Assamese Elephant Trapping : an expert's view

[Guest guest]

Hello,

Please find attached a commentary on the proposed elephant trapping

in Assam from notable Asian elephant expert, Kisor Chaudhuri, FRGS. As many

of you on this forum will recall, Kisorda was one of the opponents of the

Jaipur elephant polo match. He has worked on wildlife research for many

years now and has also been to Tanzania and exchanged notes with the

legendary Iain Douglas Hamilton on elephant conservation. Kisorda does

wildlife consultancy for several organisations and has worked with WWF and

WPSI. Attached is a biography from his website : http://kisorchaudhuri.com/ He

has also written many articles for the Statesman newspaper in Kolkata.

Thank you.

Regards,

 

 

The plight of the Phandis is truly sad. But there are bundles of such

instances of " dying art " under the changed conservation priorities of a

world fighting hard to secure the future of animals who were treated as

" subjects " of these " artists " . I now face quite a lot of difficulty in

finding out people with necessary expertise of driving elephants from human

habitations, particularly in Orissa where I've been working for quite some

time now. From the news clip I came to know about the Sadou Asom Hati

Phando Sanmilan Union. Will they be interested to help out the states in

need of men and Kunkis for driving operations? They will surely be looked

after properly by the forest departments of these affected states for their

services. Please let me know if Azam may contact them and a positive way of

looking at their rehabilitation issue can be found.

 

Love,

 

kisor da

 

 

* Kisor Chaudhuri FRGS*,is a professional biogeographer specialised

in the study of wildlife holding areas for the purpose of designing

ecologically sustainable management of wildlife and its habitats.

Several such studies resulted in formulation of Conservation Action

Plans for various species. Considering the imminent threat on the

future of Asian Elephants still surviving in eastern India, several

such studies were undertaken on behalf of different State Forest

Departments as well user agencies. For reference to few such action

taken report refer to " *S*ervices " button. As a renowned chronicler

of Indian Natural History several articles are published through

daily newspapers, journals and popular science papers. Such

journalistic endeavours helped creation of public openion in favour

of wildlife conservation in India. For reference to few such

publication refer to " *P*ublication " button. For reference to the

status of elephants in eastern India refer to " *F*ield Studies "

button.

 

*Present Affiliations*:

 

Biogeographer and Fellow of the Royal Geographical

Society, London (with the Instt. Of British Geographers).

Guest Lecturer to institutions under the University of Calcutta on

issues related to biodiversity management.

 

*Present Activities*:

 

Consultant to the Department of Forest, Government

of Orissa for preparation of Management Plan for Chandka-Dampara

Wildlife Sanctuary.

Finalising project planning for a biogeographical assessment of

the viability of restoring elephant migration corridors through

forests of Orissa. Project initiated through the Wildlife

Protection Society of India, New Delhi.

Presently undertaking a study of the Impact of Kiriburu /

Meghhatuburu Iron Ore Mines of SAIL at West Singbhum district of

Jharkhand on the movement of Elephants and the effect of effluent

discharge on the Koina River. Terms of Reference of the assignment

include representing SAIL at the MoEF Review Meeting at New Delhi.

 

 

*Past & Present Associations*:

 

Committee Member of WWF-India (WBSO)

Governing body member of the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute

(A statutory body appointed by the Parliament of India)

Life Member: Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai

Past Consultant: WWF-United States of America for Manas Initiative.

Past Consultant: Dept of Forest & Environment, Govt. of Bihar for

preparation of Management Plan and parting

wildlife training on Valmiki Tiger Reserve.

 

*Activities*:

On behalf of CCF-Wildlife (Orissa) undertook

a study to assess the impact of iron ore mining by Orissa Mining

Corporation at Daitary on the elephant migration paths and made

representation to the MoEF at New Delhi.

Initiated the first ever exploration of hitherto unknown Neora

Valley for the first time in human history. The expedition was

sponsored by WWF-India and the Himalayan Club and resulted in the

declaration of the Neora Valley National Park.

Conducted the first biogeographical study of the distribution and

dispersal behaviour of elephants in Orissa, Jharkhand and south

West Bengal. Project sponsored jointly by US Fish & Wildlife Service,

Washington DC andWildlife Protection Society of India.

Undertook the first study on the man-eating behaviour of leopards

of mountainous regions of Uttar Pradesh. Project sponsored by the

CCF-Wildlife,Uttar Pradesh.

Sponsored by the Forest Department of West Bengal, World Bank and

WWF undertook a status survey of the leopards of Northern Bengal.

Undertook a brief biogeographical study of several wildlife habitats

of North-east India including the study of the wetlands of Kaibul

Lamjao in Manipur.

On behalf of WWF-Tiger Conservation Programme undertook assessment

of the following Tiger Reserves in India:

 

· Sunderban Tiger Reserve

· Valmiki Tiger Reserve

· Corbett Tiger Reserve

· Dudhwa Tiger Reserve

· Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary

 

Explored the Great Nicobar Island and studied the diminutive

Shompen Tribes from close quarters. Studied elephant migration

paths in Northern Thailand. Studied the biodiversity of Rift Valley,

Eastern Africa. Attended several International wildlife meets.

Represented in the recently concluded workshop on Arabian fauna at

UAE.

 

*Publications*:

A regular contributor and Editorial commentator to The Statesman

on wildlife conservation issues.Published scientific papers in

several journals including popular scientific publications.

Presently working on a comprehensive book to describe the faunal

diversity of India and conservation needs in and around Protected

Areas.