Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Katerniaghat Foundation and its conservation initiatives


Katerniaghat Foundation came in to existence almost two years back. The foundation had been working in the field of wildlife conservation in Dudhwa-Katerniaghat area. Recently I received the 'Inaugural Issue' of the news letter ' published by the Foundation. Its name is beautifully given as Kat's Eye.
The issue begins with comments of the prominent wildlife personalities who visited Katerniaghat in last few years. Few of them are Mr P. K. Sen, Mr Asad Rahmani, Mr Rom Whitaker, Mr Bivash Pandav and Mr Diwarkar Sharma. The Editorial written by Dhrub Basu unleash the role of NGO vis-a-vis environmental conservation issues.
The very first issue is full with variety of articles mainly contributed by Mr Chanramani Kant Singh, Mr S. Kumar, Neeraj Kumar and Dhrubjyoti Basu. The story of revival and restoration of Katerniaghat narrated by me has also got the place in the issue.
I hope that PDF version of the news letter will be circulated by the Foundation soon for the wider circulation of the text. I wish to see contribution from people other than forest officials or office bearers of the foundation in the very next issue.
The foundation is going to organising a workshop on Tiger Conservation issue on 8th of November and hopefully would be able to draw the attention towards the need of tiger conservation in the country.
The team of Katerniaghat Foundation particularly Mr Neeraj Srivastava and Mr Suresh Chaudhary deserve due acknowledgement for their all positive and sincere efforts.
I personally thanks Suresh ji for selecting my photograph for the cover page of the first issue of the news letter. We all liked this photograph because it was taken in complete darkness and every body know how elusive a tiger is in Terai.

Link: http://katerniaghatfoundation.googlepages.com/


Sunday, October 25, 2009

World of Birds

Bhagat Singh is a living legend, a guru for many of us. He has been visiting, camping and birding in most of our protected areas and hills of Uttarakhand for more than fifty years; with his camera and mobile camping gear customised in a Maruti van. For the last couple of years he had been silently living and enjoying nature’s bounty in a remote village of Garhwal hills. His last book on birds of Uttaranchal was published in the year 2007 and his next book on photographic life cycle of birds will be published next years. I am one of the fortunate one who keep getting his blessings and guidance both in professional and personal life. Recently I got one of his speech delivered in India International Centre, New Delhi two years back; when his photo-exhibition was organised. I took his permission to put it on this blog to share with all of us who have common feelings for birds and wildlife.
Bhagat Singh: (India International Centre, New Delhi):
The ‘World of Birds’ is the most beautiful and colourful gift of nature to mankind. Their exuberant vitality enchants us, their mysterious lives tantalize us, and their bewitching melodies uplift our hearts and minds. Their brilliant colours, innumerable forms, streamlined shapes, gorgeous flights and playful acts, full of fun and frolic, bestowed upon these magnificent denizens of the sky a place of honour and pride among the comity of living on our planet. Since time immemorial, birds have had a close relationship with human population. The whistling tunes of Thrush, sonnets of Bulbul, mournful lament of Hoopoe, hooting of Owl, out-cry of Red Jungle Fowl, Chattering of Myna, drum-beats of Barbet, ascending notes of Koel, emotional outburst of Chatak, distressed cry of Chakor, maddening call-notes of Papiya, melodies of Shyama, piercing scream of Peacock, ornamental dance of Saras, fluting tunes of Robin, lyrics of Madhuka (Lora), rhythmic walk of Hans (Swan), and a great variety of fun-filled and joyous acts of a large multitude of birds have aroused emotions and passions in human hearts and influenced human folklore and literature.
It is true that by bird watching we cannot earn our livelihood but if we cultivate the hobby of bird watching it would certainly prolong our life; for it would stimulate our heart and mind to step-in into all pervading serene wilderness, where we can breathe fresh air; seek peace and tranquillity; break the dull and drab monotony of the present day city life; where we can relax our nerves in the natural setting, free from tension and pollution; and soothe our depressed feelings in an environment, that throbs with the fragrance of wild flowers; with the melodious songs of a great variety of birds; with the playful acts of a large number of animals; with the exhilarating dances of lofty trees; with the glimmer of trickling water springs; and the enchanting tunes played by the orchestra of numerous waterfalls descending down the forested hills.
Furthermore, birds play a significant role in the conservation of nature. Nature-where tranquillity reigns; where mind illuminates; where soul enlightens; where heart throbs; where splendour glows; and where scenic grandeur animates transcendental bliss. Nature-which is all soothing and sublime.
People, nowadays, are becoming more and more conscious that they cannot live a healthy life, independent of their natural environment. Birds, in this context, perform an invaluable function. They warn us, by their health and well-being, of the dangers that threatens us in the environment. Several species of birds have become extinct or miserably dwindled in numbers, as a result of pesticide residues in the environment. This warns us that we too are absorbing all kinds of chemicals into our own bodies, which have unpredictable side effects, fraught with dire consequences to our healthy growth. This warns us that this is high time that we must take effective and concrete action to stop all toxic substances getting into the environment. If we are able to put a halt to this terrible decline, we will have the satisfaction that we are helping ourselves as well as these magnificent winged creatures.
India has abundant share of the natural splendour or the earth; and more that its share of bird wealth, both in terms of diversity and population. Hills covered with lush green vegetation; vast expanses of grasslands, dotted with clusters of trees and shrubby bushes; and wide open glades with luxuriant growth of green foliage provide eternal home to multitudes of birds. The wide spectrum of bio-geographic diversity of this region is fully reflected in its spectacularly rich birdlife.
Most species are resident, and stay here round the year, subject to, of course, seasonal movement; while few species, which winter in South India, migrate to Himalayas to spend their summer months. On the other hand, some strong flying birds, such as Wood cock, Indian Blue Chat, and Pied Ground Thrush which are resident of the Himalayas, take long journeys to find analogous habitats in the Nilgiri Hills in South India to spend their winter months in warmer regions, and return to their original areas in the Himalayas in Summer, where they breed and raise their young.
Unrivalled in scenic grandeur and natural splendour, India has drawn worldwide attention for being the heavenly abode of most of the beautiful and colourful birds, such as, Barbets, Minivets, Tits, Finches, Parakeets, Woodpeckers etc.
Most of the water reservoirs, rivers and lakes, spread over the entire Indian Union, provide shelter to many species of birds, which migrate from distant places in Central Asia Europe and China, to the Indian Sub-continent in winter.
Since India has a tremendous altitudinal variation, the climate of this country greatly varies from tropical heat to arctic cold of the snowy mountains. Because of this drastic change in climatic conditions, there is a different type of plant life in different parts of this country. The birdlife primarily depends on the type of vegetation that exists in different climatic zones, which can be broadly divided into (1) Tropical and Sub Tropical (2) Temperate, and (3) Alpine.
Whenever the sun shines warmly, the old male birds tune their pipe and enliven the neighbourhood with their songs. The young also begin to sing. With the advent of the spring, the blossoms peep forth in every part of the budding woods and hundreds of plants banis the dismal appearance of winter. The nature clothed in spring provides happiness and abundance to all creatures. Then the songbirds perched on the tops of detached trees, give vent to their passion. Their songs never fail to enchant the listeners.
During the love-season, some songbirds pour out their feelings with heightened passion. Like proud musicians, they swell their throat, spread their tail, droop their wings and lean alternately to the right and left. The fluting tunes of some songbirds are among the most exhilarating sounds of nature. Many small birds, like Warblers, sing in gentle, continuous trilling manner. It appears as if they speak in verse or give expression to their passions in song.
Conservation of birds is a matter of great concern. Each one of us owns the responsibility to conserve and protect the miracles of birdlife that thrives on our planet. We can do this by knowing as much about these winged creatures as we can.
All of us need to associate ourselves with the future of birdlife, and the unspoilt beauty of the magnificent land of our county. We need to appreciate the beauty and the variety of birds, and cooperate honestly in the endeavour to protect these wonderful winged creatures of our land. Concerted efforts are needed to arouse the interest of the people at large in the subject of birds and bird watching.
Bird Photography:
Bird photography is a challenging task. Even if one is whole time devoted with the most ardent will and determinations, it is not possible in one’s live time to take clear and sharp pictures of all the species of birds that are found the year round even in small area of about 300 Sq Km. Some of the reasons are:
(i) Birds are extremely shy of human being. The moment one attempts to approach them, how so much cautious, quite and careful one may be in his movement; the birds instantly take to wings. The birds have been blessed with keen eye-sight and with an acute sense of hearing.
(ii) Many of the birds are quite small in size, and generally remain hidden in bushes and leafy trees. Even when sighted, they remain partly screened amongst leaves twigs and branches.
(iii) Birds, in general, do not remain still at a place. For want of food and for fear of danger, they move swiftly from twig to twig, from branch to branch, and from tree to tree, up and down. Thus, they hardly provide any time to the photographer to click his camera.
(iv) Bird-photography primarily depends on day light conditions, particularly when one attempts to photograph birds in their natural habitats. Apart from the weather conditions that remain uncertain for most part of the year, the drifting shadows, with the movement of the sun in the sky, seriously disturb the light conditions, reducing considerably the chances of clear and sharp pictures.
(v) In jungle with dense undergrowth, particularly in hilly areas, the movement of the photographer is not only grossly restricted, but is also fraught with dire consequences for his life. I, myself is a witness to an incident in which a photographer from England, who was a keen bird watcher with years of experience at his credit, lost his life at the hands of a tiger in the Corbett National Park, while he was attempting to photograph a horned forest owl perched on a giant leafy tree. The unfortunate victim had glued his eyes on to the owl, unmindful of the stripped beast lurking for him in the nearby bushes.
(vi) Most of the birds migrate to distant lands for breeding, nesting and in search of food. Their power of flight enables them to overcome barriers that restrict the barrier that restrict the movement of the photographer. Even among the resident birds, considerable altitudinal movement takes place to escape the rigors of the seasons, particularly the winter. Migration is periodically alternative swing between two areas that promote optimum living conditions such as food, water etc. At respective seasons. Some of the birds, who are endowed with strong and sustained flights, migrate to long distances to escape extreme climatic conditions. It is not easy to locate them for months together, particularly in inhospitable hilly terrains.
(vii) Lack of minimum civic facilities such as accommodation, food, water and security etc. In remote and inaccessible areas in Indian Jungles, particularly in the interior regions of the Himalayas severely hamper the work of bird-photographers. Even if one gathers enough courage and summons boldness to face hazards he would not be at all certain about the final outcome.
To conclude, I must put on record that birds are the most beautiful and colourful ornaments of our forests. They adorn our homes, beautify our gardens, and entertain us with their sweet melodies and gorgeous flights. They deserve our love, affection and kindness.
Thanks.

Photo: Bhagat ji in Katerniaghat, Winters 2009.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

EIGHTY ONE GHARIAL CROCODILES FOUND IN NEPAL


A study on population status and distribution of Gharial Gavialis gangeticus in Nepal was commissioned by Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and WWF Nepal in January-February 2008 aiming at updating the existing status and distribution pattern of gharial and also assessing the threats in gharial conservation in Nepal. Empirical data were collected from direct count using opportunistic search method and questionnaire survey from Koshi River of eastern Nepal, Narayani and Rapti of central Nepal and Karnali and Babai rivers of western Nepal. The census estimated a total of 81 gharial in Nepal. Out of total gharial recorded during the census, 70 were directly recorded and 11 were based on indirect counts. It revealed that 41 gharial have been sighted in 102.5 km stretch of Narayani river from Devghat to Triveni. It recorded 24 gharials in 50.92 km stretch of Rapti river from Khagendramalli to Narayani-Rapti confluence. Six and ten gharials were recorded respectively from 53.76 km stretch of Karnali river and 39.52 km stretch of Babai river from Chepang to Parewaodar. Census conducted in 38.9 km stretch of Koshi river from Chatahara to Koshi Barrage could not detected any gharial and their signs. Only 27 of the total population is adult breeding population. Age and sex of 11% individuals could not be detected. The sex ratio of chitwan population was found to be 1 male to 6 female. Nepal started captive breeding program of Gharial in 1978 aiming at rehabilitating the wild population through egg collection, captive rearing and release of young into natural river systems of protected areas. There are two Gharial breeding centres in Kasara of Chitwan National Park and Thakurdwara of Bardia National Park. Since 1981 to 2007, 691 gharials have been released in different river systems. Out of 691, 339 were released in Narayani, 99 in Rapti, 85 in Koshi, 50 in Babai, 35 in Kali Gandaki and 23 in Karnali river. In Nepal, the Gharial is listed as protected animal under National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 2029, as critically endangered in IUCN Red Data Book, and is listed in Appendix I of CITES. Gharial faces many threats due to flooding and dam construction in rivers, habitat destruction and decline in food quality and quantity. Over fishing, use of gill nets and river poisoning compounded the problem manifold. Gharial is the only surviving member of Gavialidae family. It mostly inhabits large bodied, deep, fast flowing rivers in the plain.

(Source: Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Ministry of Forestry and Soil Conservation, Government of Nepal, photo-gharials in river Girwa, Katerniaghat)

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Pop Conservation

By Prerna Singh Bindra on her blog 'Indiannaturally':

Pop conservation is here (hopefully not to stay)...Don't believe me? Read on:

We are gonna have Gangetic dolphins in the Delhi zoo. Come again? Freshwater dolphins in the zoo. The MEF believes that a romp in the dolphinarium will do the creature good. Awareness, spreading the message regarding conservation and such other lofty motives will be met. My question is: Where are you going to get the dolphin(s) from? The only way is to capture them from the wild, and that is really not a good idea (nor is getting a 'rescued' individual--there will be a rush to 'rescue' dolphins to impress the minister. For another, they are gonna die. No, i am not the Voice of Doom, but keeping fresh water dolphins in captivity is not an easy preposition. Experience has shown that they don't survive long. Just as an aside, don't most of our zoos house the tiger? And the lion? May I know how that has helped their cause? Isn't their fortune in the doldrums?The other great showbiz idea is to get the cheetah to India. You know the fastest animal on earth that once thrived in India, till we finished it off. The last three were shot (in one go) in 1947. The cheetah is now extinct in India. But hey, chill. Not for long. We are gonna fly 'em in (we been shopping in Namibia) and give ‘em some grassland (where, where?) to live in. For details on this one, read my earlier post. Suffice to say, its a no brainer, a grand money-making, headline-hogging idea. It's a conservation dud, but is surely gonna attract dollar tourists in the safari that we create for the cheetah.Tigers and lions? Never mind ‘em, once they go the cheetah way, we will just bah ‘em from Texas, plenty of ‘em there—more than all over the world in fact. So don’t worry, be happy. Oh yes, there was this other fantastic plan of getting microlights to protect tiger reserves. An idea straight out of Africa, not a bad one, but not for Corbett and Namdapha—the chosen ones for the grand experiment. Minister, minister, these are moist deciduous forests and rainforests, not savannas that can be surveyed aerialy. The canopy is not transparent. And wouldn’t it be wiser (though certainly not sexier) to first equip our foot soldier. Invest in them—ensure they are in adequate numbers, and well-equipped and trained to guard our tigers?Oh yes, there is this other brilliant idea--though not so much conservation as a gimmick. Did you know that India is going to kick of International Tiger Year on February 14. Valentine's Day. Gettit? Cho chweet. The launch is at Corbett National Park (don't roll in your grave, Jim, it's ok). Keep the date. and don't forget to bring the red roses.
Posted by prerna singh bindra on her blog:

http://indianaturally.blogspot.com/

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Leopard skins and a bear bile seized in Uttarakhand and two persons arrested

Two persons were arrested on 11.10.09 after two leopard skins and bear bile, which is believed to have medicinal value, were seized from them in Dehradun, Uttaranchal.The two have been identified as Shyam Dutta Joshi and Deepak from Chakrata region in Dehradun. The operation was jointly done by Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) with the Special Task Force (STF) of the state.
In the recent past there had been many such seizures done by WCCB, STF, Police and FD Uttarakhand relating to leopard skins and bear biles. There had been major seizures like Saharanpur (8 leopard skins seizure done by UP Police), Delhi (8 leopard skins seized by WCCB and Delhi Crime Branch), Shimla (8 leopard skins seized by Shimla Police) and Dhangadhi-Nepal (6 leopard skins seized by Nepal Forest and Wildlife Authorities) which indicated extent of the killing and threat on leopards.
Links of the news published are given below: