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Pictures Don't Lie... And Rhinos Do Die
Sanctuary Cover Story April 2012: Sushil Kumar Daila, Divisional Forest Officer, Mangaldai Wildlife Division, recounts a recent rhino poaching incident in Assam’s Orang National Park and highlights some positive developments that will help secure the park.
In my time as a Divisional Forest Officer, I have unfortunately seen four rhino poaching cases. But nothing pained me nearly as much as the death of an adult male rhino that was shot by poachers at dusk on January 23, 2010 in the Jhaoni Island of the Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park. As soon as the staff heard two gunshots, we set out to nab the poachers. We tried long and hard, but they escaped. We noticed, however, a horrifyingly thick blood trail in several places on the three square kilometre island. Eventually, we were able to locate the rhino. Alive. But with its horn chopped off. The animal was in acute pain and was walking in tight circles, in utter distress. We watched helplessly, in total anguish. Grown men – we were all in tears as we watched the magnificent animal writhing in pain. We called for the best vets in Assam, but the rhino died, after struggling for life for two full days. The entire staff of Orang witnessed first-hand just how ruthless the poaching gangs are. The rhino would have collapsed from the shock of the bullet, but even as it breathed they had brutally gouged out its horn. When on the same island two months later another rhino poaching attempt was made, one of the poachers was shot dead by our staff. Since then no incident has taken place. There has been a lull for 26 months now, but we harbour no illusions. The poachers are there and waiting for us to drop our guard. |
Conservation Biology In India
Sanctuary Cover Story April 2012: With every passing day, it is going to be more vital than ever before to weave the disciplines of ecology, sociology, economy and science together, if India is to have any chance at all of escaping the worst impacts of climate change. Today these sectors work in compartments isolated from each other, though everyone agrees that each one impacts all the others.
India has some of the finest scientists and field biologists in the world. Professor Biju Das, a Sanctuary Wildlife Service Award 2011 recipient, has, for instance, been recognised for the high quality amphibian research his team has conducted. Earlier this year, he was credited with the discovery of a new family of burrowing caecilians (see image below) from Northeast India, which reveal genetic links to species from Africa. But is such research valued and respected? Sanctuary’s Lakshmy Raman spoke with a mix of veteran and young field biologists to understand how they felt about their work, its worth and the future of conservation biology. This is what they said.
Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan Urged To Review 'Defunct' Tiger Cells
May 1, 2012: Worried by tiger poaching with the help of jaw traps in Palasgaon near Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, who is also the chairman of State Board for Wildlife (SBWL), has been urged to review functioning of tiger cells, anti-poaching units and law enforcement and come out with new and advanced mechanism to tackle the problem.
Osmania University Students To Join Anti-Kawal Tiger Reserve Fight
May 1, 2012: With several tribal groups raising a hue and cry against the decision to declare Kawal wildlife sanctuary as a tiger reserve, Telangana students, who have been in the forefront of the separate statehood movement, have now decided to take up cudgels against the move.
Govt To Release Secret Funds, Launch Special Tiger Protection Force
April 30, 2012: Stung by the poaching of a tiger in a jaw trap in Palasgaon range in the buffer zone of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), the state government has announced a host of measures, including release of secret funds to develop intelligence network and appointment of forest guards under Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF).
Rs 10,000 Reward For Info On Tiger Poachers
April 30, 2012: The Chandrapur forest department and NGO Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) have announced separate cash prizes of Rs 10,000 each for any information about the poachers responsible for death of tigers in Palasgaon range.
Equity, Global Climate Policy And Climate Negotiations
April 30, 2012: Speaking at an international workshop on Equity and Climate Change, held on April 12, the minister for environment and forests, Jayanthi Natarajan, sought to build a consensus on the inter-relationship between equity and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities in the Climate Convention, and the nature of the obligations they entail in the new arrangement that is to be negotiated.
Check On Death Of Birds
April 30, 2012: The Ministry had received reports of mortality of crows and poultry in some places of Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Meghalaya and Tripura. As stated by the Minister of State (I/C) Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan in Lok Sabha today.
89 Power Projects Await Eco, Forest Clearance: Govt
April 30, 2012,(PTI): Environment and forest clearance for 89 power projects is pending with the Government, the Lok Sabha was informed today.
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