With death looming large on the highly endangered tiger species effective conservation measure are the only solutions. But these measures do not come easily in case of a lack luster approach as has been seen on many instances.
The World Wide Fund or WWF has tested two drones that will locate poachers and inform the authorities. The unarmed drones are capable of patrolling 25 sq km at a time. These are set to monitor conservation units in Nepal and tests have already been conducted in Chitwan National Park.
The tiger reserves in India are very susceptible to poaching. This has been noted in the past at Panna and recently at Tadoba Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra. An innovative and proactive approach is required and the drones set a fine example.
The recent news in papers is alarming but nothing new, except that the tiger has achieved a near human status in India. Well of the negative kind. Killed, poached, hunted and displaced from his homelands for ever this animal species is a cynosure of all wildlife lovers and conservationists.
In the resent times the animal has been victimized by a bizarre system of medicine, which has all but decimated the tiger population in China and elsewhere in the region. Hunting tiger is no longer a sport but poaching has taken over - for greed of money. The vast nexus of illegal traders of animal parts, local hunters and middle men is taking a toll of the species.
The supari word is popular is the underworld. It is hiring a killer to kill an opponent or an innocent victim for money. Supari killing in India is rising alarmingly amongst the unemployed youth in India. The impunity with which the crime is executed is a frightening proposition. The loop holes and complexities in the law are the encouraging factors.
As far the tiger is considered there is no law, and hardly anyone is convicted of heinous wildlife crimes. Well tiger is not human enough, its charisma or importance does not appear to raise a hue and cry. A cry that will awaken the Nation. For the contract killers this would be a very easy and safe job. Keeping the demand of tiger bones in reckoning the deal would be lucrative, and by all means for some traditional communities of hunters turned poachers.
The shoot at sight order in tiger reserves of Maharashtra is appreciable but not enough. More advance techniques in tiger protection, a supportive law and reign on local poachers is becoming more and more imperative. In spite of Wildlife Protection Act, poaching and intrusion in our reserved forests is quite common. This is what leads to graduation in hunting rare protected species in the most popular protected areas of the country. But who cares.
The supari phenomenon as regards wildlife poaching will be a land mark measure as to how successful are conservation measures in India. Sophisticated criminals with capacity to exploit inherent corruption, advance killing mechanism and lure of the money will leave no stone unturned in achieving the heinous goals.
Tourism is an important aspect of conservation in Indian tiger reserves. In spite of a negative outlook from many critics there is a rationale in accepting tourism as necessary in our protected area. The visitors and subsequent publicity is certainly helping in highlighting the protected areas as well as the keystone species.
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Tourism has been at the fore front of creating employment for the locals as well as in revenue generation for the Governments. Tourists on tiger safari do highlight the status of wildlife and the ecosystem as whole and hence act as a pressure group.
The parks have succeeded in creating and equity of their own. Hence success in highlighting the importance of these valuable ecosystems and resource banks has done good. These remaining but badly fragmented areas are our only defense against global warming.
Those who advocate ban on tourism in protected areas either have a privileged access or see this as elitist. There are some who suffer from myopia if nothing else. Contrary to the stance the tiger reserves have become robust ecosystems along with increase in populations of life forms in recent times. Since my visits to Central Indian reserves starting early seventies all these positive things have happened. Tourism has gradually peaked without any visible damage to the preserves.
Control over safaris is being gradually tightened by the park authorities. This has been instrumental in stress reduction and mitigating damage to the local environment. One odd incidence, aside a major damage causing incidence has not occurred due to tourism since the inception of protect area status. On the contrary many PAs with little or no presence are in a neglected state and perhaps perpetual decline. Their future is in dark. Tourist pressure - often critical - also acts as a support base for the management. The management is singly tackling the menace of uncontrolled resource utilization, poaching and wood logging - not forgetting political interference and apathy. The tourist actually create a comprehensive pressure group over the whole protection mechanism and the policy making.
The recent increase in entry fee (gate fee) has curbed tourism to an appreciable extant in the major protected areas of Central India. There is a danger that these destination will only affordable by the rich and other will be set aside. This also spells death knell for the many locals and hotels & resorts who are solely dependent upon income from tourism. With the paradigm change taking place in protected areas the hotel industry will have to change according and look towards upscale tourist or close down. The internal competition is a hindrance hence for many shutters are going to roll down.
Though creating a mad rush in our conservation unit is inadvisable there has to be a balance. Nature tourism should be affordable for average men keeping in mind the inherent benefits. A more balanced approach will be appreciated. Increasing the infrastructure in less popular PAs would certainly reduce pressure on popular National Parks in the country.
This is an enigmatic and startling image of a blue eyed male tiger at Bandhavgarh. The unusual stance and blue eyes have mesmerized my sensory apparatus no end. Photographed by a seasoned naturalist Tirath Singh this is a classic example of capturing the right moment. The pose appears much man like deliberation. I have earlier noticed an amusing look in tiger countenance in presence of humans. (Could be my mind gone beserk?) The dominant male tigers are oblivious of humans whence not disturbed. The females are very shy but can be over zealously aggressive when along with cubs and threatened.
From a humble safari guide Tirath Singh a local tribal has come a long way. Mr. Singh now conducts tiger tours in Indiathrough his MP package tour company. He guides many photographic expeditions in India. I have realized that this man is highly skilled with the camera. His keen observation power, equally keen eyesight and sensitive ears contribute to his photography skills. His understanding of animal behavior and the terrain is another reason for being successful in his recreation.
The tiger cub is unaware of the plight of its species. Shrunken homes, brutal murders, diminishing prey base - the tiger cub knows nothing about. But as it will grow, it will realize that something is amiss. The struggle for survival is not only against the enemies in the jungle, a more vicious creature poses an indomitable challenge for the existence of its kind.
For centuries man has been making inroads into land meant for other life forms. Human assault has been brutal with marked insensitivity to its kind. The tigers are aware of their land being usurped by humans but they know nothing about their diminishing numbers or of sliding statistics. As majestic as ever, even in defeat the tiger is facing its last hour on Earth with dignity and grace.
The slipper in the tiger cub's mouth has been callously disposed off by a pilgrim on the way to Ram Janki Temple on the Bandhavgarh Fort. This is our attitude towards few remaining natural habitats. Will the tiger forage on plastic waste and discarded papers like our holy cows do? Will Bandhavgarh become a potential industrial area with loads of slipper factories all around? The reckless mining is already taking a toll of our reserve and protected forests. Will Bandhavgarh be next?
These threats are real, in populist governance man's interest comes first even if the land belongs to the tiger and its kins. We espouse non violence principles as preached by the Great Mahatma...but do we practice? Do we read the five thousand years old Vedas that preach us to respect all life forms. Nurture and nourish them, value their existence as much as we do for self.
Its all in our minds what we do? How we do? Our attitude contributes to dismembering of nature or its preservation. It is for each individual to think and act positively. The big cats can still be saved if we the people care for it assiduously. Plant a tree in your garden save wilderness in your backyard. Save natural habitats! Live and Let Live!
This is one rare image of the flying squirrel at Kanha. The photograph has been taken by Mr. Navneet Maheshwari near his resort at Kanha National Park. It took him quite some time and lot of efforts to capture the mammal in his camera. Being an avid photographer and naturalist he has hundreds of exciting images in his personal collection. He owns Kanha Village Eco Resort.
The flying squirrel is found at many places in Central India but little is known about the species. These rodents remain hidden from predators in the day time and emerge during the dusk to eat insects, fruits, fungi and eggs of birds.
On tiger safari tourist hardly look for these animals and miss wonderful creations of nature. Some time back flying squirrel was reported near the Kisli Gate. These mammals do not fly but glide from one tree to another.
The jungle is always full of surprise. In spite of going repeatedly to Barha for birding the expectancy remains. Barha is a reserve forest about 8 km from my house. It is part of Mandla and Jabalpur forest divisions which were once densely forested and teemed with wild animals including tiger and leopard.
Due to the destruction of these forest and poaching by villagers, the mega fauna is extinct. But one does come across squirrels, Hanuman langur, rhesus macaque and monitor lizard. Perhaps a night safari would churn up more nocturnal animals.
Indian Tree Shrew JBP
Tree Shrew on Ground
Tree Shrew on the run
Tree Shrew Photo
The above photographs have been taken by Mr. Jagat Flora my friend and fellow birder. At Barha the birds remain and near to Jabalpur it is the finest birding destination. During our many birding trips we saw this creature scurrying to hide on the very first glance. The confusion over its identity prevailed till we were able to photograph it. The images helped us identity this mammal.
Indian Tree Shrew are found in dry deciduous and moist deciduous forest of Central and South India. They resemble the common squirrel but are hardly akin in habits. This mammal has been placed in Insectivora but lot of confusion prevails over its classification.
This animal is diurnal in habit and hardly climbs trees though it can. Very little is known about the Indian Tree Shrew which lives in burroughs in the forests.
I was horrified at the sight on a news channel. A sloth bear that had wandered near a village was being beaten to death. One small animal and thousands of humans enact a battle scene of survival. The animal must have wandered near the village in search of water or by some error.
The panicked lot collected around the helpless animal. It was running here and there, desperately trying to save its life. But to know avail, men were everywhere and the badly ruptured body could not hold life. Another rare animal was taken off the charts.
How brutal we are towards other life forms is evident from this horrendous incident. Such instances of cold blood killing are being regularly reported especially in case of wandering leopards.
Is there a will and commitment to save wildlife and protect our forest ecosystems? Do people understand the complex web that sustains life on earth. Do people know that our survival depends upon the survival of other life forms. We are hell bent upon destroying nature due to apathy, selfish gains, monetary greed and what not.
The tamasha went of for a long time and the forest department was conspicuous by its absence. It was too late by the time the team arrived. This sparks lot of questions in mind.
Why is it that the sentinels arrive too late or never at all?
The animal could have been easily tranquilized and transferred back to its habitat. A precious life could have been saved.
Where are the bosses?
In all my wanderings in the reserve forests I have yet to see seniors on field. The forests are totally at the mercy of the helpless and sometimes corrupt forest guards.
Wood logging and Poaching?
The reserve forests are in continuous state of denudation. Wood logging for fire and commercial gains is quite often seen or heard. Newspapers now and then report poaching incidents. How come poachers are not taken to law by the mehekma?
I have developed a great liking for discovering new wildlife or birding heavens. The visit to Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary was my fourth. Two of the visits where a short survey one was on a birding trip. The recent one was as a nature guide for our esteemed guest a fellow wild lifer, birder and a photographer of repute Mr. Ujjal Ghosh.
Though much publicized as a wolf sanctuary which it is, the sightings are difficult perhaps at times. It is yet too early to comment as an extensive survey is required. The forest guards seem to come across the wolves frequently especially along the Cheola Lake. This is a small lake but large enough to support the prey base and water birds. But the animal is encountered all around the sanctuary as informed.
We spent little time, only a day and a half which is not enough for searching carnivores like wolf. The animal is local migratory by habit and sometimes forced by circumstance. It's persecution continues as it is misconstrued as a vermin all over India.
Most of our excursions took place in the neighborhood of Mohali Rest House in Mohli Range. The mixed forest zones are a unique habitat for the Blue Bull, Fox, Black Buck and Chinkara or the Indian Gazelle. The crocodiles are found aplenty though we could not see one thanks to the approaching summer. From the rivers they have spread to lakes small and big. The forest department has done commendable work in the up keep of the water bodies in the wildlife refuge.
Our focus was the wolf and the sloth bear and the bird life. We could not see the sloth bear as well but came across ample evidence in the sanctuary. The forest are mostly mixed type with dense cover prevailing in undisturbed areas on the hill ranges. The sanctuary encompasses diverse habitats in an area of 1197 sq.km. The two major river systems are Vyarma and Bamner besides other rivulets.
The reserve is slotted to house Cheetahs in India thanks to extensive grasslands and ideal prey base. Nuaradehi is an interesting wildlife refuge and offers good wildlife watching and birding opportunity. The ecosystem differs much from tiger safari destinations like Kanha and Bandhavgarh National Park in MP. The prevalence of open scrub, dry deciduous forests, grasslands etc makes it an ideal habitat for open country animals like chinkara, wolf and hyena. The reserves has a good population of Chital, Sambar and Nilgai, of which the latter is widespread. Wild Boars, Jackal, Gray Langur and Rhesus Macaque are seen often.
Bird life is interesting and for more information visit: Indian Birding Blog
If you wish to travel to Nauradehi, Indiana Safari an MP tour package service organizes the trip. You can visit Nauradehi for wildlife watching and birding. The sanctuary is open from Mid October to June end. Climate wise the best period is up to March end but one can visit in all seasons depending upon the time available. The distance to the Gate is approximately 86 km from Jabalpur and about 56 km from Sagar.
