Great Indian Bustards in peril

With only 300 left, Number has reduced by half since 2000

The #GreatIndianBustard, which has been listed as a critically #endangeredbird, is steadily moving towards extinction.

A global population count reveals that there are just around 300 birds left, compared to 600 in the year 2000 and 1260 in 1969.

In Nannaj, Maharashtra, the recent count was nine compared to 21 last year and 24 in 2008. Bustards endemic to the Indian subcontinent are seen in just six States, compared to 11 historically. They are seen in Rajasthan (shared with Pakistan), Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, #Gujarat, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh. They are no longer seen in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa and Tamil Nadu.

The largest population of 100-125 birds is in Jaisalmer, Barmer and Bikaner districts of Rajasthan. Other places have fewer than 35 birds each. These findings were published in a recent paper, titled “Running out of time? The Great Indian Bustards”, of the #WildlifeInstituteofIndia (WII) and the Bombay Natural History Society (#BNHS). The figures were compiled from statistics taken from the forest departments of different states. Experts say the drastic fall in the numbers of Bustards brings up the need to develop core breeding areas and a landscape conservation strategy for the birds.

WII researcher Sutirtha Dutta told Times of India that while there is no “robust monitoring: of the Bustard count, the rapid decline in numbers is pretty evident. “Human interventions like infrastructure development (roads, electricity poles), conversion of agricultural land hunting - are factors contributing to the declining Bustard population,” he said.

“Bustards are terrestrial and low flying birds. They can collide with electricity poles or get hit by vehicles. These birds prefer wide, open, short grass plains and open scrubland with scattered trees. During mid-summer and the monsoons, they congregate in traditional areas to breed and avoid human disturbance. In crop lands, it is speculated that pesticides have a detrimental effect on their reproduction and survival.”

The Great Indian Bustards are slow reproducing species, Dutta said, “They have a long life span and lay just one egg a year. There is no telemetry study (useful for monitoring threatened species at the individual level) done to know their movements”, he said.

Scientific experts have stressed that there is a need to initiate a conservation breeding program for the bird. Such breeding has been taken up in Europe and Africa. The paper states that closer home, the Bustard haven in Maharashtra has seen rapid industrialization and an increase in human population over the last 30 years.

The shift in the agriculture practice – from monsoon crops like sorghum and millet to sugarcane and grapes now- has resulted in a severe habitat loss for the Bustards. Pramod Patil, who works for the conservation and protection of Bustards in the state, said the bird’s future lies in the proper protection of core breeding grasslands and promotion of traditional organic farming.

When contacted, M K Rao, conservator of forests (wildlife), Pune, said no eggs of the Great Indian Bustard have been found in Nannaj over the last three years. “We are not sure whether the eggs were destroyed. Bustards need an environment free of disturbance to lay their eggs. Grazing and the movement of vehicles and people affect them” he said.

Courtesy :- Times Of India, 24 Friday, December,2010.

Flamingos make Rann of Kutch home this winter

The heavy rainfall in arid #Kutch this monsoon may have played spoilsport for agrarian community in the region but it has provided #Flamingo birds an ideal and favorable breeding place for a longer time. Thousands of Flamingos flock to the region for breeding every year.

According to Dr B.M. Parasharya, Joint Secretary, #BirdConservationSociety (#Gujarat), a good monsoon in #GreaterRannofKutch has provided the bird favorable conditions for Birds for breeding.This year it has been quite encouraging for the Flamingos here. “When there is a good monsoon and food chain is available for these birds, they extend their stay till April as well,” Parasharya told TOI.

Parasharya is an #ornithologist and an expert on Flamingo. “It is good news for Kutch that they have not been reported elsewhere like Mumbai. Apparently, they have found an ideal place this season,” Parasharya said.

The Flamingo city is located in Greater Rann of Kutch. It is near the border areas and is often inaccessible for common people and this provide the birds a secure place.
But, what has come as good news for Kutch, has spelt disappointment for Mumbai people. Though the migratory birds have kept their date with the Mumbai city, large flocks have been absent this year from bird watching hot spots like Sewri and Vashi.

September onwards every year, many Mumbai people look forward to the arrival of #migratorybirds, especially Flamingos. But this time round, the pink-feathered birds are clearly missing. “Generally, by the end of November, large flocks of waders can be seen at mudflats and creeks and the city. But this year, the flocks have shrunk,” said Adesh Shivkar, an ornithologist in the city.

Among such species are #RedShanks, #Plovers, #Wagtails and #Warblers, which come to wetlands like Uran, besides Sewri and Vashi. The numbers of even #RosyStarlings and birds of prey such as #Osprey, #Buzzards and #MarshHarriers have dwindled.

“There is a clear decline in the number of migratory birds spotted in the city compared to previous years. Earlier, we could easily spot waders and Aquila Eagles in good numbers,” Shivkar said.

Ornithologists said some birds, including Flamingos, did not migrate to the region this year because of the prolonged Monsoon. “Flamingos breed in the Rann of Kutch and migrate to Mumbai in search of food. This year, however, Kutch received good
Rainfall, as a result of which algae (flamingos’ food) has been available in plenty” said Mayuresh Khatavkar, who leads bird-watching trails for environmental organizations like Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS).

“Only when the water starts receding in the Rann, will the birds migrate to this region (Mumbai). This could take a couple of months,” he said.

Many migratory birds come from Central Europe, Central Asia, Siberia, Mongolia, the Middle East, the Himalayas and the trans-Himalayan region. Some, like the Amur Falcon, are passage migrants, which, on their way from Mongolia and Central Russia to Africa, halt in India.

Water Birds’ number in Asia on decline :-

According to a recent study — State of the World’s Water Birds, 2010— by Wetlands International, the water bird population in Asia has come down drastically. The reason, it says, is threats like pollution, conversion of wetlands for development projects and degradation of marshes and lakes.

Though no scientific study is being carried out on the decline in the birds’ numbers, ornithologists cite climatic and ecological changes as the main reasons. Rahul Chowhan, who has published a scientific paper on the #avifauna of Borivli’s #mangroves, said: “Till a year ago, birds like Rosy Starlings could be easily spoiled here. But there are hardly any this year, particularly around the Gorai creek.

Courtesy :- Times Of India, Ahemdabad, 23rd december, 2010.

Indian High Court land deals in Gir lion Sanctuary periphery

Indian High Court stays land deals in Gir Lion Sanctuary, Sasan, Gujarat periphery

The Gujarat High Court has stayed land deals in the periphery of the lions’ den — the Gir Lion Sanctuary — as the issue of possession of land by non-Maldharis (nomadic herdsmen who live in the Gujarat state of India.) in the surrounding forest reserve is to be resolved before the division bench.

Earlier, a single-judge bench held that the land was allotted to Maldharis towards rehabilitation purpose. But since the land was sold to other people, it frustrates the purpose of conservation of forest and hence should be taken back by the forest department as per the Indian Forest and Wildlife Protection Act.

After declaring Gir Forest as Sanctuary, the Government in 1977 began shifting 845 Maldharis from the forest to the outskirts and allotted plots for their rehabilitation. Some 588 families were given land in the periphery of the Sanctuary. However, revenue department later allowed them to sell the land to non-Maidharis and 292 plots were sold out.

The Forest department said, those Maidharis who sold their land actually went back to the forest. Hence the purpose for allotting the land was defeated. As per the State Government’s declaration of the area as reserve forest, nobody except Maidharis should be allowed to stay or carry out non-forest activity on this land, which largely falls under the Mendarda block of Junagadh.

When the forest officials restricted one Anil Chudasama from construction on a land purchased in this area, he approached the authorities and later the High Court. While the Forest Department insisted that such people who have purchased land from the Maldharis should be evicted, the Revenue Department had another take on it.

Last year, justice MR Shah appointed advocate Amit Panchal as amicus curie, who submitted a report that such land needs to be taken back. Accordingly, Justice Shah held that Chudasama had no right to carry out construction or agriculture activity on the plot, though he was the third purchaser of the plot after the Maldhari sold it long ago.

The High Court accepted that the land falls under reserved Forest category. Moreover, Justice Shah also directed the Chief Conservator of Forest to inquire into the cases of 292 plots and decide as per the provisions of the forest act, which means that the land holding would be declared as illegal.

This had also an indication that the decision to allot land to the tribal in 1977 could be declared null and void. When this decision was challenged by Chudasama before a division bench, it ordered to maintain status quo on the land and clarified that the plot would not be sold without prior permission of the court.

“Don’t become prey to lions”: Chief Justice
While ordering a stay on land deals in the reserved forest surrounding the Gir Sanctuary, Chief Justice S.J. Mukhopadhaya called for maintaining a balance between development and nature. The Forest Department has been maintaining that the increased grazing has resulted in decrease of prey for lions in the forest. Moreover, the forest officials have also been insisting that the sale of plots allotted to Maldharis be declared illegal, and non-Maldharis be evicted from the place. However, the petitioner claims that he has been deliberately harassed by Forest officials due to other social consideration and his ownership of the plot is legal. To this, the Chief Justice commented, “Lions’ place has to be protected. You shift from the place before you become prey to lions.

Courtesy :- Times Of India, Friday 17th, December, 2010

Farmers near Velvadar Blackbuck Park, Bhavnagar, India to be educated about Harriers

“#Blackbucknationalpark, Velavadar, is the largest communal roosting site of Harriers in the world. Harriers, the slender, long bare-legged, long-winged and long-toiled #Hawks with an owl like facial ruff, are considered farmers’ friends as they are predators. Harriers are vital indicators of an ecosystem’s health as their pray base are insects on corps. However, for many years now, farmers have started using pesticides in their fields and this badly affects the food chain of the Harriers. The food chain is an important aspect for the conservation of birds”, said JS Solanki, assistant conservator of forests, BNP, Velavadar.

Forests officials said that about 150 farmers from nearby villages are expected to take part in the awareness programme. ‘Experts and forests officials will present various aspects of the importance of Harriers to our ecological system. Various presentations in this regards will be shown to farmers. Officials from Agriculture Department will suggest the alternatives of the pesticide for their crops which are not harmful to Harriers,” said Solanki.

“The food chain of the Harriers should be kept as it directly affects the population of the bird and farmers’ role becomes crucial in this regard”, he said.

Courtesy :- Times Of India, Friday, 17th December, 2010

"Love's a many spotted thing"- Black Leopard with Spotted Leopard

A very rare photograph clicked recently of an elusive black leopard along with her normal colored mate in a forest in South India has enthralled many a wildlife enthusiast. The image, which recently won a prize at the Sanctuary-RBS Wildlife Photography Awards 2010, is said to be one-of-its kind as black leopards are difficult to capture in their natural habitat.

Naturalist and writer Bittu Sahgal of Sanctuary Asia told TOI: “We were thrilled to see this female black leopard along with her normal male mate. Its photos like these that bring alive the magic and mystery of our forests, which must be saved at all costs”

Deputy Director of Sanctuary Shardul S Bajikar, added that a team of amateur photographers— Sivlingam and R Prakash —managed to click this gem with a telescopic (300 m) camera lens. “We don’t want to disclose the location, as it may attract poacher and unlawful elements,” said Bajikar.

A condition called melanism (dark pigmentation of the skin) is responsible for black leopards. However, apart from the skin color black leopards are no different from the normal, spotted big cats.

Veteran leopard researcher at Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), J C Daniel, who had earlier compiled the book, told TOI: “Black leopards are hard to find, leave alone be photographed, as they live in dense wilderness which experience heavy rainfall. This photo of a black leopard and her normal mate is interesting.”

Courtesy :- Times Of India, 13th December, 2010

Kuno Palpur National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India to get Cheetah, not Lions

Madhya Pradesh has agreed in principle to accommodate African
Cheetah in Kuno Palpur. This could mean that the Gujarat’s neighboring state, which is famous for its Tigers, is off Gujarat’s back as far as the Asiatic Lion is concerned.

The Madhya Pradesh Government had been trying to get wild Asiatic Lions from its only habitat in the world in Gir, but Gujarat had refused to part with its pride. Finally, the Centre Government had proposed that Madhya Pradesh settle for zoo-bred Asiatic Lions for Kuno Palpur.

However, after a presentation by the Wildlife Institute of India and the Wildlife Trust of India over reintroducing Cheetah at Kuno Palpur it looks like the controversy could be drawing to a close, as the two big cats cannot survive together.

Gujarat Government had also taken the stand in Supreme Court that Lions and Tigers cannot stay together. The matter is pending in the Supreme Court since 2006.

Sartaj Singh, Forest Minister of Madhya Pradesh, told Times Of India over the phone, “Union Minister for Forest and Environment - Jairam Ramesh had decided to introduce
Cheetah in Kuno Palpur and Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuaries in Madhya Pradesh, apart from Rajasthan. The Wildlife Institute of India had made a detailed presentation after which the Madhya Pradesh - Chief Minister has agreed in principle to have Cheetahs in Kuno. As of now we have put the proposal to shift Lions to Kuno on hold”.

H. S. Pabla, Madhya Pradesh’s principal conservator of forest, said, “We were offered Nauradehi and Kuno for reintroduction of Cheetah. But if we decide to shift to Nauradehi, the department will have to shift people from 21 villages, while Kuno Palpur was already prepared for the Lions, so we just have to bring the
Cheetah and release them”. The WTI also had rated Kuno as priority for reintroducing the Cheetah.

SK Nanda, principal secretary (forest) Gujarat, said, “We are not aware of MP’s decision. But if it is true it is a welcome decision. We have been contending that two big cats cannot stay together and Kuno already had Tigers”.

Courtesy :- Times Of India, Ahemdabad, 7th December, 2010.

#Thol Bird Sanctuary

#TholSanctuary is located 40 kms northwest of #Ahmedabad, in Mehsana District.
Thol lake, created in 1912, covers 7 sq. kms of mostly open water. There are small marshes at the edges and some scrub forest on the sides of the high embarkments.

Thol is well known for wintering Great White Pelicans, Flamingos, a variety of #WaterFowls including #Mallards and good numbers of #GreylegGeese, #Sarus #Cranes, the #SpottedFlycatcher and Waders which include #Eurasian #Curlews,
#Whitetailed #Lapwing ,#YellowWattled lapwing some #Raptors like Greater Spotted Eagle,#MarshHarrier,#IndianSpottedEagle,common Kestrel,ImperialEagle,#PallidHarrier and much more .

Get up, close and personal with #Winged visitors

An on going exhibition in the city is aiming to create awareness among the local population regarding #migratory #birds, their habitat and way of life.

The exhibition is being organized by the forest department, with the help of the municipal corporation of Jamnagar, and is being held at the Town Hall. An interpretation centre has also been set up as part of the show, which got under way on November 28 and runs until December 5, The municipal corporation has Invited schools to attend the exhibition so that students can get first-hand information regarding various species of migratory birds that visit the area.

The Interpretation centre - is equipped with a state-of-the-art Interactive system which gives information about nesting, voices and food habits of the migratory birds. Students can interact with machines and can get in-depth information regarding the winged visitors. Even real-life models of birds and their habitat have been created at the exhibition.





Jamnagar’s costal area plays host to about 257 species of migratory birds. In Jamnagar district, 325 #bird species have been recorded in past, out of which 170 are migratory ones coming from North Europe and Siberia, while others include semi-migratory and local ones.

“The idea of the entire exercise is to make the present and the next generation aware about the rich bio-diversity of the district and create awareness among people regarding winged visitors which are an essential part of the entire ecosystem and the food chain. The exhibition will be open until December 5 for public,” said municipal commissioner
P Swaroop. Photographs of the birds and animals captured by local photographers are also displayed in the exhibition, he added.




Courtesy :- Times Of India, 4 December, 2010

Sound from oil wells rattle #migratory birds at thol

Thol Lake bird sanctuary in Mehsana district, about 50 km from Ahmedabad on Kadi-Sanand road, has long been a favourite abode for variety of birds. But, the famous wetland has of late been losing popularity among the winged visitors.

“Global warming does have a negative impact on the habitat, but what is turning birds away from the lake is the noise and disturbance caused by activities in oil wells in the surrounding areas,” said Lala Desai, range forest officer at Thol Lake.

Desai, who has been posted in area for long, said, “Every day the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) officials have to open the valves of pipelines for work. This generates deafening noise identical to that of the landing of an aircraft.” Desai said the birds, whose hearing capacity is higher, get scared and fly away in fear.

Among the winged guests whose number has been on a constant decline are flamingos that would throng the lake in great number earlier and Kingfisher. “Birds like darters, egrets, partridges, spoonbills and hornbills besides several Himalayan, South African and Siberian species can be noticed here but their number has gone down”, Desai said.




“Winter is the time for laying eggs and variety of birds visit the lake. The huge sound generated by heavy instruments used in drilling scares the birds, while fumes and toxic gases that are emitted affect the mating period and breeding ratio,” said Suresh Prajapati, a researcher on birds.

“To a great extent, the sanctuary has been affected by disturbances caused by factories located in Gujarat industrial Development Corporation’s (GIDC) premises, two km from the birds’ habitat. Visitors to the lake, particularly on Sunday and holidays also add to the pollution as they make noises and throw plastic bags in the vicinity of the lake,” said Namrat Bhawsar, founder of ‘Arambh’, a foundation working to create awareness about environment for about 20 years.

A senior #ONGC official said the corporation would take care if its operation in the area was causing harm to birds at Thol. “If the uncorking of valves makes loud noise that harms migratory birds at Thol, we would certainly look into the issue. However, as the forest Officials say that well numbers 115 and 117 are the ones making noise, I will direct the ONGC officials concerned to rectify the faults without delay,” said Anil John, executive director, ONGC, Ahmedabad.

Courtest :- Times Of India, 6 December, 2010.

#NalSarovar not ready for bird watchers yet

If you are planning to visit Nal Sarovar for a date with migratory birds, it is not yet the perfect time to watch the winged visitors at the sanctuary located some 60 km from the city. Officials at the sanctuary said that at present, apart from a few coots and flamingos, there are hardly any birds. And the reason is that the water in the lake is some five feet deep, which is not conducive for migratory birds to find food. Usually the birds begin arriving from the last week of October, when the little water is around three feet deep.

A senior officer seeking anonymity said this year; due to good monsoon, there was good flow of water in the lake.

The officials in charge of the sanctuary said that birds are still coming in large numbers, but they leave after a day or two when they find that the water levels are too high for their liking.

However, the loss of Nal Sarovar has become a gain for nearby areas where water has accumulated. Several areas that have small water ponds find the migratory birds coming in large numbers.

For example, a small pond outside Charal village in Sanand taluka has a large presence of the migratory birds, including coots and painted storks. The small village lake is also full of these birds. Not just Charal but several villages near the lake have a large presence of these birds.

A senior official said that there should be some checks on the inflow of water to the lake even if there is excess rainfall.
He said that the birds will start coming to Nal Sarovar only after November15. At present the small make shift ponds serve as home to these birds.

Officials said that the number of birds coming to the Sanctuary have seen a constant fall.
Earlier in January when a census was conducted, it was revealed that, for the first time in the decade there was a steep fall of over 40 per cent in their numbers when compared to 2008 and 2006.

The figures recorded in 2008 and 2006 were over lakh. Officials said that the number was less than 1.5lakh in January, which means a drop of over 41 per cent as compared to 2008. In, 2008 there were 2.53 lakh birds.

Conservator of forest DS Narve said the birds are yet to make the sanctuary their permanent home for this season. There is still water in the lake, which is not suitable for the birds

Courtesy:- Times Of India, Ahmadabad, Gujarat, India.

Tourists double at Gir this Diwali

Gir forest, the only sanctuary of the Asiatic lion in the world, has set a record of sorts.

Nearly 1,000 visitors have toured the sanctuary in a day every day since Diwali, after the forest authorities increased the number of tourist permits to meet the rush.

Not just locals, the number of foreign tourists too has gone up, which indicates that the aggressive marketing of the lion abode taken up by the Gujarat government in the last one year, has worked. Sandeep Kumar, deputy Conservator of forest, Sasan, estimates that the number of foreign tourists has gone up by nearly 20 per cent compared to earlier years.
Kumar attributed the huge influx of visitors to the ‘Khushboo Gujarat Ki’ campaign featuring superstar Amitabh Bachchan by the state tourism department.
The forest officials took extra care to ensure that the visitors did not return without seeing lions, as the ad films showed the superstar amid a pride of the wildcats. “The department had identified two Additional routes apart from the existing ones. Each of these routes had a carrying capacity of 30 vehicles and thus the 90 permits issued daily were increased to 150,” said Kumar. This time 80 per cent of the visitors got to see lions. The forest has 459 lions according to the last census.

The forest department has now decided to issue more permits during festivals like Navratri, Diwali, Christmas and Uttarayan. The permit system was started only in 2000 when it was decided to have only 30 vehicles per day moving on a particular route. Only 90 vehicles carrying a maximum of six adults were allowed inside the sanctuary going by this average, the number of tourists that the forest saw this sea son is a record, and many of them had to return because the permits had exhausted.

Neeru Madan, a resident of Satellite in Ahemdabad, says hardly ten per cent of the tourists were locals. She sighted two lions during the trip. Archana Sharma, a resident of Meerut said, “We had also put up in the camp and we got the first trip in the morning. We sighted a pride of lions with two cubs.”

Courtesy:- Times Of India, Ahmadabad, Thursday, 11th Nov. 2010

Nailing it at Nal Sarovar, Gujarat, India

More needs to be done to preserve two of Gujarat’s unique #wildlifehabitats – #NalSarovar, which attracts rare migratory birds and Gir, which is the only home of #AsiaticLions.

Courtesy:- Sunday times Of India, Ahmadabad, 7th Nov. 2010.

Wild Things Threatened- #Poachers have free run of #NalSarovar?

The pristine silence that envelopes Nal Sarovar, #Gujarat, #India, one of India’s important bird sanctuaries 64 km from #Ahmadabad, is often punctured after sundown by muffled thuds. What may seem like just another bird flapping around is more likely to be a flamingo being clubbed to death by a villager for dinner.

The 120 sq km lake is home to the widest range of #migratory birds in winter, many of them flying in from Central Asia, Europe and Siberia to escape the severe cold. But it has also seen unabated poaching in recent years, especially after monsoon, when the foreign visitors start arriving. Last year, the forest department recovered 1055 nets, used to trap the birds.

Every night villagers staying near the lake, venture into the bird sanctuary, armed with small wooden clubs, otherwise used to wash clothes. A swift blow to the head of a bird does the job effectively.

Sources in the forest department say, “We have not been able to make any arrests for poaching. We only find nets strung across tall bamboo sticks to trap the birds as they fly down to the lake. Who places the nets has never been investigated.”

Forest officials admit that little is done to protect even those birds which are rescued and are often left to die. An official said many village communities consider these birds’ delicacies. However, poachers rarely do business in the birds and are used only for community feasts. Though, outsiders are not invited to these feasts. A small dead flamingo fetches not more than Rs50 while a full grown one can cost anywhere between Rs50 and Rs75.

The modus operandi is simple: A net is put up like a curtain on two poles at spots where birds swoop down on the surface of the lake. Once the bird is trapped, its wings are clipped and legs broken so that it can’t escape. Even if these birds are rescued, it’s of no use. Clubbing the birds at night is the other method.

RV Asari, principal chief Conservator of Forests says, “Yes we have recovered nets used for preaching. This is an old method. It was rampant in the past, but we have managed to curb it with increased patrolling.”

Activists and experts, however, disagree Dr Bakul Trivedi, an ornithologist who has researched the birds of Nal Sarovar, says, “Given the frequency with which nets are found, it seems obvious poaching is only growing in the sanctuary. Ironically, against the sanctioned strength of 14, there are only nine officials left to man Nal Sarovar despite its vast expanse.”

Admitting that the staff is less, a senior forest department official said Nal Sarovar is so large, it is spread over two districts of Gujarat — Ahmadabad and Surendranagar. There is nothing the 14 foresters can do against the villagers who poach with impunity.

Courtesy:- Sunday Times Of India, Ahmadabad, Nov. 7, 2010.

Steering clear: No shortcuts through #Lion Country, please

The last place one would expect to be used as a shortcut is the #Gir #Sanctuary, #Junagadh, #Gujarat, #India - the only home in the world of the #AsiaticLion. It would make more sense to burn a little fuel and skirt a protected forest than cut across it.

But the Gujarat Government, which refuses to share a single lion with any other state, does not mind a busy highway running through Gir. The distance between Visavadar to Talala towns in Junagadh is 130 km if you take the highway outside Gir. But why take this stretch when you can drive through Gir and save 52 km?

Let alone villagers, even heavy vehicles traverse on some of these stretches, making large, rattling noises and leaving behind clouds of exhaust.

In fact, there has been an increase in the inflow of uncontrolled visitors in the protected habitat in the last couple of years. The sanctuary is spread over nearly 1,500 sq km and houses 298 lions according to the last census. In all, there are 411 lions in Gir and surrounding areas. .

The sanctuary has turned into a virtual thoroughfare connecting Junagadh and Amreli. Not just the Visavadar-Dhari stretch, there are some ten roads passing through different parts of the sanctuary. At least 600 vehicles pass through the Una-Talala and Dhari-Una stretches in Gir everyday. The traffic is non-stop even at night.

The shrines and temples located in the sanctuary add to the lions’ troubles. The Kankai Mata temple, Banej, Pataleshwar Mahadev and Tulsishyam are some of the religious spots in the sanctuary which are thronged by pilgrims daily. People even spend their nights in the sanctuary on select religious festivals.

Forest officials say the ban on night stay within the sanctuary was lifted after pilgrims threw a major tantrum. People living in these shrines move about in the sanctuary unchecked.

Former principal conservator of forests and member of the National Wildlife Board,
G. A. Patel says, “#Sariska has a busy highway passing through the sanctuary which may have played a major role in the poaching of tigers. We too have several roads passing through the Gir sanctuary. There is no political will to curb the traffic. We are fighting a losing battle. Something should be done to save the big cats. There is a need for some drastic measures.”

The Dhari-Una stretch operates round the clock, while the rest are closed after sunset. Even luxury buses and trucks use it at night.

HIGHWAYS THAT PASS THROUGH GIR:-
• Visavadar-Sasan
• Jamwada-Kankai
•Jamwada-Banej
• Una-Talala
• Jamwada-Dhari
• Babariya-Banej-Patra
•Junagadh-TalaIa
• Haripur-Hirenwel
• Una-Talala
• Dhari-Una via #Tulsishyam

Courtesy:- Times Of India, Ahmadabad, 7th Nov. 2010.
Published by:- #AdlerTours&Safaris, Rajkot, Gujarat, India.

It’s roaring biz for #GirLionSanctuary, Sasan, Gujarat, India.

In a Record in the last 15 year's, Gir Sanctuary Booked for Fortnight till November 15.

The roar of lions showcased by’ #Bollywood super star Amitabh Bachchan in the #GujaratTourism campaign seems to be yielding fruitful results for the Gir Lion Sanctuary in Gujarat, India.

The sanctuary has witnessed such a good response from the tourists that it is completely booked for the fortnight till November 15 — a record in the last 15 years for this only abode of the #AsiaticLion.

Ever since the sanctuary re-opened on October 15, 2010 on an average, 70 to 80 permits were issued daily. The upper limit for issuing permits was 90 permits per day.

However till November11, 2010 there is no room in Sinh Sadan and even the advance permits issued to casual visitors are over booked.

Officials said that of the 90 permits issued daily about 50 per cent were issued in advance. And now the first available advance permit is of November 15, 2010. According to officials, not just the Sinh Sadan, which is the official guest house of the forest department, but even hotel owners were having a great time. Of these 45 advance permits, over 25 were pocketed by the hotel owners.

Even #Devaliya, the #LionInterpretationZone, has also seen a rise in the number of tourists. It has been noticed that the number of schools coming here for picnics has seen a sharp rise. After visiting Devaliya, schools head for #SomnathTemple, one of the #Jyotirlingas.

Courtesy:- Times Of India, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. 3rd, November, 2010.

Aal Izz well for harriers at Velavadar Park

Over 1,300 Sighted So Far, Numbers May Go Beyond
2,200 By November-end


Rajkot: Unlike some previous years, this winter season is going to be a special treat for wildlife and nature lovers as harriers, a rare and endangered species, have started arriving in large numbers at Blackbuck National Park (BNP), Velavadar, from Siberia. BNP Velavadar in Bhavnagar district is the largest communal roosting site of harriers in the world.
The forest department con ducted an initial population estimation exercise of harriers at BNP on October 29-30. The number of harriers sighted at the park was between 1,350 and l,400, which, forest officials said, is very impressive in comparison to the previous years. Last year only 979 harriers were sighted here, with the number being lowest in a decade.
Forest officials said the final population estimation would be conducted at the end of November during the peak season. “We are expecting the total number of harriers to go beyond 2,200-in the peak winter season when the final counting would be conducted,” said J.S. Solanki, Assistant Conservator of forests at BNP
Of the l6 harrier species in the world, at least four types — Montagu, Pallid, Eurasian Marsh and Hen — arrive at BNP every year. This season, all the four species have arrived. “This year, because of good rains and overall favorable weather, harriers are likely to be sighted in good numbers,” said forest official.
Harriers, the slender, long bare-legged, long-winged and long-toiled hawks with an owl-like facial ruff, are considered as farmers’ friends as they are predators. Their diet includes large insects, especially locust; fish; reptiles especially snakes; lizards and skulks, birds (both land and water) and small mammals (rodents).
Harriers are vital indicators of the health of ecosystem as its pray base is insects. “Harriers adapted to a lifestyle in open landscapes having habitats like wetlands, grasslands, crop fields, reeds and sedges, salt marshes and dray barren lands. Harriers often roost communally at night, both on pas sage and in winter quarters,” said a forest official.
“The good rain has created a favorable condition for harriers. Owing to impressive crops around the BNP, food chain for the harriers is also very good this time. These could be among the main
Reason for the arrival of large number of the migratory birds,” Solanki said.
The harriers are the only diurnal ‘raptor group or birds of prey’ nesting and roosting on the ground. The communal roost sites are critical resources for harriers’ survival as they spend considerable time over there. “These communal roosting sites are usually grasslands where they get concealment and protection from both predators and cold weather,” he said.
“Harriers generally start congregating at these sites about half an hour or so prior to sunset. They spend time pre-roosting in open ground close to their roost site, engaging themselves in resting, preening and vocalizing. This is probably done to attract others to increase the flock size. Just after sunset, an intensive inspection of the grassland—their roost site— is carried out and within hour they settle down for roosting. Early morning, around sunrise, they leave the roost and head towards their respective foraging grounds,” said Solanki.

Courtesy:- Times Of India, Ahmadabad, Gujarat, India.

Taking up the cause of the endangered Great Indian Bustard

Taking up the cause of the endangered great Indian Bustard,
Indian Environment Minister, Jairam Ramesh has written to Gujarat Chief Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, requesting him to conserve one of the last remaining habitats of the golden birds – The Adbassa Grasslands in Kutch, Gujarat - India.

Hon. Minister has expressed concern at the dwindling population of the birds and sought steps to prevent diversions of revenue land for agriculture purposes in the grassland in Naliya area in Kutch.

Promising all the possible help in this direction, he has urged Chief Minister - Mr.Modi to personally intervene to save the habit ant of the golden birds whose number has reduced to 500 in the world.

“I am writing to request you to immediately intervene and prevent the diversion of revenue gauchar land to agriculture and to ensure that the district officials support the Naliya conservation initiatives”.

“If we do not intervene the possibility of the birds going extinct in Gujarat is very real and high,” the Union Minister said in the letter to Mr. Modi.

Though covering an area of only about 20sq. km, Adbassa Grassland is considered very important for bird conservation as three species of bustard are found there. The endangered Great Indian Bustard is a resident, the endangered Lesser Florican breeds here during Monsoon and the near- threatened Macqueen’s Bustard is a winter visitor.

Minister Mr.Ramesh also drew the attention of Chief Minister Mr.Modi to the fact that the bird was once proposed to be adopted as the India’s national bird and hence “its conservation is equally important as that of Lions and tigers”.

Listed in Schedule-1 of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, the bird is classified as “endangered” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red List 2002.
IUCN has warned that the Great Indian Bustard could become extinct within a decade. Listed in appendix- 1 of the Contention on international trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flore, international trade and killing of the bird is prohibited.

COURTESY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT - The Times of India, Ahmedabad - Monday, June, 28, 2010

Published by:- Adler Tours & Safaris, Rajkot, Gujarat, India - Ph. Nos. 0091 281 2465237 / 2483878 Mobile - 0091 94262 28778

GLOBAL BIRD WATCHER'S CONFERENCE 2010 25-27th Nov. - Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary, Jamnagar District, Gujarat, India.

Located at the watershed of River Ruparel and Kalindri at the North East coastal region of Jamnagar district in the Gulf of Kutch, is a very special and unique ecosystem.

In Khijadiya, the migratory birds of the Eurasian Continent find both freshwater and marine habitat for nesting and resting. The unique ecosystem is partly man made and partly Nature's bounty. Reclamation bunds were built during the British era to prevent saline ingression in the soil and as a result two separate lakes were formed by water that drains from the Rivers Ruparel and Kalindri. These lake provide freshwater ecosystem during winter when the Birds Migrate to this area and the Kutch sea coast with its mangroves and marshy coast provides yet another ideal destination for migratory birds.

The Sanctuary is spread over both the lakes and the sea coast and is in two parts. One part is known as Dhunvav and the other is called Jambuda, named after the villages near which they are located. The Marshes and the Creeks on the Marine side supports Mangroves and other marine vegetation while the Sanctuary on the land's side has the native variety of Babul, Prosopis and other shrubs that support a large fauna other than the avian variety.

Location
Location Map




Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary is only 15 kms from the city of Jamnagar, which is home to the world's largest grass root refinery. From the Jamnagar Railway station, it is at a distance of 18 kms. By road it is 4 kms from the Khijadiya Patiya on the Rajkot - Dwaraka State highway no.25.


Eco- Tourism
With increasing awareness being spread about ecological preservation among the generation next from schools and media, there is a surge in interest about knowing and conserving Nature and its resources. Gujarat wishes the people to know about the Bird Sanctuaries in the state beyond Nalsarovar.

Harriers throng Blackbuck National Park,Velavadar, Bhavnagar district, Gujarat.

HARRIERS THRONG BLACKBUCK SANCTUARY

Good rains in the areas have strengthened food chain for winged guests.

Rajkot:-

Wildlife lovers and bird watchers here have a reason to smile. At a time when everybody is celebrating ‘World Wildlife Week’, Harriers, in large numbers, have arrived at Blackbuck National Park (BNP), Velavadar in Bhavnagar district. Experts said more of Harriers are still coming to the park from Siberia.

Forest officials said BNP is the largest roosting site for Harriers in the world. Harriers, the slender, bare-legged, long-winged and long toiled hawks with an owl like facial ruff, are considered farmers’ friends as they are “birds of prey”. R.L. Meena, Chief Conservator of Forests (Junagadh Wildlife Circle), said Harriers have been sighted in good numbers at BNP and surrounding areas. “We expect more of them this year as the area has received very good rains this year and the food chain for Harriers is very good. Harriers are vital indicators of the health of eco system, as their pray base is insects which depend on crops.”

Of the l6 Harrier species in the world, four types —Montagu Harriers, Pallid Harriers, Eurasian Marsh Harriers and Hen Harriers — visit the park in Velavadar in winters every year.

“About 500 Harriers of all four species have arrived at BNP. The Harriers are the only diurnal ‘raptor group or birds of prey’ nesting and roosting on the ground. The roost sites here are critical resources for Harriers’ survival as they spend considerable time over there. These sites are usually grasslands where they get concealment and, thus, protection from both predators and cold weather,” Meena said.

“We are creating awareness among the farmers around the BNP and have asked them not to use pesticide in the crop fields as it will affect the food chain of Harriers. The grassland at BNP is maintained very well and it provides them good roosting site,” Meena told TOT.

“We will conduct Harrier population estimation probably in last week of October to get an idea about their presence. Forest department carries out the population estimations every year to understand the bird’s changing habitat, behavior, and migration patterns among others for a better conservation,” said J.S. Solanki, Assistant Conservator of Forests, BNP.

Officials said that only 979 Harriers had re ported in 2009, the number being the lowest in a decade. Their poor presence was attributed to scanty rains that the area received last year.

This year, however, Bhavnagar district received 116 per cent rainfall. The Harriers are showing their approval of the climate by turning up in large numbers. The park officials expect their number will go unto 2,000 this year.

Scavenger, good for Eco System

“Harriers are also known to scavenge in Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur (Rajasthan). Eurasian Marsh Harriers have been observed scavenging on the remains of water fowls such as Coots, Common Teal and Indian Moorhen, Fish and large mammals like Spotted Deer.” This is mentioned in field guide ‘Enhancing our Heritage (E0H): Managing and Monitoring for Success in World Natural Heritage Sites” produced as part of UNESCO-IUCN project to spread awareness about conservation of the bird.

Courtesy:-Times Of India, Ahmadabad-Wed., Oct.06 2010