Jungle Rhythms is a NGO who are committed to the save the tigers with kids & youths as a tiger protection force. They organized an awareness campaign – ‘Please. Save my TIGERS’ in Pune on Sunday 18th April, 2010. The campaign was aimed to provide a direction to the youths who are willing to join the force. The campaign was attended by many premier school children & youths who expressed their eagerness to save the most magnificent animal of the Indian wilderness. The campaign started with a painting competition where the youths painted various concerns & aspects of the tiger habitat. A slogan competition & extempore was also conducted in which the youths spoke their hearts out in their own way on how relevant tiger conservation is, how to save the forest ecosystem & pledged to spread the awareness like ‘forest wild fire’. A small skit play was also enacted by a small group of kids where they beautifully portrayed the impact of tiger habitat destruction on human-animal conflict. The campaign concluded with a pledge to join hands to spread the conservation message & work for the survival of the tiger.
Jungle Rhythms is a group of ‘like-minded’ people who are committed towards saving the last few tigers left in the Indian wilderness. Softly listening through tiger habitats across Indian jungles, Jungle Rhythms communicate ‘the voices of the jungle’ direct to the people who can protect them. As 1000 tigers are left in the wild, each animal is now precious & special to each of us.
‘Jungle Rhythms appeals to every youth of the country to step out & join hands to spread the conservation message like ‘wild forest fire’ that will awaken all of us. Please let us work for the survival of the most majestic species of the animal kingdom. Let the phantom of our forests live forever. Please. Save my TIGERS’
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
A Sad Story.....
The poachers perch on the rough platforms they have built in the trees about five metres above the forest floor, waiting patiently for the tiger to come. They have been searching the forests of India’s Ranthambhore reserve for days, following the pugmarks and other tell-tale signs. When they found the fresh kill, they knew it would only be a matter of time before the tiger returned to eat. Working quickly, they placed their traps on the path, scattering small stones across the dry sandy soil, knowing that tigers hate to walk on them and will pick their way around if they can.
The tiger pads forward, guided by the stones into the trap, which springs shut with a snap. The poachers have fashioned the device from old car suspension plates; there are no teeth, because a damaged pelt will fetch less money. In pain and desperate to free itself, the tiger thrashes around. Another foot catches in another trap, then a third.
The poachers watch to make sure it cannot free itself, then edge down to the ground, still cautious, because a male Bengal tiger can weigh up to 230 kilogrammes and a female 140 kilogrammes and a single blow from those claws could kill a man. One man carries a bamboo stick into which he has poured molten lead to give it more weight. The other has a spear on the end of a three-metre pole. As the tiger opens its mouth, the poacher with the spear lunges forward, stabbing between its open jaws. As the blood starts to flow, he stabs again and again. His colleague smashes the tiger over the head with the stick. When it is over, they draw their heavy iron knives and set to work to skin it. They leave the paws intact; they are too fiddly to waste time on out in the open. Half an hour later, they are gone, melting away unchallenged into the jungle, once more eluding the forest guards.
Full story at: http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/show/single/en/3555-Racing-to-save-India-s-tigers-1-
The tiger pads forward, guided by the stones into the trap, which springs shut with a snap. The poachers have fashioned the device from old car suspension plates; there are no teeth, because a damaged pelt will fetch less money. In pain and desperate to free itself, the tiger thrashes around. Another foot catches in another trap, then a third.
The poachers watch to make sure it cannot free itself, then edge down to the ground, still cautious, because a male Bengal tiger can weigh up to 230 kilogrammes and a female 140 kilogrammes and a single blow from those claws could kill a man. One man carries a bamboo stick into which he has poured molten lead to give it more weight. The other has a spear on the end of a three-metre pole. As the tiger opens its mouth, the poacher with the spear lunges forward, stabbing between its open jaws. As the blood starts to flow, he stabs again and again. His colleague smashes the tiger over the head with the stick. When it is over, they draw their heavy iron knives and set to work to skin it. They leave the paws intact; they are too fiddly to waste time on out in the open. Half an hour later, they are gone, melting away unchallenged into the jungle, once more eluding the forest guards.
Full story at: http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/show/single/en/3555-Racing-to-save-India-s-tigers-1-
Cubs can save themselves
The Times of India
New Delhi
19 Apr 2010
Amid reports of tiger deaths, there seems to be light at the end of the tunel with wildlife officials spotting over 112 tiger cubs in national parks across the country. "This is one good sign of breeding among the female tigresses which we hope would check the decline of the endangered animals," a senior official from National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) said.
"There have been sighting of 112 cubs in reserves like Nagarhole (10 cubs) and Bandipur (12) in Karnataka, Nagarjunsagar (10) in Andhra Pradesh and Kanha (22), Bandhavgarh (12) and Pench (10) in Madhya Pradesh," he said. In core forest areas of Tadoba reserves in Maharashtra, Dudhawa in UP and Ranthambore national park in Rajasthan, 13, 16 and 10 cubs respectively, were sighted with their mothers. There are 39 tiger reserves in the country.Though the cubs aged between one month to two years will not be counted in the ongoing census, officials pray for their safety as they are prone to various illnesses and poaching.
In Pench Tiger Reserve last December, severe cold condition leading to lung congestion proved fatal for two cubs.Also, the mother tigers have to protect the cubs from their partners who sometimes kill them. The officials have installed camera traps and intensified patrolling to monitor their movement.
New Delhi
19 Apr 2010
Amid reports of tiger deaths, there seems to be light at the end of the tunel with wildlife officials spotting over 112 tiger cubs in national parks across the country. "This is one good sign of breeding among the female tigresses which we hope would check the decline of the endangered animals," a senior official from National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) said.
"There have been sighting of 112 cubs in reserves like Nagarhole (10 cubs) and Bandipur (12) in Karnataka, Nagarjunsagar (10) in Andhra Pradesh and Kanha (22), Bandhavgarh (12) and Pench (10) in Madhya Pradesh," he said. In core forest areas of Tadoba reserves in Maharashtra, Dudhawa in UP and Ranthambore national park in Rajasthan, 13, 16 and 10 cubs respectively, were sighted with their mothers. There are 39 tiger reserves in the country.Though the cubs aged between one month to two years will not be counted in the ongoing census, officials pray for their safety as they are prone to various illnesses and poaching.
In Pench Tiger Reserve last December, severe cold condition leading to lung congestion proved fatal for two cubs.Also, the mother tigers have to protect the cubs from their partners who sometimes kill them. The officials have installed camera traps and intensified patrolling to monitor their movement.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Please. Save my TIGERS!
Jungle Rhythms is a group of ‘like-minded’ people who are committed towards saving the last few tigers left in the Indian wilderness. Softly listening through tiger habitats across Indian jungles, Jungle Rhythms communicate ‘the voices of the jungle’ direct to the people who can protect them. As 1000 tigers are left in the wild, each animal is now precious & special to each of us. Jungle Rhythms appeals to every youth of the country to step out & join hands to spread the conservation message like ‘wild forest fire’ that will awaken all of us. Please let us work towards the survival of the most majestic species of the animal kingdom. Let the phantom of our forests live forever.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Department of Forests and Wildlife (DFW)
The Asian Age
New Delhi
20 Mar 2010
Wildlife conservationists believe the decision of the Prime Minister to carve an Independent Department of Forests and Wildlife (DFW) headed by a secretary from the Indian Forests Service will provide a major boost for wildlife conservation.
This dedicated service will focus on both conserving wildlife and in ensuring better health to forests which cover 21 per cent of the land mass of India and which are under threats from “development and mining” projects being executed in these reserved areas.A decision to this effect was taken at the fifth meeting of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL} chaired by the Prime Minister on Thursday and attended by its 45 members including Union minister for environment Jairam Ramesh. The NBWL has 15 non-official members from which four are part of the 12-member strong standing committee of the NBWL.The cadre of forest officers are jubilant at what they feel is a “historic” decision as this will open up their promotion avenues and is being seen as a first step for the formation of a separate ministry of forests and wildlife. The proposal for this bifurcation was made by standing committee member Valmik Thapar. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s succinct, “Do it” provided the requisite sanction to a demand which had been pending before the government for the last decade.Mr Thapar believes, “This decision will play a catalytic role in triggering change and is being perceived as a first step to the carving out of a separate ministry of wildlife and forests.” “Expenditure for the DFW has risen from Rs 3500 crore in 2008-9 to Rs 8,500 crore in 2009-10. Such large expenditure requires greater efficiency both at the central and state levels.”Mr Thapar believes the states will have to adjust to this decision. He cited the example of Rajasthan where the minister of forests is also holding the portfolio of the minister of mines. “This involves a clash of interests and this has to change,” said Mr Thapar. The Prime Minister had, in the course of the meeting, emphasised the early relocation of villagers living in the tiger reserves as an important step to save the tiger habitat. Commenting on the dwindling tiger population, Mr Ramesh had warned that already, in 18 tiger reserves, the tiger population had reached rock bottom. “Once it went below a certain percentage, it would be difficult for the species to recover,” Mr Ramesh had explained.NBWL members including Belinda Wright expressed concern at the “linear threats from development activity including building of roads and use of bulldozers in forests.”Members also called for future financial allocations being made on a site specific basis to prevent dilution of funds. Ms Wright cited the example of the Compensatory Afforestation Management Planning Authority (CAMPA) which had a corpus of Rs 13,000 crore. “From this, Rs 800 crore was released to 23 states but unfortunately the money has been whittled independent away,” she said. The NBWL also called for the involvement of experts to monitor wildlife reserves.
New Delhi
20 Mar 2010
Wildlife conservationists believe the decision of the Prime Minister to carve an Independent Department of Forests and Wildlife (DFW) headed by a secretary from the Indian Forests Service will provide a major boost for wildlife conservation.
This dedicated service will focus on both conserving wildlife and in ensuring better health to forests which cover 21 per cent of the land mass of India and which are under threats from “development and mining” projects being executed in these reserved areas.A decision to this effect was taken at the fifth meeting of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL} chaired by the Prime Minister on Thursday and attended by its 45 members including Union minister for environment Jairam Ramesh. The NBWL has 15 non-official members from which four are part of the 12-member strong standing committee of the NBWL.The cadre of forest officers are jubilant at what they feel is a “historic” decision as this will open up their promotion avenues and is being seen as a first step for the formation of a separate ministry of forests and wildlife. The proposal for this bifurcation was made by standing committee member Valmik Thapar. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s succinct, “Do it” provided the requisite sanction to a demand which had been pending before the government for the last decade.Mr Thapar believes, “This decision will play a catalytic role in triggering change and is being perceived as a first step to the carving out of a separate ministry of wildlife and forests.” “Expenditure for the DFW has risen from Rs 3500 crore in 2008-9 to Rs 8,500 crore in 2009-10. Such large expenditure requires greater efficiency both at the central and state levels.”Mr Thapar believes the states will have to adjust to this decision. He cited the example of Rajasthan where the minister of forests is also holding the portfolio of the minister of mines. “This involves a clash of interests and this has to change,” said Mr Thapar. The Prime Minister had, in the course of the meeting, emphasised the early relocation of villagers living in the tiger reserves as an important step to save the tiger habitat. Commenting on the dwindling tiger population, Mr Ramesh had warned that already, in 18 tiger reserves, the tiger population had reached rock bottom. “Once it went below a certain percentage, it would be difficult for the species to recover,” Mr Ramesh had explained.NBWL members including Belinda Wright expressed concern at the “linear threats from development activity including building of roads and use of bulldozers in forests.”Members also called for future financial allocations being made on a site specific basis to prevent dilution of funds. Ms Wright cited the example of the Compensatory Afforestation Management Planning Authority (CAMPA) which had a corpus of Rs 13,000 crore. “From this, Rs 800 crore was released to 23 states but unfortunately the money has been whittled independent away,” she said. The NBWL also called for the involvement of experts to monitor wildlife reserves.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Forest guards open a new front against poachers
Daily News & Analysis
New Delhi
24 Feb 2010
Gyan Varma
To hunt down poachers, forest guards in 30 tiger reserves are now using equipment normally used by army personnel to locate landmines laid by terrorists and enemy soldiers.
For the first time, the ministry of environment and forests and WWF have come together to deploy deep search detectors to locate traps laid for tigers. And the equipment is helping, with several traps in some of the most protected tiger reserves of the country thwarted.
“We got a letter from officials in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve on how the deep search detector has helped them bring down the [poaching] menace. A total of 30 tiger reserves have been given 60 such detectors,” Samir Sinha, head of TRAFFIC, India, said.He said the idea was to equip forest guards with technology and train them, so that they carry out their responsibilities effectively.
“If technology is available, why not use it?” Sinha is also working on a project to train forest guards in collecting forensic evidence from sites where poachers have killed tigers or other animals. “There is no difference between investigating a murder and investigating poaching. Crucial forensic evidence, such as finger prints, shoe marks, tracks, is available at poaching sites. We need to arm our forest officials with the right technology for best results,” he said, adding that the government was planning to increase punishment for poachers.
In yet another instance of better use of resources, well-trained sniffer dogs are being widely used against the organised poaching mafia. Such dogs have been already deployed in reserves in five states, with Uttarakhand and Haryana leading the way. “Sniffer dogs are the new weapon against poachers. They can be used for tracking and recovering animal skin,” Sinha said.
New Delhi
24 Feb 2010
Gyan Varma
To hunt down poachers, forest guards in 30 tiger reserves are now using equipment normally used by army personnel to locate landmines laid by terrorists and enemy soldiers.
For the first time, the ministry of environment and forests and WWF have come together to deploy deep search detectors to locate traps laid for tigers. And the equipment is helping, with several traps in some of the most protected tiger reserves of the country thwarted.
“We got a letter from officials in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve on how the deep search detector has helped them bring down the [poaching] menace. A total of 30 tiger reserves have been given 60 such detectors,” Samir Sinha, head of TRAFFIC, India, said.He said the idea was to equip forest guards with technology and train them, so that they carry out their responsibilities effectively.
“If technology is available, why not use it?” Sinha is also working on a project to train forest guards in collecting forensic evidence from sites where poachers have killed tigers or other animals. “There is no difference between investigating a murder and investigating poaching. Crucial forensic evidence, such as finger prints, shoe marks, tracks, is available at poaching sites. We need to arm our forest officials with the right technology for best results,” he said, adding that the government was planning to increase punishment for poachers.
In yet another instance of better use of resources, well-trained sniffer dogs are being widely used against the organised poaching mafia. Such dogs have been already deployed in reserves in five states, with Uttarakhand and Haryana leading the way. “Sniffer dogs are the new weapon against poachers. They can be used for tracking and recovering animal skin,” Sinha said.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Shocking News! Only 1000 Tigers left in the Wild
Hindustan Times
New Delhi
17 Feb 2010
Chetan Chauhan,
India’s wild tiger population is less than the often claimed figure of 1,411 tigers.
“It (the figure) is an exaggeration,” Environment and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh said, while launching a handbook on wildlife law enforcement in India. “I don’t know from where the figure came. Probably, the number of tigers in the wild are much lower and are diminishing day by day”.
Hindustan Times was the first to report in January that India’s wild tiger population may not be more than 1,000. Many experts have doubts over the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NCTA) figure of 1,411.
“To me, there are not more than 1,000 to 1,100 tigers in the wild,” said P.K. Sen, former director of Project Tiger.
The Tiger Census report had estimated maximum of 1,650 and minimum of 1,150 tigers in 2007. It meant an average of 1,411 tigers. Since then, over 100 deaths have been reported.
The new tiger census that uses better methodology will be completed by October and by December 2010, the number of big cat would be out.
Belinda Wright, executive director of Wildlife Protection Society of India, said: “The tiger estimate in new census would be less” than in 2008.
However, Sen said that “Except Corbett Tiger Reserve, the tiger population in most other reserves has diminished.”
But four tigers died in Corbett last month, which Anil Baluni, deputy chairman of state environment and forest advisory committee, said were because of natural reasons. “There wasn’t even a single case of poaching as all body parts were intact,” he said.
New Delhi
17 Feb 2010
Chetan Chauhan,
India’s wild tiger population is less than the often claimed figure of 1,411 tigers.
“It (the figure) is an exaggeration,” Environment and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh said, while launching a handbook on wildlife law enforcement in India. “I don’t know from where the figure came. Probably, the number of tigers in the wild are much lower and are diminishing day by day”.
Hindustan Times was the first to report in January that India’s wild tiger population may not be more than 1,000. Many experts have doubts over the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NCTA) figure of 1,411.
“To me, there are not more than 1,000 to 1,100 tigers in the wild,” said P.K. Sen, former director of Project Tiger.
The Tiger Census report had estimated maximum of 1,650 and minimum of 1,150 tigers in 2007. It meant an average of 1,411 tigers. Since then, over 100 deaths have been reported.
The new tiger census that uses better methodology will be completed by October and by December 2010, the number of big cat would be out.
Belinda Wright, executive director of Wildlife Protection Society of India, said: “The tiger estimate in new census would be less” than in 2008.
However, Sen said that “Except Corbett Tiger Reserve, the tiger population in most other reserves has diminished.”
But four tigers died in Corbett last month, which Anil Baluni, deputy chairman of state environment and forest advisory committee, said were because of natural reasons. “There wasn’t even a single case of poaching as all body parts were intact,” he said.
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