(IN) Two big cats come under wheels within 24 hrs

[Guest guest]

4-8-2007

 

Today's news papers have reported that two big cats have died under wheels

of vehicles. The full article is attached at with this email.

 

I think vehicles are as bad as poachers inside the WLSs. Unknowingly they

are killing animals left-n-right. Government spends millions to catch and

punish poachers. Can not Govt. do something to stop or control usage of

roads that are dangerous to animal's life? My views to control this are as

under: Few measures are such that they bring in money for conservation and

few measures do not involve expense of one rupee.

 

o Where ever possible roads inside the sanctuary must be closed

permanently.

 

o All those roads, where closing down is not possible, should be open

for vehicles only from 10AM to 3PM. This should strictly apply to state

transport buses also.

 

o All these roads should have speed breakers at every 100m and that

also without any sign board and un-stripped. These roads should never be

repaired or widened. The idea is to make traveling on these roads as

difficult as possible to discourage people using these roads.

 

o Entry fee (just like toll tax for road usage) of Rs.50 or more

should be levied which would discourage its usage.

 

o Cameras should be set on these roads to find out illegal night time

commuters.

 

o All check posts must have computerized check-in and check-out

system. This will ensure that vehicle which has entered has exited in

correct travel time ensuring correct speed of the vehicle..

 

o Wherever possible alternate four track roads away from animal

movement areas should be developed. This would divert traffic away from

roads with animal accidents.

 

Kishore Kotecha

 

Wildlife Conservation Trust, Rajkot - Gujarat

 

 

 

4-8-2007

 

Two big cats come under wheels within 24 hrs

 

Ahmedabad Newsline By: Sibte Husain Bukhari

 

http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=249121

 

Junagadh, August 3: Within less than 24 hours, one more big cat - a young

lioness, came under the wheels of an unknown vehicle in Gir (east) forest

division. The incident occurred on the state highway No. 90 between Chaturi

and Khadadhar villages in Khambha taluka early on Friday morning. On

Thursday too, a young leopard cub was killed when she came under the wheels

of an unknown vehicle.

 

Deputy Conservator of Forests (Gir east) V G Rana rushed to the spot on

being informed about the incident. He sent the carcass to Khambha for a

post-mortem examination, which was conducted by the veterinary officer in

Khambha.

 

Rana said, " The post-mortem report confirmed that the two-year-old lioness

succumbed to injuries. It had multiple fractures in its right limb and the

right side of the head. All the claws have been found intact. We are on the

lookout for the vehicle. "

 

Recent incidents have brought to light the increasing pressures on wildlife

in and around the Gir forest, which is the last resort of the Asiatic lion.

Though the wild animal population here, particularly that of lions and

leopards has considerably increased in the last decade, so has the human

population. This has led to an increase in animal-human conflict.

 

When contacted, Conservator of Forests (wildlife) Bharat Pathak said, " Every

year we carry out about 60 operations to rescue lions and leopards in

Junagadh wildlife circle comprising the three districts of Junagadh, Amreli

and Porbander. More than half of these operations are carried out to save

the leopard for which we regularly received complaints from the revenue

area. "

 

According to the last census of lions and leopards carried out in May 2006,

the leopard population in Gujarat was estimated at 1,100 plus. About 30 per

cent (nearly 380) leopards are found in Junagadh district particularly in

Gir, Girnar, forests on the costal belt, reserved forest, vidi land and in

protected areas under Junagadh wildlife circle.

 

When asked about accidental deaths of big cats, which mostly occur while

crossing the road, Pathak said, " We have identified three roads which have

frequent movement of wild animals. We have written to the government

departments concerned to put up speed breakers on these roads, for we cannot

stop traffic on them altogether, " he said.

 

When contacted Deputy Conservator of Forests (Gir-west) B P Pati said,

" Whenever we receive complaints about leopards taking shelter in revenue

areas particularly sugarcane fields, we trap them and then, release them

deep inside the jungle. It happens all year round, " he said.

 

Rana said, " The leopard population has increased in the last two decades.

And wild animals know no boundary such as revenue or forest area.

 

About a decade ago, there was very little human population around the Gir

forest area. But now things are different.

 

While in 1984 the estimated population of leopards in Gujarat was 498, in

2006 it reached 1,100. And, with animals and human both increasing in

numbers there's bound to be encroachment from either side.