Gujarat slips on wetlands recognition Pakistan gets honored on environmental front

Pakistan has scored over Gujarat on the environment front. Even though Pakistan has just 10% compared to Kutch’s about 12,000 sq kilometers area that attracts migratory birds, the neighboring country already has an international recognition for the same. Pakistan part of the desert had got the tag of Ramsar site, way back in 2002. Gujarat, on the other hand, is yet to send a recommendation for the 90% of the Rann. An official in the forest department said the Kutch area easily qualifies for Ramsar recognition. He said that the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) is an intergovernmental treaty that embodies the commitments of its member countries to maintain the ecological character of their wetlands of international importance and to plan sustainable use. However, the state forest department has not even recommended Kutch to be notified as Ramsar site. The official said that Ramsar tag would ensure international recognition to the area, Also the site gets a commitment from the government to preserve the ecological balance. In addition, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and groups of citizens at all levels of the communities, including at international stage, also undertake actions aimed at raising public awareness of wetland values and benefits in general, and the Ramsar Convention in particular. While attaching Ramsar recognition to Runn of Notch in Pakistan in the year 2002, it was announced that this area was integral with .the large Rann of Kutch across the frontier with India. The Runn of Kutch in Pakistan has locally and globally threatened species; including the Great Indian Bustard, Hauberk Bustard, Sarus Crane, and Hyena and also population of greater and lesser flamingos- The site does not have more than one lakh birds visiting the area. On the contrary, over 10 lakh migratory birds flock the Indian parts of the Rann like Khadir and flamingo city, This sanctuary, which is the largest in the state, encompasses a true saline desert where thousands of Flamingoes nest and breed in the world-famous ‘Flamingo City.’ Pelicans, black-necked storks, cormorant, Indian cormorant, Brahmini Duck, Pintail, Spotbill, Shoveller, Pochard, Sandpiper, Gulls, Terns, Tints and plovers also throng the area. An ornithologist Bharat Jethwa says, “This is an extremely important area as it also a breeding site. The site if it gets Ramsar recognition, it would be protected by international laws and global attention would be drawn on every measure taken for the conservation.” He said that the officials should immediately take it up and recommend this site for a Ramsar label. Additional principal’s chief conservator of forest H S Singh said, “Gujarat always has maintained that there should be less penetration to outsiders.” “If a site gets Ramsar recognition there would much foreign interference in terms of researchers and hence Gujarat, and for the matter Centre too, was not keen on Ramsar recognition’ Singh added. He stated that countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh eye such tags because they get international funds for conservation, which is not the case with the Indian sites. Courtesy:- Times Of India.

Former MP joins drive to save flamingos

Former BJP Member of Parliament from Kutch Pushpadan Gadhvi has come forward to save the winged visitors from Siberia from the jaws of death. Over 400 flamingos had died after colliding with high tension cables in the Khadir region in Kutch. Gadhvi is a trustee of a trust working to create awareness on saving birds, animals and even Gauchar land. Gadhvi who visited Khadir region said, “We need to take care of our winged visitors from dying in such large numbers.” The birds had died after they collided with the high tension transmission cables of Gujarat Energy Transmission Company (GETCO). GETCO had begun taking corrective measures after The Times of India reported on the death of scores of these birds along a recently electrified cable line. Gadhvi said after the completion of the Kutch Rann Utsav, which begins on December 9, he will invite expert bird watchers from the area and even the experts from the Bombay Natural History Society to deliberate on the issue of the death of birds after collision with high tension cables. “If the experts give an opinion that laying the cables underground was the best option, I would take the BJP party office bearers into confidence and talk to the minister of state for energy Saurabh Patel on laying cables underground.” He said the forest department team has taken some measures like having cellophane papers and reflectors installed along the high tension wires, which is proving to be effective. Also the department has installed light along the poles. He said that an awareness campaign will be organized to ensure that the birds were not poached or killed. Officials in the forest department said, “With the water receding, the birds are moving away from cables.” Courtesy:- Times Of India.

Fencing trap Kills Leopard in Rajula Taluka, Amreli, Gujarat, India

A farmer in Hadmatiya village of Rajula taluka in Amreli was arrested on charges of poaching on Wednesday after a leopard died in his field after being trapped in the fencing surrounding the field. Ramesh Coli was booked under Sections of Wildlife Protection of Act (1972) and sent to judicial custody. According to forest officials, a male leopard was trapped in a device placed on the boundary of the farms’ fencing erected to keep wild animals away from the crops. Officials said that a person who has taken the land on lease for cultivation from the farm owner had laid the fencing around the farms and also placed trap devices with clutch wires to trap the animals that destroy crops. The leopard tried to jump from that place and was clutched to death. Forest officials registered a complaint of poaching against the accused and on Wednesday sent to jail for the crime. “The device which was used by accused is one kind of trap in which the animal once stuck can’t escape and dies”, a senior Forest Officer said. Wildlife activists have expressed concern over the accidental death of wild animal’s as well electric fencing and other type of devices used by farmers to protect their crops. Recently, Right to Information (RTI) Act application filed by a Porbandar-based RTI activist Bhanu Odedara revealed that during the last five years, 171 wild animals died due to various kinds of accidents in Junagadh wildlife division area. Odedra obtained the details about natural deaths, accidental deaths and poaching of Asiatic lions, leopards, hyena, blackbucks and blue bulls. The RTI revealed that 14 wild animals were poached and 449 did natural deaths. Of the total 171 accidental deaths, 53 are leopard’s and3aions. Rests of the animals are blue bulls, blackbucks and hyena. Courtesy:- Times Of India.

Large flocks make Kutch birdwatchers’ delight

The Khadir area in Kutch this season has seen a large number of migratory avifauna owing to good rains this season. “Usually, there are 30,000 to 40,000 birds gathering at Khadir, but this time because of the good rams in the region, there was water and hence the migratory birds have come in large numbers. Availability of food and protective environment has also added to the increase,” said the officer. Chief Conservator of Forest D.K. Sharma said, “Lakhs of birds have arrived in Greater Rann of Kutch wetland this year Ornithologists and amateur bird watchers are excited about the flamingoes and many other rare birds in Khadir. More than two lakh flamingoes, 10,000 pelicans, 7,000 gulls, 5,000 black winged stilt, and reef herons, painted and white storks as well as Casper and river terns - all were spotted in Khadir area,” he said. Sharma said “We feel the number of birds that have arrived in Kutch this year would break all records of past years.” He said that the forest department is taking all safety measures and keeping a regular vigil by tracking the movements of the birds. Courtesy:- Times of India.

Night flying deadly for Flamingos

Winged visitors crash into cables as they fly migration routes in dark

For some winged visitors a journey of over 2,000 km from Siberia comes to a deadly end just when they swoop in to land in the shallow waters of Kutch. Electric wires char their feathers and even result in death. This phenomenon has been documented in a study ‘Flamingo mortality due to collision with high tension electric wires in Gujarat by Anika Tere, now with MS University and B M Parasarya of Agriculture University Anand. The study published in the last week of November2011, revealed that the flamingoes who are known to fly at night and in low light collide with the near invisible overhead wires because of the negligible reaction time to make evasive maneuvers. The study also concluded that freshly dead flamingos were found in the morning hours suggesting that these overhead wires are not visible at night and in the dark hours of late evenings or early morning. The study also points out that along the international border, the presence of the electrified barbed wire fence and the electricity lines powering the fence as well as villages on the frontiers make formidable obstructions to the birds. The study takes note of a soldier’s narration of how flamingos get trapped in the electric fence on the international border. The study further reveals that compared to the large population of flamingos and other factors causing mortality the mortality caused by collision with high tension wires is low. The incidences of collision with utility structures in these parts of Gujarat have remained unnoticed. Flamingos visiting the Rann of Kutch during their breeding season are exposed to such wires only for a short period of the year however, at other feeding sites such as salt pans and the sewage ponds of urban areas like Bhavnagar and Jamnagar they continuously face the risk of collision as they spend more time there. Courtesy:- Times Of India.

Thailand ‘open for business’ claims new campaign | News | Breaking Travel News

Thailand ‘open for business’ claims new campaign | News | Breaking Travel News

Insulate killer cables or bury them, says government

400 FLAMINGO DEATHS Insulate high tension cables or put them underground when they run close to the breeding grounds of the migratory Greater Flamingos in the Khadir region of Kutch. The state forest and environment department issued this order to the Gujarat Energy Transmission Company (Getco) on Thursday after Times of India (TOl) reported that 400 flamingos had been killed here in the past 10 days because they came in contact with the cables. Principal Secretary for forests and environment S.K.Nanda told TOl, “Getco will have to complete the work before September next year when a new batch of flamingos arrives.” He has also asked sensor forest officers to identify other such sites where the birds maybe in danger. “We will ensure the cables are laid underground at all sites used by the flamingos.” The officials have already identified an eight km stretch in Khadir where the maximum birds have been killed. TOl had reported on Thursday that the maximum number of birds may have been killed at night. They may have been startled by a passing vehicle or by the attack of a predatory bird and, in panic, flown straight into the high tension cables. On Thursday, Gujarat Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (wildlife) S K Goyal held a series of meetings with Getco officials to find ways to immediately reduce the ‘bird-hits’. Surinder Kumag Negi, Getco’s managing director said, “We are sending a team of experts to the area to find a solution.” Till the cables are put underground, Getco will cover them with reflector tape which will shine at night and hopefully keep the birds at bay. Only in June this year, a large number of Flamingoes were killed in similar fashion in Bhavnagar and had become easy fodder for stray dogs. Courtesy:- Times Of India

Harriers’ arrival at (Black-Buck National Park) BNP, Velavadar, Gujarat, India sets off Diwali sparkle

The Birds Have Started Coming Early This Season

Harriers, a rare and endangered species, have started arriving in large numbers at Black- Buck National Park (BNP), Velavadar, from Siberia. This news is sure to add an extra sparkle to Diwali celebrations by bird watchers, who are preparing to set out to watch the wildlife this winter season. Forest department officials said compared to previous years, Harriers arrived early this season at BNP Velavadar in Bhavnagar, their largest communal roosting site in the world.
“Harriers started arriving at the park from September 15. They generally arrive by September end. The numbers of birds are also significantly high,” said a forest official, estimating it at around 1,500. Of the 16 Harrier species, at least four - Montagu, Pallid, Eurasian Marsh and Hen - arrive at BNP every year.
“Harriers have arrived in good numbers. November will be the peak period,” Assistant Conservator of Forests, BNP, Velavadar, J S Solanki said.
The forest department would conduct a population estimation exercise of Harriers at BNP by November end. It expects arrival of around 2500 Harriers in the park.
Harriers, the slender, long barelegged, long-winged and long-toiled hawks with an owl-like facial ruff, are farmers’ friends, experts say. Their diet includes large insects, especially locust, fish, snakes, lizards, skinks, birds (both of land and water) and small mammals (rodents).
Harriers are vital indicators of the health of the ecosystem. Harriers adapt to a lifestyle in open landscapes having habitats like wetlands, grasslands, crop fields, salt marshes and dry barren lands. Harriers often roost communally at night, both on passage and in winter quarters,” another forest official said. The Harriers are the only diurnal ‘raptor group or birds of prey’ that nest and roost on the ground.
“Harriers generally start congregating at the site about half-an- hour or so prior to sunset. They spend time pre-roosting in open ground close to their roost she, 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 grasslands – their roost site – is carried out and within half an hour they settle down to roost. Early morning, around sunrise, they leave the roost and head towards their respective foraging grounds,” Solanki said.

Courtesy:- Times Of India.

Gir Lion Sanctuary roars with tourists, other Sanctuaries await visitors

3 National Parks, 22 Sanctuaries Neglected

Gir Forest National Park saw a record number of tourists’ roaring in after Famous Bollywood Actor Amitabh Bachhan exhorted people to visit the only abode of the Asiatic lion. However, a section of the Gujarat State Forest Department is not willing to join the euphoria triggered by Big B’s advertisement blitzkrieg.
The reason: They feel that the state’s three other national parks and 22 sanctuaries are still yearning for visitors. These include Marine National Park, home to breathtaking Corals, Kutch’s Wild Ass Sanctuary and Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary near Ahmadabad.
With Asiatic Lions grabbing the major chunk of attention, officials feel that other deserved wildlife abodes have been got a raw deal, in terms of budget and publicity. “Gujarat not only has Lions, but Leopards, Black Bucks, Wild Ass, Sloth Bears among others. However, when it comes to planning projects, the major focus is always the lions,” a top forest official told Times of India.
Marine National Park came into some limelight recently when an International Bird Watchers meet was held there. Officials note with dejection that Sanctuaries and National Parks other than Gir don’t get any importance while promoting tourism, leave alone budgetary allocation.
“The budgetary provision for lion conservation is itself so paltry, leave alone that for Sloth Bear, Black Buck arid Wild Ass,” they said. In the 2011-12 budgets, the state allocated Rs 12 crore for vigil and protection of the lions. Apart from that there was no provision for any other sanctuaries. An allocation of Rs. 60 lakh was for protection of wildlife in sanctuaries and national parks in scientific manner.

Courtesy:- Times of India, Ahmadabad, Gujarat, India

Tarnetar Fair, Gujarat, India

Courtesy:- Times of India.

Population of rare birds- Indian Bustards, set to rise

There is some hope for the Great India Bustard, which is believed to be on the verge of extinction. The bird population, which was around 48, is likely to cross 50 mark and record an increase of around 15-20%.


In 1998, only 29 bustards were found in Gujarat and after that there was no sighting. Finally, nearly after eight years, the bird was again sighted in 2005-06 in Abdasa, Gujarat, India. It was then that a study was taken up by the Gujarat Ecological Education Research, and the findings were heartening. The bird population was spread across Abdasa Taluka. The study reveals that a total of 35 Indian Bustards were counted in the winter population survey. The umber in the post-monsoon period hit 48, of which 21 were females.

Forest officials said an internal survey by department afforded some encouragement. The official’s said that they spotted chicks, which was a sign of healthy breeding in the area. The majestic bird is locally known as Ghorad. The population is likely to be around 55.

Officials said that the sanctuary is just 202 hectares in size, which was not enough. They said hat during the internal survey, more birds were spotted outside in open areas rather than in the sanctuary. The shy bird, resembling the ostrich, is a good flier but prefers to walk in open spaces. The bird even roosts and breeds tin the open.

The official’s census will be conducted in Abdasa and Naila Taluka where the birds have been spotted. “The census will be taken up in the last week of September or first week of October,” said the conservator of Forest D.K. Sharma.

Courtesy:- Times of India.

Snake Festival in Bishnupur (Kolkata), West Bengal, India

Lesser Floricans arrive at Velvadar Park for breeding

Forest department to conduct a census of the rare birds

Lesser Floricans, one of the 50 rarest birds in the world, arrived at the Blackbuck National Park (BNP), Velavadar 40 kms away from Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India. The large birds, which belong to the bustard family, fly from Peninsular India to this national park for breeding during the monsoon. As of now, there are about lesser Florincans at the park, but the exact number will be known after a census this weekend.

“It’s a rare sight to watch the spectacular courtship of this bird, in which the male can jump over a meter high to impress the female and attract her, sometimes up to 500 times a day,” assistant Conservator of Forests, BNP, J.S. Solanki said. The males leap suddenly from the grass with a peculiar croaking or knocking call, flutter their wings and fall back with slightly open wings. At the apogee of the leap, the neck is arched backwards and the legs as if in a sitting posture.

The Lesser Floricans is regarded as endangered because its population is declining, primarily as a result of poaching and loss and degradation of dry grassland. The grassland in Velavadar park provides an ideal and safe place for breeding to this bird. These birds start laying eggs in August to September period. After breeding, these omnivorous birds move into peninsular India.

The male in breeding plumage has the head, neck and lower parts black. The throat is however white. About three long ribbon like feathers, about 4 inches long, arise from behind the ear-coverts on each side of the head and extend backwards curving up and ending in a speculate tip. The neck and scapulars are mottled in white with V-shaped marks. The wing coverts are white. After the breeding season, the male tends to have some white in the wing. The female is slightly larger than the male. The females and males in non breeding plumage are buff with black steaks with darker markings on the head and neck. The back is mottled and barred in black. The neck and upper breast are buff with the streaks decreasing towards the belly. The breeding areas of the Lesser Floricans are today restricted mainly to Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, some areas in southern Nepal and parts of Andre Pradesh.

Courtesy:- Times of India.

Coalition Work

Politicians insist running a coalition government can be a tough task. But in gir, the Lion kings have been running their version of ‘coalition government’ for a long time. Gir – the last adobe of Asiatic lions – thrives on numerous prides thriving on tie-ups. In the kamleshwar Dam site area, two lions have established their supremacy over a huge pride and an even bigger territory. “Usually one lion rules the group and other just play a supporting role, but here the two lions rule a group of 28 members including females, sub adults and adults,” said the officer.

Sandeep Kumar, deputy conservator of forest head quarter says,” This coalition is only to safeguard their territory against outside attack”. The bonding between these tow lions is so strong that they mate with the same lioness without ant element of jealousy.

“When one lion is mating, the other is constantly on the move, guarding the territory and after four or five days, the second lion takes over and the first guards the territory. We are studying the unique mating behavior,” Kumar said.

Gir forest officials say that apart from this group, there are several prides in gir Sanctuary that have two rulers. Additional principal conservator of forest, H.S. Singh, says in Africa too one can find in-stances where two lions have ruled a pride. There have been instances where there are three to five males in the group. But in all these cases, one of the lions is always supreme and the others play supporting roles.

“These lions pair up to save their own territory against invasion of nomadic lions or other sub-adult lions. They team up whenever there is an attack and provide protection to the pride. Usually, after capturing the territory, the strong one would become the king of the area, while the other would be supporting him”, said G.A. Patel, former principal chief conservator of forests. He said that the lion population in Gir was increasing because of the conservation efforts and this practice of grouping.

Courtesy:- The Times Of India.

Balasinor park, Ahemdabad, Gujarat, Inda to get Rs. 60 million

A sum of Rs. 60 million has been sanctioned by the Gujarat state government to upgrade the Balasinor Dinosaur Fossil Park in Raioli.

The #GujaratstateHealthandTourism minister Jay Narayan Vyas, in reply to a question of Balasinor MLA, Mansinh Chauhan, said that the Balasinor #DinosaurFossilPark situated at Raioli, about 86 km from #Ahmedabad is the third biggest site in the world. Vyas said that the government’s grant was to upgrade infrastructure facilities there. Vyas said apart from setting up information and interpretation centers, parking and cafeteria facilities are also being provided.

The dinosaur #fossils were first discovered in 1981 by the Geological Survey of India (GSI). A year later approximately 1,000 dinosaur eggs were discovered making it one of the biggest hatcheries in the world.

The park is also home to one of the largest clutch of dinosaur hatcheries in the world.

Vyas said it is widely believed that this place used to be a part of the Shiva crater that was formed millions of years ago by a meteor Scientists even believe that this place was destroyed by a #meteorite and subsequently by volcanoes. The Balasinor Dinosaur Park has been home to seven different types of #dinosaurs — Megalosaurus, Iquanodon, Titanosaurus, Triceratops, Tyrannosaurus and Brontosaurus.

Vyas said that the dinosaur fossils found here are divided into two orders based on their hip structure. They are Saurischia and Ornithiscia. Vyas said that the park would also be given due importance by the tourism department. Government officials said the first dinosaur fossil was in the form of a limb-bone in ‘Intrappean-Laneta’ sediments. Raioli discovered by the paleontologists of Geological Survey of India (GSL) Officials said in 1997 Gujarat government invited a group of 50 paleontologists to explore the fossil site. Ever since a large number of paleontologists have flown in from different parts of the world to study the diverse variety of dinosaur fossils found here.

Courtesy:- Sunday Times Of India, March, 2011.

No hotels within 2 km of Gir Lion Sanctuary, Gujarat, India

Hoteliers eyeing business opportunities around Gir Sanctuary, Gujarat, India may not have many options left. The State Forest Department has banned such activities within the two- km radius of the sanctuary.

The department recently issued a notification restricting setting up any new hotel business in the two km periphery of the sanctuary. The decision is aimed at giving Asiatic Lions free access to the Sasan Gir Sanctuary and to project their natural corridor.

Forest officials said, however, those Hotels and Farmhouses which are already in the business would continue to do so. He said after the tourism department’s advertisement featuring Gujarat brand Ambassador Amithbh Bachan, there was a mad rush of the tourists to the sanctuary. Sensing opportunities, businessmen started buying land in the area. This forced the state forest department to come out with the regulation.

S.K. Nanda, Principal Secretary, Forest and Environment Department said the restriction on the Hotel Industry was only to give free excess to the Lions.

He said that the movement of the Lions was getting restricted because of the developments happening around the Sanctuary. Nanda said the Department has also asked existing hotel owners to have their flood lights placed in such a way that it would not affect the movement of Lions.

Coutesy :- The Times Of India.

Vulture Colony in Zampodar Village, Gujarat, India – VANISHES!!!!

An entire #Vulture colony at Zampodar village in Rajula Taluka of Amreli district, #Gujarat, #India which had been a roosting and nesting site for nearly 31 #WhiteRompedVultures, has gone missing for past two months.

“We had early spotted 31 Vultures, mostly White Romped Vultures, at Zampodar village in Rajula Taluka. It was a traditional Vulture colony. But, not a single vulture is found here since the past two months. It is unusual and shocking. We fear that it may have just vanished,” said #RuchiDave, Vulture #Conservationist and honorary #wildlife warden, Bhavnagar District.

“During the last survey, more than 81 vultures were spotted in the Mahuva-Nageshri range. Now, we need to find out the cause behind the disappearance (of the colony)” said Dave. Vultures are endangered species and falls under the schedule one category of Wildlife (protection) Act, 1972. “The forest department should appoint a monitoring committee to look into the matter and prepare scientific status report about the missing Vulture colony,” she added.

Dave said the Mahuva-Nagashri and Rajula ranges on #Saurashtra coast are a few of the last sites for vultures in the state where they roost and nest on coconut trees.

Wildlife activists fear that further negligence could lead to the complete disappearance to these birds. In fact, there is no regular monitoring mechanism for vultures by the forest department. “There are no measures in place to rescue and treat ill vultures and monitor vanishing ones. In 2006, 31 vultures were found dead. The same thing can happen again. Before things get worst, we need to act fast,” Dave said.

Dave has been actively involved in vulture conservation and is a member of #BirdConservationSociety Gujarat (BCSG) which runs a feeding site for vultures at Asharana village.

However, the forest department is not aware of the entire episode. When contacted, J.K. Makwana, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Amreli district, said, “We have come to know about it from local volunteers and we have asked the local forest department to look into the matter”.

Sources said there are three major Panjrapols – (Animal Shelters) in the area Rajula Chhaparivaku and Nalga where vultures can be given animal carcasses feed. “But, vultures do not land there for various reasons… So there is a need to develop a few more feeding sites,” said Dave.

“Mostly, local voluntary groups are monitoring the vultures’ activity with the help of the forest department. We have also asked local volunteers to submit a project plan to carry out the conservation work,” said Bharat Pathak, Director, GEER Foundation, which monitors vanishing Vulture species.

Apart from missing the vulture colony, sources confirmed that six vultures have had died since January 2011. They include three White Romped Vultures in Mahuva-Rajula range and three #Long-Billed Vultures in Girnar. “As of now, we do not know the exact reasons for the death of these vultures but we have sent two samples for analysis at #PinjoreVultureBreedingCenter. We would be able to know the exact reason once the report arrives.” said Dave.

Courtesy :- Times Of India.

India Goverment okays Eco-Sensitive zones around 4 Sanctuaries in Gujarat

Gujarat’s #wildlife just got a new lease of life. The central government on Thursday declared the setting up of #eco-sensitive zones in a five km radius around four important sanctuaries- #Gir, Purna in the Dangs, Vasda National Park in Navsari and Narayan Sarovar in Kutch.

The Supreme Court had directed the state government to identify eco-sensitive zones around wildlife reserves. The Center’s stamp of approval came in Thursday.

The new guidelines on eco-sensitive zones ban construction. Mining, other industrial activities and other tourism activities in these areas. Felling of trees, change of agricultural systems, commercial use of natural water resources, setting up of #hotels and #resorts, flying over in an aircraft or hot air balloon, discharge of effluents and solid waste in natural water bodies will be regulated.

Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh said the minstery is also considering #Balaram-Ambaji in #Banaskantha, #MarineNationalPark, #Jamnagar and #Shoolpaneshwar sanctuaries for similar zones.

Ramesh in a letter to chief minister Narendra Modi, said he hoped to finalize them in the next four weeks, Balaram – Ambaji sanctuary is know for #slothbears while Shoolpaneshwar has #four-hornedAntelope and #BarkingDeerPopulation.

Monitoring of the zones will be done by a committee headed by the district collector. Other members will include a representative from the Union ministry of environment and forests, regional officer of the Gujarat Pollution Control Board, the local town planner and the deputy conservator of forests.

The notification issued for Gir Sanctuary says 8318 hectares have been declared eco-sensitive in Junagadh and Bhesan talukas of Junagadh District.

In #NarayanSarovar, 22588 hectares of Abdasa, Lakhpat, Nakhatrana talukas in Kutch are now eco-sensitive zone of Purna sanctuary will cover Ahwa and #Songadh while that of #VansdaSanctuary will cover parts of #Ahwa, #Vansda and #Vyara.

Courtesy:- Times Of India, May 13th, 2011, Friday.

17 species of se recorded at Marine Park

As many as 17 species of sea slugs were reported and recorded for the first time in India during a recent study by a team of scientists led by Dr Deepak Apte from the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) at five different locations in the Marine National Park, Jamnagar.

A total of 45 species of sea slugs — soft-bodied marine creature — were recorded. Of these, 35 were being recorded for the first time in Gujarat. “The new findings have added to the richness of marine biodiversity in this park. A total of 45 species belonging to 35 genera and 18 families of opisthobranchias were encountered during the survey conducted during 2009-10,” said R D Kamboj, Chief Conservator of Forests, Marine National Park.

The highest species richness was found at Poshitra; with 24 species whereas Narara recorded 14, Dwarka and Okha recorded nine and 10 respectively and the goose reef recorded six species of opisthobranchs.

These soft-bodied mollusks belong to the order opisthobranch of phylum mollusk of the animal kingdom. These are highly evolved gastropods having a single gill behind the heart and one pair each of oral tentacle and rhinophores. The members of this order include sea slugs, sacoglossans, sea hares and nudibranchs. They maybe herbivores, carnivores or omnivorous.

According to Dr. Apte, many more species can be recorded if a consortium of scientists works on the project. “It is important to record these species because often we don’t even know what we have lost,” he said.

Scientists say that these mollusks are highly sensitive to slltation due to dredging of ocean floors to construct jetties, ports and ship traffic in the marine ecosystem. Small confined populations like that of sakuraeolis gujaratica, an endemic species to Poshitra region, Gulf of Kutch, can even face extinction due to loss of Habitat.

“This is only a rapid assessment. Once the full surveys are done, species count is likely to increase manifold. Poshitra bay is also home to several rare species such as facelina lineata, lomanotus vermiformis and cuthona yamasui. Another species sakuracolis gujaratica is endemic to Gulf of Kutch and found only in Poshitra, There are only two known existing sites for this species at Okha and Poshitra,” Kamboj said.

During the study, scientists found that in view of the rich marine biodiversky of corals and molluscs in Poshitra bay, this area needs to be insulated against various degradation factors, particularly industrial and port development activities, which may spell doom for the last remaining good quality of corals and other rare marine fauna in Gulf of Kutch.

The Marine National Park in ,Jamnagar is spread over 161 sq km area and has major species like sponges, corals, jelly fish, sea horse, octopus, oyster, pearl oyster, starfish, lobster, dolphin, dugon and waterfowl among others.

Courtesy:- Times Of India, Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011.

Another Vulture Chick born at Sakkarbaug Zoo, Junagadh, Gujarat, India.

It Was Born On February 21; First Was Born On February 1 at Junagadh Zoo

The joy is palpable on the faces of forest officials at Sakkarbaug Zoo here in Junagadh as the second white backed vulture chick was born at the zoo in February. The first was born at the zoo’s Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centre on February 1 and second was born on February 21.

The Sakkarbaug Zoo is managed by state Forest Department. According to forest officials, the success of vulture breeding in captivity at the Zoo is a significant development for the conservation of the endangered species.

“This is the second chick born at the captive breeding centre. The efforts which we have spent got encouraging results. We are hopeful that the same would continue in the future as well. It makes good news for the species which faces extinction,” said V J Rana, Director, Sakkarbaug Zoo, Junagadh.

Rana said that Sakkarbaug is one of the five captive vulture breeding centers in the country. The vulture breeding aviary was started in the zoo in April 2009 at the zoo. The success in vulture breeding in captivity came after one and a half year.

“We have observed a very good progress of the first vulture chick which was born on February 1. Our officials are working round the clock and are keeping a watch on them. All the necessary facilities have been created at centre such as artificial nesting sites and trees. We maintained its food habits regularly,” Rana added.

Forest officials say that the Pinjore Vulture Breeding Centre in Haryana has succeeded in breeding vultures in captivity. “During this year’s vulture breeding season, four eggs were laid of which two hatched. We have been closely monitoring the chicks,” Rana said.

Forest officials say that there are total 43 vultures at the Zoo which includes white backed vulture, long billed vultures and Egyptian vultures. All vultures have been rescued from various parts of the state such as Ahmedabad, Rajula, Bajana, Surat, Gandhinagar Dhrangdhra, Vyara, Amreli, Morbi and Junagadh. “Most of these vultures were injured by kite strings during the kite festival,” said Rana.

Sakkarbaug zoo is known for its conservation programmes. Currently, the zoo is running conservation and breeding programmes for the Asiatic lion, vultures, Indian wolf, Indian wild ass, Asiatic cheetah and the four horned antelope with aid from the Central Zoo Authority of India.

Courtesy:- Times Of India, Thursday, Feb 4th, 2011.

Cowherds want to live close to Lions

The Cowherd community has written to Union forests and environment minister Jairam Ramesh requesting that they may not be moved out of the Gir sanctuary. They have said that the authorities should not consider them eriemines of big cats.

The community has sent a memorandum to Ramesh through anon- government organization, Setu, opposing the rehabilitation. Since 1972, the government has officially resettled 952 Cowherd families and many other inhabitants when the Gir national park was established. They say that these families have suffered badly as they were deprived of basic requirements like drinking and irrigation water, electricity school and transportation facilities. The memorandum said that they did not even get the benefit of government schemes such as Rojgar Yojana and other welfare schemes.

They claim that the land they got was of poor quality arid because of water shortage, cultivating that land was difficult. They also said that the eight acres of land which they got as the compensation put them in the category of big farmers and disqualified them from government schemes and thus made them poorer. A report by Gujarat government’s directorate of evaluation on the rehabilitation programme of Gir cowherd scheme said, “It has not been possible to achieve the objective of bringing the socio-economic uplift of the Gir cowherds. On the contrary the net income earned by the shifted families in 1986-87 is significantly less than the net income earned by families still inside, 10 years after rehabilitation.”

Cowherds have also urged the minister and environment experts to understand that the lion has been part of their lives and culture. “They have been living together since centuries, without which, the survival of both is difficult. The cowherds worship lions as one of their gods,” the letter said.

Courtesy:- The Times Of India, Thursday, 3rd February,2010.

The movie is part of a new plan which aims to reduce conflicts between villagers and lions that prey on their livestock. The department will also shift 800 other families residing at Jambutala village. These families were moved earlier from the forest and brought to the village to resettle. The government has worked out a compensation package which may be acceptable to them, said the forests official.

The state forest department has decided to shift more than 400 Cowherds families staying in Gir sanctuary limits.

The move is part of a new plan which aims to reduce conflicts between villagers and lions that prey on their livestock.

The department will also shift 800 other families residing at Jambutala village. These families were moved earlier from the forest and brought to the village to resettle.

The plans are part of the Rs 262 crore Brihad Gir (Greater Gir) project aimed at lions’ Conservation. It will include, apart from shifting Cowherds, developing new sanctuaries in the Sasan Bhavnagar stretch, where also the big cats are found these days. The rehabilitation of the Cowherds alone will cost Rs 179 crore.

The 2010 Lion Census revealed that lions have now found homes in Amreli, Junagadh and Bhavnagar districts. Forest officials said that according to the plan, each family relocated outside the sanctuary will get Rs 10 lakh as compensation.

Generations of Cowherds have been living inside the Gir forest and have consistently refuted State Government’s proposals to relocate them starting 1972. However, the government has worked out a compensation package which may be acceptable to them, said the forests officials.

The officials found that with the big cats moving out of the protected area, there
was a threat to the Cowherds lives. Also, an increase in livestock numbers had increased the pressure on the ecosystem within the sanctuary.

Gujarat’s principal secretary for forest and environment S.K. Nanda told Times of India (TOI) that the Centre and state government had cleared the proposal and the department is now waiting for the money.

‘They are small but can easily outrun a jeep’

While the focus is on the Kathiwarl and Marwari horses, another species which is fighting its own battle for survival is the Indian Wild Ass (also referred to as Khur). Its range once extended from Western India, through Sindh and Baluchistan,
Afghanistan and south eastern Iran. Today, its last refuge lies in the Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary, Little Rann of Kutch and its surrounding areas of the Greater Rann of Kutch in Gujarat. Wild Ass however, is also seen in the districts of Surendranagar, Banaskantha, Mehsana, and other Kutch districts. Saline desert, Grassland in Arid Zone and Shrub land are its preferred homeland. Wild Ass, like the lion of Gir is an endangered species and all efforts are being made to preserve it.

During 1958-1960, the Wild Ass was a victim of a disease known as surra, caused by Trypanosome evansi and transmitted by flies, which caused dramatic decline of its population in India. In November and December 196l, the Wild Ass population was reduced to just 870 after to the out break of South African Horse Sickness. Besides disease, the Ass’s other threats include habitat degradation due to salt activities and encroachment. Conservation efforts since 1969 have helped boost the animal’s population to 4000.

“They are well protected now and the state government is putting lot of efforts to preserve this rare species and the number has now increased to 4000 in the last count last year,” said Muzahid Malik of Rann Raiders, “They may look small but they can run faster than Kathiwadi and Marwari horses,” he added

It is one of the fastest of Indian animals with speeds clocked at about 70-80 km/ph and can easily outrun a jeep.

SOME CHARACTERISTICS

* Stallions live either solitarily or in small groups of two sand threes while family herds remain large.
* Wild asses graze between dawn and dusk. The animal feeds on grass, leaves and fruits of plant, crop and saline vegetation.
* Mating season is in rainy season. The mare gives birth to one foal, the male foal weans away by 1-2 years of age, while the female continues to stay with the family herd.


Courtesy:- Times Of India, Monday, January 3, 2011.

Forest department to conduct harrier count again

The state forest department is going to take fresh re-count of the harriers at Blackbuck National Park (BNP), at Velavadar in Bhavnagar district, in the second week of the January 2011.

Recently, forest department and volunteers had conducted population estimation
Of harriers at BNP and around 895 harriers were recorded. BNP is world’s largest communal roosting site of harriers, which are now among the endangered species.

According to J.S.Solanki, assistant conservator of forest, BNI earlier in September, forest officials had counted harriers and about 1,300 were spotted at BNP “We had hoped that due to the good monsoon, more harriers would come this year but, in the recent population estimation process, about 895 harriers were reported. It is possible that harriers may have stayed in other grassland in nearby areas and might come to BNP later so, in order to better understand this situation, we decided to conduct the again population estimation again,” said Solanki.

Unlike last few years, the prolonged monsoon and good rainfall in the region would have replenished food chain for the harriers around the BNP and other areas as well. The slender, long, bare-legged, long- winged and long- tailed hawks with an owl-like facial Ruff, Harriers are considered as farmers’ friends as they are predators. Their diet includes large insects and especially Locust, Fish, Reptiles especially Snakes, Lizards and Skinks, birds (both land and water) and small mammals (rodents).

“Of the l6 Harrier species in the world, four types of harriers migrate to BNP every year. These include Montagu Harriers, Pallid Harriers, Eurasian Marsh Harriers and Hen Harriers. All the four species have arrived,” said R L Meena, Chief Conservator of Forest, Junagadh circle (wildlife).

“There may be many factors behind the less number of harriers making it to BNP this season. We need to understand the situation with further studies,” Meena said.

Courtesy:- Times Of India.

Grey Necked Bunting and Indian Bush Lark; Kutch-Gujarat; India

Grey Necked Bunting and Indian Bush Lark; Kutch-Gujarat; India on 01-01-11


Equipments :- Canon EOS 350D with Tamron 200-400mm Lens

by Veer Vaibhav Mishra

Eurasian Thick Knee; Burhinus Oedicnemus; Kutch; Gujarat; India

Eurasian Thick Knee,Burhinus Oedicnemus, Kutch - Gujarat, India on
04-01-2011

Equipments :- Canon EOS 350D with Tamron 200-400mm Lens

by Veer Vaibhav Mishra

Common Quail; Coturnix Coturnix; Kutch-Gujarat; India

Common Quail, Coturnix coturnix, Kutch-Gujarat- 4th Jan.2011
Equipments :- Canon EOS 350D with Tamron 200-400mm Lens

by Veer Vaibhav Mishra

Common Crane family; Grus Grus; Kutch; Gujarat; India

Common Crane family (Grus grus), Kutch-Gujarat, Jan.2011
Equipments :- Canon EOS 350D with Tamron 200-400mm Lens

Veer Vaibhav Mishra

MacQueen's Bustard, Chlamydotis Macqueenii, Great Rann of Kutch, Gujarat, India
- 21 Jan.,2010

Equipments :- Canon EOS 350D with Tamron 200-400mm Lens

By Veer Vaibhav Mishra

Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus Ostralegus, Gulf of Kutch.-Mandavi-Gujarat, India

Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus Ostralegus, Gulf of Kutch - Mandavi-Gujarat-Dec.2010

Equipments :- Canon EOS 350D with Tamron 200-400mm Lens
Veer Vaibhav Mishra

Sykes's Nightjar or the Sindh Nightjar (Caprimulgus Mahrattensis) Kutch-Gujarat, India at 09-01-2011

Sykes's Nightjar or the Sindh Nightjar (Caprimulgus Mahrattensis) Kutch-Gujarat, India at 09-01-2011

Day roosting in Banni area
Equipments :- Canon EOS 350D with Tamron 200-400mm Lens

by Veer Vaibhav Mishra

Zitting Cisticola or Streaked Fantail Warbler (Cisticola juncidis)

Zitting Cisticola or Streaked Fantail Warbler (Cisticola juncidis),
Kutch-Gujarat, India on 10-12-2010

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Equipments :- Canon EOS 350D with Tamron 200-400mm Lens

by - Veer Vaibhav Mishra

Study of Marine Turtles to be carried out along Gujarat coastline, India

In a major step towards conservation of Marine Turtles on Gujarat coastline, a study will be carried out by Department of Marine Sciences, Bhavnagar University, Gujarat.

“The three-year project ‘Monitoring of Marine Turtles’ is being funded by Union Ministry of Earth Sciences. The process in this regard has been initiated by the department,” said Dr J.R. Gadhvi, reader and head of Department of Marine Sciences, Bhavnagar University.

“During the study period, our team will find out the habitat of the Marine Turtles and will continuously monitor them. The study area will cover 120 km of coastal areas, mainly Bhavnagar district coast and some parts of Amreli district coastline. The monitoring will help us know the Turtles’ behavior and nesting patterns, movement, and food chains besides the population estimation of the endangered species,” said Gadhvi.

He said that generally Olive Ridley and Green Turtles are found in our coastal areas. Both the species are endangered.

“Earlier, sporadic studies were carried out by some institutions on specified areas on the coastline. However, till now, we do not have exact figure of Marine Turtles on entire Gujarat coast area. We are hopeful to find out the habitats and population estimation in our notified study area.

The monitoring process will help us understand the threat aspect to these marine species and also about what steps should be taken to conserve Marine Turtles in future.

Also, the study will provide the idea of better conservation point of view in context of industrial development that are taking place across the coastline in Gujarat,” he said.
Moreover, State Forest Department has established breeding centers for Marine Turtles on coastal in order to conserve them.
Courtesy :- Times Of India, Saturday, 18th December, 2010.

Gujarat State Forest Dept., India trains Vets for better Wildlife Conservations

For effective wildlife management, conservation and rescue operation on the periphery area of Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks in Gujarat, India the State Forest Department in association with Department of Animal Husbandry has initiated a training program for Veterinary Doctors and Range Forest Officers.

According to Chief Conservator of Forests, Junagadh Circle (Wildlife) R.L. Meena, ‘the idea behind organizing such programmes is to make wildlife management and conservation more effective’. He adds: “At present, Veterinary Doctors and Range Forest Officers from Saurashtra and Kutch regions are being trained at Sakkarbaug Zoo in Junagadh. The Veterinary Doctors are primarily responsible for domestic animals, but many a time when they are posted near the Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks, they encounter a situation when they have to treat a wild animal and during emergency they can deal with the situation effectively,” Meena told Times of India (TOI).

According to Sakkarbaug Zoo in Junagadh, Director V.J. Rana, this is the third such training and workshop. “In the first phase, five training programme are being conducted for veterinary and Range Forest Officers. Experts from Forest Department will train them to deal with wild animals and the possible treatment should be given.” Forest officials say that such programmes will help better coordination between Range Forest Officers and Veterinary Doctors in their respective areas.

Courtesy :- Times Of India, 2nd January, 2011.