Dandeli Anshi Tiger Reserve gets New Range

A big boost to wildlife conservation efforts in dandeli-anshi forests.  Castle rock forest which was a part of Tinnaighat Range of Haliyal Territorial Division has been formed as a New Wildlife Range and the area has been officially transferred to Dandeli Wildlife Division(Dandeli Anshi Tiger Reserve). This development will definitely boost the wildlife conservation efforts since the new area added is a link between Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary and Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and also it borders with Mollem National Park, Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary of Goa. Castle rock forest has good prey-predator density and acts as an important wildlife corridor between Karnataka and Goa forests.

We should be very thankful to the sincere efforts put by Shri Sanjay Gubbi-Member of State Board for Wildlife, Shri Balachandra Hegde-Honorary Wildlife Warden of Uttara Kannada District and Forest Department officials who are instrumental in adding these forests to the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary. Hence now the total area of Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is 886 Sq.Kms.

Details of the area are given below:

Name of the Range: Castle Rock Wildlife Range

Sub Division: Anshi Wildlife Sub Division

Circle: Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve

Area of the Range: 248.0661Sq.Kms

Taluq: Joyda

District: Uttara Kannada
Please find the attached DATR landscape in which we can see the new area linking with rest of the PAs.

Mhadei tiger unique to Goa, claims expert

The verdict is out! At long last, Goa can authoritatively pride itself as being home to its very own big cat – the majestic tiger. The ‘stripe matching’ of the Goan tiger was authenticated by a top tiger expert, authorities said. 

New Roman'; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;">Tiger stripes are unique, with each one like a fingerprint and identifies the stately animal.

Please find the pictures of a Tigress which was recently caught on a camera trap set by Goa Forest Department. This is the first photographic evidence of Resident Tigress in the state.

Dr K  Ullas Karanth, a conservation zoologist and leading tiger expert based in Karnataka, who is working closely with the state on tigers, has confirmed to the Forest Department that the tiger that was photographed recently  was unique to Goa and not part of any of the 600 tigers who live in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

There are only approximately 1400 tigers left in the entire country, which had a large tiger population. 

“The stripes do not match (with tigers from other states). This is a new tiger,” Richard D’ Souza, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests told Herald, explaining that each tiger has a footprint that is unique.

“The stripes are like a finger print,” he said adding that the expert is doing a survey for the next four years - till 2017 – and he would be using a lot of cameras to find out if there are any new tigers.

The Wildlife Census conducted by the Goa Forest Department had indicated the presence of three and five tigers respectively in 1993 and 1997. The last 2002 census estimated that there are five tigers in the tiny state. There have been consistent reports of pug marks, actual sightings, cattle carcasses and in 2009 the media carried extensive reports of a tiger killed in Keri-Sattari. 

In June 2011, the then Environment minister Jairam Ramesh  had written to the Goa Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat, asking him to consider setting up a tiger reserve in the state. But till date nothing has been done, though in an apparent change of heart, the Forest Department has acknowledged that the majestic cat is a ‘Goenkar.’ 

Mhadei situated in Sattari taluka of North Goa and spread over 208 square kilometre is being mooted as a tiger reserve and though small, it is a contiguous tiger landscape to Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka in the south-east and Anshi Dandeli Tiger Reserve in the south. This contiguous area has 35 tigers according to the All India Tiger Estimate, 2010

“There is no tiger presence in Goa. If there are any tigers, they are only migratory. Goa’s forests have no resident tigers,” Dr Sashi kumar the then chief wildlife warden had told media when a tiger carcass was found in 2009.

“The Status of Tigers, Co-Predators and Prey in India, 2008,” by the Wildlife Institute of India have stated that areas in Goa and their contiguous forests in Karnataka and Maharashtra could possibly be some of the best potential tiger habitats in the Western Ghats region and that restoration, conservation and strict protection can and will support a healthy population of large cats in this region. The 2010 estimation report says that Goa can be home to a small breeding population of tigers that can be sustained by Anshi-Dandeli and Sahayadri,  and would benefit from being part of the tiger reserve complex.

However, more than one third of Goa’s 90-odd operational open cast iron ore mines, including those run by the most powerful business families are close to the states wildlife sanctuaries, --Mhadei, Netravali and Bhagwan Mahaveer – and setting up a tiger reserve would entail a monitored implementation of all wildlife norms and thereby create problems for mining.

Surla, Sattari, Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Molem National Park and Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary, Sanguem, Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary and Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary – all forested - form a contiguous belt of primarily dense forest across Goa and connect the Western Ghats forests of Karnataka and Maharashtra.

Goa’s four wildlife sanctuaries are located on the eastern side of the state, in the Western Ghats, covering an area of about 750 km2 (290 square miles).The Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park all fall within the Mhadei River basin. The Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary is located between 15° 48" 33' to 14° 53" 54' N and 74° 20" 13' to 73° 40" 33' E. 

The Mhadei River~ known downstream as the Mandovi River, the lifeline of the state of Goa~ originates in Karnataka, travels28.8 km (17.9 miles) in Karnataka, passes 9.4 km (5.8 miles) through the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and meets the Arabian Sea at Panjim after meandering for 81.2 km (50.5 miles) in Goa.

An edited version of this article can be read from the link below:

http://oheraldo.in/News/Main%20Page%20News/Mhadei-tiger-unique-to-Goa-claims-expert/73957.html

Who started the fire?

Come summer, and State’s reserves face the problem of forest fires. Most of these fires are manmade, and are triggered either by vested interests or by accident. The reasons are many, and so are the methods. 

Dandeli, Nagarhole, Bandipur, Biligirirangana Betta and Kudremukh are the State’s most well-known sanctuaries, which are also tiger reserves. These forest regions are known for their rich biodiversity, from many varieties of trees including sandalwood and honne to a host of medicinal plants. Apart from tigers, the wildlife in these forests include elephants, sambars, deer, bears, langurs, Malabar squirrels, etc.

 Come summer, there’s invariably the problem of forest fires. While natural forest fires are part of nature’s cycle, there are other forest fires that are sometimes triggered by man. 

Forest fires that occur at a time when the region is already facing drought spells double-trouble for wildlife. The Bandipur region is facing one of its worst droughts ever this year, with all the water bodies having gone dry. 

Bamboo, which is present in the forest regions of the State, blooms once in 40 years. Last year and the year before that, bamboo in the State had bloomed. Once the bamboo blooms, it dies. This year, because of the failure of rain, the forest regions in the State are full of dry bamboo. There are elements that misuse such a scenario to trigger a fire. According to forest authorities, the months from February to May call for extra vigil. The reasons for manmade fires are many. 

Most forest reserves adjoin agricultural land. Sometimes, farmers trigger fires because they believe that grass growth will improve later, and will provide adequate grazing space for cattle. Then, there is the fear of monkey fever that raises it head during summer. People believe setting fire in the forest could solve that problem. Also, there is the problem of poaching. Poachers and small-time hunters often set fire to leaves because they need to enter the forest stealthily. They try and prevent the rustling of dry leaves when they step on them in the forest, by burning leaves. Tourists inadvertently trigger a forest fire when they throw cigarette stubs. Also, locals looking for honey and non-timber forest produce (NTFP) could set fire in the forest. Then, there are those seeking to avenge punishment meted out to them by the Forest Department, for having chopped trees for firewood. The reasons are many, and the methods are many as well. Forest watchers strive hard to bring the fire under control. The incident of a woman wage worker slipping and falling into the fire when she was trying to douse a fire in the Dandeli forest may be recalled here. The woman succumbed to burns.

It was not too long ago when an incident of some elements triggering a fire in Kulagi range of Dandeli occurred. The Forest Department, on its part, says it is trying its best to create awareness about forest fires and what they do to the ecosystem. Also, to combat drought conditions, the Department has also built percolation pits in the Bandipur region to supply water to wildlife.

An edited version of this article can be read from the link below:

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/330710/who-started-fire.html

Shri B B Mallesh is the New Director of Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve

Sri B.B.Mallesh, IFS (KN-2001), has been appointed as the Conservator of Forests and Director of Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve.Sri B B Mallesh who hails from Kodagu District has earlier served as DCF of Haliyal,Madikeri Divisions and DCF of Forest Technical and Training Institute,Bangalore.

Summer renders big cats vulnerable

As summer peaks, the state forest department has something important to contend with -- vulnerability of big cats in Project Tiger areas.. Summers result in the tiger stripes showing:

With soaring temperature, the big cats come out of hiding more often to quench their thirst at water holes, rendering them visible.

Patrolling on foot and even on vehicles around water holes goes up during summer months. "In the southern reserves, density of tigers is quite high. Hence it becomes very easy to spot an animal in the summer months. Given that our staff strength is now better than what it was a few years ago, we are certainly able to depute more people to keep a check on the important ranges," said Dipak Sarmah, principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) and the chief wildlife warden, Karnataka forest department.

Poaching, however, still remains a real big threat this summer. Last July, there were attempts last July by a gang of tribal people, natives of Haryana, attempted to sneak into the BRT area, but were arrested well before they could execute their plan.

In a recent case, a melanistic leopard (commonly called black panther) was ensnared in the Sivali beat of Tamange section of Gund range, in Dandeli-Anshi reserve. The carcass of the three-year-old leopard was found on March 5.

The leopard, in its quest to get to the carcass of the squirrel, was also ensnared and got killed.

Senior forest officials maintain that the big cats are vulnerable at all times, summer season not being an exception. "It is true that the visibility of the animals is increasing now, but it is also easy for the patrolling team to cover more distance. Even the vehicles can move at ease during this time to keep a better check on poachers," said R Gokul, director and conservator, Nagarahole Tiger Reserve.

As animal sightings become frequent, poachers are also more visible, thanks to the depleting green forest cover which exposes them, said senior officials.

Box

Number of tiger deaths in Project Tiger Reserves between 1.1.2012-31.3.13 - 23

Poaching deaths - 4 (Monetary implication)

Poisoning deaths - 2 (Revenge killing)

Number of tiger deaths in Nagarahole Tiger Reserve since 2007 - 7

(Source: State forest department)

An edited version of this article can be read from the link below:

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-03/bangalore/38247622_1_nagarahole-tiger-reserve-tiger-deaths-big-cats

Black Panther snared at Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve

A black panther aged around three years is found dead in Shevali Beat,Tammanagi Section,Gund Wildlife Range.The big cat's carcass is found on a tree.It is said that the cat died when it tried to feed on a Giant Squirrel's carcass which was also caught in a snare set by the poachers on the tree.

Please find the attachment below for more details:

Government says ‘no’ to new mini hydel projects in Western Ghats

The State government has cancelled 10 mini-hydel projects in the Western Ghats that faced legal challenges and has decided not to permit any new plants in the region. This was informed to the High Court on Wednesday.

Following the State government’s submission, the High Court disposed of a PIL petition filed by Prashant G Yavagal and the Western Ghats Environment Forum against mini-hydel projects.

The submission was made by the State Forest Department and the Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL). Satisfied by the action taken by the authorities, the division bench comprising acting Chief Justice K Sreedhar Rao and Justice abdul Nazeer disposed of the writ petitions.

However, regarding one mini hydel project, by Maruthi Power Gen Private Limited, the division bench granted liberty to approach the authorities with a fresh application. The same can be forwarded to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests . 

As per the affidavit filed by the State government, three power projects - the Dandeli Mini Hydel Station (MHS) with 18 mega watt (MW) capacity at Dandeli across River Kali in Uttara Kannada district; the one at Kaneri and Supa Reservoir (4 MW) in Kumbarwada of Uttara Kannada taluk; the one at Nanniruhalla (3 MW) across Nanniruhalla stream of River Sharavathi in Uttara Kannada district have been cancelled by the Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL).

Apart from these, Kelasi MHS (5 MW) across River Bedti at Kelasi village in Uttara Kannada district has not been commissioned by KREDL for want of approval under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980.

The Mavaling MHS (4 MW) across River Kali near Mavaling village of Joida taluk in Uttara Kannada district hit a roadblock as the proposal to conduct a survey has been turned down by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests.

Another project of the Dandeli MHS (12 MW) across River Kali has also been rejected by the State government, after the Union government informed the State that 75 hectares of forest will be submerged due to this project. 

As per the affidavit and details submitted to the High Court, four other projects across River Gangavalli (5 MW each) in Yellapur taluk have also been rejected for not obtaining forest clearance.

An edited version of this article can be read from the link below:

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/315456/government-says-no-mini-hydel.html