Wild-India.com

Wildlife Tour in India

noreply@blogger.com (Wild India.com) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 05:32:00 +0000

Wildlife in India is blessed with the rarest varieties of flora and fauna. There are more than 80 national parks and about 440 wildlife conservation sanctuaries in India, that provide shelter to several Indian animals and birds. These wildlife conservation and national parks are situated in Indian jungle, which are the part of famous forest in India. Wildlife Tour in India offers the best of tour offerings to explore the wonderful Indian wildlife.

Some of the Best Wild Life Tours in India:

Tiger Trails in India
Duration: 15 Nights / 16 Days
Destinations Covered: Delhi - Jaipur - Ranthambore - Bharatpur - Agra - Khajuraho - Bandhavgarh - Kanha - Nagpur

Wildlife Vacation in India
Duration: 15 Days
Destinations Covered: Delhi - Jaipur - Amer - Ranthambhor - Bharatpur - Keoladeo Ghana National Bird Sanctuary - Agra - Orcha - Bhandavgarh National Park - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Kashi - Delhi

Jungle Safari in India
Duration: 11 Days
Destinations Covered: Delhi - Mandawa - Samode - Jaipur - Amer - Sariska - Bharatpur - Agra – Gwalior

Himalayan Wildlife Tour in India
Duration: 13 Nights / 14 Days
Destinations Covered: Delhi - Guwahati - Kaziranga - Bagdogra - Kalimpong - Siliguri - Kolkatta – Sunderbans

Wilderness in India
Duration: 13 Nights/ 14 Days
Destinations Covered: Delhi - Sariska - Bharatpur - Ranthambhore - Kota - Udaipur - Kumbhalgarh - Balsamand - Jaisalmer - Gajner - Dundlod – Jaipur

So plan wildlife tours India to encounter the rich and rare species of birds and animals in India.

West Bengal Has The Best And Worst Tiger Reserves

noreply@blogger.com (Wild India.com) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 07:29:00 +0000

West Bengal, a culturally rich state of India, is famed around the globe for the endangered Royal Bengal Tigers. These magnificent carnivore animals are the second largest species of Tigers, after the Siberian Tigers.

West Bengal has two Tiger reserves that represents completely opposite scenario to each other. One Tiger reserve is renowned as the best abode for Bengal Tigers and another is known as the worst Tiger reserve of the state.

In a recent conference held at Sariska, under the name All India Meet For Tiger Reserve Directors, this surprising fact was revealed. After the evaluation of Project Tiger in Sunderban and Buxa Tiger Reserve, this amazing fact about the population of Tigers was unveiled.

National Tiger Conservation Authority has listed Sunderban as one of the best Tiger Reserve of India having a high Tiger density. On the other hand, Buxa Tiger Reserve of West Bengal, is considered among one of the seven reserves where Tigers has a very less population.

According to 2007 census figures, in the 2,585 sq. km. of the Sunderban Tiger Reserve, there are 174 tigers available, while in the 759 sq. km. of forested area of Buxa there are probably no more than 12. Mr Y.V Jhala, a faculty at the Wildlife Institute of India has informed that they haven't sighted a single Tiger through the camera traps device that are fixed in various parts of Buxa Tiger Reserve. Although he mentioned that they found some pug marks and faecal matter in the reserve during 2006 -07 survey.

Atanu Raha, the State's Principal Chief Conservator of Forests said that the main reason behind the drastic difference in the Tiger population of these two aforementioned reserves is the geographical terrain. Sunderban has an edge over the Buxa Tiger Reserve as former one is located in remote area whereas the later one is surrounded by human population and constantly disturbed by human movement.

Since the British Raj, Buxa Tiger Reserve have been inhabited by thirty-seven tribal villages within the reserve's demarcated area and people residing here are continuously exploiting the forest resource for commercial reasons.

Even Buxa has less number of prey due to inadequate grassland. The main reason behind this problem of shortage of grassland is soil erosion.

Mining Project Threatens Maharashtra Tiger Reserves

noreply@blogger.com (Wild India.com) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 07:24:00 +0000

For the nature lovers and conservationists of India, the news came as a real blow!

Maharashtra State Government has decided to change the wild abode of Tigers into an opencast coal mine. The State government has planned to build a coal mining project at one of the best natural habitats of Tigers in western part of the country.

Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve of Maharashtra is famed as a rich Tiger corridor that joins north and south Chandrapur Forest Divisions of the state. According to 2007 census, there are more than 80 Tigers in the protected and reserve forests of Chandarpur districts which contributes 8-9 percent of existing Tiger population of the country. This region is also blessed with 300 species of trees and 70 species of wild animals.

But this decision of the State government has made the residents of the region very angry. Maharashtra government is supporting the Adani Power Ltd, which is going to build the biggest opencast coal mine at this forested area of the state. It is a 140 million tonne coal mining project. The proposed land for this coal mine is in the buffore zone of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve.

Already there are 10 existing coal mines in the Chandarpur district which has created havoc in this area. People living around Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve are constantly worrying that this new coal mine would worsen the situation more. It would replace at least 3, 500 hectares of prime forestland.
Dust from this mine would further damage the agricultural fields of the region, rendering 10,000 villagers jobless.

But, a little ray of hope is still there for both people and Tigers of the area. Ministry of Environment and Forest has not yet showed its green signal to this project. Sri Jayram Ramesh, Union Minister of Environment and Forest, has strongly opposed this plan of Maharashtra government, as he said that this decision of State government would surely hamper the Tiger reserve.

So, now the decision is in the hands of Environment Ministry of India. Its completely depends on them whether they want to save the fate of Tigers or cover the clear sky with a layer of dust.

Government Reconstitutes Tiger Conservation Body

noreply@blogger.com (Wild India.com) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:17:00 +0000

With the formation of new government at the Centre, National Tiger Conservation Authority(NTCA)welcomes new faces into the organization.

Recently, UPA government has reconstituted the entire National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), after it was first set up three years ago. Jairam Ramesh, the Minister of State for Environment and Forest is the chairperson of this organization. Prominent Wildlife activist and BJP leader Mrs. Maneka Gandhi is also included in the group of its members.

Other than these two renowned Indian politicians, eight more wildlife experts having experience of wildlife conservation and the welfare of people including the indigenous tribes are also part of the core group. Brijendra Singh, Valmik Thapar, P K Sen, Prakash Mulidhar Amte, Urmila Pingle, K Ullas Karanth, Samar Singh and Aparjita Dutta are the famous wildlife experts of NTCA.

Beside them two Members of Parliament namely Rajya Sabha MP Santosh Bagrodia and Gandhi are also included in NTCA. On the basis of the recommendations made by Tiger Task Force and initiations taken by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, NTCA was constituted under the Wildlife Protection Act of 2006.

NTCA has the authority to consider on several issues relating to 38 tiger reserves spread across 17 states covering anti-poaching, infrastructure, man-animal conflict and co-existence in buffer and core areas.

Wildlife Laws Needs Protection

noreply@blogger.com (Wild India.com) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:22:00 +0000

Of late, the wildlife laws of our country are no more sufficient in providing security to various endangered species. It seems that wildlife acts of yesteryears has lag behind to protect the rare and innocent animals from the claws of wildlife traders and smugglers.

Every region in India is facing the problem of poaching and Chandigarh is the latest one in it. In Chandigarh, one can easily witness the trading of wild animals which are already enlisted in protected groups.

Chandigarh serves as the transit point for poachers and smugglers. Recently, 15 turtles belonging to three protected species namely Indian Star Tortoise, Tent Turtle and Roofed Tiurtle are seized from Sector 37 in Chandigrah. This business was going on for last two years.

Police and activists for People For Animals (PFA) has conducted the raid. Incidents that took place a few years back has also reported seizure of large number of leopard skins and near about 2000 brushes made up of mongoose tails.

Beside Chandigarh, Ambala, Ropar, Panchkula and Kharar are also said to be the centres of this illegal trading.

So, its high time that our government must take some concrete steps to strengthen the wildlife laws.

London Zoo Celeberates the Birth of Asiatic Lions

noreply@blogger.com (Wild India.com) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 06:04:00 +0000

London Zoo, these days, are thronged by number of visitors to see the first Asiatic Lion Cubs born there in a decade. These cubs were blessed to parents Lucifer (6) and Abi (10) and were born on August 8, 2009. These cubs are categorized as the critically endangered species and are relatively fewer in number. There are 300 Asiatic lions in the Gir Forest of Gujurat and 90 left in captivity around the world.

The cubs are doing well and cozy with their mother, Abi, the last Asiatic Lion to be born in the Zoo. She's been tremendous in terms of how she's introduced them to the public but protected them. She's been a wonderful mother,' said Malcolm Fitzpatrick, curator of mammals at the Zoological Society of London. 'Fortunately, their numbers are growing in the forest thanks to the excellent work of the Indian wildlife authorities. But it's the breeding in zoos that provides that real safety net, that real insurance population for the future.'

Father Lucifer has yet not been allowed to meet the cubs though they have been introduced to each other through a mesh. 'He wants to be in there with his offspring, but we wanted to make sure the youngsters were vaccinated and had a chance to explore the enclosure before we introduced him,' said Fitzpatrick.

The two cubs are part of an intensely managed European breeding and conservation programme.

Indian Turtles Are At Risk For Restaurant Trade

noreply@blogger.com (Wild India.com) — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 09:41:00 +0000

Of late, Indian soft shell turtles are under constant threat of extinction due to poaching and illegal trade.
Despite being listed under the highest level of protection law under Indian Wildlife Protection act, Indian Pond Terrapins and Indian Flap-Shelled Turtles are constantly poached for meat.

This pathetic conditions of Indian turtles are highlighted in a recently published article in the journal Tropical Conservation Science.

According to a survey conducted by K. Krishnakumar, Rajeev Raghavan and Benno Pereira in Punnamada, Kerala, it is revealed that Indian pond terrapins and Indian flap-shelled turtles are regularly trafficked for the restaurant trade. They are poached from the Punnamada wetland and Vembanad lake to meet the demand for meat in local restaurants and toddy shops.

People believed that consumption of turtle meat would effective in controlling arthritis and curing other diseases. Authors of the article has mentioned that despite having a strong a Indian Wildlife Protection Act, very little law has been enforced till date. Turtles are very easily exploited and traded in this region.

So, to safeguard the population of turtles, its become really important to launch an awareness programs to educate local fishers, turtle collectors and restaurants owners about relevant wildlife laws as well as on the biological and socio-economic impacts of turtle exploitation and trade.

India Raises Poaching Alarm

noreply@blogger.com (Wild India.com) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 08:08:00 +0000

Year 2010 have been declared as the " Year of The Tiger" in Chinese Calendar that falls in every 12 years. With increase in demand of Tiger and Leopard parts, Indian Wildlife Official would visit China in November to discuss and suggest Tigers and Leopard poaching.

This meeting was finalized amongst the officials of National Tiger Conservation Authority and Wildilfe Crime Control Bureau. The meeting was finalized during the visit of Minister of Environment Jairam Ramesh to China in the end of August month in the year 2000.

During Ramesh's trip to China, Tiger poaching was one of the major issues on agenda been discussed. In a written statement to Chinese Officials, his ministry submitted that one of India's main concerns was that demand for tiger and leopard skins and bones would go up in 2010. India requested China to enforce a Tiger skin registration scheme and crack down on tiger trade through Nepal.

"The dialogue and enforcement on tiger conservation needs to be taken forward. This is why a team from Project Tiger and wildlife enforcement officers will be visiting China as a lot more needs to be done especially in this year of the tiger," Ramesh told The Indian Express.

Nagpur New Hub For Tiger Tourism

noreply@blogger.com (Wild India.com) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:06:00 +0000

Nagpur, the second capital of Maharashtra is all set to attain the status of an eco-tourism destination.
Embellished with many historical monuments and significant tourist spots, both Nagpur city and its surrounding area that is Vidarbha region has immense potential to be one of the popular eco-tourism centre of India.

But, due to Government negligence, these scenic places are still remain in veil and far from the touch of tourism sector. Recently, Villas Muttemwar, MP of Nagpur city has started initiatives to make Nagpur an popular eco-tourism destination. He is also keping no stone unturned to develop Nagpur as a hub for Tiger tourism in India, as the nearby areas to this city has a numerous Tiger reserves.

Some of the virgin wildlife sanctuaries of India such as Tadoba Andhari, Pench, Nagzira, Melaghat, Navegaon and Bor are positioned 70 to 150 km from Nagpur. But, the famous Kanha National Park and Bandhavgarh National Park are also easily accessible from Nagpur. So, this city of Maharashtra can also serve as a gateway to Tiger land.

It is assumed that if both Nagpur and Vidarbha region gets proper promotion as a wildlife and adventure tourism destination and necessary infrastructure than it would surely attract a large number of tourists. This in turn would help the localities to get employment in tourism industry. As, it is presently the world's number one industry.

Indian Railway Becomes Eco-friendly

noreply@blogger.com (Wild India.com) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 09:18:00 +0000

Next time when you will board on Indian Railways, look out for its new avatar. With the changing transportation scenario of the world, Indian Railways has also shed down its age old look. The dirty and Stinky facet of Indian Railway is no more in existence. Eco-friendly trains are the new attraction of Indian Railways.

Ministry of Railway has planned to equip its entire fleet of over 1000 AC coaches of Indian Railways with eco-friendly refrigerant technology, as a part of “Green Initiative”. Earlier Indian Railways has used Chloro -Fluoro Carbon-based refrigerant technology for cooling in its AC coaches. Chloro-fluro carbon are harmful to atmosphere as because they deplete the ozone layer. So, Indian Railways has decided to install R-134 A, an environment- friendly refrigerant.

To find out the best refrigerant technology, various other options were tried out in other zonal Railways in consultation with the Research Design and Standards Organization (RDSO). Even in the early 90's, for powering the AC system, R-22 gas was tested. As this gas was less harmful than R-12 (CFC-based). However, the search ends on R-134 A.

Conversion was really a tough job. But Indian Railways has completed the task successfully
without hampering the regular railway services. According to a railway official, while conversion the passenger service was not at all affected. It was done without replacing vital capital intensive equipment such as compressors, evaporator unit, condenser unit etc. of the refrigeration system.

Till now, R-134A refrigerant has been installed in 650 AC coaches. All thanks to the efforts put in by various railway zones. According to a Senior official of Northern Railway, by the end of March 2009, all the 100 AC coaches belonging to Northern Railway (NR) of Lucknow division will have eco-friendly refrigeration technique.

So, get ready to enjoy a memorable train journey with the eco- friendly refrigeration.

Cheetah To Be Reintroduced After 60 Years

noreply@blogger.com (Wild India.com) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 07:17:00 +0000

One of the good news for all wildlife enthusiasts lately has been the reintroduction of Cheetah in Indian Forests. Announced by Honourable Union Minister of State For Environment and Forests, Mr Jairam Ramesh, in Parliament, this small news have created stupendous effect on wildlife lovers.

India would rehabitat Cheetahs after 60 years of extinction. It is said that Cheetahs from Africa would be imported and million of pounds would be spend on importing and conserving them. International Experts would hash out the proper budget after holding a meeting in upcoming September in Rajasthan.

Though conservationists are little bothered by the sensitive nature of cheetahs as they have poor immune system, high rates of cub mortality and demanding territorial habits.

Lets hope that they gel with the change in environment, so that India's next generation would be able to see their offsprings in Indian Jungles.

Flying Frog, Smallest Deer, Among Array Of New Himalayan Species

noreply@blogger.com (Wild India.com) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 10:45:00 +0000

Great news for both nature lovers and environmentalists. After toilsome research of decade, a wide range of new wildlife species are found in the lush green canopies of Eastern Himalayas.

Recently, wildlife researchers has unveiled a long list of 353 new and unique species that includes 16 reptiles, 16 amphibians, 14 fish, two birds, two mammals and 61 invertebrates, as well as 242 plants. All these species are very distinct and have their own special characteristics.

Thanks to this research, the esteemed WWF International organization has declared the Eastern Himalayan regions as one of the best “biological hotspots” of world and compared the region with Indonesian Island of Borneo. Similar to Eastern Himalayan Regions, after a research of decade from 1994 to 2004, 361 wildlife species are identified in Borneo Island.

Eastern Himalayas, the abode of diverse flora and fauna is under constant threat of global warming which affects water supplies by causing glaciers to recede. Also change in rainfall pattern and human disturbances such as poaching, deforestation and encroachment with farms, settlements and dams has created problems for wildlife of the area.

But, this research has enhanced the importance of protecting the Eastern Himalayan region which encloses forested areas of Myanmar, India, Bhutan, Nepal, and Tibet.

Among all these aforementioned newly discovered species, a flying frog, a green viper and the world's smallest deer are the most talked about species. The flying frog is a bright green bright green, red-footed frog discovered in 2007. Its long, webbed feet allow it to glide when falling. Another most unique discovery of this research is a new type of muntjac. It weighs 11 kilograms (24 pounds) and stands 60 to 80 centimeters (24 to 31 inches) tall, making it the smallest species of deer.
Some other species that are unveiled after this research are a specie of Arunachal Macaque, the venomous emerald-green pit viper, a 1.3-meter (4.3-foot) snake, and the fossil of the oldest gecko species, trapped in amber and dating back 100 million years.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature estimates that there are 8 million to 14 million plants and animals in the world, of which only 1.8 million have been discovered yet. Recent discoveries in this sector has uncovered an Ecuadorian salamander and a jumping spider that was found in Papua New Guinea.

So, to prevent these unique species its become really important for India, Nepal and Bhutan to combat the ill effects of global warming. Also they should try to reduce the impact of building hydro-electric dams, control poaching, and prevent deforestation.

Jaipur Hotel Gets Green Global Certification

noreply@blogger.com (Wild India.com) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 06:36:00 +0000

Another feather in the cap of Jaipur's tourism industry. Recently, Rambagh Palace, the oldest heritage hotel of Jaipur has won the prestigious Green Globe Certified Silver status under the Green Globe Earthcheck Certification Programme.

Keeping in view the problems of present era such as global warming and extinction of green cover from earth, this popular heritage hotel of Jaipur, has implemented various new initiatives to transform it into an eco-friendly hotel.

Rambagh hotel is the perfect choice for this award as it has implemented some eco-friendly initiatives. It has 100% rain water harvesting system. In the 47 acre area of this heritage hotel, there are 16 water harvesting wells which covers the entire area. Apart from this, the hotel also has plumbing fittings that plays an important role to reduce water consumption to a large extent and certifies it at a zero discharge hotel.

Even, Ramabagh Palace has waste reduction and non-renewable resource management system in its premise which shows the hotel's commitment towards conserving the major environmnetal problems that our Mother Nature is facing now.

Moreover, this award will open up more new doors for Rambagh hotel. The award is very precious as the Green Globe International is an affiliate member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) with the World Travel & Tourism Council WTTC, being a shareholder in the company.

India To Host World Tiger Summit Next Year

noreply@blogger.com (Wild India.com) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:25:00 +0000

India is seriously concentrating on conservation and preservation of Tigers and their natural habitats. This is evident through the decision of organizing World Tiger Summit in the year 2010

For the first time in the history of Indian wildlife conservation programmes, Ministry of Forest and environment has made an important plan. It has decided to organize a World Tiger Summit. Next year's (2010) October or November has been chosen for this Tiger summit. Date is not yet decided.

Ranthambore Tiger Reserve of Rajasthan is selected as the venue for this proposed World Tiger Summit. Out of all the Tiger Reserves in India, Indian Government has selected Ranthambore; as this Tiger Reserve is the wild abode of more than 44 magnificent cats and various other wild animals.

200 wildlife experts from various countries as well as from the world renowned organization named 'Global Tiger Initiative', are expected to assemble at Ranthambore to deliver their views and suggestions on conservation of diminishing royal Tigers in forested areas of India.

However, Ministry of Forest and Environment has assured that India would not accept any fund from the World Bank for the country's Tiger conservation programme.

Tranquillizers Killing Indian Tigers

noreply@blogger.com (Wild India.com) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 09:07:00 +0000

Recently, a shocking report of National Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (NWCCB) of India has deepens the mystery more around the Panna National Park.

This national park of Madhya Pradesh is facing a tough time due to complete extinction of magnificent big cats from its vast territory. NWCCB, an Indian government agency, has revealed that besides poachers, conservationists has also added to the plight of these threatened wild species of India.

Since last few years, Panna is in news for bad reasons. It is the second national park of India which is now completely Tiger-less. NWCCB has send a report to Mr. Jairam Ramesh, the Minister of Forest and Environment, claiming excessive use of tranquilizers are causing the demise of Tigers. NWCCB has said that Indian conservationists are constatntly in practice of using tranquillizers to fit the radio-collar device on the body of Tigers, which in turn leads to their death.

These high power sedatives made the Tigers docile, restricting their movement and leaving them easy prey for poachers. This claim of NWCCB is supported by the reports of last three years from 1,411 in 2006 to 1, 200 in 2009. Till this time of 2009, India has lost 49 precious Tigers due to the failure of conservation techniques that are used to protect the Tigers from poachers.

But these claims of NWCCB has outraged the wildlife conservationists. They had strongly opposed these claims of the agency by saying that radio-collar technique has helped a lot to reduce poaching in various Tiger reserves of our country. Dr. Pradeep Mallik, a wildlife conservationist of Wildlife Institute of India(WII), has put forward an evidence to support their point of view . He mentioned that out of 35 Tigers only two to three Tigers are radio-collared than how could be radio-collaring technique is responsible for poaching of 35 Tigers.

Endangered Kashmir Deer In Come Back As Violence Dips

noreply@blogger.com (Wild India.com) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 05:47:00 +0000

With the gradual decline in insurgency cases, Kashmir valley is once again brimming with Hangul.

Due to drop in bloody violence and effective implementation of conservation efforts, this endangered red deer species has made a rapid comeback in the verdant and salubrious Himalayan region in the recent past.

Commonly known as Kashmir Stag, this species of deer are native of the Dachigam Sanctuary, located near Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir. They are mostly confined to the upper fringes of the Dachigam Sanctuary which is the main breeding ground for them. Two decades ago, when an anti-India insurgency broke out in this “paradise on earth”, Hangul lost their this natural habitat.

Earlier Hangul has a good population of 900 but with the eruption of war between securing forces and militants, they gradually started to decrease in their strength. Both militants and Indian security forces used to kill them for their meat.

Another reason behind their declination is poaching. According to Wildlife guards, poachers also killed these innocent herbivore animals for their meat and antlers, which are very expensive in black market.

But nowadays with the changing scenario, the population of Hangul has increased from 117-180 in March 2008 to 201-234, according to recent census. This census has also made it clear that there is a significant rise in the female-fawn ratio that symbolizes a sustained population growth in future.

According to Raashid Naqash, central Kashmir's wildlife warden, the improvement in the population of this endangered species is mainly due to the effective implementation of conservation plans and cooperation from both environmentalists and the local community.

Hoolock Gibbon Conservation Programme

noreply@blogger.com (Wild India.com) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 06:50:00 +0000

Good news for Hoolock Gibbon in their native, North- east India. The Centre for Environment Education (CEE), North-East has planned to undertake a 'Site Specific Conservation Programme (SSCEP), in those states of North-east India, which has Hoolock Gibbon sanctuaries.

This organization has decided to involve 20 to 25 schools along with a local NGO as a partner to form a group. The main objectives of this programme will be to develop gibbon educational packages in the context of North-east India to support-

the classroom teaching and learning,
make it more environment friendly,
orientation workshop series for NGOs and teachers to help them effectively carry out implementation of school programmes;
year-long school cluster activities;
evaluation information and attitudinal changes brought about by the project;
thorough pre- and post-project Knowledge,
Attitude and Practice (KAP) surveys;
building up linkages with allied institutions and departments for implementing and sustaining the project.

The Centre for Environment Education (CEE) also has decided to take help from Forest Department to start another campaign for Gibbon named “Great Ape Campaigns” (GAC). This campaign will be organized at nearby selected Gibbon reserves and the main emphasis will be on community participation and local protected area (PA) management.

This organization has some more plans. It has decided to take into consideration the basic needs and desires of the local people and will make them partner in hoolock and their habitat protection programme.

According to CEE, its really very important to engage the local communities in every conservation programme by inculcating a sense of ownership, pride in forest resources and wildlife and also make sure that respect for these things does not diminishes in future.

The organization is also trying to involve both print and electronic media in th conservation programme of hoolock. Wildlife and their conservation programme taken in this part of India, receives very less coverage in media as compared to wildlife of other parts of India. Due to which people of North-east India is very ignorant about Gibbon. They consider it as a flagship animal. So, its very necessary to change the attitude of people and media would definitely play a key role in it.

CEE has also suggests that if all the states of North east India join hands for the conservation and protection of these species and their habitat, than only the Gibbons can be saved from extinction.

Further, The CEE has plans to engage ‘Primate Research Centre’ (PRC), Gibbon Conservation Centre (GCC), Wildlife Areas Development Trust, Assam, Wildlife Trust of India, Zoo Outreach Organization (ZOO), local NGOs and institutions and allied departments as partners for the success of this project.

New 7 Wonders Of Nature

noreply@blogger.com (Wild India.com) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 06:59:00 +0000

Following the foot prints of new “Seven Wonders of World”, few days from now, we are going to have our own new “Seven Wonders of Nature”.

Bernerd Weber, a Swiss-Canadian film maker, museum curator and adventurer has initiated a global contest to enlist a group of seven natural wonders of world. “New7 Wonders Foundation”, the brainchild of Mr. Weber is taking care of this global Internet contest. The slogan for this prestigious contest is "If we want to save anything, we first need to truly appreciate it."

On July 7, 2009, out of 440 nominations, selected from 220 countries of world, an expert panel of wildlife activists, environmentalists has chosen only 28 finalists for this esteemed contest. These experts has selected the finalists on the basis of various criteria such as unique beauty, ecological significance, historical legacy etc.

It is a three round contest, in which 77 natural wonders from across the globe are selected for the second round and from these 77, only 28 sites are chosen for the third round. The main seven winners for this contest will be announced in 2011 after global vote conducted via online media, telephone and SMS votes.

Even there is a good news for Indians, as Sunderban National Park of West Bengal is considered among the 28 finalists. Sunderban National park is one of the rich bio-diversity zone of India. It is the largest mangrove forest of world at the mouth of the Ganges and provides shelter to various endangered wild life species of India. The most famous wildlife animals of Sunderban are Royal Bengal Tigers, Wild Boars, Spotted Deer, Porcupines, Rhesus Macaque, Esturaine Crocodile, Fishing Cat, Water Monitor Lizard, Gangetic Dolphins, Marine Turtles, King Cobra, Russells Viper, and many more.

Other finalists of this global contest are the Amazon rain forest, Grand Canyon, Halong Bay- Vietnam, Dead sea-Israel and Jordan, Galapagos Island-Ecuador, Great Barrier reef, Kilimanjoro-Tanzania, Komodo National Park- Indonesia, Jeju - a volcanic island off Korea, Angel Falls-Venezuela, Maldives, Bu Tinah Shoals-Abu Dhabi, Iguazu Falls-Brazil and Argentina and many more.

So, its high time that we should start voting for our favorite site to enlist it in the group of “Seven New Wonders Of Nature.”

Rajasthan To Be Home For Cheetahs

noreply@blogger.com (Wild India.com) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 10:47:00 +0000

After a long wait of sixty years, Indian government is once again hoping to bring back Cheetah, the world's fastest runner in the wilds of the country. To fulfill this ambitious plan, the Central government is working very hard.

Rajasthan's Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary is all set to welcome the Cheetahs that would be brought from the lush canopies of Africa. These magnificent wild animal of India became extinct some 60 years ago and was last sighted in eastern Madhya Pradesh in 1947. But it was hunted by the then ruler of that area. In the year 1952, Cheetahs, a member of the big cat family completely extincted from the forested areas of our country.

Positioned just 32 km away from desert city Bikaner, Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most famous wild abode of Rajasthan. This natural and wild habitat of wild fowls, deer, antelope, nilgai, chinkara, black buck, desert fox and wild boars was the royal hunting ground of the Maharaja of Bikaner.
Due to availability of prey , the Ministry of Forest and Environment is seriously working towards making Gajner as a home for Cheetah in India. To accomplish this dream of Central government, Gajner is going to host a two day long seminar of technical experts on Cheetahs from September 9, 2009.

Divya Bhanu Singh Chabra and NK Ranjit Singh, two renowned Cheetah experts of India will present their papers on how to go about bringing Cheetahs to India.

Sri Jairam Ramesh, the Minister for Forest and Environment Department has informed that at first Government is trying to set up a breeding ground for Cheetah in India. So, to implement this plan, government has chosen Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary as it fulfill all the criteria. After a considerable growth in the population of these animals, they will be shifted to various other wildlife sanctuaries.

Wildlife Group Says Radio-Collars Did Not Kill Tiger

noreply@blogger.com (Wild India.com) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 06:05:00 +0000

Recently, Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), an esteemed wildlife body of India has damned the allegations made in a wildlife intelligence report. This report has claimed that radio-collaring is the main reason behind the mysterious deaths of almost three dozen Tigers in Panna National Park.

In the year 2007, Panna National Park of Madhya Pradesh has been declared as a 'tiger less' national park and this report of wildlife intelligence blamed it directly on radio-collar technique used by the researchers.

According to the wildlife intelligence report, the radio-collared technique has hampered the natural movement of these magnificent big cats and even caused neck infections. This report has also blamed the red-collar technique of helping the poachers to locate the position of the Tigers in the wild.

But, Asad Rahmani, the director of BNHS and a member of National Board for Wildlife in India, strongly condemned these allegation. He said that the radio-collaring of wild animals is a 40 years old technique and is an efficient method to study the ecology and behaviours of the Tigers in the jungle. Moreover, he said that the scientists has used this technique only after taking permission from the government.

Rahmani has also dismissed all the baseless allegations of this report by putting forward the fact that poachers can't used the radio-collar technique to track the Tigers as because these imported equipments goes through strict customs checks and only scientists or investigators could track the frequencies of every radio-collar device.

He has also mentioned that it is impossible for radio-collar technique to eradicate the Tiger population from Panna National Park as the last Tiger was collared in Panna in 2002 but Panna became “tiger less” in 2007. So, he strongly believed that radio-collaring of seven Tigers in Panna could not lead to the disappearance of 30-35 Tigers in the park.

Moreover, Rahani has cited examples of several tiger sanctuaries in India where Tigers have gone extinct even without the use of radio-collaring. He has also condemned the acquisitions that excessive use of tranquilizers could have harmed the Tigers.

Echoing the BNHS’s support to radio-collaring, Rahmani stressed that radio-collaring technique is a revolution in the field of wildlife conservation. It provides vital information about the secretive world of the Tigers and other wild animals. This technique has enable the scientists, a lot in constantly monitoring the movement of the Tigers in jungle and restrict the poachers in their illegal activities.

Lion And Tiger in Chinese Wildlife park Set To Produce First 'Liger'

noreply@blogger.com (Wild India.com) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:46:00 +0000

Following the footprints of Botanists, Wildlife scientists of China have succeeded in their goal of crossbreeding two completely distinct species of animals.

Finally, after hard labour of many months, zoological authorities of Badaling Wildlife Park of Beijing have succeeded in their aim. They are now looking forward to the first 'Liger' of the world.

To fulfill their goal of crossbreeding a four-and half-year-old Tigress with a Lion, the zoological authorities of this Chinese wildlife park purposely kept both the wild animals in a same cage.

After a long wait of eight months, both Tigress and Lion have finally copulated with each other. This news have brought a big smile on the face of the zookeepers . They are now anxiously waiting for the first offspring of a Tigress and a Lion.

Authorities of the park eagerly awaits for that happy moment when 'Liger', a crossbreed of a Tigress and a Lion would see the light of the day.

Amendment In Wildlife Protection Act To Control Crimes

noreply@blogger.com (Wild India.com) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 07:45:00 +0000

Recently, Shri Jairam Ramesh, the Minister of Environment and Forests(I/C) has informed that the Ministry is in process to amend Wildlife Protection Act to control wildlife crimes in India. While speaking at the opening of Bengal Tiger Consultation organized by Wildlife Conservation Trust, the Minister has informed about this new decision of the goverenment. More than 1500 children, environmentalists, teachers and parents of our country has participated in this Tiger consultation programme.

He said that to combat with the increasing wildlife crimes, its become really important to strengthen the act by introducing suitable changes and stringent measures. Long judicial procedures and negligible money as penalty is insufficient to control this problem. He moreover informed that with the aid of Indian apex court, Attorney General of India and other judiciary members we will sections like attaching property and heavy fine.

Mr. Ramesh has mentioned in his speech that Wildlife Crime Control Bureau of India is active but the government is trying to involve local people who resides in the forested area of India to safeguard the wildlife of our country. The Ministry has also decided to relocate the families residing in the core area of various Tiger reserve . He informed that there are near about 80, 000 to 1,00, 000 families staying in the core areas and Ministry will give a hefty amount to each family. Relocation of these families will be done only after consultation with them.

He has also informed about the introduction of a tri-parite Memorandum of Agreement(MoU) between the Ministry of Environment and Forests, State governments and Tiger Reserve Management to ensure effective tiger conservation. Even the Ministry is trying to involve van-gujjars in this process and also the borders will be strengthened to prevent crime.

After a long period of seven years, the Environment and Forest Ministry of India with the help of Supreme Court, has released the CAMPA fund that will aid in the regeneration, conservation and preservation of forests in our country. The Minister has hoped that within next six years, 6 million hectares of land of our country will be converted into forest which would provide one of the largest carbon sink in the world. He moreover hoped that with this expansion of forested area and sustainable forest management, India's proposal to the UNFCCC at Copenhagen should be accepted with REDD+ aspect.

He assured that with a positive vision and courage, we will surely avoid degradation of land and able to create more Silent valleys in the country. To preserve the habitat of Tigers and forests in India, Mr Ramesh has said that the Ministry has recently rejected two proposals of constructing a six lane road via Tiger Reserve and Board Gauge Railway line in Western Ghats. He has also declared of creating a Green Tribunal that will work as special environment court and deal with the cases related to environment and forest problems. The Minister also wished to achieve synergy between Forest Acts and Tribal Acts.

Leopard Skins Seized In Uttarakhand

noreply@blogger.com (Wild India.com) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:13:00 +0000

As the time passes by, the plight of wildlife in India is continuously increasing. Poachers are rampantly killing the innocent animals for their own sake. The latest addition to this heart wrenching situation of Indian wildlife are the killing of leopards in Uttarakhand state.

Recently, the Forest Department of Uttarakhand sate has captured three leopard skins from a hotel at Birhi near Chamoli district. On the basis of information provided by the WPSI, the forest officials has seized the skins from that hotel which comes under the Bhadrinath Forest Division. Officials got hold of only one person while three persons escaped. All of them are natives of Chamoli district.

ACF Mr. Tripathi has led the raiding party. According to Mr Tripathi, leopards may have been killed in the Nizmullah valley of Uttarakhand. The forest officials had also recovered the dead of a Himalayan black bear in the Bhadrinath Forest Division. Poachers had removed the gall bladder and fat from the body of this bear.

The wildlife situation in Uttarakhand state is really a matter of concerned for India government. In the last six months, skins of at least 16 leopards had been seized from the state.

So, its time for both State and Central government to take some concrete steps to safeguard the life of these rare and endangered wild animals of India .

Forest Beckons Reared Cub

noreply@blogger.com (Wild India.com) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:40:00 +0000

Thanks to the wildlife conservation efforts by International Fund For Animal Welfare(IFAW) and Wildlife Trust Of India (WTI), the fate of two rare clouded leopard cubs are going to be change for ever.

These clouded leopards are one of the rarest wild cats. They lives in the trees and are extremely shy. They are nocturnal by nature. They are regarded as vulnerable animals by the IUCN and are found largely in the semi-evergreen and rain forests of the Northeast. Beside Northeast India, they are also found in the Himalayan foothills in India and Nepal. Even their distribution range extends to Southeast Asia also.

The two clouded leopard cubs which were being hand raised at the Mobile Veterinary Services Centre of IFAW and WTI at Choraikhola in Kokrajhar are going to have a new home. They are set to free by the end of July at the Kachugaon forest nearby to Kokrajhar district in Assam.

According to the State Forest Department, the site which is chosen for the release of these cubs is in the Sanfang range under Kachugaon forest division in Kokrajhar. At first these two male cubs will be allowed to get acclimatised with the jungle environment under the observation of the forest officials. If the forest officials get satisfied that they are now fit for independent survival, than only they will be relived of human care. They have to undergo a long period of on-site acclimatisation before they are release in the jungle.

Bhaskar Choudhury, a veterinarian of State Forest Department said that on the basis of some criteria like prey availability, level of human disturbance, vegetation, connectivity with other forests, has helped them to decide on Sanfang range under Kachugaon forest division as the most suitable site for release of these two cubs.

In the month of March, the cubs were seized from a resident of Khanthalmari village under Runikhata range forest in Chirang district by a team of forest department officials. Since, than the doctors of the Mobile Veterinary Services Centre are taking care of them.

According to Panjit Basumatary, a veterinarian of the Mobile Veterinary Services Centre, both the cubs has gained a considerable weight since they were first brought in. They became more healthy and active and detach from milk diet. They are now feed on 250 gm of meat per day and also being provided nutritional supplements.

According to the Wildlife Law of India, clouded leopards are considered for the highest level of protection and they are listed under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, mandating permissions from the state as well as the central government for such rehabilitation and release.

They are mostly persecuted for their skin, bones, meat, and pet trade. Their bones are used in medicines. According to report of the IUCN, fewer than 10,000 mature clouded leopards survive in the entire world.

Solar Eclipse Changes Behaviour Of Tigers in Bhopal's Van Vihar National Park

noreply@blogger.com (Wild India.com) — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 08:03:00 +0000

July 22, 2009 is surely a day of remembrance for Indians as they had witnessed the longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century. This recently held solar eclipse was very unique and rare in the life of every Indian as this kind of total eclipse will be visible in the year 2114, after a long wait of 105 years.

The solar eclipse which held on July 22 has passed through many regions of India such as Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.

This total solar eclipse of the 21st century has created a buzz among wildlife enthusiasts and environmentalists. It is believed that solar eclipse always have a tremendous affect on the wildlife. And, this belief of environmentalists has strengthened when they noticed the abnormal behaviour among the Tigers of the Van Vihar National Park at Bhopal.

Wildlife officials of the Van Vihar National Park confirmed that they had witnessed a change in the behaviour of Tigers. These officials said that to analyze the behaviour of Tigers, they had kept a close check on the animals for the past seven days before solar eclipse.

After the observation, officials of the park had confirmed that during the period of eclipse Tigers of the park behaved differently. According to S.S Rajput, Director, Forest Department of Madhya Pradesh, this solar eclipse has forced the magnificent big cats of jungle to behave in a unique way. He said that before the eclipse, the behaviour of the Tiger changes. They became very quite. Even the Tigress which usually used to make noise after every five minutes during the day-time, had become absolutely quite during the eclipse period.