Tharu Huts: A new attraction at Katerniaghat

This is a good news for the visitors to Katerniaghat. All the six rest houses in the area have been renovated and are full of all basic amenities. Besides these rest houses now Katerniaghat campus has two well equipped 'Tharu Huts'. These huts were constructed to promote the 'eco-tourism wildlife education and awareness' in the area. It was designed by us only. We kept the hut on a height for better look and to keep dampness away. My range officer MK Shukla did a lot to bring it in this shape.

The name Tharu hut came from the local Tharu tribes which resides in and around the sanctuary. Earlier Tharu huts were constructed in Dudhwa National Park for the visitors to stay over. .

It is really remarkable that from April onwards the Tharu Huts are frequently used by visitors 'who know well what the katerniaghat is'...It is an attraction for all who love to spent time in the serene and green surroundings. So..what are you waiting for...

Photo-Tharu Huts at Katerniaghat-Ramesh Pandey

Cheetals are like potatoes...

Potatoes – we eat a lot but never discuss about them. They invariably form a part of our daily food ,but alas are never given a thought - we take them for granted...says Amit Misra, my friend who is a qualified CA and wildlife enthusiast...I think it is ture to a great extent.

Amit Misra Writes:
A very similar plight is that of the Chital or the Spotted Deer. Any person visiting the forest has his first experience of a wild animal in the form of a Chital which is seen the most , in herds, jumping , running and grazing in the grasslands or resting under the shade of the trees. But the eyes keep on looking for the big carnivores and these beautiful and delicate creatures are not given a second thought.

The Chital or Spotted Deer (Axis axis) is one of the most prominent deer species found in India. The are found almost in ever forest of the country but is at its best in the Himalayan foothills , in the jungles of the Terai and in Madhya Pradesh. Its coat is a bright rufus-fawn profusely spotted with white ,at all ages and in all seasons. Old bucks are more brownish in colour and darker. The stag (male) stands at 90 cms at the shoulder and weighs around 85 kgs. The graceful antlers have three tines , a long brow tine set nearly at right angles to he beam and two branch tines at the top. The usual size of a herd is of 10 to 30 animals which may contain two to three stags , but assembly of several hundred have also been seen. They feed till late in the morning and again in the afternoon. These chital have developed a very special relationship with the Rhesus monkeys and Langoors, which on one hand, sitting high in the trees provide the deer with food by dropping leaves and fruits and on the other are the first ones to give an alarm call for the Tiger or Leopard and alert the chitals. Chitals are the primary prey base for the carnivores.

Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) has an abundance of chital. In the Katerniaghat Range one can see large herds in the early morning or late afternoon on the Bundha Road. The left of this road are the open grassland where the herds graze with the adult alert at the slightest movement and the young playing around and the right side has water holes which quenches their thirst. There is a constant movement from one side of the bundha to the other.

Katerniaghat has a very special group of chitals , they to the best of my knowledge are the only pairs of Albino Chitals in the wild. Sighting of two male and two female Albino Chital have been reported from the Katerniaghat Range of this forest. These Albino are a one of the Jewels of the Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary.

Really Albino cheetals are one of the attraction of Katerniaghat. My friend wildlife photographer and Orinthologist Suresh Charudhary ji has taken many fascinating photographs of wildlife of the Katerniaghat. The Albino cheetal in a herd is one of the interesting photographs which I display here in this post.

Photo-Albino Cheetal in a herd of normal cheetals..By: Suresh Chaudhary.

Rampurwa FRH invites you once again

This forest rest house is more than 125 years old. It was in abandoned condition for more than 20 years. When I joined this place, I met Mr. Ravi Singh CEO, WWF-India in Dudhwa on 4th of March, 2005 and he informed me regarding this rest house. He told me about its picturesque location and his childhood memories attached with it. That time this rest house was being used by SSB coy for keeping their valuable items. The rest house is located near Rampurwa, which is 'Tharu Village'. The Indo-Nepal border is also very near to this place.

This rest house is basically a monument...which has witnessed the independence of India to downfall of Nepalese Rajshahi. It has seen the old forestry operations to latest wildlife conservation efforts. It has also observed the changes in the cultural and social life of the Tharu tribes in last century.

This rest house is very strategically located particularly to protect the 'moving animals' through Khata corridor, between Katerniaghat and Bardia National Park. Thanks to Project Tiger for providing financial assistance to bring the rest house back in use. The best thing is that we have restored it in is natural shape and size. Now this rest house is an asset for the sanctuary. Recently we organised a field level co-ordination meeting there, for the villagers and forest officials of the Indian and Nepalese side to protect and conserve the moving tigers, rhinos and elephant across the border. Do come and visit this place....

Photo-Ramesh Pandey

Anti Conflict Weapons- some innovative ideas

Last year we lost a tiger in a road accident in Motipur range of Katerniaghat. Actually it is a buffer area but rich in tiger population. Assam road passes through it. The road has been improved now with smooth run way. The speed of the vehicle has increased which is a permanent threat to the wild animals which cross the roads mainly during dawn and dusk.

To avoid further such accident we put more than a dozen sinages after certain intervals informing drivers regarding the speed limits, wildlife zone, reserve forests etc. We created many speed breakers also do minimise the speed limit of the passing vehicles. We record movement details also on barrier and educate people to drive slow while passing this area. Then I realise that during night time it is not possible for us to guard the passage round the clock. To alarm people and drivers we have put two cut outs of tigers of actual size along the road which is easily visible from a distance. It was an innovative approach. It worked very well. I have noticed that during nights many a times drivers stop the vehicle after seeing the cut outs.

Similar effective and innovative 'weapons' have been informed by Amit Misra regarding tackling such situations:

Amit Misra suggests: Since both man and animal would be moving inside and around the forests , in my view the easiest way to avoid a conflict is to alert the animal before hand so that it may not be taken by surprise and at may avoid the same path after hearing some “different” noise. Some of my suggestions are as under –
People should wear Bright Coloured Cloths – this might be seen by the animal before hand and it might avoid a conflict.
Empty Plastic disposable bottle could be used to make a crackling sound which can be a very effective tool to create sound.
To avoid sitting down as this might outline the human to be looked as a monkey and induce an attack on him.
People especially those who are cutting grass or working in field should have one person standing and guarding and should also at regular intervals blow a whistle or use the plastic bottle.
People moving on cycles could fit thin metal strips on the tyre rim which would constantly make a rattling sound.
Cycles could be fitted with blow horns which are used at at regular interval.
Usually a fence of some kind drawn around domestic animals. An addition could be the hanging of two or more old tin containers next to each other or glass bottles which would bang against each other when disturbed and create some noise or use of bells (Ghungroo) .
In Sundarbans people wear masks on the reverse of their head while at work. This creates an illusion for the animal and might avoid an attack.
This list is the start for new and more innovative and practical ideas to be thought off. In my view noise can be used as an effective tool to alert and animal and avoid a conflict. I would request every person reading this blog to think of some idea and put them forward , so that a whole arsenal of “Anti Man-Animal Conflict” weapons could be developed and wildlife saved.

Hope it will be of use for the people who believes that such measures can mitigate man-animal conflict with such sincere and continuous efforts.

Photo- Ramesh Pandey

Herpeto-fauna of Dudhwa-Katernia: Awareness and Conservation needed

The Terai of Uttar Pradesh is very rich in biodiversity. We all know it well, but when we talk of wildlife the picture of tigers, elephants and rhinos naturally dominates our mind. There are many species which are equally important but do not get that much attention; reptiles are one of them.

Recently the efforts have been made to enlist the important reptiles found in Dudhwa-Katernia landscape. The first hand information is being mentioned here.

1. Crocodiles: Crocodiles are from Crocodylidae family, the most ancient group of reptiles in existence for millions of years. The land scape have two types of crocodiles-Marsh crocodile or Mugger and Gharial. Mugger or Marsh Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) is found in Suheli, Mohana rivers of Dudhwa and Girwa and Kaudiyal rivers of the Katerniaghat. The snout of the animal is oval or rounded in shape. Its body length reaches upto 4 mts and weighs up to 200 kg. The other important crocodilian is Gharial ( Gavialis gangeticus). It is endemic and mainly found in Girwa river in Katerniaghat. The species attain a length of up to 7 mts. The long and narrow snout in peculiar feature of the animal which ends in a 'ghara' at the tip of the males. This species have been listed in 'critically endangered' category recently by the IUCN in Red Data Book.

2. Turtles and Tortoises: The fresh water turtles and tortoises are another major type of the reptiles found in this region. They belongs to Order Chelonia. Turtles and tortoises are easily recognised from all other animals by their characteristic bony shell. The shell has two parts, the carapace above and plastron below, joined along the flanks between the fore and hind limbs. The sexes are generally not easily differentiated with but the male generally has a longer tail and concave plastron. The majority of the species occur in the large river system of the Indo-Gangetic plain, many are semi-terrestrial. All turtles and tortoises lay their eggs in soil or sand for incubation. The turtle fauna of India comprises 31 species. 15 species of them are found in UP and all fifteen are found in Dudhwa-Katernia tiger reserve. The list includes:

Indian Roof Turtle (Pungshura tectum), Indian Tent turtle (Pungshura tentoria circumdata), Indian Tent turtle (P. tentoria flaviventris), Brown roofed turtle (P. smithii), Spotted pond turtle (Geoclemys hamiltonii), Crowned River Turtle ( Hardella thurjii), Three striped Roofed turtle (Kachuga dhongoka), Painted Roofed turtle (Kachuga kachuga), Indian Eyed turtle (Morenia petersi), Indian black turtle (Melanochelys trijuga), Tricarinate Hill turtle (Melanochelys tricarinata), Indian Softshell turtle (Aspideretes gangeticus), Indian Peacock softshell turtle (A. hurum), Indian flapshell turtle (Lissemys punctata), Small headed softshell turtle (Chitra indica), Elongated tortoise ( indotestudo elongata).

3. Snakes: Snakes belong to Order Squamata of reptiles. Nearly 270 species of the snakes are found in India in which most of the snakes are harmless to the human life. Some of the important snakes found in Dudhwa-Katernia landscape are: Indian Python (Python molurus), Indian Rat Snake (Ptyas mucosa), Cobra (Naja naja), Russel's Viper (Daboia russelii), Himalayan Pit Viper (Gloydius himalayanus), Common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus), Banded Krait (B. faciatus), Fresh water snake (Enhyris enhydris), Checkered Keelback (Xenochrophis piscator), Blind Snake (Ramphotyphlops braminus), Red Sand Boa (Eryx johnii), Common vine snake (Ahaetulla nasuta), Common Kukri Snake (Oligodon arnensis), Russel's Kukri Snake (O. taeniolatus) and Common Cat Snake (Boiga trigonata).

In Katerniaghat one can easily sight Pythons near Gharial centre and abandoned railway station. Most of the visitors even go and see resting pythons. It has been observed that pythons are breeding naturally and young one are borne every year. The presence of Banded Krait in a new information in Dudhwa and Katerniaghat. At both places the Banded Krait have been seen. I was fortunate enough to sight this snake twice in Katerniaghat. Both the sighting was in winter nights when snakes were usually not seen .

I have noticed that number of turtles are also increasing in the Katerniaghat. It is perhaps due to strict control on poaching and fishing in most of the water bodies in and around protected areas. I could see and photograph 5 different species of turtles in the recent past. At present one can easily see young and new borne Indian Tent Turtles in river Girwa sitting on the fallen trees.

Recently Mr. Brian D. Horne, a post-doctoral fellow based at the San Diego Zoo, who is about to start research on the red-crowned roof turtle (Batagur kachuga) in the Chambal National Sanctuary in association with the Turtle Survival Alliance and Madras Crocodile Bank was in Katerniaghat few month back to assess the area for turtle conservation. Mr. Rom Whitaker and MCBT has already selected Katerniaghat to study and research on population dynamics of Gharials in river Girwa, for which Mr. Abhijit Das has already landed in Katerniaghat and Ms. Laurel Converse will join him some where in October. Mr. PP Singh DD Dudhwa and Mr. Suresh Chaudhari has compiled a very informative brochure on 'Reptiles of Dhudhwa Tiger Reserve' for the common man to know about herpeto-fauna of Dudhwa and Katerniaghat. At field level awareness and conservation has increased but that is only in and around protected areas. There is always serious threat to the turtles in water bodies out of the reserve forests and sanctuary to be poached and smuggled to West Bengal and Bangladesh.

Photo-Branded Krait-Ramesh Pandey

Sirkeer Malkoha spotted in K'ghat

Sirkeer Malkoha - A larger bird of around 42cm. Primarily earthy brown and rufus in colour, and the long heavy tail is edged with prominently white tipped graduated cross-rayed tail feathers , with a close resemblance to that of a Coucal (Crow Pheasant) . Bill is hooked, bright cherry-red and yellow. Sexes are similar, but juveniles are duller and barred above.
Habitat: Largely terrestrial, open scrub and thorn jungle, deciduous secondary jungle. Singly or in pairs. Behaviour: Stalks about amongst thickets like Crow-Pheasant, searching for food; insects, lizards, fallen fruits and berries, etc. . Feeble flier, but ascends trees rapidly, hopping from branch to branch with great agility, like the Coucal. Call: Sharp loud "kek-kek-kek-kerek-kerek-kerek.

This bird was spotted by Amit Misra, Sameer , Shekher and Manaswi on 6th of May 2008 at 6.00 AM when they were on 'Bandha raod' in Katerniaghat Range in the Sanctuary. Amit informed us about this news and has sent photograph which is posted with this news. Amit says when they sighted the bird it looked like Coucal, which was basking the sun on a tree. He took the photograph and identified the bird with the help of the book. Its a great spotting. His contribution is well acknowledged here. Thank you Amit for your input to the blog.

Photo-Sirkeer Malkoha by Amit Misra

Katerniaghat Sanctuary - An Introduction by a wildlifer

Katerniaghat as I say is like 'Benaras' which is really difficult to understand in a short span of time. It takes time to see the area. It requires persistence to understand the mesmerising mosaic of forest vegetationa and natural forms. Though its a human dominated landscape even then you can find all major faunal species of the country. My friend Amit is keen wildlifer and nature lover. He has a very strong inclination and concern for the protection and conservation of wildlife. His is passionate in birding. It was basically his idea to introduce Katerniaghat in an elaborated manner on the blog..

Amit Misra introduces Katerniaghat:
Located near the Indo-Nepal Border of India in the Bahraich district of Uttar Pardesh is a fragile eco-system spread over an area of around 440 square kilometers with sal and teak forests , lush grasslands and wetlands along with the everflowing Girwa River and is a jungle known as the Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary was founded in 1975 and is an integral part of the Terai Eco-System along with Dudhwa National Park and Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary.

The forest in the sanctuary is more in length than width and the mesmerizing effect of the forest can be felt all along the 40 kilometer road which passes through the Motipur , Kakraha , Murthia and Nishangarah Ranges to finally end at the Katerniaghat Range where one can meet the Girwa River.

Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary is unique in the sense that it offers one to see some of the most endangered species at one place. These include the Tiger , Ghariyal , Gangatic Dolphin and the critically endangered vulture population. This combination is hard to see in any other forest. Apart from this the forest has a host of flora and fona.

The forest at places is dominated by the Sal Tree (Shorea robusta) and to a lesser extent by Asna (Terminalia alata), Haldu (Adina cardifolia), Kusum ( Schleichea oleosa) and Rohini (Mallotus phillipensis ) trees and at other the domination is of the Teak (Tectona grandis) with others tree like Rohini, Chamraudhi (Ehretia laevis) and Jamun (Syzygium cumini). The grassland consists of specifics like Saccharum munja, Shaccharum spontaneum, and Antidon spp. and it has sporadic plantations of trees like Khair (Acacia catechu), Semal (Bombax cieba) and Shisham (Dalbergia sisso). Peepal (Ficus religiosa) and Bargad (Ficus bengalensis) trees can also be seen in the forest.

Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctury is the home to a large number of mammals. These include the Tiger , Elephant , Indian Rhino , Leopard , Chital , Wildboars, Civets, Mongoose, Wild Cat, Otters and the Sanctuary is again unique for a pair of albino Chital and a black leopard which has been sighted in the Nishangarah Range.

The Sanctuary is a bird watchers paradise. Having a perennial rich source of water of the Girwa river and the small and large ponds (Tals) the sanctuary plays host to a very wide variety of birds which includes migratory birds which can be seen in abundance in the Tals and the irrigation canals which flow out of the Sanctuary. The migratory birds include the Red Creasted Pochards , Tuftted Duck , Greater Creasted Grebe, Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Pintail , Northern Shoveler, Bar Headed Goose, Common Pochards and Ferruginous Pochards. The forest is filled by the songs of the oriole and bulbuls alog with the shama and shows within itself birds like the Greenbilled Malkoha , Sirkeer Malkoha, Yellow footed Green pigeons , Orange Breasted Green Pigeon , Bee Eaters , Red Jungle Fowl and the beautiful Oriental Pird Hornbill along with the Indian Grey Hornbill. Raptors like the Created Serpent Eagle , Fishing Eagle , Vulture , Sikkra Honey Buzzard and Osprey can also be seen. The night sky is dominated by the Indian Nightjar and owls like the Asian Barred Owlet and Spotted Owlet. On the river once can see the Lesser Whistling Teel in large number and small pranticoles on the sand bars.

The river is dominated by the Gharials and Muggar (Crocodile) which can be seen basking on the sand bars. The sanctuary is an important breeding area of the Ghariyal which builds its nests on these sand bars. Turtle of various kinds can also be seen basking in the sun and the sudden splash in the water alerts one of the presence of the Gangatic Dolphin which playfully jump in the waters.

Photo- A view of river Girwa and riverine forests by Ramesh Pandey

Leopard tranquillized and rescued

Even 24 hours had not passed after the incidence of killing of man-eater leopard by the villagers in North Kheri division adjoining to the K’ghat, another leopard somehow came out of the jungle of Balsinghpur and entered in adjoining Nausar gumtiya village early morning on 9th May. It is not clear what actually happened but in a conflict 3 persons got injured in leopard attack. The villagers tried to corner and chase the animal but it entered in an open hutment. We all rushed to the spot and surrounded the area to save the animal. We put net (khabar) all along the open hut to avoid any further incident. Villagers were very furious and were demanding either to capture or kill the animal at once. It was a very difficult situation to tackle with. After some time local MLA Mr. Waris Ali and PCCF wildlife Suman sir also reached the spot. It was really a tough time. People were threatening to kill the animal and to set a fire.
I had never faced such situation earlier. My tranquillizing gun was in Kheri 70 km away and the iron cage was in Badkhadia (Katerniaghat range) 60 km far from the place of incident. I deployed teams to bring these two indispensable instruments as soon as possible. Mean while we planned to drive in the animal to the forests that was not more that 200 mts away.
The people were restless. Many a time the questions of the electronic media persons to the villagers fueled the situation and people started demanding the capture or killing of the animals immediately. In these situations local MLA was very helpful to us. He categorically said to the villagers that he would not go from the scene unless forest department captures the animal. He also requested villagers to assist us in the rescue operation and not to disturb unnecessarily. His words were very helpful to carry out the operation.
In the mean time the leopard entered in adjoining ‘kuccha’ room and was not visible from any angle. We surrounded the whole room with ‘khabar’ to avoid any further attack. Around 2.30 I got my tranquillizing gun and with due permission of Suman sir I loaded my gun with dart. The presence of Suman sir, on the spot, was a great source of encouragement for us. Not only he was guiding us but was very supportive in chalking out the right strategy. He immediately gave me permission to tranquillize the animal and encouraged me to carry out the operation.

Unfortunately I had only one dart to shoot the animal at that time. I reached to the spot and started locating the animal inside the 'kuccha' room. It was a risky work. I opened the walls of the 'kuccha' house at many places and put my head in to locate the animal in the dark room. From a sidewall finally I located the animal that was sitting between to wooden wardrobes. Only the head portion was visible that too at 25 ft away from me. I was not sure whether to shoot the animal or not to. I was judging the situation continuously. The cage had yet to arrive. People were restless. There expectations had gone up. I tried again to asses the exact position of the animal to shoot the dart but it was not fruitful at all. Suddenly I heard the sound of tractor and saw that the cage had arrived. I instructed MP Gautam range officer Motipur to put the cage at the mouth of the house care fully so that we could capture the animal if it escapes out. There was another thought that since the animal was too close hence to put the live bait inside the cage was also possible. Actually that was the thought for the situation when the tranquillization was not possible. I again reached to the sidewall and peeped inside the room and found that the animal is sitting at the same place and time-to-time it stares me with its read eyes when the torchlight is thrown. I decided to fire the dart from that place. The animal was 25 ft away from me and I fired the gun. After firing I saw that dart did not come out of the barrel. The fire sound was also less. Carefully I took my gun out and saw that the dart is hanging at the tip of the barrel. I understood that the pressure of the gas has gone down in the gun hence the fire got missed. I thought the luck had favored me enough and the dart had entangled at the tip of the barrel only. Had it been traveled a distance I would have lost my single dart without being used. I shivered and my heart was pounding. No body expect me was knowing what actually had happened. People thought I have missed the target. I immediately opened the gut and loaded the new pack of gas kit and did two blank fires to ascertain that the gun is properly powered and gas has entered in the chamber with full strength. I loaded the dart again with utmost care and decided to take aim. I again peeped inside the dark room. The animal was not visible this time. I threw the light inside but the could not see burning red eyes. I was desperate to locate the animal and to find right position to fire the dart. Suddenly the idea came in mind to locate the position of the animal from another sidewall. I told Gautam my range officer to put a cane ‘danda’ on the thatch wall and I started guiding him shouting him from the other side. I was almost hanging inside the dark room. The animal could have even charged. But there was no other option left. Gautam was putting the striking danda as per my direction and when the danda reached near to the animal it moved. I had got the exact location of the animal on other side of the wall. I reached to the other side and made a hope carefully. I found that animal was still sitting there and its body was very near to the wall. I cocked the gun and without thinking much and giving time to animal to shift from that place fired the gun through the hole. The gun fired with its full strength and dart entered in the body of the animal. The dart was visible from out side of the wall. I shook the dart to ascertain whether It has punctured the body or not. It was hanging with the barbed needle and blood has oozed out. I was sure that dart has hit the animal. Immediately the animal moved and left its position. It was again not visible from any of the holes, which I had made to locate. We shifted our position and made new holes in the front wall. Fortunately the animal was located and was lying on the heap of wheat grains. We put danda on it to know whether the drug is working or not. After 10 minutes I found that animal is loosing its control on its limb but still awakened. I had no option left except to capture the animal in this awakened situation only. Aftab Wali Khan, one of my retired and experienced range officer and myself made another hole near by and capture the animal from its tail. The animal tried to move away but it could not due to the effect of the drug. I took another risky decision and put my both hand inside the hole and quickly holding one of the hind limb of the animal pulled it out. Now the situation was better we were holding the tail and one hind limb of the animal. The animal again tried to drive away its body but we firmly kept holding the leg and tail. Again I put my hand inside the hole and pulled out the second leg of the animal. The back portion of the animal was now under our control. Animal was continuously trying to get released from out capture. Quickly we tied both the legs of the animal with rope and put iron cage near by. We passed the rope through cage, increased the size of the hole and pulled the animal through in a single stroke. The animal was inside the cage and in no second the door of the cage was down. The animal was awakened and sub conscious. I gave him antidote and poured water on its body. Every body was happy to see the animal in safe custody. Villagers and media persons surrounded the cage to see the animal. It was a full-grown female. Suman sir and MLA Mr. Waris Ali ji congratulate us for this rescue operation, which ended successfully. We brought the animal to Motipur range. It was normal and moving inside the cage. It was then sent to Lucknow zoo for observation and further treatment. We took sigh of relief. I was satisfied enough to save the life of the precious wildlife and of course of the villagers also. We could prove out commitment and efforts also in wildlife conservation. The incident also proved that if the public support is there then the situation could always be tackled in a better way. I am indebted to my DM and SP also who gave me full support to carry out the rescue operation successfully. My SDO Sri PK Sinha and Range Officer Katerniaghat MK Shukla needs special mention who tackled the mob from beginning to end.

Forests full of fruits

The summer is on its peak. Mostly we call it as Fire Season in forestry language. The forests floor is full of litter which acts as highly inflammable fuel in present situation. A small spark can destroy the forest in seconds. Mostly this season is very warm and humid hence rarely people think to visit forests in summers, but most of them do not know that is the time when they can see the most of the important plant species particularly trees in their fruiting stage. And again this is the breeding time of the birds.
In last few visits I have observed that most of the tree species on which the Terai can boasts off is under fruiting stage. A tree with fruits gives a different look. It helps many a time to identify and understand a tree in a more elaborated manner. The important tree species under fruiting are Sal (Shorea robusta), Sheesham (Dalbergia sissoo), Teak (Tectona grandis), Toon (Cedrela toona), Asidha (Lagerstroemia parviflora), Jheengan (Lannea coromondalica), Haldu (Adina cardifolia), Phaldu (Mitragyna parviflora), Bel (Aegel marmelos), Gutel ( Trewia nudiflora), Khair (Acacia catechu), Siras (Albezzia procera), Gular (Ficus racemosa), Kathanjeer (Ficus rumpii), Peepal (Ficus religiosa), Bargad (Ficus bengalensis), Tendu (Dyosperos melanoxylon), Jamun (Syzigium cumuni), Udal (Sterculia vilosa), Mahua (Madhuca indica), Palash( Butea monosperma) etc.
Similarly many important herbs, shrubs and climbers are also bearing fruits like Aila ( Acacia pinnata), Kathneem (Murraya koenigii), Bhant (Clerodendron viscosum), Dhudhi bel (Ichnocarpus frutescence), Bent (Calamus tenuis), Ratti (Abrus precatorius), Madar (Calotropis procera) etc.
Katerniaghat forests is mostly dominated by Sal species which comes under Moist Bhabhar Sal. In Miscellaneous forests Terminalia alata forests, Cane brakes, Barringtonia Swamp Forests, Low Alluvial Savannah Woodland, Northern Mixed Dry deciduous forests, Aegel forests, Khair-Sissoo forests are prominent.
This time the most attractive fruits are of Udal (Sterculia vilosa). The fruits are basically pods which fruits in a bunch. After ripening its colour changes from green to deep red like Semal flower. This tree is common in all Terai forests. Other attractive fruiting is in Jheengan (Lannea coromondalica), in which no leaves are visible and fruits in bunch hang like an ornament. Khair tree gives an abandoned look of a burnt tree, full of pods and dried leaves.
The Terai forests are full of fruits and at the same time birds are ready to produce new off springs. The Mother Nature has already arranged the food for all, well in advance.

Photo-Udal fruits, K'ghat range.

Guns and Gaurds: Deployment of Tiger Protection Force in Katerniaghat

Katerniaghat wildlife sanctuary is one of the most sensitive protected areas of the state. The most important reason is presence of porous Indo-Nepal border all along the northern boundary of the sanctuary. It is very interesting that in Nepalese side there is no forest left. Actually they have cut there forests few decades back. It was always very difficult for the forest staff to tackle the biotic pressure mounted from Nepalese side in the past. Illicit felling and poaching use to be a great problem in these areas. Deployment of SSB on border has certainly reduced the pressure but still there was a need of man power support to the forest department to face such problems more professionally.
Recently the Government of India, National Tiger Conservation Authority decided to deploy Tiger Protection Force in all Tiger Reserve of the country. In the initial phase it had been decided that Ex-Army men and local villagers will be deployed for this purpose. In Katerniaghat we deployed the Tiger Protection Force from Feb 08 onward and the results are very encouraging.
We have got extra man power which is 24 hours available for patrolling and other preventive works. The guns, guards, vehicle and local youth have given an edge to the protection strategy in the division. Recently in an encounter with Nepalese poachers we could arrest 4 offenders with a muzzle loaded gun. The Forest Guard and the Tiger Protection Force was on patrolling in bordering area and got information from 'mukhbir' that people are planning to poach ungulates and will enter in the forest area. The 'gadabandi' was done and in an encounter the poachers were apprehended read handed.
Before this incident, when we were facing Leopard menace problem in Sujauli area, the force gave extra ordinary support to our efforts to mitigate the problem. I strongly feel that 'Guns and Guards matter a lot' when we have to protect our dwindling wildlife against all odds. The deployment of force is very helpful for the field staff...as the feed back I am getting from my range officers. Thanks for those who cares for our invaluable wildlife wealth.

But the question is who is to be blamed ?

Man-Animal Conflict is one of the most alarming issues in the field of wildlife conservation. In last few months we have faced many problems in the state. There are many views on this issue. Mr. Amit Misra is a professional C.A. but I know him as a keen wildlifer and bird watcher. He and his friends...rather good friends... Sameer Pandey, Manasvi Jain and Shekhar simply love forests and wildlife and always show very keen interest in related isssues.

Amit Misra Writes: A man-animal conflict results in a lot of bitterness for the wild animals. But the question is who is to be blamed ? On one hand we have the animals who do not know the boundaries of civilized living and while roaming free thinking the world to be their homes and often pound upon a person who the perceive as a threat walking into their homes. So from their side they are not at fault. On the other hand we have the human population living in and around the forest area with “living and surviving” primary in their minds . They too need the basics of living and also want that “development” to take place around them so their point of view is also correct. Then who is to be blamed ???. Well the answer lies in the fact that human population irrespective of the geography has increased rapidly and so have the pressure exerted by the population on the natural resources. Often the human victim of a wild animal, has actually gone too close to the wild animal and thus resulted in inducing the animal into attacking them. Another reason for these attack can be decrease in the prey base of the carnivores (again due to human related factors like deforestation etc.) which makes animals venture near the human population. What worries me more is that with the present declining populations we have reasonalbe numbers of conflicts , then whether the recent campaign to protect the Tiger, which in turn may result in a larger population of carnivores in general be supported by our present jungles or would it result in more conflicts. We have to set priorities as to whether we need to protect these carnivores and the jungle or the human population. Both cannot shake hands and move along as one is a wild animal and another a selfish species. People living the forest areas have to understand the basic safety requirements they are required to meet and also that they live in a dangerous area and so might result in some casualties (similar to a person living in say the border area with Pakistan and who understands the dangers of shelling from the other side) and also to be respected is the fact that animals do not have a voice to defend themselves for their actions.
As Posted by Amit Misra on April 26, 2008 12:08 AM

Gharials Breeding: Nesting completed in river Girwa

The Gharials (Gavialis gangeticus) is recently placed in 'critically endangered' category. In present scenario not more than 150 beeding Gharials are left in the wilderness. The reasons are fishing, netting, mining, agriculture on the banks of rivers, loss of breeding habitat etc. Recently 'toxin insult' in river Chambal has made the situation worse.

River Girwa in Katerniaghat Sanctuary is one of the 'last resorts' of Gharials in India. In recent past though the population has gone up, particularly the number of males have increased from 4-5 to 10-11. But the situation was not like this in the recent past. When I joined this place the natural breeding of Gharial was definitely in stress. The anthropogenic predation was the main threat. The Nepalese tribals used to steal the eggs to eat. The biotic pressure and grazing on sand bars of river Girwa was very high. The sand bar were frequently trampled by cattle of nearby villagers. The Gharials were not breeding properly that time and there was no observation or record to understand what is actually going on. In the year 2005 we started protecting nests of Gharial and we could locate only 4 nests of Gharials on a single sand bar. And that was the beginning of the work 'Operation Croc' in the river Girwa. Romulus Whitaker and B C Chaudhary were always helpful and gave valuable advise time to time. We started observing Gharials particularly their population dynamics.

In the year 2006, the number of nests reached to 18, which was undoubtedly very encouraging result. But at the same time we observed that the nesting has been done again on a single sand bar, which is relatively elevated in shape and has less threat from flood. That sand bar was badly eroded in the flood season. In the year 2007, before the 'trial nesting' started, we took the risk to manipulate the sand bar to 're-construct' to its original shape. We used the sand of Girwa to recreate the natural environ for the Gharials. It was a successful experiment. the Gharials accepted the sandbar for the nesting and laid eggs in 24 nest pits...The number had gone up. In the last July more than thousand hatchlings could come out from them. The mortality during hatching was not a problem, but the survival rate remain very poor due to fast flowing water during high flood season.

This year i.e. 2008 we again manipulated the same sand bar for the natural breeding of the Gharials. Which has shown positive result. Nearly 27 nests have been located so far. The sand bar is over crowded and high stratification and layering in the nesting process has been observed. Competition amongst the female gharials have been noted. Recently Romulus Whitaker was in K'ghat and after a long discussion with him we have decided to manipulate the near by sand bar in next breeding season. It will require removal of vegetation and creation of gentle slope so that Gharial may occupy 'that sandbar' for the nesting purpose. It is really encouraging to observe the result that number of nest has gone from '5 to 25' in last 3 years. We have collected data related to natural breeding of Gharials of K'ghat so that it can be used in documentation purposes. My team members particularly MK Shukla, Range Officer, Ram Rup and Somayi boatmen have really done a good job.

(Photo: A Gharial hatchling of last year)

Man killed in a Tiger attack

Yesterday a young man was killed in a tiger attack in Bagulahiya farm area of Nishangada range in Katerniaghat sanctuary. Four people had gone to collect thatch grass in Central State Seed Form area at early in morning. They entered in swampy wet grassland area near Lathauwa Nala, which is one of the most congenial place for the tiger to take rest. The deceased whose name was Imran, aged 20, accidentally reached near the tiger who was taking rest in a 'bojhi' near by. The tiger just slapped the man on his head and caught his neck in his mouth and the life of the young man was no more. The rest three people who had come with Imaran ran away when they heard the help call of the deceased and a deep throated growl coming form the bojhi. Tiger did not dragged or carry away the body from the place of incident. The body was intact, not eaten at all. The dead body was recovered when the range officer rushed to the spot with local police.

This is the sixth incident in the last three years when a human life has gone in a tiger attack. It is notworthy to mention that in four incidents, the body parts were eaten by the tigers or tigress. In all last five cases, I made it a point that no 'man killing' has to be converted in to a 'man eating' case and I did not leave any stone unturned..., I am happy to share that we succeeded in all last five cases. No second incident was carried out by the tigers in all last five man killing cases. I am happy that we could not only saved the life of poor people but also proved that 'accidental killings' are not 'man eating' cases. The 'human killing' cases are not 'man eating' as it is very indiscriminately understood.

I have noticed that such incidents do occur in human dominated landscapes, where people are very poor, where they knowingly enter in the mouth of wild animals for their day to day needs, where the tigers are breeding and cubs are carelessly playing with the mother tigress and where the 'transient males' are in search of new territories...

Such incidents are important if we consider the wildlife conservation in a positive way but many a times it is a great problem to face in a democratic society when people say 'go back with your tiger' or 'keep your tiger inside your forests'... Still we need more awareness, more trainings, more eco-development works..more support from all quarters..

Croc Tales: Film on Gharials of Katerniaghat

In Katerniaghart, the crue members of the Icon films (Bristol, UK) is busy in shooting the Gharial's life for last few days. Noted herpetologist Romulus Whitaker is the expert commentator in the film, who will nerrate the life cycle of Gharials. This is the breeding time of Gharials and the nesting process has already been accelerated in river Girwa. Gharial has now been declared as 'Critically Endangered' by IUCN very recently . It is twenty time more endangered that tiger. There are not more than 150 breeding population of Gharial is left in the wilderness. The latest 'Toxin insult' phenomenon in Chambal has made the situation more pathetic. Katerniaghat is one of the places where Gharial population has shown a significant increase. The number of male Gharials have increased from 4 to 10. The number of nests have also gone up four times in last three years. It is due to serious efforts done by our motivated team in conservation of Gharial at Katerniaghat. Hope this movie will make people more aware to conserve our one of the oldest life form on planet earth.

Four cubs with tigress sighted in Dudhwa

I was in Dudhwa last week. I went there to attend a mock presentation which had to be given by 'Thumber Art' in connection with establishment of Interpretation Centre at Dudhwa. At evening we went to banke taal area in South Sonaripur range to sight a tigress who has given birth to four cubs few months back. Fortunately we could locate them. The four cubs were playing in grassland. The tigress was in side the tall grasses and did not come out. But the cute four cubs played amongst them for more than 30 minutes. It was a very interesting sighting. I had never seen four cubs together in wilderness ever before. Earlier I had seen two tiger cubs in Katerniaghat. This was amazing and a life time experience. I was fortunate enough to photograph them even in poor dusky light.

Photo-Four tiger cubs-Ramesh Pandey

Ray of hope: Vultures breeding going on

For last three years we are observing and recording that vultures are breeding in Katerniaghat. Recently I found that around 50 vultures mainly Long billed and White back are sitting on one of the sand bars of river Girwa in Katerniaghat range. Most of them had opened their wing as they are basking the sun. Some of them were sitting together at ground level. Same day I noticed that in grasslands vultures are sitting on a Semal tree in the same range. That tree had two nests. This year around 20 vultures have made their nest in and around Katerniaghat. Mostly they nest and roost on Haldu and Semal trees. In last three years first time I observed that they are 'sitting' on sand bars for a few days. Earlier I had contacted with Dr Rahmani regarding the nesting of the vultures then he had told me to notice the 'drooping neck' syndrome in them, which I did not find. They were agile and more active since last few sightings. I sighted vultures in Motipur range also on the same place and at the same tree where I had seen them last year. My friend Sanjay Kumar sighted around 50 vultures in Kishanpur sanctuary last week.

WWF-Nepal officials visit Katerniaghat

Katerniaghat is strategically located in between Bardia National Park and Dudhwa National Park. It is directly connected with Khata corridor with Bardia. It is therefore movement of Rhino, Elephant and Tiger species is being facilitated. The porous Indo-Nepal border is a great threat for illegal trafficking of wildlife parts. To discuss all these issues Dr. Bivash Pandav (WWF-International), Anil Manander and Santosh Nepal (WWF-Nepal) visited Katerniaghat recently. Dr. Johnsingh also joined them at Nishangara rest house. He came from Banglore. It was really a fruitful get together to study and analyse the trans-boundary issues at field level.