SIBTE HUSAIN BUKHARI
Posted online: Sunday , February 24, 2008 at 01:16:44
Updated: Sunday , February 24, 2008 at 01:36:13
Junagadh, February23 In less than a year, Gir forest is again under serious threat from poachers. A series of incidents of poaching and attacking forest guards inside the sanctuary have surfaced now. On Friday evening, three poachers had killed one spotted dear and attacked two forest guards in the Jawantri area under the Jamwala forest range in Gir west forest division, of whom one was seriously wounded. After the incident, the three tried to flee from the spot, but by Saturday noon, two of them surrendered before the Talala police.
When contacted, deputy conservator of forest (Gir-west) B P Pati confirmed the incident, saying, “Two forest guards heard the sound of gunfire during routine patrolling. They immediately rushed towards the direction of the sound and saw three locals moving around with countrymade guns.”
According to Pati, the forest guards tried to overpower the poachers, but in the process one guard, identified as Bhavesh Bakotra (30) was seriously injured, while another guard identified as A P Dokal was threatened at gunpoint. Later, the three poachers escaped from the scene.
Pati said Dokal immediately informed his superiors about the incident with his cellphone. Forest officials rushed to the spot soon after and hospitalised the injured forest guard, whose condition was reported to be critical at the time of admission. He is now out of danger, though.
Meanwhile, according to a confirmed report, two out of three poachers have surrendered before the Talala police. The duo has been identified as Kalu Jumma Dafer, a resident of Jawantri village, and Abdul Dafer, a resident of Sangodra village. It is significant that Sangodra and Jawantri are both located on the periphery of Gir forest. The police have arrested both the accused.
Bakotra has lodged complaints against the three with the Talala police under Sections 307 (attempt of murder) 186 (preventing government official from performing official duty) and 332 (physically assaulting on-duty government official), of the Indian Penal Code. The three have also been booked under various provision of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 rule 9, 2 and 51.
According to Pati, the killing of wild animals in the forest area is a serious offence, liable to punishment with imprisonment between three to seven years and fine or both.
According to police and forest sources, both Kalu and Abdul have admitted that they have killed a spotted dear, though the carcass is yet to be recovered. A manhunt has also been launched to nab the third poacher while police authorities have grilled the two and their further interrogation is awaited.
"Locals from the Dafer (a Scheduled Tribe) community are involved in this crime. Many from this community are habitual poachers of herbivores, particularly deer or blue-bull. The community members generally takes shelter in an isolated area far from human habitat. They are spread throughout Gujarat, but their prime profession is to provide protection to standing crops in the agricultural area," said sources.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Leopard caught from Junagadh sheep pen.
SIBTE HUSAIN BUKHARI
Posted online: Monday , February 25, 2008 at 12:54:35
Updated: Monday , February 25, 2008 at 01:14:10
Junagadh, February 24 A Leopard took shelter in the sheep-pen of a shepherd in Fareda village, some 20 kms from Una town in Junagadh district, on Friday. It stayed there the whole night, preyed on a goat, before being caged and shifted to the forest area, the next morning.
According to reports, a leopard, which was roaming in the village around midnight, entered Bhana Parmar’s house and preyed on a goat in the adjoining shed. Hearing some commotion Parmar went inside the pen and saw the big cat preying on a goat. He somehow gathered courage and closed the door of the room.
He then immediately informed the forest officials.
In the morning, foresters from the Babaria range reached the spot and managed to trap the animal. It was shifted to a safer place in the Gir forest later. However, before the big cat was safely caught, Parmar and his family had to spend a sleepless night what with a leopard lurking in their premises.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, three lions reportedly preyed on a donkey in Aambecha village near Malia town of Junagadh district. Sources said that the lions killed a donkey belonging to one Bhanabhai, a potter. Forest sources said that owners of the dead animals, in both cases, would be compensated.
Posted online: Monday , February 25, 2008 at 12:54:35
Updated: Monday , February 25, 2008 at 01:14:10
Junagadh, February 24 A Leopard took shelter in the sheep-pen of a shepherd in Fareda village, some 20 kms from Una town in Junagadh district, on Friday. It stayed there the whole night, preyed on a goat, before being caged and shifted to the forest area, the next morning.
According to reports, a leopard, which was roaming in the village around midnight, entered Bhana Parmar’s house and preyed on a goat in the adjoining shed. Hearing some commotion Parmar went inside the pen and saw the big cat preying on a goat. He somehow gathered courage and closed the door of the room.
He then immediately informed the forest officials.
In the morning, foresters from the Babaria range reached the spot and managed to trap the animal. It was shifted to a safer place in the Gir forest later. However, before the big cat was safely caught, Parmar and his family had to spend a sleepless night what with a leopard lurking in their premises.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, three lions reportedly preyed on a donkey in Aambecha village near Malia town of Junagadh district. Sources said that the lions killed a donkey belonging to one Bhanabhai, a potter. Forest sources said that owners of the dead animals, in both cases, would be compensated.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
No plan to relocate Asiatic lions of Gujarat: Forest Conservator.
Junagadh, Gujarat, Feb 16: There have been no plans to relocate the famous Asiatic lions at the Gir National Park and Sanctuary, as speculated by a section of wildlife activists and the media, state Forest Conservator Chief Pradeep Khanna has said.
Mr Khanna was commenting on the speculations in media and wildlife circuit that the State Government has planned to transfer the lions to Madhya Pradesh.
Mr Khanna also visited forest of Girnar and reviewed the steps taken to ensure that the incidents of poaching do not take place in this world famous sanctuary.
The Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, had worked out a plan in early nineties to transfer some of the lions to the Palpur Kuno Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh to insulate lions against outbreak of epidemics, enemy attack or any natural calamity which, it was feared, could wipe out their entire lion population.
Adjoining Barda forest range has also been cited as a possible relocation site for many years.
The Gujarat government has been, however, opposing relocation of the lions to Madhya Pradesh or anywhere outside the state by saying that the lions are an exclusive heritage of the state and part of its cultural identity.
--- UNI
Mr Khanna was commenting on the speculations in media and wildlife circuit that the State Government has planned to transfer the lions to Madhya Pradesh.
Mr Khanna also visited forest of Girnar and reviewed the steps taken to ensure that the incidents of poaching do not take place in this world famous sanctuary.
The Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, had worked out a plan in early nineties to transfer some of the lions to the Palpur Kuno Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh to insulate lions against outbreak of epidemics, enemy attack or any natural calamity which, it was feared, could wipe out their entire lion population.
Adjoining Barda forest range has also been cited as a possible relocation site for many years.
The Gujarat government has been, however, opposing relocation of the lions to Madhya Pradesh or anywhere outside the state by saying that the lions are an exclusive heritage of the state and part of its cultural identity.
--- UNI
Lioness gives birth ot 5 cubs at Rajkot zoo.
The Rajkot Zoo became richer with the arrival of three lion cubs on Tuesday evening. Born to 'Masti', aged three and a half years, all three cubs are in healthy condition. With the birht of these cubs, Rajkot zoo becomes another zoo having some population of Asiatic Lions in Gujarat. In Junagadh zoo, there are about 40 lions, while the number has reached to 11 at Rajkot zoo.
While talking to TOI, Dr. M G Maradia, zoo superintendent at Aji dam informed, 'We had brought male lion 'Viral' form Junagadh zoo on a breeding loan. Viral, 10, has a wild origin since it was caught form Gir forest. The cubs will also have wild jeans in them due to their father's origin. We had to bring in the lion from Junagadh following the rules that prohibit in-breeding- breeding in the same family.'
Viral was brought from junagadh zoo in September 2007 and after a gestation period of 108 days, Masti gave birth to the cubs. The mother is taking good care of the cubs and is feeding them properly, eliminating possibilities of infanticide in this case as it is usual phenomenon in wild animals to kill their offspring. Dr. Maradia added that generally a female lion gives birth to around 2 to 4 cubs at a time and the average weight of a new-born cub is between 800 and 1200 gms.
Meanwhile, sources in zoo said Masti's sister 'Moj' is also expecting and is expected to deliver in mid-March.
While talking to TOI, Dr. M G Maradia, zoo superintendent at Aji dam informed, 'We had brought male lion 'Viral' form Junagadh zoo on a breeding loan. Viral, 10, has a wild origin since it was caught form Gir forest. The cubs will also have wild jeans in them due to their father's origin. We had to bring in the lion from Junagadh following the rules that prohibit in-breeding- breeding in the same family.'
Viral was brought from junagadh zoo in September 2007 and after a gestation period of 108 days, Masti gave birth to the cubs. The mother is taking good care of the cubs and is feeding them properly, eliminating possibilities of infanticide in this case as it is usual phenomenon in wild animals to kill their offspring. Dr. Maradia added that generally a female lion gives birth to around 2 to 4 cubs at a time and the average weight of a new-born cub is between 800 and 1200 gms.
Meanwhile, sources in zoo said Masti's sister 'Moj' is also expecting and is expected to deliver in mid-March.
Lioness dies at Rajkot zoo.
Rajkot | Monday, Feb 4 2008 IST
A 15-year-old lioness died at Aji Dam zoo here today following prolonged illness.
The lioness, Rajvanti, was suffering from Paritonitia disease, zoo superintendent M G Maradia said.
Rajvanti was brought here in 2003 from Shakar Baug zoo at Junagadh.
Source: http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20080204/882942.html
A 15-year-old lioness died at Aji Dam zoo here today following prolonged illness.
The lioness, Rajvanti, was suffering from Paritonitia disease, zoo superintendent M G Maradia said.
Rajvanti was brought here in 2003 from Shakar Baug zoo at Junagadh.
Source: http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20080204/882942.html
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Star-crossed lions' love triangle at Bristol Zoo
By Tom Chivers and agencies
Last Updated: 2:30pm GMT 13/02/2008
A lovelorn lioness whose partner can no longer satisfy her needs has sought solace in the arms - or perhaps claws - of a younger lover.
Lovers Chandra (left) and Moti in happier times
Moti, an Asiatic lioness resident at Bristol Zoo, is the mother of three cubs by Chandra, her fourteen-year-old mate. However, Chandra has been diagnosed as having a low sperm count, meaning that he will be unable to carry out his masculine duties.
Staff at the zoo want Moti to have more children, as the Asiatic lion is highly endangered, with just 350 left in the wild - all of them in the Gir Forest Sanctuary in northern India. To that end, they have brought in a younger leonine Lothario in the shape of Kamal, who at a mere 13 is something of a toy-boy to the fourteen-year-old lioness.
To avoid ugly scenes of bitterness and recrimination, Chandra will be moved to Cotswold Wildlife Park to provide comfort to a female lion whose partner died in November.
John Partridge, the senior curator of animals at the zoo, said: "Asiatic lions are critically endangered, so it is great news to be getting a new male lion.
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"The prospect of lion cubs is fantastic for Bristol Zoo as well as for the breeding programme as a whole.
"Chandra is an attractive animal and has quite a character - we shall miss him, as I'm sure many of our visitors will. But we invited an expert from Berlin to visit to find out why Chandra and Moti had stopped breeding.
"He found that Chandra has a very low sperm count - it seems that we have been very lucky to have had any cubs from them at all.
"Genetically, Moti is very valuable to the European breeding programme.
"The male from Twycross is a proven breeding male and so we are hoping for at least one litter of cubs in the future."
Chandra and Moti’s first cub was born in Bristol Zoo in March 1998, but tragically it only survived a few days. Two more - Indi and Dacca - were born in August of that year, while a third, Aiesha, arrived in 2001.
All three have since grown up and moved to other European zoos.
In an effort to protect the Asiatic lion from extinction, Bristol Zoo Gardens is engaging in a worldwide conservation breeding programme.
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/02/13/nlion113.xml
Last Updated: 2:30pm GMT 13/02/2008
A lovelorn lioness whose partner can no longer satisfy her needs has sought solace in the arms - or perhaps claws - of a younger lover.
Lovers Chandra (left) and Moti in happier times
Moti, an Asiatic lioness resident at Bristol Zoo, is the mother of three cubs by Chandra, her fourteen-year-old mate. However, Chandra has been diagnosed as having a low sperm count, meaning that he will be unable to carry out his masculine duties.
Staff at the zoo want Moti to have more children, as the Asiatic lion is highly endangered, with just 350 left in the wild - all of them in the Gir Forest Sanctuary in northern India. To that end, they have brought in a younger leonine Lothario in the shape of Kamal, who at a mere 13 is something of a toy-boy to the fourteen-year-old lioness.
To avoid ugly scenes of bitterness and recrimination, Chandra will be moved to Cotswold Wildlife Park to provide comfort to a female lion whose partner died in November.
John Partridge, the senior curator of animals at the zoo, said: "Asiatic lions are critically endangered, so it is great news to be getting a new male lion.
advertisement
"The prospect of lion cubs is fantastic for Bristol Zoo as well as for the breeding programme as a whole.
"Chandra is an attractive animal and has quite a character - we shall miss him, as I'm sure many of our visitors will. But we invited an expert from Berlin to visit to find out why Chandra and Moti had stopped breeding.
"He found that Chandra has a very low sperm count - it seems that we have been very lucky to have had any cubs from them at all.
"Genetically, Moti is very valuable to the European breeding programme.
"The male from Twycross is a proven breeding male and so we are hoping for at least one litter of cubs in the future."
Chandra and Moti’s first cub was born in Bristol Zoo in March 1998, but tragically it only survived a few days. Two more - Indi and Dacca - were born in August of that year, while a third, Aiesha, arrived in 2001.
All three have since grown up and moved to other European zoos.
In an effort to protect the Asiatic lion from extinction, Bristol Zoo Gardens is engaging in a worldwide conservation breeding programme.
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/02/13/nlion113.xml
Gene pools to help conserve Asiatic lions.
14 Feb 2008, 0204 hrs IST,Himanshu Kaushik,TNN
GANDHINAGAR: In a bid to strengthen its case of not shifting Gir’s Asiatic lions to Madhya Pradesh, the state government has initiated a move to create three gene pools to conserve the genetic diversity of this endangered wild cat.
Pradeep Khanna, additional principal chief conservator of forest, said that creating these gene pools was a part of a long-term planning to save the Asiatic lions. One gene pool each will be formed in Rampara Virdi, about 40 km from Rajkot, in Sakkarbaugh Zoo of Junagadh and Hingolgadh in Jasdan taluka of Rajkot district.
"There are two ways of conservation - one, within the environment and second, bringing the animal out of the environment and conserving the genetic diversity. The gene pool will have 10 to 20 animals per pool," said Khanna.
These pools will help in conserving lions outside the protected environment. The move has also been necessitated considering the fact that if the entire population of Asiatic lions is confined to just one area, they would be highly vulnerable to any kind of biological, climactic or man-made catastrophe. A major disaster within the Gir could wipe out the entire subspecies at a stroke.
Likewise, a disease outbreak could decimate the lion population. Measures are also being taken to correct a little known biological imbalance concerning the Asiatic lion.
They said that around 50 wild cats would be shifted to these gene pools. This would again ease the burden on Gir sanctuary, which has around 359-odd lions. The capacity of Gir was just 250-270-odd lions and with these three gene pools, it would definitely reduce the burden. Officials said that the gene pools would also be a breeding ground for the Asiatic lions and there is a possibility that 10-12 pairs of animals would be kept in these gene pools.
The Central government is already pressing hard for shifting the lions from Gir to Kuno-Palpur sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.
Requesting anonymity, forest department officials said that the decision to create gene pools was taken by the department to counter Centre’s move to shift the lions from Gujarat.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Ahmedabad/Gene_pools_to_help_conserve_Asiatic_lions/articleshow/2780974.cms
GANDHINAGAR: In a bid to strengthen its case of not shifting Gir’s Asiatic lions to Madhya Pradesh, the state government has initiated a move to create three gene pools to conserve the genetic diversity of this endangered wild cat.
Pradeep Khanna, additional principal chief conservator of forest, said that creating these gene pools was a part of a long-term planning to save the Asiatic lions. One gene pool each will be formed in Rampara Virdi, about 40 km from Rajkot, in Sakkarbaugh Zoo of Junagadh and Hingolgadh in Jasdan taluka of Rajkot district.
"There are two ways of conservation - one, within the environment and second, bringing the animal out of the environment and conserving the genetic diversity. The gene pool will have 10 to 20 animals per pool," said Khanna.
These pools will help in conserving lions outside the protected environment. The move has also been necessitated considering the fact that if the entire population of Asiatic lions is confined to just one area, they would be highly vulnerable to any kind of biological, climactic or man-made catastrophe. A major disaster within the Gir could wipe out the entire subspecies at a stroke.
Likewise, a disease outbreak could decimate the lion population. Measures are also being taken to correct a little known biological imbalance concerning the Asiatic lion.
They said that around 50 wild cats would be shifted to these gene pools. This would again ease the burden on Gir sanctuary, which has around 359-odd lions. The capacity of Gir was just 250-270-odd lions and with these three gene pools, it would definitely reduce the burden. Officials said that the gene pools would also be a breeding ground for the Asiatic lions and there is a possibility that 10-12 pairs of animals would be kept in these gene pools.
The Central government is already pressing hard for shifting the lions from Gir to Kuno-Palpur sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.
Requesting anonymity, forest department officials said that the decision to create gene pools was taken by the department to counter Centre’s move to shift the lions from Gujarat.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Ahmedabad/Gene_pools_to_help_conserve_Asiatic_lions/articleshow/2780974.cms
Friday, February 8, 2008
This 'honey tree' feeds a village
8 Feb 2008, 0050 hrs IST,Hitarth Pandya,TNN
DINBARI (Valsad): If you find villagers sitting by the roadside on the Valsad-Nasik state highway with carefully arranged old beer bottles, don't expect them to serve some local brew. They are selling the Dinbari honey, named after their village, which is more famous in the region than any brew.
The villagers are also a case study in the age of global warming why man should protect environment. The Dinbari honey is collected from beehives on just one tree. And, this one silk cotton tree supports an entire co-operative of 95 members. The Shri Jai Hanuman Van Sahkari Mandli Limited was formally registered in 2003.
This 'sweet revolution' is slowly ushering in change in Dinbari. Instead of splurging money on mahuda liquor, the villagers are now thinking of saving. With the money from the co-operative, they have bought large vessels, chairs, loudspeakers and a generator, which they rent out. The co-operative today has a balance of Rs 40,000.
"We get between 75 and 150 bottles of honey every year," says Sakharam Avtar, former sarpanch of Dinbari. "We sell it for Rs 110 a bottle. The bees come to the hives just once in a year and we take good care of the tree." The villagers use beer bottles because a bottle of 750 ml can hold roughly one kg of honey. The honey is so popular that it is sold off in just a couple of hours of hitting the market.
The villagers normally extract the honey on a moonless night and get rid of the bees by smoking them out. Magan Soma Avtar, who heads the society, says: "The beehives came up on the tree about 10 years ago. For five years, we distributed the honey equally among the residents. But, then the elders decided to form a society. Our lives have improved since then." Even the local forest officials have not been able to explain how and why the bees chose just one tree to make their home.
hitarth.pandya@timesgroup.com
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Ahmedabad/This_honey_tree_feeds_a_village/articleshow/2765416.cms
DINBARI (Valsad): If you find villagers sitting by the roadside on the Valsad-Nasik state highway with carefully arranged old beer bottles, don't expect them to serve some local brew. They are selling the Dinbari honey, named after their village, which is more famous in the region than any brew.
The villagers are also a case study in the age of global warming why man should protect environment. The Dinbari honey is collected from beehives on just one tree. And, this one silk cotton tree supports an entire co-operative of 95 members. The Shri Jai Hanuman Van Sahkari Mandli Limited was formally registered in 2003.
This 'sweet revolution' is slowly ushering in change in Dinbari. Instead of splurging money on mahuda liquor, the villagers are now thinking of saving. With the money from the co-operative, they have bought large vessels, chairs, loudspeakers and a generator, which they rent out. The co-operative today has a balance of Rs 40,000.
"We get between 75 and 150 bottles of honey every year," says Sakharam Avtar, former sarpanch of Dinbari. "We sell it for Rs 110 a bottle. The bees come to the hives just once in a year and we take good care of the tree." The villagers use beer bottles because a bottle of 750 ml can hold roughly one kg of honey. The honey is so popular that it is sold off in just a couple of hours of hitting the market.
The villagers normally extract the honey on a moonless night and get rid of the bees by smoking them out. Magan Soma Avtar, who heads the society, says: "The beehives came up on the tree about 10 years ago. For five years, we distributed the honey equally among the residents. But, then the elders decided to form a society. Our lives have improved since then." Even the local forest officials have not been able to explain how and why the bees chose just one tree to make their home.
hitarth.pandya@timesgroup.com
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Ahmedabad/This_honey_tree_feeds_a_village/articleshow/2765416.cms
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