Wildlife Blog ! By Rajni Shankar

Wednesday, 22 May 2013

A tiger kill nr.. BATIA NO4 in Corbett National Park with the tigress guarding its prey nearby with her cubs camouflaged in the high bush ......We got a close sight of the mother who constantly kept distracting us away from her cubs, but asha and albeli ( 2 female elephants) with no sense of fear , made it possible for us to get a close view of the 2 cubs ( barely 3 - 4 months ).... this is an evening shot . Next morning the kill is a mere left over - pieces of bones . After a rigourous search through the bushes , the tigress again appeared, snarling at us , probably demanding space between us , with the cubs meek whistling sounds, hidden in the elephant grass .(A photographer's dream sighting) Mahouts : waseem / babushah @ Bijrani FRH .

Wednesday, 3 April 2013

“ I PLEDGE ”

TO SAVE THE TIGER

In this new genre “I pledge to save the tiger and its environment” seems an illogical and a paradoxical slogan , not reaching out to the core of its root .i.e. the forests where the main problem still prevails.

Numerous pledges with sensitizing slogans to ‘SAVE THE BIG CAT’ by India’s high ranked dignitaries publicized via leading ad campaigns may create a sensation for the viewers at least till the moment while the show is on air . On the other hand ,this uproar is crucial for the critical endangered aspects of wildlife to come into limelight but unfortunately at its closure these appeals and pledges all seems to be a commercialized gimmick , where the ministry with failed promises and strong vocalization in reversal has failed these so called ‘Pledges’.

India holds strong Laws for protection of wildlife, but the implementation of the wildlife laws has lacked in conservation of India’s heritage. This non – implementation is the root cause of it all .

Why did Ranthambore National Park and Sariska loose its tigers ? Highly acclaimed veteran conservationists like Valmik Thappar , Belinda Wright, Fateh Singh Rathore , with their constant persistent approach to the wildlife authorities and the Government, to pay attention to the deep rooted problem in the forest , remunerated them with Bans and continues rejections . A battle well fought with much dedication resulted in sheer disappointment. It was the day until the news flashed out that without any further probing done by the wildlife authorities the battle was already lost “ A 'tiger country' once relished with its magnificence was left with no tigers. Have the concerned authorities learned from this previous disastrous lapse in the forest . Who knows Corbett National Park or any other forest in India could be the next ‘Sariska’ .

In most of the lesser known forests notified under National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries ,BABUS have an infinite suppression over the wildlife authority - smuggling of trees is done like an open envelope having no fear of detention. Poachers too have an upper hand over the wildlife staff who are posted deep in the jungles , their worn out rifles leaves them in a cheap stunt of life and death, putting their lives in grave danger.

Although the technique of counting tigers by pugmark tracing in the forest may have upgraded with Camera installations in the jungles , but no attention is paid to the up gradation of the forest staff who work with fewer necessities and dedicate their entire lifetime living in the forest.

Hence , with an up gradation of technical support which the wildlife department is in need of , it is also important to upgrade the people working for wildlife department .

It is high time the Wildlife Ministry takes an account of its innumerable donations that goes in the name of conservation of wildlife .

So , the next time when we pledge “SAVE THE TIGER” , lets first truly pledge to ourselves to change the mindsets and decimate corruption of which we are very much a part of . And therefore THE TIGER WILL CONTINUE TO ROAR .

Monday, 25 February 2013

Dudhwa Bird Count 2013 .

DUDHWA NATIONAL PARK

A BIRD'S PARADISE

SARUS CRANE

Dudhwa National Park & Katerniaghat Foundation

initiates Dudhwa's First Bird Count

A 2 day workshop was conducted in Dudhwa National Park from 16 - 17th February 2013. This is the first time Dudhwa N.P. and Katerniaghat Foundation has conducted a Bird Count in Dudhwa and Kishanpur wildlife sanctuary . Like minded participants from different walks of life travelled from different states to be a part of this grand initiative by the wildlife authorities. Participants from Bhutan , Uttrakhand , Uttar Pradesh , were all welcomed at Dudhwa FRH by Mr.Suresh Chaudhary ( ornithologist and a veteran wildlife photographer ) , Fazlur Rehman ( Coordinator - Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary ) and Sonu Liladhar ( Nature expert) .

Suresh Chaudhary & Nasser

All participants were given respective id's, an illustrative literature on birds , and a data list. Groups were allotted and respective lodging was organized for the participants in different areas of Dudhwa forest . Dudhwa National Park comprises of about 11 FRH ( Forest Rest Houses ) - 1) Dudhwa FRH 2) Bankatti 3) Sonaripur 4) Kila 5) Changalala 6) Belapursua 7) Salukhapur 8) Balrya 9) Masankham 10) Madha 11) Sathiana - because of a huge herd of elephants blocking the ‘Sathiana route’ , the FRH was opted out. The others were also placed at Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary.

The task was to collect data through observation and sightings in the forest. Each bird's characteristics were noted down , and was recorded in the data list . Through these records further evaluation and assessment will be carried out by the wildlife experts. This initiative is very crucial for the wildlife department as this analysis will help in distinguishing species of birds some of which are new arrivals in the forest i.e. the migratory birds and also species of birds which have almost been disappeared from the forest’s corridor.

Vultures have been on the verge of extinction, but since wildlife organizations and filmmakers conveyed the urgent need for its protection , gradually with time different species of Vultures have made a comeback and the battle in saving the endangered species of Vultures still continues .

Dudhwa National Park and Katerniaghat Foundation has taken a dynamic step in saving the endangered species of Vultures in the UP State and their quest is still going stronger . Volunteers from different countries and states gather in workshops and events conducted for the Vulture Count. Nesting of Vultures in different areas of the forest are continually being recorded and hence the rise of Vultures in Dudhwa National Park has shown tremendous results .

On a recent talk with Mr. Suresh Chaudhary at his Barasingha office, he discussed of the Long Billed Vulture , which is long extinct from the Dudhwa Forest , apparently it has been photographed , which is yet to be confirmed .

The first day of our Dudhwa bird count kicked off with heavy rainfall and as the rain gradually began to halt , the mistiness of the forest had set in . But the dedication of the much anticipated volunteers didn’t bog down to the unexpected weather condition. We walked through the rugged road of the forest accompanied by a forest guard, searching for any movement, listening to the sound which could be distinctive to a certain kind of bird or an animal.

Bagetall: view from the Machan

The team then drove towards Bagetall lake, here the Machan gives a perfect view of the wetland , countless number of birds gather here , this lake is the ideal destination for numerous species of birds to feed on fish , insects worms etc… This lake is ideal in summer for swamp deers , tigers , elephants and other species in the forest.

My group alone spotted 50 species of birds , the other groups also had shown remarkable results with 70 species going up till 200 . All the records will be assessed among the team and will be published in the Dudhwa Bird Count 2013 along with all names of the involved participants .

With the success of this event , Suresh Chaudhary with the help of the wildlife management will once again be organizing this Bird count event in Dudhwa National Park and Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary in April 2013 .

Such educative events should be encouraged to be organized more often to help not only veterans or wildlife experts to participate but also for newcomers who are interested in learning about Birds can also be a part of this extensive Birders Team . This event is not just a Bird count activity but also an initiative in conveying the urgent need for conserving the species and its habitat .

Local villagers and children living in the forest should also get involved in these activities, this will teach them the importance of the flora and fauna. This is a pursuit which will help them look through a new dimension and will further encourage them to get involved in conservation activities which will make a bigger impact in the coming years.

Dudhwa FRH also has a newly built interpretation centre, the hall displays pictures of wildlife, from conservation issues to complete knowledge and literature of animal behavior , their habit , animal features , their footprints were all interpreted in the hall way . The entrance of the hall will welcome you with a Rhino , a tigress with her 2 cubs , and also deers feeding on the grassland . It’s a beautiful display of what Dudhwa National Park has to offer .

The closure of the event was highlighted with a meeting where The Deputy Director Mr. Ganesh Bhat ( IFS) - addressed all the participants along with all the wildlife veterans present at the meeting . On congratulating the success of the event , suggestions about certain issues in the park were also taken up by the deputy director and was discussed in further enhancing the conservation strategies . Wildlife experts also shared their in depth knowledge and experiences in the forest .

Naseer an old fellow and an enthusiastic wildlifer by heart , he has experienced it all , from tiger attacks to even being attacked by elephants , his supreme bird knowledge is incomparable . Sonu Liladhar , a young and energetic nature expert has been in Dudhwa for years , he has dedicated his life in understating the wilder ness and his knowledge in wildlife is quick- witted .

I would personally like to thank Mr. Suresh Chaudhary , Anand Kumar , Fazlur Rehman , Sonu , Naseer for this grand initiative in Dudhwa National Park .