29-02-2012
29 lion died last year
Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/29-lion-died-last-year/articleshow/12078203.cms
One lion died of electrocution in Junagadh district in the last one year, while 29, including 13 cubs, died from natural reasons. In a written reply to the question of Talala Congress MLA Bhavan Barad, the government has said that in the year 2011, 16 adults lions and 13 cubs have died. Officials in the department said that there are about 290 odd lions in Sasan Gir sanctuary and its periphery.
A death of about 15 per cent of the animal in a year was not considered to be on the higher side. tnn As per estimates of the lion census conducted in April 2010, there were 97 lions, 162 lionesses and 152 cubs in and around Gir forest region of the state. The 2005 census had recorded presence of 359 lions here.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Almost ponds are empty in girs jungle
Almost ponds are empty in girs jungle
Bhaskar News, Visavadar
http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/article/SAU-almost-ponds-are-empty-in-girs-jungle-2908204.html
ગીર જંગલમાં મોટાભાગની નદીઓ ખાલી ખમ
પશુ-પક્ષીઓ માટે પીવાના પાણીનાં સ્ત્રોત ઉભા કરવાની તાતી જરૂરિયાત, વન વિભાગ નિષ્ક્રિય
ઉનાળાનાં આગમન પૂર્વે જ ગીર જંગલમાં મોટા ભાગની નદીઓ ખાલી ખમ્મ થઇ જતાં વન્યપ્રાણી-પક્ષીઓ માટે પીવાના પાણીનાં સ્ત્રોત ઉભા કરવાની તાતી જરૂરીયાત છે. પરંતુ આ મહત્વના મુદ્દે વન વિભાગ નષ્ક્રિીય ભૂમિકા ભજવતું હોવાનું જાણવા મળી રહ્યું છે.
ગીર જંગલ અને વન્યપ્રાણીઓના સંરક્ષણ અને સંવર્ધન માટે કરોડો રૂપિયાની ગ્રાન્ટો ફાળવવામાં આવતી હોય છે. પરંતુ મોટાભાગની કામગીરીઓ માત્ર કાગળ ઉપર જ થઇ જતી હોય છે. વધુમાં મળતી વિગત મુજબ ગીર જંગલમાં મોટાભાગની નદીઓ ખાલી ખમ્મ થઇ ગઇ હોવાનું જાણવા મળેલ છે. પરંતુ વન્ય પ્રાણીઓ માટે પાણીનાં નવા સ્ત્રોત ઉભા કરવા સામે વનવિભાગ બેદરકાર હોવાનું જાણવા મળી રહ્યું છે.
સમગ્ર ગીર જંગલમાં અંદાજીત ૩૦૦ જેટલા પાણીનાં પોઇન્ટો બનાવવામાં આવ્યા છે અને વન વિભાગનાં ઉચ્ચ અધિકારીઓ દ્વારા જે જે વિસ્તારોમાં પાણીનાં કુદરતી સ્ત્રોત ખૂટી ગયા હોય તેવા વિસ્તારોમાં તાત્કાલીક પાણીનાં નવા સ્ત્રોત ઉભા કરવા આદેશો છુટયા હોવા છતાં આ કામગીરી કરવામાં વન વિભાગનો સ્ટાફ હજુ પણ નષ્ક્રિીય ભૂમિકા જ હોવાનું જાણવા મળે છે.
મજૂરોને માસીક સાડાચાર હજાર વેતન પણ કામગીરી ક્યાં -
પાણીનાં પોઇન્ટો ભરવા માટે મજુરો રાખવામાં આવે છે અને માસીક રૂ.સાડા ચાર હજારનું વેતન પણ ચૂકવવામાં આવે છે પરંતુ ખરેખર કામગીરી થાય છે? તેવાસવાલો પણ વન્ય પ્રાણી પ્રેમીઓમાંથી ઉઠયા છે.
અવેડાઓ પણ કાગળ ઉપર બની ગયા છે -
પાણીનાં પોઇન્ટ (અવેડો) નજીક કુવા અને ડંકીઓ હોય છે. મજુરોએ એકવાર અવેડો સાફ કરીને તેમાં પાણી ભરવાનું હોય છે. પરંતુ આવા અવેડાઓ પણ કાગળ પર જ બન્યા હોવાના લોકોમાંથી આક્ષેપો થઇ રહ્યા છે.
વન્ય પ્રાણીઓને ખેતરોમાં પાણી પીવા જવું પડે છે -
જંગલમાં પીવાના પાણીના સ્ત્રોત ન હોવાથી બોર્ડર નજીકનાં આવેલા ખેતરો-વાડીઓમાં વન્યપ્રાણીઓ પ્યાસ બુઝાવવા પહોંચી જતાં હોય છે. ખેતરોમાં આવેલા અવેડામાં દવાના પંપો અને ખેત ઓજારો ધોવામાં આવતા હોય છે ત્યારે કેટલાક અવેડાનું પાણી મજુરો માટે જોખમી પણ બની શકે છે. આ ઉપરાંત સીમ વિસ્તારમાં વન્ય પ્રાણીઓનાં આંટાફેરાથી માનવ હુમલાના બનાવો પણ વધ્યા છે.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Veteran foresters blame trust deficit for discord
24-02-2012
Veteran foresters blame trust deficit for discord
Express India
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/veteran-foresters-blame-trust-deficit-for-discord/915560/
When Gujarat's veteran foresters recollect the long-standing disagreement over the Asiatic Lion Reintroduction Project (to Madhya Pradesh), they say they were neither consulted nor shown the chosen sites in MP, and that foresters from that state never studied the conservation techniques employed here.
This led to a trust deficit among Gujarat's officers, who declined to hand over the endangered carnivores they had always been charged with protecting. By the time the present heads of the department took over, hardly one meeting had taken place, called by director general of forests, government of India, forest officials of MP and Gujarat, and others, when a petition landed the issue in the Supreme Court.
The debate is back in focus after the apex court on Tuesday observed the lions belong to the country and not to Gujarat, though they are found only here.
"Yes, there are many lions and they should be relocated but not in the way presently proposed. This is not the way," said Sanat Chavan, a former principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) who spent a considerable part of his career in the Gir area — Asiatic lion's last abode.
Not consulting Gujarat's foresters meant the plans never factored in the role Gir's maldharis had played in conserving the predators, and never studied if a similar environment existed in the neighboring state, he said.
Lions are 'human-friendly' and tend to move in groups even through human habitation, but under normal circumstances, do not attack unless provoked.
"The maldharis of Gir know this and so they do not provoke the big cats, meaning there are fewer man-animal conflicts," said G A Patel, also a former PCCF who was chief wildlife warden when the plans were being formulated by a committee.
Patel said he was invited to attend the committee's meetings only after alternative sites had been decided on. He raised objections then and afterward as well, questioning whether there was enough prey base in a place where tigers already exist, or if the locals would welcome the carnivores, or if the temperature would be suitable at the alternative site which, even by then, he had not even been shown.
"Was the alternate site good enough? I had not even seen the site. How could I allow lions to be relocated there without even seeing the site?" he said.
Veteran foresters blame trust deficit for discord
Express India
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/veteran-foresters-blame-trust-deficit-for-discord/915560/
When Gujarat's veteran foresters recollect the long-standing disagreement over the Asiatic Lion Reintroduction Project (to Madhya Pradesh), they say they were neither consulted nor shown the chosen sites in MP, and that foresters from that state never studied the conservation techniques employed here.
This led to a trust deficit among Gujarat's officers, who declined to hand over the endangered carnivores they had always been charged with protecting. By the time the present heads of the department took over, hardly one meeting had taken place, called by director general of forests, government of India, forest officials of MP and Gujarat, and others, when a petition landed the issue in the Supreme Court.
The debate is back in focus after the apex court on Tuesday observed the lions belong to the country and not to Gujarat, though they are found only here.
"Yes, there are many lions and they should be relocated but not in the way presently proposed. This is not the way," said Sanat Chavan, a former principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) who spent a considerable part of his career in the Gir area — Asiatic lion's last abode.
Not consulting Gujarat's foresters meant the plans never factored in the role Gir's maldharis had played in conserving the predators, and never studied if a similar environment existed in the neighboring state, he said.
Lions are 'human-friendly' and tend to move in groups even through human habitation, but under normal circumstances, do not attack unless provoked.
"The maldharis of Gir know this and so they do not provoke the big cats, meaning there are fewer man-animal conflicts," said G A Patel, also a former PCCF who was chief wildlife warden when the plans were being formulated by a committee.
Patel said he was invited to attend the committee's meetings only after alternative sites had been decided on. He raised objections then and afterward as well, questioning whether there was enough prey base in a place where tigers already exist, or if the locals would welcome the carnivores, or if the temperature would be suitable at the alternative site which, even by then, he had not even been shown.
"Was the alternate site good enough? I had not even seen the site. How could I allow lions to be relocated there without even seeing the site?" he said.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Gir lions country’s property, says SC
22-02-2012
Gir lions country's property, says SC
Indian Express
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/gir-lions-countrys-property-says-sc/915005/
The Gujarat government's argument that there is no need to move the Asiatic lions from the state's Gir territory prompted the Supreme Court to observe on Tuesday that the big cats are not the "property" of the state, but belong to the country.
"No state can claim the right over an animal merely because the animal is housed in a particular state. It does not become the property of that state, it belongs to the country," a Forest Bench of Justices K S Radhakrishnan and C K Prasad shot back at the state government.
Gujarat is making a spirited case of its distinction as the only state in the country to have Asiatic lions, and is objecting to a plan to re-locate some of the Asiatic lion population to Madhya Pradesh.
The opposition from the state comes despite the National Board for Wildlife also voting against the Gujarat government's reluctance to shift the lions.
Justice Radhakrishnan told senior advocate Shyam Divan, appearing for the Gujarat government, that the most important question before the court is to preserve a "critically endangered species" and not witness a litigation fought tooth-and-nail about whose lions they are.
Gir lions country's property, says SC
Indian Express
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/gir-lions-countrys-property-says-sc/915005/
The Gujarat government's argument that there is no need to move the Asiatic lions from the state's Gir territory prompted the Supreme Court to observe on Tuesday that the big cats are not the "property" of the state, but belong to the country.
"No state can claim the right over an animal merely because the animal is housed in a particular state. It does not become the property of that state, it belongs to the country," a Forest Bench of Justices K S Radhakrishnan and C K Prasad shot back at the state government.
Gujarat is making a spirited case of its distinction as the only state in the country to have Asiatic lions, and is objecting to a plan to re-locate some of the Asiatic lion population to Madhya Pradesh.
The opposition from the state comes despite the National Board for Wildlife also voting against the Gujarat government's reluctance to shift the lions.
Justice Radhakrishnan told senior advocate Shyam Divan, appearing for the Gujarat government, that the most important question before the court is to preserve a "critically endangered species" and not witness a litigation fought tooth-and-nail about whose lions they are.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Leopard scare for traumatized pilgrims
21-02-2012
Leopard scare for traumatized pilgrims
Times of India
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Client.asp?Daily=TOIA&showST=true&login=default&pub=TOI&Enter=true&Skin=TOINEW&AW=1329834627390
Pilgrims, who were lucky to escape in the stampede that took place near Bhavnath temple in Junagadh ahead of the annual Mahashivaratri celebrations on Sunday, got the fright of their life when they saw a leopard in the jungle where they had escaped to. Forest department personnel had a tough time in trapping the leopard that had escaped from Girnar sanctuary and was in the vicinity of the traumatized pilgrims.
Leopard scare for traumatized pilgrims
Times of India
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Client.asp?Daily=TOIA&showST=true&login=default&pub=TOI&Enter=true&Skin=TOINEW&AW=1329834627390
Pilgrims, who were lucky to escape in the stampede that took place near Bhavnath temple in Junagadh ahead of the annual Mahashivaratri celebrations on Sunday, got the fright of their life when they saw a leopard in the jungle where they had escaped to. Forest department personnel had a tough time in trapping the leopard that had escaped from Girnar sanctuary and was in the vicinity of the traumatized pilgrims.
Leopard kills kid
21-02-2012
Leopard kills kid
Times of India
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Client.asp?Daily=TOIA&showST=true&login=default&pub=TOI&Enter=true&Skin=TOINEW&AW=1329834627390
A three-year-old child was killed by a leopard in a village near Una in Junagadh on Sunday night. Forest department officials said the leopard dragged Ravi (3), son of Nana Devipujak from Una High School where the victim was sleeping with family members out in the open, and killed it in the forest. "Only the child's skull was found," a forester said.
Leopard kills kid
Times of India
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Client.asp?Daily=TOIA&showST=true&login=default&pub=TOI&Enter=true&Skin=TOINEW&AW=1329834627390
A three-year-old child was killed by a leopard in a village near Una in Junagadh on Sunday night. Forest department officials said the leopard dragged Ravi (3), son of Nana Devipujak from Una High School where the victim was sleeping with family members out in the open, and killed it in the forest. "Only the child's skull was found," a forester said.
Leopard attack on shivratri fair two injured
Leopard attack on shivratri fair two injured
Bhaskar News, Junagadh
http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/article/SAU-leopard-attack-on-shivratri-fair-two-injured-2887069.html?OF9=
ભવનાથમાં શિવરાત્રિના મેળામાં દીપડો ઘૂસતા નાસભાગ
મહાશિવરાત્રિનાં મેળામાં આજે રૂપાયતન રોડ પર એક ધર્મશાળામાં વ્હેલી સવારે એક દીપડો ઘુસી આવ્યો હતો. દીપડાએ એક યાત્રિક અને એક વનકર્મચારી પર હુમલો કર્યો હતો. જોકે, બાદમાં વનવિભાગે તેને ટ્રાન્કવીલાઇઝ કરી પાંજરે પૂર્યો હતો.
મહાશિવરાત્રિનાં મેળામાં છેવાડાનાં એવા રૂપાયતન રોડ પર કચ્છી ભવનમાં આજે સવારે છ વાગ્યે ગિરનાર જંગલમાંથી આવેલો એક દીપડો ઘુસી ગયો હતો.
ધર્મશાળાનાં બીજા માળે પહોંચી ગયેલા આ દીપડાએ રૂમની બહાર આવેલા મુંબઇનાં ઘાટકોપરમાં રહેતા મુલચંદ હંસરાજ છેડા (ઉ.૬૫) પર હુમલો કરી તેઓને પેટની ડાબી બાજુ અને ડાબા ખભે ઇજાઓ પહોંચાડી હતી. બાદમાં ત્રણ કલાકની જહેમત બાદ દિપડાને પાંજરે પુરવામાં સફળતા મળી હતી.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Rajula lion case checking start
Rajula lion case checking start
Bhaskar News, Rajula
http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/article/SAU-rajula-lion-case-checking-start-2883793.html
રાજુલાનું સિંહ સરઘસ પ્રકરણ: તપાસનો ધમધમાટ
સબ ડીએફઓ દ્વારા નિવેદનો લેવાની કાર્યવાહી શરૂ કરાઇ
જાફરાબાદના ચૌત્રા ગામે એક માસ પહેલા ગંભીર હાલતમાં બિમાર સિંહ મળી આવતા સિંહની સારવાર કરવાને બદલે રાજુલા લાવી કડકડતી ઠંડીમાં આખી રાત રાખી સવારમાં પોલીસ બંદોબસ્ત વચ્ચે સિંહનું સરઘસ કાઢવાની ઘટનામાં ગાંધીનગરથી વનમંત્રીએ તપાસના હુકમો કરતા તપાસનો ધમધમાટ શરૂ થયો છે.
આ પ્રકરણમાં વનવિભાગના સબ ડીએફઓ દ્રારા નિવેદનો નોંધવામાં આવી રહ્યાં છે. પ્રાપ્ત વિગત અનુસાર જાફરાબાદના ચૌત્રા ગામેથી જાન્યુઆરી માસમાં એક બિમાર સિંહ મળી આવ્યો હતો. આ બિમાર સિંહને જસાધાર એનીમલ કેર સેન્ટરમાં સારવાર માટે ખસેડવાને બદલે રાજુલા લાવવામાં આવ્યો હતો. અને જ્યાં કડકડતી ઠંડીમાં આખી રાત પાંજરૂ ઢાંકી રાખવામાં આવ્યો હતો.
બાદમાં સવારે બિમાર સિંહનું રાજુલાની બજારમાં પોલીસ બંદોબસ્ત વચ્ચે સરઘસ કાઢવામાં આવતા હજારો લોકો સિંહ દર્શન માટે એકઠા થતા સિંહની હાલત કફોડી બની હતી. આ ઘટના અંગે ગીર નેચર યુથ ક્લબના પ્રમુખ ભીખુભાઇ બાટાવાળા તેમજ રાજુલાના વિનોદભાઇ પરમારે ગાંધીનગર સુધી કરી હતી. આ બાબતે વનમંત્રીએ તપાસના હુકમો કર્યા હતાં.
તપાસનો ધમધમાટ શરૂ થતા અમરેલીના સબ ડીએફઓએ ગીર નેચર યુથ ક્લબના પ્રમુખ ભીખુભાઇ બાટાવાળાનું નિવેદન નોંધ્યું હતું. અને સિંહના સરઘસના પુરાવા રૂપે સીડી સહિતના પુરાવા એકઠા કર્યા હતા. આ ઉપરાંત રાજુલા રહેતા વિનોદભાઇ પરમારનું પણ નિવેદન નોંધ્યું હતું.
સિંહના સરઘસની આ ઘટનામાં આરએફઓ સામે કડક પગલા લેવામાં આવનાર હોવાનું જાણવા મળેલ છે. આ ઉપરાંત આ ઘટનામાં પોલીસ સામે પગલા લેવા ગૃહખાતા અને વનવિભાગમાં ગીર નેચર યુથ ક્લબ દ્રારા રજુઆતો કરવામાં આવી છે.
A Leopard Snatch away a small child from his mother
A Leopard Snatch away a small child from his mother
Divya Bhaskar By Manish Trivedi
http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/article/SAU-RJK-c-120-2341-2885402.html?OF11=
માની સોડમાંથી માસુમને આંચકી ગયો દિપડો
- ઉનાનાં ખાપટ ગામે મોડી રાત્રે બનેલો બનાવ
- બનાવથી દેવીપૂજક પરિવારમાં શોકનું મોજુ ફરી વળ્યું
- વન ખાતું દિપડાને પકડવા મેદાનમાં આવ્યું
જુનાગઢ જિલ્લામાં જંગલ વિસ્તારમાં છેલ્લા કેટલાક દિવસોથી દિપડાઓનો આતંક વધ્યો છે ત્યારે ઉના પંથકમાં ગત મોડી રાત્રે નિંદ્રાધીન બાળકને દિપડો ઉઠાવી જઇ ફાડી ખાતા અરેરાટી વ્યાપી ગઇ છે. બનાવની મળતી વિગતો મુજબ, મુળ જુના ઉગલા ગામનાં અને હાલ ઉનાનાં ખાપટ ગામે રહી માલ ઢોરની લે વેંચ કરતા નાનજીભાઇ વલકુભાઇ વાઘેલા નામનો દેવીપૂજક યુવાન ગઇ કાલે રાત્રે પત્ની, ત્રણ પુત્ર અને એક પુત્રી સાથે બળદ, બકરાને લઇ વતનમાંથી ખાપટ ગામે પહોંચ્યો હતો.
પરિવાર સાથે પહોંચતા નાનજીભાઇએ બકરા અને બળદ ગાડા પાસે બાંધી દઇ ગાડાની નજીક પરિવાર સાથે સુઇ ગયા હતા. દરમિયાન સાડા દસ વાગ્યાનાં અરસામાં કંઇ અવાજ આવતા નાનજીભાઇ જાગી ગયા હતા. તપાસ કરી તો બકરા અને બળદ હેમખેમ હતા. જ્યારે સંતાનોને તપાસતા ત્રણ પુત્ર પૈકી વચેટ રવિ (ઉ.વ.૩) નજરે પડ્યો ન હતો.
આસપાસનાં વિસ્તારોમાં તપાસ કરવા છતા નહીં મળતા અંતે નાનજીભાઇએ ગ્રામજનોની મદદ લીધી હતી. ત્યારે સોમવારે સવારે ગામની સીમમાંથી નાનજીભાઇનાં પુત્ર રવિનાં શરીરનાં જુદા જુદા અવયવો અલગ અલગ સ્થળેથી મળી આવતા અરેરાટી વ્યાપી ગઇ હતી.
તપાસમાં રાત્રીનાં સમયે દિપડો ત્રાટકી નાનજીભાઇનાં પુત્ર રવિને ઉઠાવી જઇ ફાડી ખાધાનું બહાર આવ્યું હતું. બનાવની વન વિભાગને જાણ કરતા ટુકડી ખાપટ ગામે દોડી આવી છે અને માનવભક્ષી દિપડાને ઝડપી લેવા કવાયત હાથ ધરી છે. બનાવને પગલે દેવીપૂજક પરિવારમાં ગમગીની છવાઇ ગઇ છે.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Leopard kills girl in Junagadh
11-02-2012
Leopard kills girl in Junagadh
Times of India
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-11/rajkot/31049254_1_leopard-mauled-sugarcane-fields-junagadh
A leopard mauled a 12-year-old girl to death in Ghantiya village of Junagadh district on Thursday.
Victim Nirmala Puwar was washing utensils in the open near a sugarcane field on Thursday night when the leopard attacked her and dragged her into the near-by fields.
On Friday morning, forest officials found the bones and some body parts of the girl along with her clots 700 metres away from the makeshift house that the family was staying.
According to sources, Nirmala's parents belong to Nandurbar district of Maharashra and have been working in the sugarcane fields. This is the fourth such incident since February last year when leopard has attacked humans in Junagadh district.
"This is a serious issue as it mostly happens during the period of harvesting sugarcane. Large numbers of migrants arrive in sugarcane field for labour in the month of February and they are not being provided enough shelter by their employers, making their life more vulnerable. These labouers mostly stay in the farm in an open area," a wildlife activist from Kodinar Dinesh Goswami said.
Goswami said government should take appropriate actions to force the employers to provide safe shelters to migrant labourers to save their live.
"Besides deaths, there are a number of conflicts between wild animals and humans reported during the harvesting seasons," Goswami added.
According sources, in February 2011, two women were killed by a leopard in Iswariya village in a span of eight hours. Both women, hailing from Nandurbar in Maharashtra, were brought on contract to work in sugarcane fields. They were sleeping in makeshift shanties.
Leopard kills girl in Junagadh
Times of India
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-11/rajkot/31049254_1_leopard-mauled-sugarcane-fields-junagadh
A leopard mauled a 12-year-old girl to death in Ghantiya village of Junagadh district on Thursday.
Victim Nirmala Puwar was washing utensils in the open near a sugarcane field on Thursday night when the leopard attacked her and dragged her into the near-by fields.
On Friday morning, forest officials found the bones and some body parts of the girl along with her clots 700 metres away from the makeshift house that the family was staying.
According to sources, Nirmala's parents belong to Nandurbar district of Maharashra and have been working in the sugarcane fields. This is the fourth such incident since February last year when leopard has attacked humans in Junagadh district.
"This is a serious issue as it mostly happens during the period of harvesting sugarcane. Large numbers of migrants arrive in sugarcane field for labour in the month of February and they are not being provided enough shelter by their employers, making their life more vulnerable. These labouers mostly stay in the farm in an open area," a wildlife activist from Kodinar Dinesh Goswami said.
Goswami said government should take appropriate actions to force the employers to provide safe shelters to migrant labourers to save their live.
"Besides deaths, there are a number of conflicts between wild animals and humans reported during the harvesting seasons," Goswami added.
According sources, in February 2011, two women were killed by a leopard in Iswariya village in a span of eight hours. Both women, hailing from Nandurbar in Maharashtra, were brought on contract to work in sugarcane fields. They were sleeping in makeshift shanties.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Child hunted by leopard near Sutrapada
Child hunted by leopard near Sutrapada
Bhaskar News, Sutrapada
http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/article/SAU-child-hunted-by-leopard-near-sutrapada-2848254.html
સુત્રાપાડા નજીક દીપડાએ બાળકીને ફાડી ખાધી
- ગુરુવારના મોડી સાંજે ઝૂંપડાં પાસેથી ઉપાડી ગયો હતો
સુત્રાપાડાનાં ઘંટીયા ગામની સીમમાંથી ગુરૂવારનાં મોડી સાંજે દીપડો એક બાળકીને ઉપાડી ગયા બાદ આજે આ બાળકીનાં કપડાં અને હાથનાં હાડકાં-આંગળીનાં અવશેષો મળી આવતાં સમગ્ર પંથકમાં અરેરાટી છવાઈ જવા પામી હતી.
સુત્રાપાડાનાં ઘંટીયા ગામની સીમમાં ખેડૂત દીલીપભાઈ ઉકાભાઈ ગોહીલની વાડીએ રહી મજુરી કામ કરતાં મહારાષ્ટ્રીયન પરિવારની બાળકી સીંગાબેન લવભાઈ (ઉ.વ.૧૨)ને ઝૂંપડા પાસેથી ગુરૂવારનાં મોડી સાંજનાં સુમારે દીપડો ઉપાડી ગયા બાદ વનવિભાગ અને ગ્રામજનોએ આ બાળકીની આખી રાત શોધખોળ કરી હતી અને આજે સવારે બાળકીએ પહેરેલું પીળા કલરનું પેન્ટ અને કાળા કલરનો શર્ટ મળી આવતાં પરિવારજનોએ આ કપડાને ઓળખી બતાવ્યા હતા. તેમજ આ સ્થળેથી શરીરનાં બે અવશેષો પણ મળી આવતા આરોગ્ય કેન્દ્ર ખાતે પીએમ માટે લવાયા હતા. હાથનાં હાડકાં અને આંગળીનાં અવશેષો હોવાનું ડૉ.દાસે જણાવ્યું હતું.
આ અવશેષોને વધુ તપાસ અર્થે એફએસએલમાં મોકલી આપ્યા હતા. બાર વર્ષની બાળકીને દીપડાએ ફાડી ખાતા સમગ્ર પંથકમાં હાહાકાર મચી ગયો હતો.
મૃતક બાળકીનાં પરિવારને દોઢ લાખની સહાય અપાશે -
મૃતક બાળકીનાં પરિવારને વનખાતા તરફથી સહાયરૂપે રૂ.દોઢ લાખની રકમ આપવામાં આવશે તેમ વનાધિકારી એન.એચ.પટેલે ટેલીફોનીક વાતચીતમાં જણાવ્યું હતું.
આદમખોર દીપડાને પુરવા બે પાંજરા ગોઠવાયા -
આદમખોર દીપડાને કેદ કરવા સુત્રાપાડા અને વેરાવળ વનવિભાગની ટીમોએ જુદાં જુદા સ્થળોએ બે પાંજરા ગોઠવી કવાયત હાથ ધરી છે.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Leopard rescued from well in Junagadh village
10-02-2012
Leopard rescued from well in Junagadh village
Indian Express
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/leopard-rescued-from-well-in-junagadh-village/910402/
A young leopard, which had fallen into a well in Alidhara village of Junagadh district, has been rescued, forest officials said on Thursday.
Anshuman Sharma, Assistant Conservator of Forests, said the animal was rescued by Gujarat Forest staff within half an hour of the incident, which occurred on Wednesday in a farm owned by Raghubhai Zala.
Hearing the cries of the leopard, people gathered near the well and forest officials in Jamwala range were immediately contacted.
Subsequently, the animal was rescued using ropes.
The wild cat was later sent to Sasan for a medical check up from where it was released into the forests, Sharma said.
Leopard rescued from well in Junagadh village
Indian Express
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/leopard-rescued-from-well-in-junagadh-village/910402/
A young leopard, which had fallen into a well in Alidhara village of Junagadh district, has been rescued, forest officials said on Thursday.
Anshuman Sharma, Assistant Conservator of Forests, said the animal was rescued by Gujarat Forest staff within half an hour of the incident, which occurred on Wednesday in a farm owned by Raghubhai Zala.
Hearing the cries of the leopard, people gathered near the well and forest officials in Jamwala range were immediately contacted.
Subsequently, the animal was rescued using ropes.
The wild cat was later sent to Sasan for a medical check up from where it was released into the forests, Sharma said.
Wednesday, February 08, 2012
National biodiversity project launched
08-02-2012
National biodiversity project launched
Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/National-biodiversity-project-launched/articleshow/11798917.cms
A national project to access genetic resources, their economic values and also share the benefits of the resources was inaugurated in Gandhinagar on Tuesday.
The project - Strengthening the Implementation of the Biological Diversity Act and Rules With Focus on its Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Provisions - taken up jointly by the United Nations Environment Programme-Global Environment Facility ( UNEP-GEF) and Union ministry of environment and forest, will be launched in five states of India. The states are Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim.
Dr A P Singh, member secretary, Gujarat Biodiversity Board, said that the state has a unique biodiversitywhich includes the Keshar mango, Hafus mango, Ishabgul, Jeera, Gugal, Kutch khajur, Banni grassland, Gir lion, Wild Ass, Gir and Kankarej cow, Kathiyawadi horse, Jafrabadi and Mehsani buffalo. These are pride of the state and need conservation.
He said under the project, the identification of biodiversity with potential and their valuation in selected ecosystems will be undertaken.
Dr Balakrishna Pisupati, chairman, National Biodiversity Authority, Chennai was also present.
National biodiversity project launched
Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/National-biodiversity-project-launched/articleshow/11798917.cms
A national project to access genetic resources, their economic values and also share the benefits of the resources was inaugurated in Gandhinagar on Tuesday.
The project - Strengthening the Implementation of the Biological Diversity Act and Rules With Focus on its Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Provisions - taken up jointly by the United Nations Environment Programme-Global Environment Facility ( UNEP-GEF) and Union ministry of environment and forest, will be launched in five states of India. The states are Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim.
Dr A P Singh, member secretary, Gujarat Biodiversity Board, said that the state has a unique biodiversitywhich includes the Keshar mango, Hafus mango, Ishabgul, Jeera, Gugal, Kutch khajur, Banni grassland, Gir lion, Wild Ass, Gir and Kankarej cow, Kathiyawadi horse, Jafrabadi and Mehsani buffalo. These are pride of the state and need conservation.
He said under the project, the identification of biodiversity with potential and their valuation in selected ecosystems will be undertaken.
Dr Balakrishna Pisupati, chairman, National Biodiversity Authority, Chennai was also present.
Leopard killed in road mishap near Una
08-02-2012
Leopard killed in road mishap near Una
Indian Express
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/leopard-killed-in-road-mishap-near-una/909361/
A leopard, which strayed out of the forest region, was killed in a road accident on Una-Bhavnagar highway near Una town in Junagadh district, police said on Tuesday.
The mishap took place on Monday night when the animal was run over by a vehicle last night, they said. For past few days, people in the outskirts of Una have been spotting a leopard roaming in the area, they said. Residents in the town outskirts have requested the forest department to take preventive measures to safeguard wild animals from getting killed on highways.
The Gir sanctuary at Junagadh houses 411 Asiatic lions and large number of leopards that are found in the area.
Leopard killed in road mishap near Una
Indian Express
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/leopard-killed-in-road-mishap-near-una/909361/
A leopard, which strayed out of the forest region, was killed in a road accident on Una-Bhavnagar highway near Una town in Junagadh district, police said on Tuesday.
The mishap took place on Monday night when the animal was run over by a vehicle last night, they said. For past few days, people in the outskirts of Una have been spotting a leopard roaming in the area, they said. Residents in the town outskirts have requested the forest department to take preventive measures to safeguard wild animals from getting killed on highways.
The Gir sanctuary at Junagadh houses 411 Asiatic lions and large number of leopards that are found in the area.
Jethava murder: Probe report submitted in HC
08-02-2012
Jethava murder: Probe report submitted in HC
Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Jethava-murder-Probe-report-submitted-in-HC/articleshow/11799797.cms
Superintendent of police Surendranagar, Raghavendra Vatsa, who is probing the RTI activist Amit Jethava murder case, submitted his probe report to the Gujarat high court in a sealed cover on Tuesday. The report was filed on HC's instruction to probe the alleged role of BJP MP from Junagadh, Dinu Bogha Solanki, in the killing of the RTI activist in 2010.
Jethava's father, Bhikhalal, had sought further probe on the ground that the city crime branch did not probe the case beyond a point in order to shield the politician. Amit in his PIL against illegal mining in the Gir sanctuary had levelled accusations against Solanki for violating all environment norms. HC has kept further hearing on February 28, when the IO will be filing the
Jethava murder: Probe report submitted in HC
Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Jethava-murder-Probe-report-submitted-in-HC/articleshow/11799797.cms
Superintendent of police Surendranagar, Raghavendra Vatsa, who is probing the RTI activist Amit Jethava murder case, submitted his probe report to the Gujarat high court in a sealed cover on Tuesday. The report was filed on HC's instruction to probe the alleged role of BJP MP from Junagadh, Dinu Bogha Solanki, in the killing of the RTI activist in 2010.
Jethava's father, Bhikhalal, had sought further probe on the ground that the city crime branch did not probe the case beyond a point in order to shield the politician. Amit in his PIL against illegal mining in the Gir sanctuary had levelled accusations against Solanki for violating all environment norms. HC has kept further hearing on February 28, when the IO will be filing the
Senior Jethava submits ‘proof’ of Junagadh MP’s role
08-02-2012
Senior Jethava submits 'proof' of Junagadh MP's role
Indian Express By Hiral Dave
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/senior-jethava-submits-proof-of-junagadh-mps-role/907842
Slain RTI activist Amit Jethava's father Bhikhu Jethava has submitted "evidence" against BJP MP from Junagadh Dinu Solanki in connection with his son's murder to the Special Investigation Team appointed by the Gujarat High Court to probe into Solanki's role.
Bhikhu had earlier alleged that the Ahmedabad Crime Branch, which is investigating the murder, had ignored his evidence.
The evidence presented before the SIT includes Solanki's call transcripts and excerpts from his speech at a public meeting where he allegedly said he would "handle" Jethava. The details were furnished to Surendranagar Superintendent of Police Rajendra Vats, who is heading the SIT.
Amit Jethava was shot dead opposite the High Court in Ahmedabad on July 20, 2010.
According to Bhikhu, the excerpts not only reveal Solanki's interest in illegal mines in Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, but also his intention to speed up the process of land acquisition for the proposed Shapporji Pallanji power plant in Kodinar, which the slain RTI activist had opposed saying it fell into coastal regulatory zone.
"I have presented details of Solanki's calls for one month prior to Amit's murder to prove how many times he called my son," said Bhikhu. "I have also submitted call transcripts wherein Solanki can be clearly heard giving life threats to Amit. There are many such transcripts."
"First public hearing for Shapporji Pallanji project was to be held in November 2010. Before Amit could step up his protest, he was eliminated in July," Bhikhu alleged.
The Jethavas, who are based in a small village of Khambha in Amreli district, claim that former Khambha sarpanch Nirmal Rathod has testified to the SIT about the public meeting in which Solanki had said he would "handle" Jethava. The alleged meeting was held after Solanki won Kodinar seat in 2007 Assembly elections. Amit Jethava had contested for the same seat as an Independent.
Earlier, Ahmedabad Crime Branch had arrested Shiva Solanki, the MP's nephew, in the case.
The SIT was appointed by the HC in response to Jethava's plea seeking a further probe by CBI into Solanki's role in the murder.
The 32-year-old Amit Jethava was killed a fortnight after the HC had made Dinu Solanki and his nephew respondents in a public interest litigation filed by the RTI activist against illegal mines in and around Gir Wildlife Sanctuary.
Senior Jethava submits 'proof' of Junagadh MP's role
Indian Express By Hiral Dave
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/senior-jethava-submits-proof-of-junagadh-mps-role/907842
Slain RTI activist Amit Jethava's father Bhikhu Jethava has submitted "evidence" against BJP MP from Junagadh Dinu Solanki in connection with his son's murder to the Special Investigation Team appointed by the Gujarat High Court to probe into Solanki's role.
Bhikhu had earlier alleged that the Ahmedabad Crime Branch, which is investigating the murder, had ignored his evidence.
The evidence presented before the SIT includes Solanki's call transcripts and excerpts from his speech at a public meeting where he allegedly said he would "handle" Jethava. The details were furnished to Surendranagar Superintendent of Police Rajendra Vats, who is heading the SIT.
Amit Jethava was shot dead opposite the High Court in Ahmedabad on July 20, 2010.
According to Bhikhu, the excerpts not only reveal Solanki's interest in illegal mines in Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, but also his intention to speed up the process of land acquisition for the proposed Shapporji Pallanji power plant in Kodinar, which the slain RTI activist had opposed saying it fell into coastal regulatory zone.
"I have presented details of Solanki's calls for one month prior to Amit's murder to prove how many times he called my son," said Bhikhu. "I have also submitted call transcripts wherein Solanki can be clearly heard giving life threats to Amit. There are many such transcripts."
"First public hearing for Shapporji Pallanji project was to be held in November 2010. Before Amit could step up his protest, he was eliminated in July," Bhikhu alleged.
The Jethavas, who are based in a small village of Khambha in Amreli district, claim that former Khambha sarpanch Nirmal Rathod has testified to the SIT about the public meeting in which Solanki had said he would "handle" Jethava. The alleged meeting was held after Solanki won Kodinar seat in 2007 Assembly elections. Amit Jethava had contested for the same seat as an Independent.
Earlier, Ahmedabad Crime Branch had arrested Shiva Solanki, the MP's nephew, in the case.
The SIT was appointed by the HC in response to Jethava's plea seeking a further probe by CBI into Solanki's role in the murder.
The 32-year-old Amit Jethava was killed a fortnight after the HC had made Dinu Solanki and his nephew respondents in a public interest litigation filed by the RTI activist against illegal mines in and around Gir Wildlife Sanctuary.
Friday, February 03, 2012
Tv9 Gujarat – Lion dies because of Overdose of Drugs, Junagadh
03-02-2012
Tv9 Gujarat – Lion dies because of Overdose of Drugs, Junagadh
TV9
http://www.gujaratlive.com/2012/02/03/tv9-gujarat-lion-dies-because-of-overdose-of-drugs-junagadh/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKKVXZjngw4&feature=player_embedded
Irresponsibility of forest officials who injected three injections to make the lion unconscious . The lion was found ill and officials in their attempt to catch the lion injected three injections which resulted in his death. On the other hand forest officials said that they fired five injections from which three were transfused in his body. Everyone is waiting for the post mortem report of the lion after which action will be taken against the responsible person.
Tv9 Gujarat – Lion dies because of Overdose of Drugs, Junagadh
TV9
http://www.gujaratlive.com/2012/02/03/tv9-gujarat-lion-dies-because-of-overdose-of-drugs-junagadh/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKKVXZjngw4&feature=player_embedded
Irresponsibility of forest officials who injected three injections to make the lion unconscious . The lion was found ill and officials in their attempt to catch the lion injected three injections which resulted in his death. On the other hand forest officials said that they fired five injections from which three were transfused in his body. Everyone is waiting for the post mortem report of the lion after which action will be taken against the responsible person.
Thursday, February 02, 2012
Ill lion died on treatment who got near Girnar
02-02-2012
Ill lion died on treatment who got near Girnar
Bhaskar News, Junagadh
http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/article/SAU-ill-lion-died-on-treatment-who-got-near-girnar-2812596.html?OF1=
ગિરનાર પાસેથી મળેલા બીમાર વનરાજનું સારવારમાં મોત
- પગમાં થયેલી ઈજાનું ઈન્ફેકશન શરીરમાં લાગતા મોત થયાનું પ્રાથમિક તારણ
જુનાગઢનાં ગિરનાર જંગલની ઉત્તર ડુંગર રેન્જનાં વડાલ ગામના રેવન્યુ વિસ્તારમાંથી ગઇકાલે દિવસો પહેલાં વનકર્મચારીને પેટ્રોલિંગ દરમ્યાન એક સિંહ બિમાર હોવાનું માલુમ પડ્યું હતું. આથી ટ્રેકર પાર્ટીને બોલાવી તેને સારવાર માટે સક્કરબાગ ઝૂ ખાતે ખસેડાયો હતો. જ્યાં સાડા પાંચ વર્ષની વયનાં આ બિમાર સિંહે સક્કરબાગ ઝૂમાં આજે દમ તોડી દીધો હતો. વનવિભાગનાં સુત્રોના જણાવ્યા મુજબ પગમાં થયેલી ઈજાનું ઈન્ફેકશન શરીરમાં લાગતાં મોત થયું હોવાનું પ્રાથમિક તપાસમાં બહાર આવ્યું છે.
તા.૩૧ જાન્યુઆરીનાં રોજ બપોરબાદ પેટ્રોલીંગ દરમિયાન જુનાગઢ ઉત્તર રેન્જનાં જાબંુડી રાઉન્ડના વડાલ ગામના રેવન્યુ વિસ્તારમાંથી પેટ્રોલીંગ દરમિયાન એક બિમાર સિંહ મળી આવ્યો હતો. જેને વનવિભાગની ટીમ અને સક્કરબાગ ઝૂની રેસ્કયુ ટીમે તાત્કાલીક સારવાર માટે સક્કરબાગમાં ખસેડયો હતો. જ્યાં સારવાર કારગત નહોતી નીવડી અને તેનું મોત નિપજ્યું હતું.
આ અંગે આરએફઓ કનેરીયાએ જણાવ્યું હતું કે, સહિની ઉંમર આશરે સાડા પાંચ વર્ષની છે તેના પાછળના પગમાં થયેલી ઈજાનું ઈન્ફેકશન આખા શરીરમાં ફેલાઇ જતાં મોત થયું હોવાનું પ્રાથમિક તપાસમાં બહાર આવ્યું છે. મૃતક સિંહને પગમાં થયેલી ઇજા બાદ ઘામાં પરૂ થઇ ગયું હતું.
જેનું ઇન્ફેકશન આખા શરીરમાં ફેલાઇ ગયાનું જાણવા મળ્યું છે. અત્રે નોંધનીય છે કે, તાલાલા તાલુકાની માફક જૂનાગઢ અને ભેંસાણ તાલુકાનાં ગામોમાં પણ સિંહની અવરજવર વધી ગઇ છે. ક્યારેક આ સિંહોને ઇજા થયા બાદ દિવસો સુધી ઘાવ ન રૂઝાય તો સ્થિતી ગંભીર સ્વરૂપ પણ ધારણ કરી લેતી હોય છે.
Ill lion died on treatment who got near Girnar
Bhaskar News, Junagadh
http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/article/SAU-ill-lion-died-on-treatment-who-got-near-girnar-2812596.html?OF1=
ગિરનાર પાસેથી મળેલા બીમાર વનરાજનું સારવારમાં મોત
- પગમાં થયેલી ઈજાનું ઈન્ફેકશન શરીરમાં લાગતા મોત થયાનું પ્રાથમિક તારણ
જુનાગઢનાં ગિરનાર જંગલની ઉત્તર ડુંગર રેન્જનાં વડાલ ગામના રેવન્યુ વિસ્તારમાંથી ગઇકાલે દિવસો પહેલાં વનકર્મચારીને પેટ્રોલિંગ દરમ્યાન એક સિંહ બિમાર હોવાનું માલુમ પડ્યું હતું. આથી ટ્રેકર પાર્ટીને બોલાવી તેને સારવાર માટે સક્કરબાગ ઝૂ ખાતે ખસેડાયો હતો. જ્યાં સાડા પાંચ વર્ષની વયનાં આ બિમાર સિંહે સક્કરબાગ ઝૂમાં આજે દમ તોડી દીધો હતો. વનવિભાગનાં સુત્રોના જણાવ્યા મુજબ પગમાં થયેલી ઈજાનું ઈન્ફેકશન શરીરમાં લાગતાં મોત થયું હોવાનું પ્રાથમિક તપાસમાં બહાર આવ્યું છે.
તા.૩૧ જાન્યુઆરીનાં રોજ બપોરબાદ પેટ્રોલીંગ દરમિયાન જુનાગઢ ઉત્તર રેન્જનાં જાબંુડી રાઉન્ડના વડાલ ગામના રેવન્યુ વિસ્તારમાંથી પેટ્રોલીંગ દરમિયાન એક બિમાર સિંહ મળી આવ્યો હતો. જેને વનવિભાગની ટીમ અને સક્કરબાગ ઝૂની રેસ્કયુ ટીમે તાત્કાલીક સારવાર માટે સક્કરબાગમાં ખસેડયો હતો. જ્યાં સારવાર કારગત નહોતી નીવડી અને તેનું મોત નિપજ્યું હતું.
આ અંગે આરએફઓ કનેરીયાએ જણાવ્યું હતું કે, સહિની ઉંમર આશરે સાડા પાંચ વર્ષની છે તેના પાછળના પગમાં થયેલી ઈજાનું ઈન્ફેકશન આખા શરીરમાં ફેલાઇ જતાં મોત થયું હોવાનું પ્રાથમિક તપાસમાં બહાર આવ્યું છે. મૃતક સિંહને પગમાં થયેલી ઇજા બાદ ઘામાં પરૂ થઇ ગયું હતું.
જેનું ઇન્ફેકશન આખા શરીરમાં ફેલાઇ ગયાનું જાણવા મળ્યું છે. અત્રે નોંધનીય છે કે, તાલાલા તાલુકાની માફક જૂનાગઢ અને ભેંસાણ તાલુકાનાં ગામોમાં પણ સિંહની અવરજવર વધી ગઇ છે. ક્યારેક આ સિંહોને ઇજા થયા બાદ દિવસો સુધી ઘાવ ન રૂઝાય તો સ્થિતી ગંભીર સ્વરૂપ પણ ધારણ કરી લેતી હોય છે.
Lions hunting two cow and one akin to horse in Hamapur
Lions hunting two cow and one akin to horse in Hamapur
Bhaskar News, Bagasara
http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/article/SAU-lions-hunting-two-cow-and-one-akin-to-horse-in-hamapur-2814266.html
હામાપુરમાં સિંહોએ બે ગાય અને એક રોઝનું મારણ કર્યું
- ત્રણ સિંહોના આગમનથી ખેડુતોમાં ફફડાટ ફેલાયો
બગસરા તાલુકાના હામાપુર ગામે જંગલમાંથી ત્રણ સિંહ અને બે બચ્ચા સાથેનો પરિવાર ખેતરોમાં આવી ચડતા ખેડુતોમાં ફફડાટ વ્યાપી ગયો હતો. આ પરિવારે બે ગાય અને એક રોઝનું મારણ કરી મજિબાની માણી હતી.
પ્રાપ્ત વિગત અનુસાર બગસરા તાલુકાના હામાપુર ગામે ગઇરાત્રીના સિંહ પરિવાર આવી ચડયો હતો. ધારી રોડ પર ઉપલી ધાર વિસ્તારમાં આવેલા રમેશભાઇ ગોહિલના ખેતરમાં આ પીરવારે ધામા નાખ્યા હતાં. અને ખેતરના ફરજામાં બાંધેલી એક ગાય અને વાછરડીનું મારણ કર્યું હતું.
આ ઉપરાંત ખેતરમાં રખડતા એક રોઝનું પણ મારણ કરી આ પરિવારે મજિબાની માણી હતી. સવારના સમયે ખેડુતોની અવરજવર થતા તમામ લોકોએ સિંહ દર્શનનો લ્હાવો લીધો હતો. બાદમાં સિંહ પરિવારે જંગલની વાટ પકડી લીધી હતી.
આ અંગે વનવિભાગને પણ જાણ કરવામાં આવી હતી. હવે છેક જંગલમાંથી સિંહો ગામમાં આવી જતા હોય ખેડુતોએ માલઢોરની સવા બે કરવાની વ્યવસ્થા ગોઠવી છે.
Cheetahs head back to India
02-02-2012
Cheetahs head back to India
Wildlifenews By Kevin Heath
http://wildlifenews.co.uk/2012/cheetahs-head-back-to-india/
India used to be home to the fastest animal on Earth – the cheetah. Sadly the last cheetah in India was shot dead about 64 years ago in Sarguja, Chhattisgarh. Now an ambitious plan will see cheetah transported from Namibia and re-introduced into the states of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan
Over the course of the re-introductions 18 cheetahs will be released back into the wild at three locations. Two of the sites are in Madhya Predesh and the third site is in Rajasthan. While the plans were passed by the Indian government for the re-introduction in 2010 a lot of preliminary work had to be done at the sites to make them suitable for cheetahs.
Import of cheetahs to India about to be cleared.
Now the Environment and Forests Ministry is set to clear the import of cheetahs for the first site at Kuno Palpur wildlife sanctuary in Madhya Predesh. The Kuno Palpur is thought to be able to support up to 32 cheetahs. It is also the site that the government has chosen for the translocation of Asiatic lions from Gujurat. With the reintroduction of cheetahs and lions and the current populations of leopards and tigers the 345 square kilometre wildlife park will be home to all 4 of India's big cats.
Asiatic cheetahs used to roam widely now down to under 100 cats.
Cheetahs used to roam widely over much of Asia though now the Asiatic cheetah is critically endangered and less than 100 survive in the deserts of Iran. The cheetah was so common place that it is named from the Sanskrit words "chitra kayah", meaning speckled or spotted (chitra) and body (kayah).
The cheetahs to be released into Madhya Predesh will come from Namibia as it is thought to be too high risk to take individuals from the Iranian Asiatic population.
While the plans to re-introduce the cheetah are supported by many conservationists in India including the major wildlife organisations there are still some who are deeply concerned about the plans.
Arguments about re-introduction of cheetahs still ongoing.
Issues include whether there are enough prey for the cats and whether it is right to import an African cheetah into the Indian grasslands. There are also issues with the risks to inbreeding with the original Asiatic cheetah if the African cats succeed in breeding and expand their range in the region. Questions have also been raised as to whether the current wildlife laws in India are sufficient to protect the big cats in human-wildlife conflicts.
Supporters of the plan, including international cheetah experts, dismiss the fears and say that the wildlife parks picked out for the re-introduction plans can support viable populations of cheetah and their presence will help to conserve the threatened grassland habitats.
The government also believe that apart from the conservation and ecological benefits of the introductions there will also be a boost to the local economy through tourism. This boost should outweigh any losses that could occur to livestock.
With the forestry ministry about to clear the import of the cheetahs it's only going to be a few short months before the cheetah is once more roaming and hunting on the dry grasslands of India.
Cheetahs head back to India
Wildlifenews By Kevin Heath
http://wildlifenews.co.uk/2012/cheetahs-head-back-to-india/
India used to be home to the fastest animal on Earth – the cheetah. Sadly the last cheetah in India was shot dead about 64 years ago in Sarguja, Chhattisgarh. Now an ambitious plan will see cheetah transported from Namibia and re-introduced into the states of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan
Over the course of the re-introductions 18 cheetahs will be released back into the wild at three locations. Two of the sites are in Madhya Predesh and the third site is in Rajasthan. While the plans were passed by the Indian government for the re-introduction in 2010 a lot of preliminary work had to be done at the sites to make them suitable for cheetahs.
Import of cheetahs to India about to be cleared.
Now the Environment and Forests Ministry is set to clear the import of cheetahs for the first site at Kuno Palpur wildlife sanctuary in Madhya Predesh. The Kuno Palpur is thought to be able to support up to 32 cheetahs. It is also the site that the government has chosen for the translocation of Asiatic lions from Gujurat. With the reintroduction of cheetahs and lions and the current populations of leopards and tigers the 345 square kilometre wildlife park will be home to all 4 of India's big cats.
Asiatic cheetahs used to roam widely now down to under 100 cats.
Cheetahs used to roam widely over much of Asia though now the Asiatic cheetah is critically endangered and less than 100 survive in the deserts of Iran. The cheetah was so common place that it is named from the Sanskrit words "chitra kayah", meaning speckled or spotted (chitra) and body (kayah).
The cheetahs to be released into Madhya Predesh will come from Namibia as it is thought to be too high risk to take individuals from the Iranian Asiatic population.
While the plans to re-introduce the cheetah are supported by many conservationists in India including the major wildlife organisations there are still some who are deeply concerned about the plans.
Arguments about re-introduction of cheetahs still ongoing.
Issues include whether there are enough prey for the cats and whether it is right to import an African cheetah into the Indian grasslands. There are also issues with the risks to inbreeding with the original Asiatic cheetah if the African cats succeed in breeding and expand their range in the region. Questions have also been raised as to whether the current wildlife laws in India are sufficient to protect the big cats in human-wildlife conflicts.
Supporters of the plan, including international cheetah experts, dismiss the fears and say that the wildlife parks picked out for the re-introduction plans can support viable populations of cheetah and their presence will help to conserve the threatened grassland habitats.
The government also believe that apart from the conservation and ecological benefits of the introductions there will also be a boost to the local economy through tourism. This boost should outweigh any losses that could occur to livestock.
With the forestry ministry about to clear the import of the cheetahs it's only going to be a few short months before the cheetah is once more roaming and hunting on the dry grasslands of India.
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