Guest guest Posted February 6, 2010 Report Share Posted February 6, 2010 ---------- Forwarded message ---------- <sghosh Fri, Feb 5, 2010 at 5:10 PM Fw: NatureNews Jan, 2010 journalistandanimals Regards Programme Officer TRAFFIC India WWF India Secretariat 172-B, Lodi Estate, N.Delhi 110003, India Tel: +91-11-41504786, Fax: +91-11-43516200 Visit us at " www.traffic.org " TRAFFIC- the wildlife trade monitoring network- is a joint programme of WWF and IUCN-The World Conservation Union. It works to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to conservation of nature. ----- Forwarded by /wwfindia on 02/05/2010 05:10 PM ----- Gita Warrier/wwfindia 02/05/2010 05:06 PM Subject: NatureNews Jan, 2010 ------------------------------ *NatureNews* Jan, 2010 *WELCOME to NatureNews from the Library & Documentation Centre, WWF-India, New Delhi.* *NEWS* *Environment - General* *Yasuni National Park is one of the most biodiverse places on earth. *Scientists have confirmed that an average upland hectare (2.47 acres) in Yasun¡ National Park, Ecuador, contains more tree species, 655, than are native to the continental United States and Canada combined. The number of tree species rises to more than 1,100 for an area of 25 hectares. A team of scientists has documented that Yasun¡ National Park, in the core of the Ecuadorian Amazon, shatters world records for a wide array of plant and animal groups, from amphibians to trees to insects. The authors also conclude that proposed oil development projects represent the greatest threat to Yasun¡ and its biodiversity. " This study demonstrates that Yasun¡ is the most diverse area in South America, and possibly the world, " said Dr. Peter English of The University of Texas at Austin. " Amphibians, birds, mammals and vascular plants all reach maximum diversity in Yasun¡. " For more: *http://www.hindu.com/seta/2010/01/21/stories/2010012150121300.htm*<http://www.h\ indu.com/seta/2010/01/21/stories/2010012150121300.htm> *Commercial activity around Corbett Park posing a threat to eco-fragile zone. *Unhindered commercial activity around the Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand is posing a serious threat to the eco-fragile zone and obstructing movement of animals. Flashy discos, motorbike racing, loud music, bright lights and lavish weddings in resorts on the periphery of the Park, in gross violation of laws and scant concern for the wildlife, are fast spoiling the peace and tranquillity of the eco-fragile zone. “There are about 3,200 beds being offered around the Park by 77 resorts and 17 more resorts are under construction. With only 600 people allowed to visit the Park in a day, it is anybody’s guess what others will do,” Sujit Banerji, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism said. For more: * http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/13/stories/2010011357940400.htm*<http://www.hindu.c\ om/2010/01/13/stories/2010011357940400.htm> *28cm sea-level rise will drown 96 pc of Bangladesh Sunderbans. *The increasing global temperature may spell doom for the Sunderban tigers as a WWF study has cautioned that rise of 28 centimetre in sea levels will engulf 96 per cent of their habitat. The findings, though specific for Bangladesh, may be a cause of concern for India as well because the Sunderbans are spread across India and Bangladesh having same ecosystem and tiger population. The increase of 28 cms from the sea levels of the year 2000 will cause 96 per cent decline in tiger habitat of Sunderbans in Bangladesh while the number of breeding tigers would be reduced to less than 20, Colby Loucks of WWF-United States said in a paper. " We find that the Sunderbans, and its biodiversity, may be vulnerable to much lower increases in sea level than previously thought, " he said. The researcher says the situation may come in about next 50-90 years if Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimation of sea level rise is taken into consideration. " The Sunderbans are spread across India and Bangladesh with about 5,000 sq kms in Bangladesh and 4,000 sq kms in India. Although the political boundaries define the region, the entire area has similar ecosystem. Any environmental change taking place will have effect on both sides, " Joint Director Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve Raju Das told reporters. For more: * http://www.deccanherald.com/content/48592/28cm-sea-level-rise-drown.html*<http:/\ /www.deccanherald.com/content/48592/28cm-sea-level-rise-drown.html> *Climate Change & Energy* *India keeps Copenhagen pledge on emission cuts.* India is stepping up pressure on the West to act on climate change. The government formally conveyed to UNFCCC that India will endeavour to reduce the emission intensity of its GDP by 20-25% by 2020 in comparison to the 2005 level through domestic mitigation actions. While the 'voluntary' actions will have international ramifications, the decision comes with an important 'conditions apply'. India has also clarified that these actions will be entirely voluntary in nature and will not be legally binding in nature. The mitigation actions will also not apply to the country's agriculture sector. The decision assumes significance in view of India's traditional position on the issue of climate change. While the Indian government has recognised the Copenhagen Accord as a political 'guiding' document, it has refused to accept it as legally binding. The government has also maintained that the Accord cannot continue while sidetracking the official UN negotiation process on climate change. For more: * http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/global-warming/India-keeps-C\ openhagen-pledge-on-emission-cuts/articleshow/5518967.cms *<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/global-warming/India-keeps\ -Copenhagen-pledge-on-emission-cuts/articleshow/5518967.cms> *Forest & Biodiversity* *2010 - International Year of Biodiversity. *The United Nations has declared 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity in order to increase awareness of the importance of biodiversity by promoting actions at local, regional and international levels. In the Gulf of Mannar, constant efforts to manage the reefs were required to save the corals and associated rich biodiversity from various localised threats and climate change, J.K. Patterson Edward, Director, Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute, said. Coral reefs are productive and ecologically sensitive habitats with rich biodiversity. The services of coral reef mainly include fisheries, coastal protection, tourism, lifeline and biodiversity store house. These resources face anthropogenic and natural threats worldwide. The conservation of coral reefs will help in protecting thousands of associated marine species. For more: * http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/18/stories/2010011855460200.htm*<http://www.hindu.c\ om/2010/01/18/stories/2010011855460200.htm> *Bank, Bangla for mangroves.* The World Bank will provide Rs 200 crore over the next five years for the preservation of coastal Bengal, including the Sunderbans, Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh said. “I had a discussion with the World Bank president in Copenhagen last month and he confirmed that Rs 200 crore has been earmarked for the preservation of Bengal’s coastline, including the Sunderbans. The project will be launched in June,” said Ramesh, who visited the Sunderbans. He also said the Centre would soon launch a joint effort with Bangladesh to protect the Sunderbans. “It is extremely difficult to carry out work to save the Indian part of the Sunderbans in isolation. After all, 60 per cent of the Sunderbans is in Bangladesh. So, we need to work together and protect it,” Ramesh told The Telegraph. For more: * http://telegraphindia.com/1100113/jsp/bengal/story_11977942.jsp*<http://telegrap\ hindia.com/1100113/jsp/bengal/story_11977942.jsp> *India set to lead effort for binding biodiversity treaty. *Even before the dust has settled on the controversial Copenhagen climate deal, India is set to take the lead in pushing for a single legally binding treaty for access to and benefit sharing of biological resources at the 10th Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to be held at Nagoya, Japan, in October. The CBD was one of the key agreements adopted at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. The convention, while reaffirming the sovereign rights of nations over their biological resources, established three main goals — conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of its component, and fair and equitable sharing of the benefits from the use of generic resources. The major item for consideration at the 10th Conference of Parties (CoP) to the CBD is adoption of an international protocol on access and benefit sharing (ABS), which provides an opportunity to biodiversity-rich countries such as India to realise benefits for their people from the use of this biodiversity. For more: * http://www.thehindu.com/2010/01/05/stories/2010010556811800.htm*<http://www.theh\ indu.com/2010/01/05/stories/2010010556811800.htm> *Wildlife & Endangered Species* *Reviving the rhino. *As the winter sets in along the bank of the mighty Brahmaputra in Assam, it’s time to flock to the sprawling Kaziranga National Park (KNP), located on both sides of the busy National Highway 37, over 215 km from Guwahati towards the east. The 859 sq km UNESCO World Heritage Site on the bank of the Brahmaputra turns into a paradise on earth from November to March every year for wildlife buffs and tourists from all over the world. Numerous groups of tourists troop into the park to embark on jeep safaris and elephant-back safaris every morning and evening during this period to feast their eyes on the unique wilderness inside the park. While the one-horned rhinoceros is omnipresent in every nook and corner, thanks to the successful conservation history that dates back to over a century now, the tourists are overawed by the abundant faunal resources of the park. For more: *http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100103/spectrum/main1.htm*<http://www.tribun\ eindia.com/2010/20100103/spectrum/main1.htm> *WWF to help expand China's panda reserves.* The World Wildlife Fund said it planned to spend 40 million yuan (5.9 million dollars) over the next three years to increase the number of giant panda reserves in China. The environmental group also plans to build " wildlife corridors " between the 60-plus reserves to enable the pandas to move around more freely, WWF China representative Dermot O'Gorman said. " The only way we are going to protect the long-term security of the giant panda is to ensure that the existing habitat remains of high quality, " he said. For more: * http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/WWF-to-help-expa\ nd-Chinas-panda-reserves-/articleshow/5444520.cms *<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/WWF-to-help-ex\ pand-Chinas-panda-reserves-/articleshow/5444520.cms> *Gujarat to conduct lion census at Gir in April.* The forest department of Gujarat is gearing up to conduct census of lions at the Gir Sanctuary in April this year. " We will conduct the census at the Asiatic Lions Sanctuary at Gir in April, " said Pradip Khanna, principal chief conservator of forest (PCCF) of Gujarat. Khanna said that lion census is conducted every five years and the previous one was conducted at Gir in 2005. In the last census, a total of 359 lions -- plus or minus 10 -- were reported at the Gir sanctuary, he said. " We had counted 359 lions with plus or minus 10 in the Gir forest. In last five years, around 150 lions including cubs must have died, " he said. For more: * http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Gujarat-to-condu\ ct-lion-census-at-Gir-in-April-/articleshow/5473408.cms *<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Gujarat-to-con\ duct-lion-census-at-Gir-in-April-/articleshow/5473408.cms> *Illegal ivory trade on rise, conservation group warns*. The global illicit trade in ivory, which has been increasing since 2004, moved sharply upward in 2009, Britain-based wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC warns in a report released recently ahead of an international conservation meeting in March. " The remarkable surge in 2009 reflects a series of large-scale ivory seizure events that suggest an increased involvement of organized crime syndicates in the trade, connecting African source countries with Asian end-use markets, " the group said. The rise also indicates that an action plan adopted in 2004 by parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or CITES, against such trade " has failed to drive any significant change over the last five years, " it said. For more: * http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/-Illegal-ivory-t\ rade-on-rise-conservation-group-warns-/articleshow/5422321.cms *<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/-Illegal-ivory\ -trade-on-rise-conservation-group-warns-/articleshow/5422321.cms> *Corridors to ensure jumbos’ safety.* Worried over the growing man-elephant conflict, the State Government (West Bengal) identified 14 corridors for safe movement of the animals which frequently stray out in search of food and water. The comprehensive plan for setting up the corridors will be prepared by March this year. The corridors are, Badampahad-Dhobadhobi, Badampahad-Korida, Deuli-Shuliapada, Similipahad- Hadagarh-Kuladihi, Telkoi-Pallahada, Karoi-Karampada, Maulabhanja-Jinjimala- Anantapur, Kanheijena-Anantapur, Buguda- Nayagarh, Nuagaon-Baruni, Tala-Kholagarh, Barpahad-Tarbha-Kantamal, Kotagarh-Chandrapur and Karlapat-Bharladani. Besides making arrangements for food and water inside the proposed corridors, attention would be given to ensure that the animals do not stray into human habitations in search of food. Steps will also be taken to augment the security of elephants in the corridors. The proposed corridors would spread over 870 sq km and be 420.8 km long. It would include three inter-state corridors with West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. For more: * http://expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Corridors+to+ensure+jumbos%E2%80\ %99+safety & artid=9X2TUEn2Mjk= & SectionID=mvKkT3vj5ZA= & MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A= & \ SectionName=nUFeEOBkuKw= & SEO= *<http://expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Corridors+to+ensure+jumbos%E2%\ 80%99+safety & artid=9X2TUEn2Mjk= & SectionID=mvKkT3vj5ZA= & MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A\ = & SectionName=nUFeEOBkuKw= & SEO=> *Elephant corridor, a New Year gift to Karnataka jumbos. *It's a new year gift to nearly 1,000 elephants and other wild species who can now wander freely without any human interference through the Kollegal corridor in Karnataka. This has been made possible by an NGO, Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) supported by its partner – the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) which has purchased nearly 25 acre-Kollegal (Edayarhalli–Doddasampige) elephant corridor from private ownership and transferred to the state government. The corridor which connects Kollegal forests to Biligiri Ranganswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary would be soon notified to be made a part of a protected area as Karnataka Forest Department officials and WTI signed the land ownership transfer agreement. " Purchasing corridor land for securement is a very good initiative to re-establish the habitat and remove impediments to elephant movement. Generally, these kind of initiatives are easier with involvement of NGOs rather than government doing it alone. " More corridors need to be secured similarly to ensure long-term conservation of elephants, " said Biswajit Misra, Karnataka Deputy Conservator of Forests. Simultaneously, people will be made aware of the status and significance of the corridor, he added. Sandeep Kumar Tiwari, who heads WTI's National Elephant Project adds, " This corridor provides a safe passage for more than a thousand elephants besides other wild animals in this landscape, and will undoubtedly help minimise human-elephant conflicts. " " It is usually easy for the NGOs to restore passage by purchasing the corridors and handing over to the government. " They are trying to persuade the community or individual in handing over the area for elephants which need contagious patch of forests for free movement, " AN Prasad, Director of Project Elephant of environment ministry said. For more: * http://www.deccanherald.com/content/46994/elephant-corridor-year-gift-karnataka.\ html *<http://www.deccanherald.com/content/46994/elephant-corridor-year-gift-karnatak\ a.html> *New project for tiger conservation. *The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has come forward to implement a new project for tiger conservation in Similipal Tiger Reserve by involving the RBS Foundation of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group. The project, first of its kind in the country to be implemented in public-private partnership (PPP) mode, will involve an expenditure of Rs. 10 crores to provide livelihood support to the people living in the buffer and fringe areas of the tiger reserve. The project will be launched shortly, according to Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh, who has been taking special interest for the tiger conservation in Similipal. Mr. Ramesh and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik were likely to attend the launching ceremony. “It’s a landmark initiative wherein we are involving the private sector to help in the management of extended tiger habitats,” said Mr. Ramesh. For more: * http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/19/stories/2010011951730300.htm*<http://www.hindu.c\ om/2010/01/19/stories/2010011951730300.htm> *Year of the Tiger? *Year 2010 is the “Year of the Tiger” in the Chinese calendar. Tiger conservationists fear that this could steeply increase the demand for tiger parts and encourage poaching and smuggling out of India. Clearly, protecting India’s tigers must become a bilateral agenda for India and China. For all the good work done, and the special attention given by the government’s highest functionaries, Project Tiger has not been able to prevent the decline in India’s tiger population from 1,800, when it was launched, to just around 1,000 today. The year 2009 alone saw the loss of 120 tigers, the highest in a single year in last decade. Three more tigers have died in the first few days of this year. These numbers speak volumes about the failure of the Project Tiger in achieving its mission. World-wide, too, these striped big cats are fighting a losing battle for survival. Nearly 95 per cent of them belonging to the nine major sub-species of the main tiger species Panthera tigris have perished in the last century. Little wonder then that the WWF has categorised the tiger as the most endangered animal species. In India, few tigers are left in the wild. Worse still, 17 of the total 37 tiger reserves are either already tiger-less or are on the verge of becoming so. A climate change-driven rise in the sea level, moreover, may wipe out the tigers in the Sunderbans in West Bengal by either killing them or driving them away only to fall prey to poachers. Unabated poaching due to rampant smuggling of tiger parts to China and shrinking habitat for tigers are the main reasons for the dwindling tiger population. With the South China tiger (Panthera tigris Amoyensis), also called Xiamen tiger, having already gone into extinction, the prices of tiger body parts in China, the biggest market for tiger parts, are shooting up to serve as an incentive for poachers and smugglers who are moving them from India to China via Nepal and Myanmar. Mercifully, China now seems willing to discuss the smuggling issue with India. This opportunity needs to be grabbed. For more: *http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/yearthe-tiger/382741/*<http://www.b\ usiness-standard.com/india/news/yearthe-tiger/382741/> *China to get tough on illegal trade in tiger parts.* In the Year of the Tiger, efforts to save the endangered big cat have been given a much-needed boost. China, from where much of the demand for tiger parts is sourced, has announced new measures to clamp down on illegal trade in tiger parts, calling for improved anti-poaching action and greater regulation of captive-breeding centres from where tiger parts are harvested. Much of the poaching in India is driven by the huge demand from China, where tiger bones and other parts are used in traditional medicine. The coming year, conservationists say, could be crucial in the fight to save India’s 1,300 wild tigers. The year 2010 is being celebrated in China as the Year of the Tiger, and many conservationists fear an increased demand for tiger parts from Chinese consumers. In a directive issued last week, China’s State Forestry Administration outlined the new steps it would take to crack down on the illegal trade. The measures call for “improved protection of tigers and their prey in the wild through research, monitoring, anti-poaching and alleviating human-tiger conflicts.” For more: * http://beta.thehindu.com/news/international/article75038.ece*<http://beta.thehin\ du.com/news/international/article75038.ece> *Tiger reserves to upload data on deaths, seizures.* The most contentious issue between the Centre and the state on tiger conservation — the accurate reporting of tiger deaths and details of tiger poaching — is going to become live public information. Tiger reserve directors and chief wildlife wardens will now have to key in crucial, instantaneous information on tiger deaths, seizure or recovery of poached tiger parts, and post-mortem results on a National software system. The goal is to lift the veil of secrecy on tiger deaths, initiate investigations and take quick action at the central level. The national website, *tigernet.nic.in* <http://tigernet.nic.in/>, will also be the first consolidated database on wildlife crime related to tiger and other protected species within the tiger reserve. For more: * http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/newshome?page=26*<http://www.indiaenvir\ onmentportal.org.in/newshome?page=26> *Tiger ticker.* India officially launched an online database of authentic record of tiger deaths and other key wildlife species across the country. * Tigernet* <http://www.tigernet.nic.in/Alluser/Default.aspx> is a collaborative effort of the National Tiger Conservation Authority of the environment and forests ministry and TRAFFIC-India, the wildlife trade monitoring network. The idea is to compile and analyse such data as a management tool for tiger conservation in India. The website is a refreshingly candid venture that promises to be a transparent official record of deaths of the big cats in India. It gives tiger reserve directors and chief wildlife wardens in India the ability to key-in crucial information about tiger deaths, poaching and seizures. For more: * http://blogs.nature.com/indigenus/2010/01/tiger_ticker.html*<http://blogs.nature\ ..com/indigenus/2010/01/tiger_ticker.html> *Census team spots 11 tigers*. A total of 11 tigers and five leopards were spotted in Bandipur National Tiger Reserve and Biligiri Ranganathaswamy Temple (BRT) reserved forest on the third day itself of tiger census. Nine tigers including a cub were spotted in the Bandipur Reserve. The big cat was found in the following places: One each in Mallappa camp of Gopalaswamy hill, Devaramadu and Chigarekadu of Kundukere range, Soolekatte of Hediyala range, Hosakote beat in Maliyur range, Nayihalla beat in Mundre range, Mulapura beat of Bandipur range, a cub with its mother in Mulehole range. A total of 17 tigers have been spotted in Bandipura range in the last three days. Leopards were found in Nallikayidari and Kullanabetta areas. Two tigers were spotted in BRT range taking the total to nine in the area. The death of father of Vinay Singh, a volunteer, was informed over wireless in the morning. The news was conveyed to Singh and he was sent to Mysore, informed DFO Vishwajit Mishra. For more: * http://www.deccanherald.com/content/48706/census-team-spots-11-tigers.html*<http\ ://www.deccanherald.com/content/48706/census-team-spots-11-tigers.html> *India rejects World Bank aid for tiger conservation. *The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests decided not to accept the World Bank’s aid for the tiger conservation programme. The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Tiger Conservation Authority, chaired by Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh. Though Mr. Ramesh was keen on accepting the aid, conservationists were against the move. “I was very keen that the World Bank provide us with funds, at least for ensuring livelihood for villagers living on the fringes of the tiger reserves, so that they do not try to return to their original habitat. But because of the reservations of wildlife experts, I have shunned the plans. In a nutshell, no aid from the World Bank,” he said. Though Mr. Ramesh refused to explain the reasons for rejection, participants of the meeting cited the World Bank’s “record” in implementing eco-projects in protected areas. For more: * http://www.thehindu.com/2010/01/07/stories/2010010754360400.htm*<http://www.theh\ indu.com/2010/01/07/stories/2010010754360400.htm> *Fallen on bad days. *Everybody claims to be worried about the depleting population of tigers in our sanctuaries where they were supposed to flourish but are on the verge of extinction. Facts suggest that action taken on the ground remains insufficient and marred by bureaucratic procrastination.* *This February 14, conservationists will converge at a global tiger meet that will be hosted by India. The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests will highlight measures being undertaken to save these big cats. The country has the distinction of harbouring almost half of the world’s tiger population, which, unfortunately, is rapidly declining because of the illicit international trade in animal parts. They are now said to number about 1,000 in India.The four-day Global Tiger Workshop, held in Kathmandu last October, reflects the worldwide concern for saving this endangered species, whose numbers are estimated to be a meagre 3,500 or less. In 2008, Mr Bivash Pandav of World Wildlife Fund was reported to have said that till five years ago, in 2002-2003, the estimate was around 5,500 to 6,000. All the 14 tiger range countries were represented at the Kathmandu conference: India, Russia, China, Nepal, Bangladesh, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bhutan, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar and North Korea. The 17-point recommendations included regional cooperation in tackling the problem; and strengthening laws against poaching. In view of the magnitude of the crisis, leaders of countries, where such trafficking is rampant, were to be especially sensitised to the issue, and the need to conserve tigers on an emergency basis. Nepal’s Forest and Soil Conservation Minister also expressed his seriousness about reviving the carnivore’s numbers. The Himalayan nation’s tigers are estimated to be a paltry 121. The Government now plans to double the number in the next 10 years. For more: * http://www.dailypioneer.com/228844/Fallen-on-bad-days.html*<http://www.dailypion\ eer.com/228844/Fallen-on-bad-days.html> *Is the tiger making its final stand?* India’s global wildlife icon faces its worst ever crisis with the maximum tiger deaths of the decade reported in the year that just went by, and half the country’s tiger reserves on the verge of losing their big cats. Tigers are important for the country’s bio-diversity as they head the ecological food chain. The death of Indian tigers, whose population is now estimated to be close to 1,000, down from the official figure of 1,411 in 2006, could also put the survival of 1 lakh families, dependant on tiger-inhabited forest areas for livelihood, at risk. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NCTA), the statutory body for tiger protection, termed 2009 as a “very bad year” for tigers. The authority also rejected Environment and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh’s proposal to seek funds from the World Bank for protecting tigers. Ramesh admitted that tiger mortality in 2009 was highest in the past several years. For more: * http://www.hindustantimes.com/rssfeed/newdelhi/Is-the-tiger-making-its-final-sta\ nd/Article1-494641.aspx *<http://www.hindustantimes.com/rssfeed/newdelhi/Is-the-tiger-making-its-final-s\ tand/Article1-494641.aspx> *Wetlands, Rivers & Water* *Rivers in western Uttar Pradesh dangerously polluted*. The study, carried out by local NGO Neer Foundation as part of a project of the World Water Monitoring Day Organisation, found that six of the rivers they checked were so heavily polluted that no life could exist in them, and they were dangerous even to bathe in. The World Water Monitoring Day Organisation has been set up by the World Environment Federation of the US and the International Water Association of the Netherlands. The two agencies are carrying out water purity surveys in rivers across the world. The project started in 2007 and is likely to end by 2012. The study in India was helped by several thousand children from 800 schools across western Uttar Pradesh. The project's coordinator, Raman Tyagi of Neer Foundation, said the condition of the six rivers was " deadly alarming " . Apart from the Yamuna, the rivers are Hindon, Krishni, Kali East, Kali West and Dhamola. The study was conducted in Meerut, Ghaziabad, Bulandshahr, Muzaffarnagar, Baghpat, Gautam Budh Nagar, Etah, Aligarh and Agra districts. For more: * http://www.deccanherald.com/content/48587/rivers-western-uttar-pradesh-dangerous\ ly.html *<http://www.deccanherald.com/content/48587/rivers-western-uttar-pradesh-dangero\ usly.html> *Birds* *Drug takes toll on vultures.* Hardly 10 years ago, the coal belt districts of Bokaro and Dhanbad boasted hundreds of vultures, mostly of three varieties — white backed, long-billed and scavenger or Egyptian vultures. Today, only a few dozen survive. In the last two years, despite efforts of the district authorities to implement a Union-sponsored action plan for conservation, the vulture population has not increased. The scavengers, who play a vital role in maintaining balance in the environment by disposing off the dead and rotten, are fast becoming extinct due to the use of Diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory drug which was introduced in the early nineties, in domestic animals. Studies have shown that vultures suffer renal failure and die after consuming Diclofenac, which accumulate in the tissues of carcasses. The drug is still in use despite being banned in the country in May 2006 by Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). For more: * http://telegraphindia.com/1100115/jsp/jharkhand/story_11986326.jsp*<http://teleg\ raphindia.com/1100115/jsp/jharkhand/story_11986326.jsp> *Shore-bird population growing in Chilika lagoon.* Even as population of shore-birds is declining globally across the wetlands, Chilika has reported more of them. Over the years, more and more such wader species have turned up at the lagoon, a trend indicating the improved habitability of the 1,100 sq km wetland. In fact, the brackish water lagoon has seen more number of winter birds this season, the annual bird census completed revealed. As per the count, over 9.24 lakh birds thronged the lagoon during October, November and December. Last year, about 8.91 lakh avian visitors had come calling to this wintering ground. Some new species were also sighted during the census. White-tailed sea eagle and comb ducks have for the first time seen in Chilika. As many as 114 wetland and 66 water-dependent species were spotted by survey teams led by Chilika DFO BP Acharya. In both cases, the species number saw a rise. For more: * http://expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Shore-bird+population+growing+in\ +Chilika+lagoon & artid=n9Wi|8zzuCA= & SectionID=mvKkT3vj5ZA= & MainSectionID=fyV9T2jI\ a4A= & SectionName=nUFeEOBkuKw= & SEO= *<http://expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Shore-bird+population+growing+\ in+Chilika+lagoon & artid=n9Wi%7C8zzuCA= & SectionID=mvKkT3vj5ZA= & MainSectionID=fyV9\ T2jIa4A= & SectionName=nUFeEOBkuKw= & SEO=> *Forest department launches first-ever synchronised bird census in the State (Tamil Nadu). *The Forest Department launched its first ever synchronised bird census in all 12 bird sanctuaries in the State. As many as 1500 bird watchers, ornithologists, forest officials, nature lovers and students have been involved in the two-day programme. They have been camping in different locations of the State for sighting as well as recording the species of winged visitors from different continents who have come here for breeding and nestling. The Chief Wildlife Warden and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, R. Sundararaju, who personally monitored the process of bird census at the Mela Selvanur–Keela Selvanur bird sanctuary near Kadaladi told *The Hindu* that the synchronised bird population estimate had been undertaken in the State for the first time in the country. It was aimed at estimating the total number of birds, which had visited the State in the season, as correct as possible. The department had attempted the synchronised estimation as the earlier census conducted in different dates in different sanctuaries did not give the correct picture of birds. For more: *http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/25/stories/2010012554480400.htm*<http://www.hindu.\ com/2010/01/25/stories/2010012554480400.htm> *Reptiles & Amphibians* *Croc count heads north - Census at Bhitarkanika*. The number of tigers and lions is dwindling but not crocodiles. The latest census report on Bhitarkanika National Park — home to the saltwater crocodiles in India — has revealed that their number has increased sizeably. This winter, the total number of crocodiles stands at 1,610, which is 38 more than last year. The 2009 census, carried out by the divisional forest office of the Rajnagar mangrove wildlife forest division, showed a population of 1,572. Out of 1,610 crocodiles, 1,485 are inside the sanctuary and 125 live on the fringes. Of the total number, 519 are hatchlings, 373 yearlings, 298 juveniles, 150 sub-adults and 270 mature reptiles. The officials have also sighted three giant crocodiles, which are more than 20ft long. While seven of them were 18-20ft long, 37 of them were 14-18ft long. Another 38 of the saltwater crocodiles were estimated to be 12-14 ft long. For more: * http://telegraphindia.com/1100116/jsp/nation/story_11990207.jsp*<http://telegrap\ hindia.com/1100116/jsp/nation/story_11990207.jsp> *OBITUARY* *In death, as in life, it’s Billy & the big cats.* His last wish could be the best introduction to the wildlife enthusiast and Padma Vibhushan, Billy Arjan Singh, who passed away on January 1 night. The 92-year-old specially demanded to have his ashes buried in ‘Tiger Haven’, his sprawling 50-acre farm on the outskirts of Dudhwa national park, alongside the graves of his “most treasured friends” — two leopards that he hand-reared (Juliet and Prince), Eelie a mongrel bitch and two female elephants. For the past 60 years, Billy doggedly shunned human company, naturally there was no reason for him to change his mind at the fag end of the journey. Though ailing for almost a decade, his spirit remained as indomitable as ever. Age also failed to dim his robust, at times rakish, sense of humour. When asked why he stayed a bachelor (tales of women falling like ninepins over this dashing great-grandson of the Maharaja of Kapurthala were legendary), Billy had this to say: “He who loves and runs away, lives to love another day.” His first love undoubtedly was Tara, the tigress he brought home from Twycross Zoo, London as a cub. Reared by him, she was released into the wild and her progeny still stalk UP’s Dudhwa reserve. There are touching documentaries to show the man-animal bonds, Tara’s escapades and Billy’s successful experiment with captive breeding. For more: * http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/In-death-as-in-life-its-Billy-the-big-c\ ats/articleshow/5406202.cms *<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/In-death-as-in-life-its-Billy-the-big\ -cats/articleshow/5406202.cms> *Gita Warrier* *Library & Documentation Officer* *WWF-India, 172B Lodhi Estate,* *New Delhi.* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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