Sunday, August 7, 2011
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.
Friday, July 15, 2011
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.
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.
Friday, June 10, 2011
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.
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.
Saturday, June 4, 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.
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.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
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.
“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.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
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.
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.
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