Maneaters at Corbett

On my recent birding tours I was saddened to find out that a women had been killed by a tiger or tigress. This happened on the way to Dhikala gate near a village. Though the animal could not be located another killing took place some distance away. One of the incident took place in broad daylight as I heard.

Every year one or two man eating incidence takes place. While most of the cases may be accidental, one or two are premeditated attacks. This does not augur good for the animal. But in most of the tiger reserves in the country the number of people in the buffer zone is very high. The intrusion is on daily basis in the buffer that was supposed to distance human settlements from prime areas. But in recent times there is a murky line that separates the human settlements with habitat.

With conservation efforts the wildlife has saturated buffer zones. Especially in parks like Corbett in Uttaranchal, Kanha, Pench and Bandhavgarh. The status of buffer zones are practically as same as the core. New guidelines are called for for mapping our valuable assets. While people have a large land mass to settle, wildlife is surviving in a limited area that too with regular human intrusions. 

Corbett is an exciting birding destination and supports lots of wildlife wild elephants and tigers. More than hundred tigers find home in the preserve. Efficient management is key to conservation success. It is a well managed park as rising population of tigers indicate. But tourism should be managed the way it is being done at Central Indian Tiger Reserves.

All things wild & beautiful

It does not take an acclaimed photographer to capture good wild images. Any one with zeal can deliver amazing pics of our wilderness, animals and birds.

My friend Sandeep is an avid traveler and is well equipped with accessories including a good camera. Here are some of the images he gifted for my blog. These are some of the images taken from his recent visit to Corbett Tiger Reserve in North India.

Death of a tiger? News

Ever since the down slide of the tiger in India has become apparent the casus belli has created deep consternation. First it was the Project Tiger which elated then depressed. Then NTCA and what not. The down slide continues till today.

We keep on reading about death of a tiger or tigress here and there. The same goes for the leopard albeit more extensive. The situation is so precarious that a loss of one tiger in present circumstances is equivalent to hundred. The poaching of tigers in Panna and Sariska is a frightening spectacle since it happened right under the eye of the administration and that too in the core zones. How many poachers have been caught and how many of negligent staff punished. I would love to know!

Question: Who was responsible?
 
The poachers of course &......(sic)?

Question: Tourism (sic)?

Question: Migration?  

Where to? No forest left. 

Question: Disturbance by tourists?

Tigers have bred well in popular tiger reserves despite tourism. Nobody knows what happens in reserves not visited.

Question: Why it happened?

Since 1971 we are still learning and finding.....How to save the tiger?   The down slide continues.

Tiger deaths elsewhere ---- sans territorial fights.... Thank God! They are dying only because of  latter now He! He!   

The down slide continues. Power circle really is more concerned of its vote bank than the tiger? People first...Who owns the Earth?  

Once I had an argument with an important official in conservation regarding search and  punishment of all poachers big and small.

"Put into action law and order!" I suggested.

He just brushed my question aside as absurd. "What are we doing? He said.

But believe me I once mentioned this to FD of a park. He told me bluntly, "The area is so big what can I do?"

We did not discuss "Power Protection" "Negligence" "Political Apathy" "Corruption" "Punishment Posting".

Yes we did discuss "Dilapidated Protection Machinery" "Public Apathy" "Vermin Syndrome" "Pest Syndrome" "Fear of Animals".....  I told him how ineffective beat/forest guards are whence confronting local goons and gangs.

That time there did not appear to be any  regular night patrolling and intelligence collection. Is there now?"

"More concerted efforts sir?" I said.

He just looked at me silently.        

Our last hopes rely on parks like Kanha which have hitherto shown excellence in management. 

The fact is that most of the tiger deaths in India are due to poaching, thanks to our neighbor's eating & treating habits. Man animal conflict is a serious problem. Habitat Loss! Human apathy is one more. Encroaching construction is turning out to be a death knell, a complete shrinkage of natural ecosystem - habitat. Political apathy and management crisis at places. (Read lethargy & negligence) - Death due to negligence - electrocution of tiger in Pench a short distance from Karmajhiri RH.     

How to save the tiger?

Jago re India Jago re!

Micheal Vickers - Save Tiger - Jhurjhurra Tigress

He is an acclaimed wildlife photographer and  a conservationist by heart. His works have been published by reputed organizations like BBC, The Born Free Foundation, Care for the Wild International, The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation and EIA.

Micheal is a lens man with a difference, he clicks for tiger conservation in India. Recently he has passionately appealed to conservationists, tiger lovers to keep pushing for justice for Jhurjhurra tigress and her cubs.

Please find details here:   http://www.tigersintheforest.co.uk/savethetiger.html

It is heartening to note that in our fight to save the tiger in India we are not alone. People like Micheal from all over the World are tackling this incorrigible system alongside to save the tiger from what appears to be a certain extinction.  

I have met many people from other countries besides many of us who are in for tiger conservation and contribute in whatever manner they can. Some name that are familiar to me are Face Book friends.

Amy Goldstein Cohen: Volunteers at local zoo and is up against those who confine tigers in private custody not up to order. She desires to go full steam ahead as to whatever she can do for tigers in India. She wishes to unite all nature lovers, conservationists active in tiger conservation.   

Phil Davis: Runs a charity called Tiger Awareness. He is active in tiger conservation and does a lot good for humanity  around tiger reserves. His website: http://www.tigerawareness.co.uk

Jen Dowdy: is fond of animals and is active campaigner for tiger conservation in online platforms. Passionate about wildlife and tigers she strives hard to save species from extinction. 

There are many other people who do not find mention in this short write up here. They are truly global activist who love and care for all life forms on Earth - God's creation.

Leopard in India:What About it!

Big Cats Too Near

It is a sad story, all the euphoria created by the Project Tiger is gone. Tiger lovers, conservationist, NGOs are having a nightmarish premonition - a mini doomsday. The leopard in India is facing the same fate, perhaps worst. All the attention is centered around the tiger and nothing wrong about it. But it is high time same status is provided to the leopard in India. 

When the Nation talks about Cheetah relocation it only suggests that our conservation is tourism oriented and perhaps leaning on jingoistic pride. There is nothing wrong with well managed tiger tourism since its benefits  are impressive. And there is nothing wrong with possessive approach towards our wild heritage ...but is this enough?   

We who boast so much of belonging to an oldest civilization on Earth. Especially with all shorts of conservation ethos ingrained in the Vedas and Hindu scriptures. Yet we are struggling to save one of the most ecologically important animal on Earth. 

In spite of all the efforts - lot many constructive - we are not succeeding in preserving tiger footsteps from vanishing. Why so? Perhaps if we delve deeper into conserving the leopard lot  more truth will surface. In fact active leopard conservation will open more innovative methods to save the tiger.

The leopard is known to exhibit immense survival extinct, but in spite, it is loosing ground fast in India. The major conflict is with the our society that is concerned about itself and presumes ownership of the Earth as a human prerogative.           

The man animal conflict as regards to the leopard is more intense than with the tiger. By natural instinct the animal avoids conflict with tigers and hence many are forced to survive in outer areas of our forests with dense human population. 

Lets be sure human settlements near forest areas live  with scant regard or even in abject fear of wild animals... more so due to myth, unseen fear and sometimes actual conflict and sufferings. That we have encroached in their land (other life forms) has become a hearsay. The perspective remains the same as it was whence the animals were declared vermin and shot ruthlessly by butchers of the past.     

I have interacted with many villagers around the periphery of tiger habitats,  most of them have no love for the tigers or leopards - expect those benefiting directly from their existence. We have to understand that they are in the same mold as lot many of us are...a snake to be conserved is fine ....as long as it is not in our garden or house. The tigers and leopards are very much in the garden of locals around the periphery of the reserves.  The threat perception exists, walk down to a village where cattle lifter is present or human tragedy has occurred and you will soon find out. Locals can act as big deterrent to poachers.

Only people benefiting from tiger's existence have interest in its survival for the rest it is their own survival that matters and nothing else. (And oops! Tiger lovers, conservationists, NGO and all like minded people are sincerely making efforts to save the species in India).

Would the direct beneficiaries have the same feel for the leopard? Not  so much since the animal is less publicized and less sought after as a  visual delight. Let us be sure people rarely understand ecosystem and food chain concept...it is sentiments that are fueling their conservation ethos. And why not? A large number of people are acting as pressure groups today than earlier. This is thanks to tiger tourism. that imparts  benefits to unemployed  - as forest guides, resort workers, Jeep owners, accommodation providers, retailers and many others. An example of value added conservation for sure.  (Ask a guide at Taj and you will know how much he values the monument.)

In recent news more than hundred fifty leopards have been poached or killed in India. 

The news article will assure you that the leopard is a neglected cousin. Perhaps if we strive hard to conserve this extremely beleaguered animal in India it may throw open new insights in big cat conservation as whole. 

In the present circumstances tiger crisis reeks of multifarious angle - human society, democratic urgency, poaching, Chinese medicine (sic), inherent corruption, conflict and self centered priorities. Our attitude is shameless as perceiving the the Earth as our prerogative... take a peek in every day life opinions, it  will confirm this.  

Where does the buck stop! Will we frame rules that says this is our and this is theirs and this is for sharing. Properly defined extensive inviolate areas are key to wildlife conservation in India. Protected areas mind you cover barely two or three percent of 32 lakh sq km that is India.

Why properly defined? Anyone who has been to Kanha in earlier times knows that some areas were habitats of Indian wolf, hyena and other open country animals. The protection status was created totally bereft of the presence of these animals - areas were humans have moved in now. The animals are scarce now by all means.

Wildlife tourism in India

India is a growing economy and has received lot of accolades for its performance in recent times. Though the boom is more publicized in IT sector the country is progressing in many sectors. Tourism is one such aspect that the country wishes to grow rapidly since comparatively it lags behind many destinations. 

India has lot to offer in tourism thanks to its diversity amazing terrain and amazing society. The Nation changes  every short distance offering a new experience with each step ahead. From picturesque settings to demographic  discoveries of esoteric rites and rituals of changing set of people. Everywhere Incredible India excites with its ever changing facet and mystic.      

Wildlife of India has always attracted naturalists, photographers and in recent times tourists interested in wildlife watching. The tiger safaris are most sought of nowadays much better from hunting safaris in olden times. But the country has much more to offer than just tiger sightings there many more keystone species. 

Apart from tigers, India is home to Asiatic lion, Indian one horned rhino, Indian elephant, Wild ass, Leopard, Bison and many endemic rare species of mammals and reptiles. Birding in India is a growing recreation. The Nationa is home to more than thirteen percent of avian species in the World. Among the reptiles the Gharial and Gengetic dolphin, muggers and slat water crocodile are interesting  animals. The cobra is a legend but the land is home to many interesting species of snakes and turtles. The forests and garden have rich assemblage of butterflies and insects as well. 

All these are hot potatoes for wild life lovers and naturalists not forgetting the ever persistent nature photographers. In India wildlife tours offer much more as the tour operators include historical monuments in the packages. The Taj at Agra and ancient temples of Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh are the finest destinations. For a discerning traveler, travel in the country is a study of life itself - diverse yet co-existing. 

Blogging for whole life is not enough to open the Pandora's box the country is. One needs to set foot  here to discover the paradise. The tourism infrastructure is rapidly come on par with International standards  to facilitate the tourists. All type of accommodation and means of transportation are available with ease. The internet facilitates travel in the country - Go online and see for yourself.                    

Cheetah Relocation India

Reintroduction

As per the recent news in The Hindu a plan to reintroduce the Cheetah in India has been cleared by the ministry (MOEF) headed by Hon. Minister. Jairam Ramesh.  This project if really mooted would bring about a paradigm shift in our conservation methodology. Not that things have yet to set in this direction. The debacle at Panna and Sariska have set the ball rolling in the name game of relocation and reintroduction.   

History & Speculation

Historical records in India point out Cheetah to be a popular hunting animal in Mughal Courts. This has led to speculation that Cheetah was imported into India. The locals in India are not able to differentiate between  the leopard and Cheetah easily a reason for further confusion in identification.  On the other hand eminent naturalist writers as Prater visualize it  as moving into India from Ethiopian zoogeographical region as the Asiatic Lion and perhaps the Leopard did way back in time. More proper  terminology would be "spread to".   

Nevertheless Cheetah did inhabit India, and its preferred habitat was low rugged hills and extensive grasslands. The last Cheetah was shot in Chattisgrah at Korwai. Hunting records of Cheetah being shot at Chhindwara and Korwai is bewildering since there are no extensive grasslands there. The area is densely forested and would have been much more heavily forested whence the big cat was hunted. This  would suggest that Indian animal a sub species was highly adaptable and could survive in thickets or small grassland habitats and plains adjoining dense forest canopies.   

This gives rise to question that animal that hunts for survival in extensive grasslands would it be able to survive in forest habitats? Perhaps Kuno appears to be more suitable, but I am sure field biologists must have studied the whole project for viability.  

The ideal prey base for Indian Cheetah would have been deer species of plains like Chinkara,  Barking deer, Black Buck and to lesser extent associates - Chital, Nilgai. So where ever was black buck found, Indian Cheetah was present. as well. Now this is true of Noradehi and other two habitats I am sure. There is a large population of black buck in adjoining open areas and within at Nauradehi WLS. 

Reintroducing Cheetah in India seems to be driven more by sentiments then by practical reality  though I do not hesitate in praising Hon.Minister for his enthusiasm. But with so much stress on endangered tigers would it have been better to divert crucial resource towards tiger conservation? Cheetah could have been introduced after tiger's survival in India had been assured.     

Risk

Introduction of exotic species has proved disaster for many endemic species all over the World. Would this sub species, foreign to Indian ecosystem endanger an already surviving animal in that habitat? Will we be then experiencing a merry go round never ending trap?  For example Chinkara  or Indian gazelle is endangered in Central India and as most of the animals in reserved forests have been hunted down with ease. What will happen to these animals which in small population bracket may not be able to act as effective prey base.  In simple terms they could be hunted to extinction by our foreign friend. 

Susceptibility to disease can put these animals to risk and in turn they could turn out to be carriers of disease which the resident animals may not have immunity  for. 

How will this new sub species fare against tiger and leopards - the latter they could meet in fringes? Ho much time it would take for the reintroduced animal to get acclimatized with the habitat and settle down with competitors?

Man animal conflict is a serious issue at our wildlife places. This will increase further with habitats near to human habitation as in the case of leopard. A greater number of leopards are being killed in India then recorded.    

Conservation record in the state of MP has proven to be dismal, Panna is an example. Would the management be able to cope up with such a complex situation since Cheetah are more habitat specific and  fragile animals and not as adaptable as the leopard. 

Benefits

The benefits are overpowering, for in zealous stage Nauradehi may see relocation of large number of villages (over 60) from its confines. This should have happened much earlier.

Reintroduction will enable increase in conservation efforts at selected destinations. It would also reduce wild tiger safari tourism load in popular tiger reserves as Kanha and Bandhavgarh. These advantages are apparent but then number of questions come a fore.  
 

Tourism will get boost and the local jobs. Rise of land prices will benefit in some way as well, as has happened in Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Pench. We could take away a small cake of Cheetah safari from Africa?

Most of the villages in Nauradehi WLS are terribly cut off in deep confines, bringing them to main stream with proper subsistence plain would be good. The habitat in turn will benefit with greater inviolate areas for wild species. Tiger's may make a  comeback here since Nauradehi once had large number of tigers. There are vagrant tigers in the WLS as has been reported.

We could boast of India as home of all big cats until......   

       

Pench National Park

Seoni the famous little township in Madhya Pradesh near Jabalpur is surrounded by dense forests that are referred as Seoni Hills. Rudyard Kipling in "Jungle Book"  describes the escapade of child reared by wolf pack. It is said that Lt.Moor a British first sighted Mowgli near the village of Sant Vavadi. Capt. Sleeman wrote an account of Mowgli in his book "Rambles and Recollections". 

Kipling is said to have visited Seoni Hills which were then contiguous with what is now Kanha National Park. The British writer made Mowgli the wolf child immortal by writing "Jungle Book". The Seoni Hills are part of Central Indian Highlands that Capt Forsyth accounted for in his book "The Highlands of Central India". 

The British loved to explore and what better scape than that of "Jewel in the Crown". The exploratory zeal contributed a lot to understanding the natural history of India. The taxonomic classification of  Indian wild animals and birds was efficiently carried out by wild life lovers and English ornithologist during the British Raj.

Pench National Park a tiger reserve is part of Seoni Hills and tigers survive here. A wolf pack was seen on road to Turia Gate from Khawasa few years back. But the expanding humanity is driving peripheral wildlife out of their preferred habitats all over in the tiger reserve.


Pench biodiversity is impressive. A dry deciduous mixed forest, the preserve supports wide variety of Central Indian mammals. The terrain is undulating with low lying hills, grassy valleys and dense forest canopies. It is home to tigers, leopards, wolf, wild dog, bison, sambar deer and four horned deer. Barking deers are sen often while squirrel, jungle cat, nilgai, spotted deer, langur, rhesus macaque, wild boar and jackals are commonly seen. Fox, ratel, civet cats,  hyena, and porcupine are by nature nocturnal. Sloth bear and leopard are seen with luck. Recent leopard sightings have been surprisingly frequent.  

Pench has more than seven hundred bison or gaur. The coarse feeders are a prominent feature of the park with large herds sighted often. The wolf once common is a rare sight suggesting an endangered status. Like is all tiger reserve of Central India hyena is not sighted often. This is due to occupation of open country and scrub forest habitats by villages and resorts in the immediate periphery.

The bird life is rich but requires more work to be done by ornithologists. Raptors are very visible and so are many other birds. Along with Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Nauradehi WLS, Pench is ideal for forest birding.  The latter two offer wetland bird sightings as well. Though very popular for tiger safari birding in the tiger reserves is on increase. Pench offers exciting potential for bird watching tours in Madhya pradesh in India.

Tree line is mix with scattered patches of bamboo perhaps planted . Neither Teak nor Sal dominates here the latter appears to be very scarce.  Lyndia, Saja, Kullu, Harra, Bahera, Dhak, Tendu, Kosum, Salai, Haldu, Bija are common floral elements along with dazzling mix of herbs and shrubs. Grassland and edaphic meadows are feeding grounds of herbivores.       

Pench River is the life line of this ecosystem but dries out to a large extant in summers. The Totlah Doh Hydroelectric Dam has a submergence are of more than fifty square km of what was once the finest forest zone in the reserve. Water holes are scattered but support wildlife in the park. 

Tiger conservation has been successful in the reserve but the danger of poaching are evident as few year back tiger and other animals were electrocuted right next to the Karmajhiri RH. In case of lack of vigilance the National Park could face poaching incidences that could endanger the tiger and other animals.

Pench is accessible from Nagpur airport a good eighty km of drive while it is approx 200 km from Jabalpur which is connected by air service from New Delhi. It is six to seven hours drive to Kanha National Park from here.

Accommodation is in plenty with many jungle resorts available along with luxury hotels and many jungle camps.  Accommodation ranges from budget to super luxurious. During holiday rush one needs to book rooms or jungle plans in advance. The entry to the park is limited an safari should be booked much in advance.

All seasons are good for wildlife watching but winters are best for birding as migrants add up the numbers of species. Combining your tiger safari tour with a visit to Kanha National Park would add to your experience of wildlife safaris in Central India.        

Panna National Park

Situated in Panna District of Madhya Pradesh in Central India this beautiful preserve has been much in the center of controversy. Contrary to claims made by the CCF of MP there were no tigers left in the reserve as declared by a committee report in June 2009. Of late tigers from Bandhavgarh and Kanha have been relocated here in order to restore tiger population. The trans location program is showing success as a tigress has given birth to two cubs. Another tigress is expected to reproduce. 

Panna National Park also tiger reserve along with Sariska highlights the state of tiger conservation in India. The 543 sq.km park lost all its tigers. No attention was paid to dwindling number of tigers as per alarm created by researchers. The authorities were busy with counter claims as usual and in the process the remaining number of tigers fell prey to the poachers with ease.  

Besides tigers (Oof) the park is home to leopards, sloth bear, chinkara, spotted deer, sambar, wild dog, jackal, caracal, wolf, four horned deer, hyena, fox, nilgai and jungle cat. There are more than two hundred bird species that can be found in the reserve along with reptiles and large number of butterflies. 

The dry deciduous forest type are unique with Kardhai forest zones, besides, teak, tendu, mahua, char, kullu, bel, harra and other species. The grasslands are extensive with tall and short grasses.    

Ken River Sanctuary is the life line of this ecosystem and is the habitat of mugger and gharial. The number of gharial is low in this pristine river. More reptiles are being released here in order to restore the ecological balance and save the endangered species. 

Though tiger sightings may not be possible any more in this tiger reserve one can see many wild animals and enjoy bird watching. There are many jungle lodges, hotels and wildlife resorts that offer accommodation outside the park. For inbound tourists package tours are available by tour operators in India. These packages are affordable and well designed.   

Next interesting destination is the Khajuraho Temples which are around 45 km from the National Park. One can easily drive down from Panna to the temples at Khajuraho for sightseeing. The temple complex town has an airport connected with New Delhi, Mumbai and other major towns in India. 

Panna is connected with Satna, Katni, Jhansi rail heads and is about seven hours drive to Bandhavgarh tiger reserve. Panna can also be reached via Jabalpur which is connected to New Delhi by rail and flight service.     

Kanha Wildlife

Though the tiger is the main attraction in Kanha the park is home to many wild animals in India. The most attractive mega fauna is of course the rare hard ground swamp deer. This sub species of deer is found only at Kanha and is surviving precariously after a remarkable come back from brink of extinction. The deer was saved in the nick of the time. 

Indian bison or Gaur is an ox race  and is doing well in the park. Around 1976 disease rinderpest and FPL either of the two wiped out a large population. Thankfully the population has recovered and herds can be seen at Kisli range in summers. There has to be strict implementation of inoculating live stock in the surroundings. 

Samabar deer the largest in the Asia survives in good numbers here and can be seen often especially in the evening hours. Sambar along with the ubiquitous spotted deer constitutes the main prey base of the tigers in the wild.     

On tiger safaris one can see barking deer, four horned deer and of late the mouse deer has been discovered in the park. The leopard is often seen with luck and so is the sloth bear. Wild dogs are seen more often in Kanha and Kisli ranges. Langurs, wild boars, rhesus macaque, jackal and peacock are widespread in the preserve and regularly seen.One can take a peak at the Indian python around the numerous water holes.

During a night safari outside the park confines one can come across many nocturnal animals - civets, hare, ratel, porcupine and perhaps hyena or wolf. Late evening hours are ideal for sighting leopards on night safaris. Park safari inside the park is not allowed hence one should drive along common roads in the periphery. Using flash light is not advisable. 

The ensuing tiger chase prevents experiencing the over all diversity of flora and fauna in the preserve. The focus of attention on tiger safaris is the tiger. This is understandable as the animal holds mesmerizing charisma and a mystic appeal among most humans. Nevertheless once you have encountered a tiger then go in for a holistic appraisal of the landscape, wildlife and bird life in order to make your visit meaningful. 

The tiger is usually sighted on jeep safari in four or five rounds but in most cases  tiger sighting would  take place in one and two rounds. Tiger show much touted as cola show lets many tourists have a close look at this nature's wonder. The sight of the tiger is the wild is amazing experience and turns many into sympathizers of our wilderness.         

For regular visitors the park offers a chance to study Kanha wildlife and birds as amateurs this is good. Awareness of our nature helps us conserve better. There are many wildlife photographers visiting the National Park especially during the hot months of summer.  Summer sunshine and animal congregation  around  water holes is ideal for wildlife and tiger photography.

Birding is exciting in the park with more than two hundred species to be seen during winters. Of late bird watching trips are being organized by tour operators of India. Kanha offers the best in Central India forest birding.