Forest department caged two leopards from Veraval in Junagadh and Rajula in Amreli in past 48 hours. One of the big cats died of heat. The big cat that died was a female caught in Savani village near Veraval on Wednesday morning. “The leopard used to prey upon village cattle and had been thwarting our attempts of caging her. As a last-ditch effort, we had set up a cage with a live goat as bait inside it in an orchard. Attracted by constant bleating of the goat, the leopard got inside the cage at 5am and was trapped,” said Jokhia, in-charge range forest officer of Veraval.
However, the leopard appeared seriously ill and after spending a few hours in the cage it died. Preliminary investigation of the forest department attributed heat wave as the cause of the death. The big cat’s body was sent to veterinary hospital in Sasan Gir for postmortem to ascertain the exact cause of death.
The deceased leopard appeared about three years old, five feet long and two feet high. Meanwhile in Rajula, a male leopard was found caged on Tuesday morning. The leopard had killed four goats and an equal number of dogs on the outskirts of Rajula and Jhampadar village in the past 10 days.
By : Timesofindia
Friday, April 30, 2010
By identifying India’s first individual whale shark, Gujarat has taken a big step forward in understanding this often misunderstood...
Whale sharks — the world’s biggest fish species — swam the waters of the world even before dinosaurs evolved. And yet scientists today don’t even have basic statistics on this endangered species. Exact numbers? Your guess is as good as anyone else’s. Besides, breeding grounds of this mammoth fish are a mystery and no one has photographed a newborn whale shark. Its reproductive system was understood as late as 1996.
It is for this reason that marine scientists are excited about India identifying its first individual whale shark recently along the Gujarat coast as part of the Whale Shark Conservation Project. Detailed photographs taken of the fish will be sent to ECOCEAN, which maintains the global whale shark database and coordinates international research.
“To preserve this prehistoric species, we need to understand its habitat, migratory patterns, its DNA and breeding grounds,” says Dhiresh Joshi, coordinator of Wildlife
Trust of India (WTI), one of the partners on the conservation effort. “Gujarat has already done a lot in conserving the whale shark, but with this endeavour, we are joining hands with the global community.”
Once the ECOCEAN database has enough numbers, scientists hope to get details on whether the schools found in Asia, the Caribbean, Australia and the Far East are individual communities that never meet each other or if they breed with each other. They also want to know migratory patterns. One recently, a radio-collared whale shark travelled 13,000 km within a few months, giving some idea of the long distances they travel.
“Gujarat will play a crucial role in conserving the whale shark because the species congregates in unusually large numbers here,” Joshi adds. “Satellite imaging from Isro has shown the Gujarat coast is ideal for plankton breeding, the whale shark’s favourite meal, but we need to understand the food highways better.”
In Vietnam, the whale shark is the deity ‘Ca Ong’, which translates as ‘Sir Fish’
In Kenya it got the name ‘papa shillingi’ from the myth that God threw shillings upon the shark which are now its spots
Javanese also refer to the stars by calling it ‘geger lintang’, meaning ‘stars on the back’
COOL CUSTOMERS
Although massive, whale sharks are docile fish and sometimes allow swimmers to hitch a ride. In fact, fishermen often take advantage of the fish’s cool nature, sail close to it and harpoon it to death
WHERE THEY LIVE
They are found in all tropical seas and migrate every spring to Australia given the abundance of plankton there. They are sighted in large numbers along the Gujarat coast as well
UNDER THREAT
In Gujarat, fishermen killed this species to use its liver oil as waterproofing in traditional boats. In the Far East, its fin is used for the infamous shark-fin soup
WHAT THEY EAT
Fortunately human beings are not on the menu of this fish! Its favourite meal is plankton or drifting organisms and plants that it gulps down with huge amounts of water
In a unique endeavour, Gujarat made Ram Kathakar Morari Bapu ambassador of the ‘Save the Whale Shark’
It is for this reason that marine scientists are excited about India identifying its first individual whale shark recently along the Gujarat coast as part of the Whale Shark Conservation Project. Detailed photographs taken of the fish will be sent to ECOCEAN, which maintains the global whale shark database and coordinates international research.
“To preserve this prehistoric species, we need to understand its habitat, migratory patterns, its DNA and breeding grounds,” says Dhiresh Joshi, coordinator of Wildlife
Trust of India (WTI), one of the partners on the conservation effort. “Gujarat has already done a lot in conserving the whale shark, but with this endeavour, we are joining hands with the global community.”
Once the ECOCEAN database has enough numbers, scientists hope to get details on whether the schools found in Asia, the Caribbean, Australia and the Far East are individual communities that never meet each other or if they breed with each other. They also want to know migratory patterns. One recently, a radio-collared whale shark travelled 13,000 km within a few months, giving some idea of the long distances they travel.
“Gujarat will play a crucial role in conserving the whale shark because the species congregates in unusually large numbers here,” Joshi adds. “Satellite imaging from Isro has shown the Gujarat coast is ideal for plankton breeding, the whale shark’s favourite meal, but we need to understand the food highways better.”
In Vietnam, the whale shark is the deity ‘Ca Ong’, which translates as ‘Sir Fish’
In Kenya it got the name ‘papa shillingi’ from the myth that God threw shillings upon the shark which are now its spots
Javanese also refer to the stars by calling it ‘geger lintang’, meaning ‘stars on the back’
COOL CUSTOMERS
Although massive, whale sharks are docile fish and sometimes allow swimmers to hitch a ride. In fact, fishermen often take advantage of the fish’s cool nature, sail close to it and harpoon it to death
WHERE THEY LIVE
They are found in all tropical seas and migrate every spring to Australia given the abundance of plankton there. They are sighted in large numbers along the Gujarat coast as well
UNDER THREAT
In Gujarat, fishermen killed this species to use its liver oil as waterproofing in traditional boats. In the Far East, its fin is used for the infamous shark-fin soup
WHAT THEY EAT
Fortunately human beings are not on the menu of this fish! Its favourite meal is plankton or drifting organisms and plants that it gulps down with huge amounts of water
In a unique endeavour, Gujarat made Ram Kathakar Morari Bapu ambassador of the ‘Save the Whale Shark’
campaign. This was the first time that a spiritual leader was roped in for an environmental cause and was effective in convincing fishermen not to kill the species.
India has put the whale shark under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act (1972) and banned its fishing and trade in 2001. Maximum punishment for killing a whale shark is seven years imprisonment.
Gujarat’s pride: Lion count touches 405
“We are putting the number at around 405,” said a source. The final count would be declared by senior officials who would take a call on Friday morning before the data is submitted to Chief Minister Narendra Modi by 4 pm.
Sources further said there was much hue and cry over the large number of lions moving out in the fringe areas of Gir. However, according to officials, the count in Gir forest was around 290 lions while another 25-odd lions were spotted in the Girnar and Mityala sanctuaries.
Officials said the three sanctuaries put together would account for around 315 lions, while the remaining were in Khamba, Mahuva, Palitana and parts of Amreli district.
A senior forest official said this was exactly the figure which was derived at during the nine-month exercise which began before the census. Officials said that of the 90-odd lions which venture out of the Gir sanctuary, about 25 are in Mahuva, while another 30 are in Khamba. Interestingly, not a single lion was sighted in the coastal belt from Veraval to Mangrol.
The four-day census exercise, which began on April 24, covered a large area spread over 10,000 sq km. No less than 1,300 forest officials and volunteers were deployed for the exercise using global positioning system and digital photography.
Officials said photographs taken by volunteers had helped forest officials cut down on the time taken previously to complete the census. “We have been able to arrive at the final count in less than 72 hours of the completion of census,” said a senior official.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Fund crunch blocks move to shift Maldharis from Gir sanctuary
Ahmedabad: It will be a good few years before the Asiatic Lions are able to enjoy complete privacy in their abode in the Gir sanctuary in Junagadh.
The 376 Maldhari families currently living in the sanctuary area with their livestock will continue to stay there till the state government receives funds from the Centre to facilitate their relocation.
Recently, a grant of Rs50 crore was approved by Union ministry for environment and forest for Gujarat for the purpose of lion conservation.
This, however, is a fraction of the Rs236 crore sought by the state for several conservation projects.
Principal Chief Conservator of forests Pradip Khanna said plans to be funded by the grant had already been prepared.
The task of relocating the maldhari families will take more than the sanctioned amount, he added.
“We will take up other projects such as eco-development, gene pool project, etc,” Khanna said. “Relocation of Maldharis will not happen for now.”
The presence of Maldharis is believed to have detrimental effect on the lions, driving them out of the sanctuary area. The department estimates that the cost of rehabilitating one Maldhari family would come to at least Rs10 lakh.
“The crucial part is to get all of them to agree to be relocated,” said a former forest official from the region. “And if they agree and are given land outside the sanctuary, then it has to be ensured that they do not leave the land allotted to them and return to the forest, as has happened in the past.”
The recently released CAG report highlights similar irregularities in the relocation of Maldharis.
The report states that, between 1972 and 78, 588 families were shifted out of the Gir protected area.
Each family was given eight acres of cultivable and grazing land, 600 sq meters of residential plot and Rs 6050. A total of 257 families were not shifted.But of the 588 families that were relocated, 87 returned to the forests and reside with authorization in the protected area.
According to the CAG report, the forest department had said that a scheme for the rehabilitation of Maldharis had been approved and would be implemented on availability of funds from the Centre.
But adequate steps to prevent relocated Maldhari families from returning to the protected area were not taken, the CAG report says.
“Consequently, the expenditure that was incurred on their earlier relocation towards farm lands, housing plots and cash, proved to be infructuous,” the report has commented.
The 376 Maldhari families currently living in the sanctuary area with their livestock will continue to stay there till the state government receives funds from the Centre to facilitate their relocation.
Recently, a grant of Rs50 crore was approved by Union ministry for environment and forest for Gujarat for the purpose of lion conservation.
This, however, is a fraction of the Rs236 crore sought by the state for several conservation projects.
Principal Chief Conservator of forests Pradip Khanna said plans to be funded by the grant had already been prepared.
The task of relocating the maldhari families will take more than the sanctioned amount, he added.
“We will take up other projects such as eco-development, gene pool project, etc,” Khanna said. “Relocation of Maldharis will not happen for now.”
The presence of Maldharis is believed to have detrimental effect on the lions, driving them out of the sanctuary area. The department estimates that the cost of rehabilitating one Maldhari family would come to at least Rs10 lakh.
“The crucial part is to get all of them to agree to be relocated,” said a former forest official from the region. “And if they agree and are given land outside the sanctuary, then it has to be ensured that they do not leave the land allotted to them and return to the forest, as has happened in the past.”
The recently released CAG report highlights similar irregularities in the relocation of Maldharis.
The report states that, between 1972 and 78, 588 families were shifted out of the Gir protected area.
Each family was given eight acres of cultivable and grazing land, 600 sq meters of residential plot and Rs 6050. A total of 257 families were not shifted.But of the 588 families that were relocated, 87 returned to the forests and reside with authorization in the protected area.
According to the CAG report, the forest department had said that a scheme for the rehabilitation of Maldharis had been approved and would be implemented on availability of funds from the Centre.
But adequate steps to prevent relocated Maldhari families from returning to the protected area were not taken, the CAG report says.
“Consequently, the expenditure that was incurred on their earlier relocation towards farm lands, housing plots and cash, proved to be infructuous,” the report has commented.
Forest dept officials move in AC cars to count lions
No less than 70 air-conditioned cars have been hired by the forest department for the officials during the fourday census which concluded on Tuesday.
Sources in the department said that the forest department was estimating an expenditure of 25 lakh for the census.
Sources said that during census the officials especially the senior officers used these
cars while travelling. Not only that, some officials in the forest department
were also seen travelling in cars with their families. A volunteer also said that the choice of the volunteer was also to be questioned as those selected were not associated with the field.
However, a senior officer said that these cars were hired in the name of the sub-zonal team which were to travel from one beat to another clicking photographs and recording the location of the lions on the GPS. He said that since these teams were to move around quickly they needed cars. However, these teams were given jeeps while the cars were being kept at the services of the officials.
He said that the local villagers should have been given preference than as they were aware of the movement of the animal in their respective areas. A officer refusing to be quoted said that several of the volunteers instead of helping the officials were seen standing and watching lions. Officials said that there was no screening of volunteers. It is worthy recalling that the volunteers even complained of families attending the census.
Officials said that the mismanagement part was more in the revenue area where even friends were taken in the teams. A local journalist from Amreli said that he had visited the census not officially but illegally with few of his friends who were volunteering for the census.
By: Times of india
Sources in the department said that the forest department was estimating an expenditure of 25 lakh for the census.
Sources said that during census the officials especially the senior officers used these
cars while travelling. Not only that, some officials in the forest department
were also seen travelling in cars with their families. A volunteer also said that the choice of the volunteer was also to be questioned as those selected were not associated with the field.
However, a senior officer said that these cars were hired in the name of the sub-zonal team which were to travel from one beat to another clicking photographs and recording the location of the lions on the GPS. He said that since these teams were to move around quickly they needed cars. However, these teams were given jeeps while the cars were being kept at the services of the officials.
He said that the local villagers should have been given preference than as they were aware of the movement of the animal in their respective areas. A officer refusing to be quoted said that several of the volunteers instead of helping the officials were seen standing and watching lions. Officials said that there was no screening of volunteers. It is worthy recalling that the volunteers even complained of families attending the census.
Officials said that the mismanagement part was more in the revenue area where even friends were taken in the teams. A local journalist from Amreli said that he had visited the census not officially but illegally with few of his friends who were volunteering for the census.
By: Times of india
Monday, April 26, 2010
He forced govt to take notice of 56 illegal mines around Gir
Porbandar: The Asiatic lion census in Gir began on Saturday only to reaffirm the fact that lions enjoy a respectable stay in the state and need no other sanctuary anywhere in the country. But one would have to share this pride with Bhanu Odedara, a Porbandar resident who through his RTI applications forced the government to take notice of the 56 illegal mines surrounding the Gir sanctuary that were proving dangerous for the lions.
“Blasting in mining activity is a m a j o r threat to w i l d l i f e and has har mful e f f e c t s. When we talk of s av i n g our lions — this should be the first step towards that cause — providing a conducive environment for our wildlife,” says Odedara.
Last year, Odedara’s RTI brought out the issue of illegal mining activities within the 5 km periphery of Barda Wi l d l i f e Sanctuary. “Twenty-one permissions for mining around the forest area had been g r a n t e d since 2002 by state geological department, many of which were given without a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the state forest department. According to the Wildlife Protection Act (1972), mining is not permissible in the 5 km periphery of the sanctuary,’’ says Odedara.
Forest officials were forced to admit that mining was going on in villages of Kodinar and Una taluka of Junagadh district. The villages include Ghantvad, Harmadiya, Valadar, Pinchhava in Kodinar taluka and Jamwala, Kansariya in Una taluka of Junagadh district.
“Forest officials said that they have issued showcause notices to the mine operators in the area. But, they should take harsh actions against the illegal mine operators,” says Odedara. He is now following up on the issue through filing RTI application.
In February 2010, office of the assistant conservator of forests, Talala (Gir) range had assured Odedara officially that the details of mines that are live within the 5 km periphery of Gir sanctuary were being sought. A detailed report is now being prepared on the action taken by the forest department to stop illegal mining activities.
“ Fo re s t officials said that there are 56 s u ch mines active in Talala range area within the 5 km periphery of Gir sanctuary,” says Odedara.
By: Times of india
“Blasting in mining activity is a m a j o r threat to w i l d l i f e and has har mful e f f e c t s. When we talk of s av i n g our lions — this should be the first step towards that cause — providing a conducive environment for our wildlife,” says Odedara.
Last year, Odedara’s RTI brought out the issue of illegal mining activities within the 5 km periphery of Barda Wi l d l i f e Sanctuary. “Twenty-one permissions for mining around the forest area had been g r a n t e d since 2002 by state geological department, many of which were given without a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the state forest department. According to the Wildlife Protection Act (1972), mining is not permissible in the 5 km periphery of the sanctuary,’’ says Odedara.
Forest officials were forced to admit that mining was going on in villages of Kodinar and Una taluka of Junagadh district. The villages include Ghantvad, Harmadiya, Valadar, Pinchhava in Kodinar taluka and Jamwala, Kansariya in Una taluka of Junagadh district.
“Forest officials said that they have issued showcause notices to the mine operators in the area. But, they should take harsh actions against the illegal mine operators,” says Odedara. He is now following up on the issue through filing RTI application.
In February 2010, office of the assistant conservator of forests, Talala (Gir) range had assured Odedara officially that the details of mines that are live within the 5 km periphery of Gir sanctuary were being sought. A detailed report is now being prepared on the action taken by the forest department to stop illegal mining activities.
“ Fo re s t officials said that there are 56 s u ch mines active in Talala range area within the 5 km periphery of Gir sanctuary,” says Odedara.
By: Times of india
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Gir village to run on solar power
Principal secretary, environment and forests, SK Nanda, says, “This is pilot project to be implemented first in this village. Later on it will be replicated in other villages too. Solar-based lighting system is the best suited to the villagers’ need without compromising on the sanctuary ecology.”
According to forest department, Jambhutala is solely depended upon either kerosene or firewood, none available easily.
The project will be implemented by Gujarat Ecology Commission. Member Secretary of GEC, E Balagurusamy, says, “These villages are part of the Gir eco system and play a crucial role in protection of the wildlife. They are also a great source of information for the forest department on any suspicious activities inside the sanctuary.”
“Providing electricity lines is not a viable options as the overhead wires or underground electric wires are fraught with dangers, which can affect the wildlife inside the sanctuary,” adds he.
The total project cost will be around Rs five lakh. Balagurusamy says, “We are hoping that the project will be completed before the monsoon season.”
According to GEC, each of the household will be provided with two solar lights, one for the kitchen purpose and other for other household activities and also street light facility for them. Nanda says, “Earlier, during our meeting with villagers inside the sanctuary, they had complained of non-availability of kerosene and also lot of problems in collecting firewood.”
By : Times Of India
GOLDEN REIGN OF LION KING!
Lion Census Begins Today, Results May Be Out On Gujarat’s Golden Jubilee
Ahmedabad: Gujarat will start counting the number of lions in the wild on Saturday. And, from all accounts, the results of the census, which will take about a week to tabulate, will bring cheer to Gujarat on its Golden Jubilee.
This census is important as some rare poaching incidents have been reported since the last census five years ago, involving gangs from Madhya Pradesh which wants to rob Gujarat of the tag of being the only place where Asiatic lions roam free.
Almost 10,000 sq km will be combed by over 1,600 officials and volunteers in this once-in-five-year exercise. The last census conducted in 2005 had revealed a lion population of 359. The 2010 census covers a much wider area spread in five Saurashtra districts of Bhavnagar, Junagadh, Amreli, Porbandar and Rajkot.
On Friday, volunteers were issued identity cards and they were introduced to their other beat members. They will fan out at about 2 pm on Saturday and return only after 24 hours. Volunteers will take rest for 24 hours and get back to the count on Monday at about 2 pm only to return on Tuesday afternoon.
The officials also instructed the teams about the angles at which the photographs have to be taken. There would be five members in a team and each team is armed with a camera and a GPS. Keeping in view the scorching heat that enumerators will have to encounter during the lion census, the forest department is taking all precautions. It will include a team of doctors and a constant supply of drinking water, juices and biscuits for the volunteers participating in the event.
The officials said that the department have identified 450 spot after a ninemonth-long survey of the lion movements and sightings. These include s e t t l e m e n t colonies where lions are seen regularly.
“The timing is perfect for the census as visibility in the jungle is high. One can easily see half a kilometre into the jungle. The water holes have shrunk with the onset of summer, making it easy to monitor the movement of the lions,” said SK Nanda, principal secretary, forest and environment.
The computer analysis of data will start from April 27 with observers from Wildlife Institute of India, which has drawn up a plan to shift some lions at an alternate habitat in neighbouring MP. Gujarat, obviously, does not want to give up its ‘pride’ and officials are confident that the census would only reinforce the lion conservation efforts of the state’s forest department in the last 50 years.
By :- Times Of India
Ahmedabad: Gujarat will start counting the number of lions in the wild on Saturday. And, from all accounts, the results of the census, which will take about a week to tabulate, will bring cheer to Gujarat on its Golden Jubilee.
This census is important as some rare poaching incidents have been reported since the last census five years ago, involving gangs from Madhya Pradesh which wants to rob Gujarat of the tag of being the only place where Asiatic lions roam free.
Almost 10,000 sq km will be combed by over 1,600 officials and volunteers in this once-in-five-year exercise. The last census conducted in 2005 had revealed a lion population of 359. The 2010 census covers a much wider area spread in five Saurashtra districts of Bhavnagar, Junagadh, Amreli, Porbandar and Rajkot.
On Friday, volunteers were issued identity cards and they were introduced to their other beat members. They will fan out at about 2 pm on Saturday and return only after 24 hours. Volunteers will take rest for 24 hours and get back to the count on Monday at about 2 pm only to return on Tuesday afternoon.
The officials also instructed the teams about the angles at which the photographs have to be taken. There would be five members in a team and each team is armed with a camera and a GPS. Keeping in view the scorching heat that enumerators will have to encounter during the lion census, the forest department is taking all precautions. It will include a team of doctors and a constant supply of drinking water, juices and biscuits for the volunteers participating in the event.
The officials said that the department have identified 450 spot after a ninemonth-long survey of the lion movements and sightings. These include s e t t l e m e n t colonies where lions are seen regularly.
“The timing is perfect for the census as visibility in the jungle is high. One can easily see half a kilometre into the jungle. The water holes have shrunk with the onset of summer, making it easy to monitor the movement of the lions,” said SK Nanda, principal secretary, forest and environment.
The computer analysis of data will start from April 27 with observers from Wildlife Institute of India, which has drawn up a plan to shift some lions at an alternate habitat in neighbouring MP. Gujarat, obviously, does not want to give up its ‘pride’ and officials are confident that the census would only reinforce the lion conservation efforts of the state’s forest department in the last 50 years.
By :- Times Of India
Friday, April 23, 2010
Docs, anti-heat kits for lion census volunteers
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Ahmedabad: Keeping in view the scorching heat that enumerators will have to encounter during the lion census, the forest department is taking all precautions. It will include a team of doctors and a constant supply of drinking water, juices and biscuits for the volunteers participating in the four-day event beginning Saturday.
Among 1,300 volunteers and staff participating in census, there are 12 doctors and 11 researchers. These doctors according to officials would be there to take care of any emergency be it heat stroke or attack by wild animals.
This year’s kit would not just take care of the food for the enumerators but also mattresses to rest. “Any enumerator in the fields has to sit down on the ground if he wants to take rest. These mattresses would also come in handy for them. Also a cap and T-shirts marking them as census participants would help them get adequate support from the locals if they have spotted lion in the vicinity,” said an officer from forest department.
Deputy conservator of forests, Sasan, Sandeep Kumar says, “The kits would have water bottles, nuts, roasted grams, juices, first aid box, and a mattress.” He said that juices would definitely help them beat the heat. A senior officer said that this time there is a separate team to supply food and medication. Principal secretary, state’s forest and environment department, SK Nanda says, “During my visit we spotted two cubs with a lioness and also adult leopards, which is a good sign. This means that there is good conservation work happening here. However, these were in category of two-three months and thus vulnerable and hence during the count, this would also be kept in mind.”
Nanda says, “We have identified 450 spot after a nine-month long survey of the lion movements and sightings. These include settlement colonies where lions are seen regularly.” “The census teams are backed up by GIS and GPS devices for the marking location of lion, spotting places, roaming area of pride and their prey area,” he adds.
“The time is perfect for the census as visibility in the jungle is high. One can easily see half a kilometre inside the jungle. The drinking water facility also shrinks, making it easy to monitor the movement of the lions,” Nanda explains. For conducting the census, the group comprising of one enumerator, a sub enumerator, volunteer and local guide have to keep an eye over the selected spot continuously for 24 hours.
The computer analysis of census data will start from April 27 with forest department officials and experts from Wildlife Institute experts from Delhi.
Big cat lover Junagadh doc part of team too
Dr B Garana a medical practitioner is extremely excited about his new job in the jungle. Garana is a part of the medical team. He says, “This is my first such experience. Being from Junagadh, I have special attachment with lions. When I learnt about the census preparations, I decided to volunteer and sent my nomination.” Lions are not just pride of the state but that of the nation, hence getting associated with census was a matter of pride for me, he adds. Interestingly about 850 medical kits which includes medicines to boost nutrition and beat the heat would have also been sponsored by Garana. TNN
Among 1,300 volunteers and staff participating in census, there are 12 doctors and 11 researchers. These doctors according to officials would be there to take care of any emergency be it heat stroke or attack by wild animals.
This year’s kit would not just take care of the food for the enumerators but also mattresses to rest. “Any enumerator in the fields has to sit down on the ground if he wants to take rest. These mattresses would also come in handy for them. Also a cap and T-shirts marking them as census participants would help them get adequate support from the locals if they have spotted lion in the vicinity,” said an officer from forest department.
Deputy conservator of forests, Sasan, Sandeep Kumar says, “The kits would have water bottles, nuts, roasted grams, juices, first aid box, and a mattress.” He said that juices would definitely help them beat the heat. A senior officer said that this time there is a separate team to supply food and medication. Principal secretary, state’s forest and environment department, SK Nanda says, “During my visit we spotted two cubs with a lioness and also adult leopards, which is a good sign. This means that there is good conservation work happening here. However, these were in category of two-three months and thus vulnerable and hence during the count, this would also be kept in mind.”
Nanda says, “We have identified 450 spot after a nine-month long survey of the lion movements and sightings. These include settlement colonies where lions are seen regularly.” “The census teams are backed up by GIS and GPS devices for the marking location of lion, spotting places, roaming area of pride and their prey area,” he adds.
“The time is perfect for the census as visibility in the jungle is high. One can easily see half a kilometre inside the jungle. The drinking water facility also shrinks, making it easy to monitor the movement of the lions,” Nanda explains. For conducting the census, the group comprising of one enumerator, a sub enumerator, volunteer and local guide have to keep an eye over the selected spot continuously for 24 hours.
The computer analysis of census data will start from April 27 with forest department officials and experts from Wildlife Institute experts from Delhi.
Big cat lover Junagadh doc part of team too
Dr B Garana a medical practitioner is extremely excited about his new job in the jungle. Garana is a part of the medical team. He says, “This is my first such experience. Being from Junagadh, I have special attachment with lions. When I learnt about the census preparations, I decided to volunteer and sent my nomination.” Lions are not just pride of the state but that of the nation, hence getting associated with census was a matter of pride for me, he adds. Interestingly about 850 medical kits which includes medicines to boost nutrition and beat the heat would have also been sponsored by Garana. TNN
Bustard vanishes, govt shuts MP bird park
Denotifies Karera Sanctuary, Allows Land Sale & Biz There
New Delhi: With the disappearance of the magnificent Great Indian Bustard, this Earth Day was a glum occasion at the Karera sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.
Following the Centre’s recent approval of a state government’s proposal for denotification the area, comprising nearly 32 villages, would be set free for villagers to carry out sale and purchase of land and other commercial activities.
The National Board of Wildlife, chaired by environment minister Jairam Ramesh, in a recent meeting approved the state’s proposal to denotify the sanctuary, after its officials said the bustard wasn’t sighted since 1995 and that most of the land inside the sanctuary sprawling over 202 sq km was private land and people were facing lot of problems.
“Notified in 1981, the sanctuary in Shivpuri does not have an inch of forest land. As much as 146.66 sq km is private land and the rest is revenue. As the villagers live inside the sanctuary, they can’t sell their lands and are prohibited from activities like digging and transporting material,” chief wildlife warden, R S Negi said.
However, the approval has come with a rider—the board has asked the state government to declare Dihaliya lake and a portion of the adjacent revenue land to be declared as a sanctuary and probe into the reasons for the disappearance of the bird.
The Great Indian Bustard, locally known as the ‘son chidiya’ or golden bird is the most endangered member of the bustard family in the world and the total population in the wild may not exceed 700. Poaching and habitat deterioration are the two main causes for the drastic decline of the bird, which is now limited to Rajasthan’s Desert National Park and the Lala-Parjau Sanctuary in Gujarat.
What concerns wildlife experts now is the fate of ungulates like black bucks and others species in the sanctuary in Shivpuri that are facing the threat of extinction
Following the Centre’s recent approval of a state government’s proposal for denotification the area, comprising nearly 32 villages, would be set free for villagers to carry out sale and purchase of land and other commercial activities.
The National Board of Wildlife, chaired by environment minister Jairam Ramesh, in a recent meeting approved the state’s proposal to denotify the sanctuary, after its officials said the bustard wasn’t sighted since 1995 and that most of the land inside the sanctuary sprawling over 202 sq km was private land and people were facing lot of problems.
“Notified in 1981, the sanctuary in Shivpuri does not have an inch of forest land. As much as 146.66 sq km is private land and the rest is revenue. As the villagers live inside the sanctuary, they can’t sell their lands and are prohibited from activities like digging and transporting material,” chief wildlife warden, R S Negi said.
However, the approval has come with a rider—the board has asked the state government to declare Dihaliya lake and a portion of the adjacent revenue land to be declared as a sanctuary and probe into the reasons for the disappearance of the bird.
The Great Indian Bustard, locally known as the ‘son chidiya’ or golden bird is the most endangered member of the bustard family in the world and the total population in the wild may not exceed 700. Poaching and habitat deterioration are the two main causes for the drastic decline of the bird, which is now limited to Rajasthan’s Desert National Park and the Lala-Parjau Sanctuary in Gujarat.
What concerns wildlife experts now is the fate of ungulates like black bucks and others species in the sanctuary in Shivpuri that are facing the threat of extinction
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Leopard skin trade mastermind nabbed
Palanpur: The prime accused in the wild animal skin trading scam, which had been busted in a Sabarkantha village after a forest department sting operation on April 1, has been arrested.
Babu Savaji Modiya, who was on the run since the busting of the scam, was arrested by the forest department from his native village Gadi Vankada in the district on April 15. After a day’s remand, he was produced in a judicial court of Vijaynagar on April 17, which sent him to judicial custody, said MJ Parmer, deputy conservator of forests, Sabarkantha. “On tip off, a forest department team with the help of local police nabbed Modhiya from his house,” said range forest officer, Vijaynagar BV Shisodia.
Modhiya was on the run since the arrests of his associates Lakshman Patel of Ahmedabad, Prakash Patel, a driver with forest department in Vijaynagar, Shyamji Patel, a land broker in Amreli and Deepak Parmar, a Nadiad district education office clerk. All five were caught by forest officials selling a leopard skin during an under-cover operation carried out by the department in Vijaynagar, but Modhiya had managed to escape.
Furthermore, Shisodia said that Modiya, during his interrogation admitted to his involvement in the hunting of big cats. Babu has had a criminal record and there are still some cases, including murder, booked against him and in court. Modhiya was arrested under sections 9, 51 and 52 of the Wildlife Act.
BY :TNN
Babu Savaji Modiya, who was on the run since the busting of the scam, was arrested by the forest department from his native village Gadi Vankada in the district on April 15. After a day’s remand, he was produced in a judicial court of Vijaynagar on April 17, which sent him to judicial custody, said MJ Parmer, deputy conservator of forests, Sabarkantha. “On tip off, a forest department team with the help of local police nabbed Modhiya from his house,” said range forest officer, Vijaynagar BV Shisodia.
Modhiya was on the run since the arrests of his associates Lakshman Patel of Ahmedabad, Prakash Patel, a driver with forest department in Vijaynagar, Shyamji Patel, a land broker in Amreli and Deepak Parmar, a Nadiad district education office clerk. All five were caught by forest officials selling a leopard skin during an under-cover operation carried out by the department in Vijaynagar, but Modhiya had managed to escape.
Furthermore, Shisodia said that Modiya, during his interrogation admitted to his involvement in the hunting of big cats. Babu has had a criminal record and there are still some cases, including murder, booked against him and in court. Modhiya was arrested under sections 9, 51 and 52 of the Wildlife Act.
BY :TNN
Friday, April 9, 2010
Inter-state gang may be active in Sabarkantha
by :TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Ahmedabad: State forest department officials investigating the two recent cases where leopard skin and claws were found think that the poaching happened in Rajasthan and later the body parts of the animal were brought here for trading.
Senior foresters said the main accused Babu Modia was a resident of the district and had relatives in Rajasthan. They said there was a possibility that the accused might be dealing with traders from Rajasthan.
A senior officer refusing to be quoted said that poaching was rampant in Rajasthan, due to involvement of local tribes. “In Gujarat local people might be involved in trade but their involvement in killing was a remote possibility,” he said. The forest officials said that there was a possibility of poaching in the area, but now the officials have employed informers in the village as a result of which this trade was getting exposed.
He said that it was proper vigil and feedback from the informers that was helping the officials. However, officials said that after the poaching incident of the lions in 2007, the government has asked the officials to keep a vigil and has even roped in the intelligence bureau officials.
Chief conservator of forest (crime) DK Sharma said the spurt in such recovery is only because of the proper vigil by the forest department. “The main accused, Modia, has relatives in Rajasthan and hence he was moving between Sabarkantha and Rajasthan.” Sharma said that the possibility of interstate gang could not be ruled out.
He said that the forest officials were also investigating on this lines and once Modia is arrested, the picture will be clearer.
Ahmedabad: State forest department officials investigating the two recent cases where leopard skin and claws were found think that the poaching happened in Rajasthan and later the body parts of the animal were brought here for trading.
Senior foresters said the main accused Babu Modia was a resident of the district and had relatives in Rajasthan. They said there was a possibility that the accused might be dealing with traders from Rajasthan.
A senior officer refusing to be quoted said that poaching was rampant in Rajasthan, due to involvement of local tribes. “In Gujarat local people might be involved in trade but their involvement in killing was a remote possibility,” he said. The forest officials said that there was a possibility of poaching in the area, but now the officials have employed informers in the village as a result of which this trade was getting exposed.
He said that it was proper vigil and feedback from the informers that was helping the officials. However, officials said that after the poaching incident of the lions in 2007, the government has asked the officials to keep a vigil and has even roped in the intelligence bureau officials.
Chief conservator of forest (crime) DK Sharma said the spurt in such recovery is only because of the proper vigil by the forest department. “The main accused, Modia, has relatives in Rajasthan and hence he was moving between Sabarkantha and Rajasthan.” Sharma said that the possibility of interstate gang could not be ruled out.
He said that the forest officials were also investigating on this lines and once Modia is arrested, the picture will be clearer.
15 peacocks found dead in state
Palanpur/Junagadh: Fifteen peacocks died on Thursday in two separate incidents reported from villages of Junagadh and Sabarkantha districts. On the outskirts of Juni Chavand village in Visavadar taluka of Junagadh district, nine peacocks were found dead. “The carcasses appeared to have been lying there for over two days as about seven of them were eaten away by wild animals,” said L M Kandoria, the regional forest officer. “Prima facie, the birds appeared to have been killed by pesticide poisoning from eating seeds or crops in fields nearby. At present there is no reason to suspect any other cause of death. PM reports will throw more light,” Kandoria said. TNN & SANDESH
Dead leopard’s nails recovered in Sabarkantha
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Palanpur/Ahmedabad: In yet another catch, the forest department has recovered 18 nails of a young leopard which had died of starvation 12 days ago near Aud village in Sabarkantha district. This is the second major catch after a leopard skin was recovered.
Palanpur/Ahmedabad: In yet another catch, the forest department has recovered 18 nails of a young leopard which had died of starvation 12 days ago near Aud village in Sabarkantha district. This is the second major catch after a leopard skin was recovered. Three unidentified person who managed to give forest cops the slip, were performing tantrik rituals with the nails, foresters said.
Chief Conservator Crime Forest (CCCF) Gandhinagar, DK Sharma, said, “Based on a tip-off forest officials raided the crematorium situated on the outskirts of the village. Three accused had just begun what appeared to be a tantrik (black magic) ritual. But, at the sight of the government vehicle, they fled leaving the nails behind.”
The leopard carcass had been found in a decomposed condition from the forest area of the village on March 27. Postmortem revealed that the animal had starved to death. Someone had taken out its nails after the animal died.
Sharma said the officials had earlier received a tip-off that the local villagers had the nails. A close watch was kept on the movement of suspects. He said on Thursday they got the tip-off that the villagers were performing some ritual.
Sharma said since these suspects came from the nearby villages where this ritual was being performed, they have been identified and will be soon arrested.
Officials from the department said these nails were probably being used to keep away the evil spirits. According to Sharma, Darbars believe that that wearing the nails of an animal with power would make the heart of the child strong and would give them the power. Also, one had to perform the ritual before getting it framed in metal, gold and silver.
Leopard skin traders sent in judicial custody
All four accused of trading carcass of wild animals in Vijaynagar, who had been granted six-day remand on April 2 by judicial magistrate, were sent in judicial custody after their remand period got over on Tuesday.
According to assistant conservator of forests, Sabarkantha, RM Desai, “The leopard was believed to have been first trapped and later killed by hitting heavy rods on to its head. “We have also recovered mobile phones and equipment which were probably used for poaching the animal,” Desai said. These have been sent to Gandhinagar Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for investigation. “A leopard has 18 nails and can be sold to the extend of Rs 50,000 per claw,” he added.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
PM Announces New Department Of Wildlife Under The Ministry Of Environment And Forests
PM Announces New Department Of Wildlife Under The Ministry Of Environment And Forests
March 19, 2010: At the fifth National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) meeting held in New Delhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in his capacity as Chairman announced the setting up of a dedicated Department of Wildlife under the charge of Minister of State for Environment and Forests (Independent Charge) Jairam Ramesh.
Informed sources confirmed that the decision was taken after Mr. Valmik Thapar, Member NWBL made a statement on the dire situation of wildlife in the country, as exemplified by the fate of the Sariska and Panna Reserves, which suffered local extinction of tigers at the hands of poachers. A proposal for a separate lion conservation project was also mooted by Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi. Other matters that came up for discussion included crop raiding by chital deer and a demand to delist corals from schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. This was opposed by all non-official members because corals are vital to the biodiversity of our oceans. Members also expressed concern at the rising number of accidental deaths suffered by wild elephants that were being run over by trains in wildlife areas, particularly in North Bengal and Uttarakhand.
The National Board for Wildlife is the apex body that decides wildlife policy in India and it has a total of 45 serving members, the Minister of Environment & Forests, plus 15 non-official members, four of whom are part of a 12-member Standing Committee of the NBWL, which handles day-to-day decisions and monitoring of the directions issued by the NBWL. Dr. Karan Singh, who was the first Chairman of Project Tiger when the project was first launched in 1973.
March 19, 2010: At the fifth National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) meeting held in New Delhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in his capacity as Chairman announced the setting up of a dedicated Department of Wildlife under the charge of Minister of State for Environment and Forests (Independent Charge) Jairam Ramesh.
Informed sources confirmed that the decision was taken after Mr. Valmik Thapar, Member NWBL made a statement on the dire situation of wildlife in the country, as exemplified by the fate of the Sariska and Panna Reserves, which suffered local extinction of tigers at the hands of poachers. A proposal for a separate lion conservation project was also mooted by Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi. Other matters that came up for discussion included crop raiding by chital deer and a demand to delist corals from schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. This was opposed by all non-official members because corals are vital to the biodiversity of our oceans. Members also expressed concern at the rising number of accidental deaths suffered by wild elephants that were being run over by trains in wildlife areas, particularly in North Bengal and Uttarakhand.
The National Board for Wildlife is the apex body that decides wildlife policy in India and it has a total of 45 serving members, the Minister of Environment & Forests, plus 15 non-official members, four of whom are part of a 12-member Standing Committee of the NBWL, which handles day-to-day decisions and monitoring of the directions issued by the NBWL. Dr. Karan Singh, who was the first Chairman of Project Tiger when the project was first launched in 1973.
Siddis as tour guides in Gir
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Ahmedabad: The next time you visit Junagadh, and find a person of African origin telling you about Panthera Leo Persica (Asiatic lion), do not be surprised. Gujarat government is training some 20 youths of the African Siddi tribe, settled in Gir forest, to speak English and become tour guides. They will also be trained in driving and hospitality management as part of the eco-tourism development initiative. Officials said that tribal development department might also finance vehicles for them and attach them to hotels so that they can ferry tourists.
The Siddi community has claimed that there had been no move to bring them into the mainstream. This initiative promises to make them self-reliant.
The training is part of the project initiated by state tribal development department in order to improve livelihood, housing, access to safe drinking water and electricity, literacy, health facilities and roads to five major Primitive Tribal Groups (PTG) of Gujarat, namely Kolgha, Kathodi, Kotwalia, Padhar and Siddi.
“Looking at the concentration of Siddi tribe near Gir forests in Junagadh, we thought of training them to become ecoguides, which will help them take advantage of growing ecotourism in state, especially around Gir forests region,” said an officer from the tribal development department. The project for Siddi community was designed with focus on the potential of eco-tourism in the area. This project is also aimed at conservation and development of Siddi community, said the officer.
The Siddi population, which is roughly 8,816 in the state, is largely concentrated in Gir area of Junagadh district in Saurashtra with some settlement in Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Jamnagar and Amreli districts as well. “Since Siddis know Gir forest well, they could become good guides and could provide information to tourist and also could earn a livelihood,” said the officer. He said that for training purpose, they approached Gujarat Education and Ecological Research (GEER) Foundation, an autonomous body under Forests and Environment department.
“The first batch of 22 men from Siddi community completed 15-day training last week. Besides theoretical lectures, practical sessions were also organised which included field trips to Gir forest and other nearby places,” deputy director (environment education) at GEER foundation NK Nanda said. He said that the Siddi community members were not only told about trees and animals found in the area, but also about local history.
He further said that GEER has given them training on how to interact with tourists and the dos and dont’s of being in a forest area. He further said that not just Gir but these people would also be trained to make tourist circuits.
The Siddi community has claimed that there had been no move to bring them into the mainstream. This initiative promises to make them self-reliant.
The training is part of the project initiated by state tribal development department in order to improve livelihood, housing, access to safe drinking water and electricity, literacy, health facilities and roads to five major Primitive Tribal Groups (PTG) of Gujarat, namely Kolgha, Kathodi, Kotwalia, Padhar and Siddi.
“Looking at the concentration of Siddi tribe near Gir forests in Junagadh, we thought of training them to become ecoguides, which will help them take advantage of growing ecotourism in state, especially around Gir forests region,” said an officer from the tribal development department. The project for Siddi community was designed with focus on the potential of eco-tourism in the area. This project is also aimed at conservation and development of Siddi community, said the officer.
The Siddi population, which is roughly 8,816 in the state, is largely concentrated in Gir area of Junagadh district in Saurashtra with some settlement in Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Jamnagar and Amreli districts as well. “Since Siddis know Gir forest well, they could become good guides and could provide information to tourist and also could earn a livelihood,” said the officer. He said that for training purpose, they approached Gujarat Education and Ecological Research (GEER) Foundation, an autonomous body under Forests and Environment department.
“The first batch of 22 men from Siddi community completed 15-day training last week. Besides theoretical lectures, practical sessions were also organised which included field trips to Gir forest and other nearby places,” deputy director (environment education) at GEER foundation NK Nanda said. He said that the Siddi community members were not only told about trees and animals found in the area, but also about local history.
He further said that GEER has given them training on how to interact with tourists and the dos and dont’s of being in a forest area. He further said that not just Gir but these people would also be trained to make tourist circuits.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Lion census to cover 10,000 sq km
Ahmedabad: The lion census to begin later this month, will be the first since the formation of the state to cover the entire coastal belt. The counting would be spread over 8,000-10,000 square km area. This census would be covering Bhavnagar, Amreli, Porbandar and Jungadh districts. Officials said that there was a possibility that they may go up to a village in Rajkot district.
The forest department officials said that they in 2006 by Faiyaz Khudsar, a trustee with the Biodiversity Conservation Trust of India, scheduled to be heard on May 5. There is a fear that if the census showed a good increase in the number of lions then the SC might direct Gujarat to give some lions to MP citing reasons of conservation.
The officials say that unlike earlier years, the last five years were the most eventful with even corporate houses from the state pitching in to save the lion. The government had also allocated Rs 40 crore for the same.
A task force was also formed by the state government for the conservation of the lions. The force has also come out with its recommendation, including radio collaring the lions and starting a gene pool. were worried about the outcome of a petition seeking relocation of wild lions filed
Lion census from April 24, count could go beyond 400
Ahmedabad: This is going to be a census that will be closely watched by many, given the fact that it is being conducted after a period that saw poaching incidents for the first time in Gir and when neighbour Madhya Pradesh became more aggressive in its demand for a share of the Asiatic lions. are out, after careful tabulation of data and matching it with the photographic evidence.
Stray accidental deaths notwithstanding, the going has been good for the lion in its exclusive abode in Gir, with the Gujarat government promising expansion of its protected habitat and a Rs 40-crore corpus for its conservation. Sources say this time
the lion count is likely to go up to 400 from the last figure of 359 of 2005. Besides, the lion is poised to be one of the state’s biggest draws in the soon-to-be launched campaigns featuring Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan.
The Gujarat government has told the Supreme Court that there could be 400 lions in and around Gir, a clear evidence of good conservation measures. MP government, which has prepared Kuno Palpur as the lion’s second abode, had a dig at Gujarat recently in its last affidavit filed before the SC, stating that if at least 10 lions died unnaturally in Gujarat, then the state could surely afford to part with five lions. It is another matter that the gangs of poachers arrested in Gujarat have all come from MP.
Digital cameras to help count lion population
Ahmedabad: For the first time, 130-odd digital cameras will be used to count Asiatic lions over four days, as the census covering the districts of Junagadh, Amreli, Porbandar and Bhavnagar begins on April 24.
Divisional conservator of forest Sandeep Kumar told TOI that all the four districts will be divided into 28 zones. The zones will further have 100 subzonal heads who would be armed with digital cameras. The census will be conducted by direct sighting method, particularly around water bodies where lions are expected to come to quench their thirst.
Kumar said that apart from recording on paper, each subzonal head would also try and take a picture to create a unique identification bank for the lions. The parameters for identification include shape or marks on ear, nose and face, the tail, and the sides of the lion. Officials said that to prevent duplication, the photographs would also register the time and details of the camera from which they were taken.
Kumar said 450 enumerators, assisted by 900 others, would be deployed in the census. This means each team, headed by a sub-zonal chief, would have about 12 members to conduct the census by direct sighting method. A team of 56 volunteers will also accompany them to provide food or attend to any other kind of emerge
Saturday, April 3, 2010
4 held with leopard skin in Sabarkantha
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Ahmedabad/Palanpur: In the first ever sting operation carried out by the forest department, an old leopard skin, probably stolen from the royal Palace of Vijaynagar, was recovered late on Wednesday night.
In a joint operation of Intelligence Bureau officials and the forest department, four members of a gang which was into animal skin trade, were arrested.
The team, disguised as customers, met the accused to strike a deal. The accused first tried to sell the leopard skin as that of tiger and the deal began as high as Rs 15 lakh. However, when the forest officials realised that it was not tiger skin, the accused immediately brought down the price to Rs 2 lakh.
While the negotiation were on, the car in which they were travelling reached a spot where another team of IB and forest department officials was waiting for them.
Anil Johri, conservator of forest, said, “We seized the leopard skin while attempts were being made to sell it.” He said that the skin appeared to be old. It could be the one reportedly stolen from the royal place of Harshvardhan Sinhji Rathore from the royal family of Vijaynagar. He said that a police complaint in this regard was also filed by the royal family.
Officials from the department said that among those arrested were Lakshman Patel, Prakash Patel, both residents of Vijaynagar, Sabarkantha, Shyamji Patel of Amreli and Deepak Parmar of Ahmedabad. The main accused, Babu Modiya of Gardi village, is on the run. Forest department and IB have launched a hunt for Babu with the police.
Officials said several more members of the gang could be apprehended once interrogation of the four is over. He said that there is also a possibility of recovering at least four more skins from the gang.
“A leopard has 18 nails while the skin we seized had no nails. It seems the gang had sold the nails each of which usually costs Rs 50,000,” said assistant conservator of forest RM Desai.
Desai said, “We are also in touch with Rajasthan forest department and unless we catch Modiya it is difficult to say anything. Those arrested have told the forest officials that Modiya had given them the skin to be sold in the market and that is all they know.”
Ahmedabad/Palanpur: In the first ever sting operation carried out by the forest department, an old leopard skin, probably stolen from the royal Palace of Vijaynagar, was recovered late on Wednesday night.
In a joint operation of Intelligence Bureau officials and the forest department, four members of a gang which was into animal skin trade, were arrested. The team, disguised as customers, met the accused to strike a deal. The accused first tried to sell the leopard skin as that of tiger and the deal began as high as Rs 15 lakh. However, when the forest officials realised that it was not tiger skin, the accused immediately brought down the price to Rs 2 lakh.
While the negotiation were on, the car in which they were travelling reached a spot where another team of IB and forest department officials was waiting for them.
Anil Johri, conservator of forest, said, “We seized the leopard skin while attempts were being made to sell it.” He said that the skin appeared to be old. It could be the one reportedly stolen from the royal place of Harshvardhan Sinhji Rathore from the royal family of Vijaynagar. He said that a police complaint in this regard was also filed by the royal family.
Officials from the department said that among those arrested were Lakshman Patel, Prakash Patel, both residents of Vijaynagar, Sabarkantha, Shyamji Patel of Amreli and Deepak Parmar of Ahmedabad. The main accused, Babu Modiya of Gardi village, is on the run. Forest department and IB have launched a hunt for Babu with the police.
Officials said several more members of the gang could be apprehended once interrogation of the four is over. He said that there is also a possibility of recovering at least four more skins from the gang.
“A leopard has 18 nails while the skin we seized had no nails. It seems the gang had sold the nails each of which usually costs Rs 50,000,” said assistant conservator of forest RM Desai.
Desai said, “We are also in touch with Rajasthan forest department and unless we catch Modiya it is difficult to say anything. Those arrested have told the forest officials that Modiya had given them the skin to be sold in the market and that is all they know.”
If 10 Gir lions die annually anyway, give 5 to us: MP to SC
Himanshu Kaushik
Ahmedabad: The MP government has reportedly stated that if an average of 10 lions die unnaturally in Gir every year, then there is no harm in Gujarat government parting with five lions for its Kuno Palpur project.
However, according to officials from MP, the MP affidavit is silent on the earlier attempts to transfer lions. Also, it has failed to justify whether lions and tigers can stay together. MP has been just claiming that Kuno Palpur does not have presence of tigers, added an official.
Ahmedabad: The MP government has reportedly stated that if an average of 10 lions die unnaturally in Gir every year, then there is no harm in Gujarat government parting with five lions for its Kuno Palpur project. The counter affidavit filed by the MP government in Supreme Court has stated that many lions die by falling into wells, getting electrocuted or by poaching. In the last three years, eight lions have died unnaturally within Gir Sanctuary. Forest officials said the MP government has assured the court that it would give full protection to the lions being brought from Gujarat, reiterating that Kuno Palpur had adequate prey base and that the lions would not die of starvation.
The affidavit was filed in response to the affidavit of the Gujarat government which had in March opposed the move to transfer the Asiatic lions from Sasan Gir. The Gujarat Government had, in the affidavit, reiterated that tigers and lions cannot stay together.
It warned that relocating the lions from the Gir Sanctuary in Gujarat was fraught with irreparable damage to the sociology of lions and asserted that MP cannot manage the relocation as it had failed to protect its own tiger sanctuary.
The Gujarat government affidavit also
stated that the lion poaching racket in Gujarat had its roots in MP. Kuno Palpur has presence of tigers in the vicinity and hence lions and tigers cannot co-exist. Officials said the government also claimed that earlier attempts to transfer lions had failed.
However, according to officials from MP, the MP affidavit is silent on the earlier attempts to transfer lions. Also, it has failed to justify whether lions and tigers can stay together. MP has been just claiming that Kuno Palpur does not have presence of tigers, added an official.
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