Latest news with #NTCA
New Indian Express
4 hours ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Five Tadoba tigers to be relocated to Telangana's Kawal Tiger Reserve
ADILABAD: The Telangana Forest department is planning to bring tigers to Kawal Tiger Reserve by translocating them from Maharashtra's Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR). According to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) 2022 report, Kawal currently has no resident tigers, despite being declared a tiger reserve in 2012. Over the years, migrating tigers from neighbouring reserves have failed to settle in the region. Under the 'Project Tiger' initiative, the Telangana and Maharashtra forest departments have agreed to the translocation plan. NTCA officials are expected to visit Kawal in July to assess the site. Kawal has dense forests and an abundant prey base, including deer, sambar, and nilgai. Tigers from Tadoba-Andhari, Tipeshwar (Maharashtra), and Indravati (Chhattisgarh) have previously migrated into the area but did not stay, likely due to territorial and ecological disruptions. To improve habitat conditions, Telangana's Forest department has developed sufficient grasslands to support herbivores. Tigers that had earlier migrated from Tipeshwar in search of mates returned, indicating an absence of a stable tiger population. TATR, which currently houses over 40 tigers, lies close to the Pranahita river. Tigers from there often migrate through the Kagaznagar corridor but are unable to reach Kawal's core zone due to natural and manmade barriers. Telangana's Chief Wildlife Warden, E Singh Meeru, recently met Maharashtra forest officials to formally request the translocation. A positive response has been received, and a proposal has been submitted to the NTCA for approval. The current plan involves relocating five tigers, which include a male and four females. Two villages, Maisampet and Rampur, have already been relocated.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Memorial for elephant Arjuna raises questions over violation of NTCA norms
The inauguration of a memorial for the famed Dasara elephant Arjuna at the Balle elephant camp in the D.B. Kuppe range of Nagarahole tiger reserve, has sparked a new controversy. The memorial – a life-size sculpture of elephant Arjuna, who died in an operation to capture a wild elephant in Hassan in 2023 – was inaugurated by the Minister for Forest, Ecology, and Environment Eshwar B. Khandre, on Friday. The Minister eulogised Arjuna for his contribution to forest operations and Dasara, and said he may not be physically present, but lives on in the hearts of Kannadigas. Though the Minister's gesture and the memorial is well-intended, it is a violation of standing guidelines issued by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) concerning interventions within core/critical tiger habitats. The communique issued on April 22, 2009, is a standing instruction to the field directors of all tiger reserves, and clause (V) of the communique explicitly states that 'since the core/critical tiger habitats are meant to be kept inviolate for tigers, artefacts like foundation stones, commemorative exhibits, signages, should not be constructed in such areas at any cost.' Drawing attention to the violation, photographer Pramod said that the NTCA communique is unequivocal on the issue. The Arjuna memorial, he said, was in contravention of the NTCA guidelines,as the camp and the memorial is located in the core critical area of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve. The memorial to Arjuna stands at a height of 2.98 metres, is 3.74 metres long, and weighs 650 kilograms. Mr. Pramod said that the D.B. Kuppe range is beset with habitat fragmentation and human-animal conflict, and the installation of a memorial abets the same. Similar questions have been raised with regard to the bust of Conservator of Forest Manikandan, which was unveiled in D.B. Kuppe in March this year. Manikandan was the director of the tiger reserve, and was trampled to death on March 3, 2018, by a wild tusker when he was on duty apprising himself of damage caused by a forest fire. Activists argue that his legacy would have been better perpetuated had the bust been installed at the forest department office rather than deep in the jungle, which is inaccessible to the public.
India Today
a day ago
- India Today
3 arrested in Karnataka after tigress, 4 cubs found dead in wildlife sanctuary
Three people were arrested in Karnataka in connection with the death of a tigress and her four cubs in the Male Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary, officials said on Saturday. The Forest Department has confirmed the arrests of Konappa, Madaraj, and Nagaraj — all residents of Kopp village — on charges of incident came to light near Meenyan in the Gajanur beat of the Hoogyam range, where the carcasses of the tigress and her cubs were discovered alongside a dead cow. Investigations revealed that pesticide had been applied to the cow's carcass, which the big cats are believed to have cow, which belonged to Konappa, was allegedly poisoned deliberately. Acting on leads, forest officials questioned six local cattle herders, during which suspicions centered on Madaraj. With police assistance, officials arrested Madaraj while he was hiding at his residence. Nagaraj was later taken into custody as part of the same operation. Forest Department officials, in coordination with the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and a special investigation team, are conducting further interrogations and have vowed to intensify the probe.A press statement issued on June 26 confirmed that a case has been registered under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and the Karnataka Forest Act, 1969. The incident is being treated as a grave wildlife have assured that all those found guilty will face strict legal Ends
NDTV
a day ago
- NDTV
Act Of 'Revenge': 3 Arrested For Poisoning Tigress, 4 Cubs In Karnataka
Bengaluru: The death of a tigress and her four cubs in this district has turned out to be a case of apparent revenge by a man whose cow was preyed upon by wild animals, Forest authorities said on Saturday. Three people, including the owner of the dead cow sprayed upon with poison and consumed by the wild cats, were arrested on Saturday in connection with the incident that happened in the Hugyam forest range of Male Mahadeshwara Hills, police said. The big cats were found dead on Thursday, and subsequent investigation revealed they were poisoned. The incidenr had created a furore in the state. The breakthrough came after the carcass of a poisoned cow belonging to Maada alias Maaduraju was found. According to Forest officials, Maaduraju was reportedly enraged after his cow named 'Kenchi' was killed upon by wild animals. To avenge the loss, he sprayed poison on the cow's carcass. His friends Konappa and Nagaraju too were allegedly part of the conspiracy. The tigress, which had initially feasted on the dead cow, later returned with her cubs to feed on it again and died after ingesting the poison, Forest sources said. All three suspects have been taken to Meenyam-based 'Aranya Bhavan' in Hanuru Taluk for further interrogation. During the investigation, Maaduraju's father Shivanna approached the police claiming that he was responsible for the death of the big cats. However, he was let off after the investigation revealed his son's alleged involvement. The incident had triggered widespread public outrage and political blame games, with the opposition BJP accusing the government of "negligence" in protecting wildlife. While Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had indicated action after receiving a report on the matter, State Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre had said no one will be spared. According to the latest report of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Karnataka has 563 tigers, the second highest in the country after Madhya Pradesh.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
Jungle safaris to be suspended from July 1 until further notice
NAGPUR: Jungle safaris in the core zones of Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR), Bor Tiger Reserve (BTR), Umred-Paoni-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary (UPKWS), and the renowned Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in the Vidarbha region will be suspended for tourists from July 1 until further notice. Maya, the tigress of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, has been popular with photographers as she is seen in many parts of the forest. The annual closure is being enforced in accordance with the guidelines of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), aimed at minimising human interference during the monsoon and the crucial breeding season for wildlife. Dr Kishor Mankar, chief conservator of forests and field director of Pench Tiger Reserve, stated in a press release that the shutdown is essential to allow wild animals to move and behave naturally, particularly during breeding. However, nature enthusiasts will still be able to explore buffer zones of the reserves, where safari access will continue on a restricted basis. Bookings for these safaris will be accepted offline only. The Forest department has urged tourists to respect these seasonal restrictions and contribute to the conservation efforts during the monsoon. In the case of Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR), the closure of jungle safaris will depend on the onset of monsoon rains. If rainfall occurs around July 1, the core zones will be closed. Typically, all core forest areas remain shut from July 1 to October 30 every year. This season, the Forest department may consider opening select buffer areas to a limited number of tourists. Tadoba Tiger Reserve in Chandrapur is famous for guaranteed sightings of tigers and, hence, many tourists from inland and abroad prefer this destination. During the last financial year, over two lakh tourists visited Tadoba and enjoyed its jungle safari. Routine safari operations in the tiger reserves are expected to resume from October 1.
