water. It further claims that the results of water quality assessment conducted by the civic body reflected that the water extracted from ground from nearby the stream was not potable.

The petitioners have also complained about the similar phenomenon at the Sabarmati river, of which the Chandrabhaga is a tributary. They have requested the court to direct authorities like the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, state government, health department, Gujarat Pollution Control Board and environment and forest department to take remedial measures to improve the situation.

The PIL is to come up for hearing on Friday.

Meanwhile, in connection with another PIL, the authorities have assured the high court that it would redress a similar issue near the Dandi bridge area over Chandrabhaga. The HC had taken suo motu cognizance of the issue after a fire damaged the historic structure last year. The civic body has placed its plan of laying down a drainage line and setting up two pumping stations in this area.

by : times of india

Rajasthan gets third tiger reserve

2013-04-12T10:03:00.003+05:30

The Rajasthan government has notified the Mukundra hills sanctuary as the third tiger reserve in the state.

The reserve area will be over 759 sq km spread between four districts of Kota, Bundi,Chittorgarh and Jhalawar near theRanthambore tiger reserve. "Nearly 417 sq km have been earmarked as the core tiger habitat, while 342.82 sq km has been notified as the buffer zone," senior a forest official. The other two tiger reserves of Ranthambore and Sariskahave a core area nearly thrice this size.

"With powers bestowed under Section 38 V of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, we have declared Mukundra hills national park as a tiger reserve. When the budget announcement was made last financial year, we had taken the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) into confidence. Now that we have declared it as a reserve, we will be forwarding the notification to them," said A S Brar, head of forest forces and chief wildlife warden, Rajasthan.

The Section 38V of the Wildlife Protection Act says that the state government shall, on the recommendation of the Tiger Conservation Authority, notify an area as a tiger reserve. The state government has received an in-principle nod from the NTCA.

According to Brar, a three-member expert committee had been constituted under the then chief wildlife warden A Choubey which included a member from the state wildlife board and the chief conservator of forests, Kota, which surveyed the area and consulted the gram sabha. Consultation with the gram sabha is necessary, as under the law, the core area of the reserve is to be an inviolate space and all villages have to be relocated. However, the law permits man and animal to co-exist with some restriction on commercial activities.

The core area of the Mukundra reserve currently has six villages, two of which are uninhabited. Eventually all these villages will have to be relocated funded by the NTCA. The sanctuary currently has wolves, sloth bear, chinkaras and leopards.

"After the declaration of the area as a tiger reserve, NTCA will also give funds for developing the forest area," said an official.

The Mukundra hill sanctuary was already declared as the satellite core area of Ranthambore reserve by the NTCA and Tigers often stray into the area. "The objective was always to link this to Ranthambore so as to let the tigers that stray from the park come and breed here. It was the next best forest after Ranthambore for rehabilitation of tigers. But we have went a step ahead and declared it as a reserve itself," said the official.

Officials added that at a later stage, tigers will be relocated from Ranthambore reserve so as to provide optimum space to the big cats. Before that the annual working plan for the development and management of the reserve will have to be approved by the NTCA.

105 whale sharks rescued in last two years along Gujarat coast

2013-04-12T10:03:00.000+05:30

The forest department and the rescue teams along the Gujarat coast have rescued 105 whale sharks in the last two years.

Minister of state for forest and environment Govind Patel told the House in a written reply to Asarwa MLA Rajnikanth Patel's question that as on December 31, 2012, a compensation of Rs 7.60 lakh was paid to fishermen whose nets were damaged in shark rescue exercise.

The minister said that whale shark protection campaign was on in the state. An officer of the department said that Saurashtra coast was now globally known as breeding site of whale shark. Hunting of the whale shark was an important fishing activity in Saurashtra coast as it fetched substantial earning to the fishermen community.

The forest department and naturalists joined hands and hunting was banned in 2001, in Gujarat, after it became the first fish to be listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The state forest department, along with the Wildlife Trust of India, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, and other local NGOs and nature lovers launched a whale shark protection campaign in the state which turned as a role model for conservation.

Morari Bapu was roped in as an ambassador for the project. He went to Dwarka and blessed a whale shark. Although Rs 25,000 is paid for each rescue, the loss to the fishermen was higher.

by:times of india

Railway police rescue around 115 turtles stuffed in jute bag from Doon Express

2012-12-16T12:58:00.001+05:30

HOOGLY: The railway police in West Bengal has rescued nearly 115 turtles stuffed in five bags that were being allegedly smuggled on Friday at Hoogly station.

The turtles were being smuggled from Varanasi to Kolkata on Doon Express.

Officer in charge in Central Railway Police Force (CRPF), Amalendu Biswas said that the person carrying the turtles was detained.

"We had received information that some turtles were being brought in a train. So, we rescued them and detained the person carrying them. Once the procedures are over, we will hand over the turtles to the forest officials," said Biswas.

Turtles are put under the Wildlife Protection Act and are considered endangered. They feed on frogs, shrimps, snails, aquatic vegetation and plants.

Water Conservation, it's needed

2012-07-15T13:17:00.001+05:30

A step to conserve water is the step to secure the future. The most essential among all the natural resources on earth is water. A drop of water is worth more than a sack of gold for the thirsty man. If each one of us make efforts to save water today , it will save us later. Water conservation is the most effective and environmentally sound method to fight global warming. Water conservation is what that can reduce the scarcity of water. It aims to improve the efficiency of use of water, and reduce losses and waste.

Tips to save water :
Avoid leakage of water from the taps.
Turn the tap off when not in use especially when you brush your teeth or wash clothes.
Rainwater harvesting is the another method to conserve water.
The water supply should be limited in those areas which enjoys the unlimited water supplies.
Check the leakage of water in the toilets. Also get check the hidden water leaks.
Educate the mind of the people in the rural areas to save the water.
Promote the conservation of water through media and wall posters.
Never throw the water unnecessary on roads which can be used for gardening and cleaning.
Avoid unnecessary flushing the toilets. Dispose off the tissues, cigarettes and other waste into the bin instead of toilets.
Use minimum amount of water to bath.

Water Waste restrictions.
Improvement in the water distribution system.
Water your lawn only when it is needed.
Use a broom instead of hose to clean the sidewalks or to wash the car.
Capture the water that is leaking and repair it as soon as possible.
You can use washing machine to wash clothes that does not consume much water.
Donot leave the tap running while washing the dishes in the kitchen.
Install small shower heads to reduce the flow of water.

Benefits to Conserve water :
If you save water it can save your money bills.
Reduction in interior water use cuts waste water flows, especially overflowing of gutters which contaminates the environment.
Environment benefits include eco system and habitat protection.
Water conservation helps in improving the quality of your drinking water.

Technical methods to conserve water :

Rainwater Harvesting :
Rainwater harvesting is the gathering and collection of water from the rooftop. The traditional method of rain water harvesting is the most effective and simple way to conserve the water. It means utilization of rain water for the domestic as well as agricultural purposes. There are three technical methods of rain water harvesting such as Catchment, Conveyance and storage.

Historical Water Bodies :
There are many traditional water bodies which have been in disuse for the longer time. These bodies can be reused as the recharging points.

Ponds :
Steps should be taken to avoid dumping of sewage into the village ponds. Efforts need to be made to deepen these ponds with the dragline machines. Garbage and other waste sholud not be dumped into the ponds.

NH-7 project upgrade to abide by wildlife protection norms....

2012-06-21T14:23:00.001+05:30

NAGPUR: After recommending seven elevated structures on NH-6 that cuts through vital tiger populations of Central India, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, while reviewing NHAI's revised proposal for four-laning of NH-7, has recommended additional structures with 7-metre height.

The WII has also kept the option to use alternative Seoni-Chhindwara route with proper mitigation measures in three forest patches to retain connectivity to Satpuda-Bori-Pench tiger reserves.
On the direction of Supreme Court, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) submitted a modified proposal for diversion of forest land for proposed four-laning of NH-7 between Seoni in Madhya Pradesh and Mansar in Maharashtra.
The court had directed the government to approach the authorities under Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 to consider NHAI's revised proposal. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) discussed the proposal in a technical committee meeting on December 8, 2011, and gave it to the WII for review on NHAI's behalf. A two-member WII team had visited NH-6 and NH-7 from January 25 to February 7.
For four-laning NHAI needs forest land on around 55km patch in South Seoni Forest Division and periphery of Pench Tiger Reserve in MP (Seoni to Khawasa) and in 37km from Pench-Mansinghdeo sanctuary (Deolapar and Mansar). Of the total 89km road, around 60km touches dense forests that are also tiger corridors.
On MP side, NHAI had scaled down its demand for forest land from 71 hectares to 36 hectares. On Maharashtra side, the damage to wildlife and forests would be more severe despite NHAI revising proposal from acquiring 113 hectare to 51 hectare. The NHAI also reduced the right of way (ROW) from 60 metres to 30 metres.
However, WII has said reduction in ROW will increase the probability of animal fatality by vehicles. The reduction in ROW will reduce the number of trees cut without delivering positive impacts for wildlife using the road edge.
The NHAI suggested 39 structures (14 underpasses and 25 pipe/slab/box culverts) in 9km patch passing through Pench but WII recommended 11 underpasses with change in height for all the underpasses from 4 mt to 7 mt and change of width from 70 mt to 200 mt. Similarly, WII has recommended 22 structures for culverts.
The WII says the small structures suggested by NHAI were suitable for animals like amphibians, lizards, snakes and small mammals such as mongoose, civets, but not for big mammals like leopards, tigers and bisons.
Studies conducted by the environmental impact assessment cell (EIAC) of the WII concluded that there were well established crossing zones for wildlife animals on different locations in the section. The WII recommended 5 additional structures 600 to 800 metres in length and 7 metres in height on section passing through South Seoni Forest Division.

On Maharashtra side, NHAI suggested construct six underpasses - four of 7 by 3.5 metres and two of 12 by 5.5 metres, besides, 15 bridges of varied dimensions and 17 box and slab culverts.
The WII says height of these underpasses and bridges should not be less than 7 metres. Based on site inspection by its team, WII has recommended 10 additional structures ranging from 200 to 2,000 mt length and with 7 metres height.

The WII is also open to using alternative Seoni-Chhindwara route and retaining two-lane road along Pench.
The Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), which is fighting to protect the vital corridor, says the existing NH-7 can be used from Nagpur to Amdi and can be joined to NH-26B via Parsheoni-Khapa-Saoner.

The tract between Mansar and Seoni should be maintained under forest supervision and control. This road can be used for day traffic and only for locals and not for heavy vehicles. "Large construction work will disturb wildlife and also destroy ecology," WTI officials said.

However, NHAI the alignment via Chhindwara will increase length from 125km to 198km (73km) and involves realignment in 21km of ghat area of forest. Besides, 927 hectares of land, 480 hectares of fresh alignment, 163 hectares for forest alignment and 284 hectares of extra land for widening will be required and will involve felling of 81,500 trees.

WTI says NHAI has already started widening of Chhindwara road and has felled hundreds of trees.

Source by :Times of india

Karnataka government flouts green laws in Bandipur, plans a building

2012-06-21T14:15:00.001+05:30

Government-owned Jungle Lodges and Resorts (JLR), a unit involved in eco-tourism, is planning to raise permanent structures at its resort on the fringes of Bandipur Tiger Sanctuary in gross violation of norms pertaining to eco-sensitive zones.

As per the guidelines and rules worked out by the ministry of forest and environment and Project Tiger authorities, no commercial activity can be taken up in eco-sensitive zones. Even the raising of permanent structures related to commercial ventures is prohibited. If villagers or locals plan to build/ alter their houses/ bungalows, they have to seek permission of a committee constituted for the purpose.

But in violation of all such norms and guidelines, JLR authorities at Melkamanahalli unit are planning to build staff quarters and other structures to improve the facilities for tourists and resort employees. There are also plans to build a compound and parking unit for vehicles.

When contacted, Bandipur Tiger Sanctuary director Kumar Pushkar said according to a communication received by him, JLR authorities have decided to drop the construction of staff quarters with the plan going against the norms on eco-sensitive zones. "Earlier, they had decided to build the quarters and started related works. But they have stopped now," he said, adding that no commercial activity or work related to commercial ventures will be allowed in 3-6-km radius of the sanctuary.

However, JLR MD Anu Reddy tried to defend himself, saying that they are going ahead with work on the staff quarters. "Building staff quarters is not a commercial activity," he said, adding: "We have dropped the idea of building a compound wall. We have now decided to put chicken mesh around the resort and create parking space at a place adjoining the resort." He said Chamarajanagar district administration has allotted the land for the purpose. "We are not violating any rule related to eco-sensitive zones," he said.

Source By : Times of india