tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54786452237869257902024-02-21T13:47:18.586+05:30WILDLIFE CRIME AND CONSERVATION A blog dedicated to wildlife conservation and prevention of animal crueltyWild Himalayashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06330488253374840535noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478645223786925790.post-18740166404237949302014-06-07T21:18:00.000+05:302014-06-07T21:18:06.722+05:3022 Nepalis caught smuggling Yartsa Gumba in Valley of Flowers National Park<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Twenty two persons belonging to Nepal were arrested from several places near Ghangharia, the base camp of <b>Valley of Flowers National Park</b> in the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, District Chamoli, Uttarakhand, INDIA, who were trying to <b>smuggle Yartsa Gambu </b>or the Chinese caterpillar mushroom (Cordyceps sinensis) which costs Rupees 10 lakh per kg ($ 20000/kg) in the local market and much more in the international market. It is used as an aphrodisiac as well as for strength and used especially by athletes as it is not detected in the dope test. The smugglers are found to have links with high profile people. The details are awaited. Will post them soon.</div>
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Wild Himalayashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06330488253374840535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478645223786925790.post-2337399662444465092014-04-14T14:12:00.000+05:302014-04-20T21:03:28.589+05:30RETURN OF THE HYENA IN HARIDWAR- VIDEO FOOTAGE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a name='more'></a><span style="text-align: justify;">In a revealing footage disclosed by Shri.S.T.S.Lepcha IFS, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests from the Jhilmil jheel Conservation Reserve in Haridwar Forest Division, the presence of the Striped Hyena has been confirmed in this region after a gap of several years. A Hyena was rescued from a pit a few years back in the same region, but was seen going to the adjoining Chilla range of Rajaji National Park. Now this is a fresh sighting in Haridwar Forest Division after a long gap. The return of the Hyena is attributed to the conservation efforts of the Uttarakhand Forest Department. In addition to strict forest protection measures, habitat improvement works like the removal of invasive weeds like Lantana is slowly starting to show its outcome. Hyenas have also been found in the camera trap of Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary in the eastern parts of the State. The video footage is given below:</span><br />
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Wild Himalayashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06330488253374840535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478645223786925790.post-72041608658378343082014-04-07T21:52:00.000+05:302014-04-20T20:56:47.832+05:30TIGER POACHING IN DHAKANA, MELGAT TIGER RESERVE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">SHORT
NOTE ON TIGER POACHING IN DHAKANA, MELGAT TIGER RESERVE)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">POR
NO: 10/10 DT 4/3/13)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a name='more'></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On
4<sup>th</sup> March 2013 CCF MTR received secret information of tiger
poaching. Based on that information DCF Akot detained 6 suspected persons from
various places who were suspected to be involved in the said tiger poaching
case. Later DCF Gugamal arrested those persons as the spot of crime was in
Dhakana Range of Gugamal Division. POR no 10/10 dated 4.3.13 was registered.
The arrested accused were:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Madhusing
L. Rathod, resident of Sinaband, Ta: Dharni<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Chintaram
L. Rathod, resident of Sinaband, Ta: Dharni <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Anesh
Chattersingh Rathod, resident of Sinband, Ta: Dharni<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Vinod
Premlal Pawar, resident of Sinband, Ta: Dharni<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sagarlal
Gorelal Pawar, resident of Sinband, Ta: Dharni<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Narvilal
Ruchlesingh Pawar, resident of Sawlikheda, Ta: Dharni<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">During
the investigation, spot verification was done and extensive search operations
were carried out with the help of</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <u>metal detector and sniffer dog squad. <o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> One of the absconding accused <b><u>Shiri
</u></b>who was arrested on 3/6/2013 by tracking his cell call data. Shiri was
hardcore poacher and was found to be involved in 3 tiger, 2 leopard and one
sloth bear poaching. However after 4 days of custody, the accused was released
on bail by JMFC, Achalpur. The application for cancellation of his bail has
been filed in JMFC, Achalpur. The application for cancellation of his bail has
been filed in JMFC. The decision of which is awaited. Presently behind bar in
other cases<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Another accused in this case <u>Mishrila</u>
(the financer) from whose possession a sum of Rs 23000 alleged to be part of
trade was arrested later on 5<sup>th</sup> July 2013. He was given MCR by hon.
CJM Court Amravati and presently behind bar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> An abettor, Bhajan was arrested from
Raigad, Odisha, based on Call Detail Records analysis. He is under magisterial
Custody. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> A detailed <u>bio-data</u> of all
accused was prepared and sent to various agencies such as NCRB, CID and CBI.
The amin absconding accused Ranjit was found to be already booked in a CBI
CASE, 2009 in relation to tiger poaching in Chandrapur area. He absconded the
bail and was wanted in CBI case. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Call
records Details (CDR)</span></u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> of accused were drawn
from cyber cell of S.P. Office Amravati and analyzed with the help of cyber
crime expert from other vital clues. Later on 10/10/2013 wildlife Crime Cell
was established. Based on the analysis of CDR clues, a team was sent to arrest
the main accused Ranjit from Hoshiyarpur, Punjab. Cooperation was sought from
the Senior Superintendent of Police, Hoshiryarpur and he was briefed about the
involvement of the accused in serious crime of Tiger poaching. However the
operation failed and accused absconded beyond reach. After extensive research
of CDR data, the offender was tracked down in Vizag. A.P. He has switched
around 36 mobile phones and sims to evade arrest. He was arrested on
16/12/2013.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On
interrogation, Ranjit told that he sold skin and bones to <u>Sarju of Haryana</u>
(mediator). Bases on that information and CDR tracking, Sarju was arrested in
Delhi. He was caught with one set of tiger bones and cash of 2.75 lac RS. On
interrogation, he told that he further sold skin and bones to Chacha of Delhi.
A raid was conducted on Chacha’s house along with Delhi Police. Chacha was
arrested and 18 tiger claws (fake) and hard cash of 50 lac was seized from him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One
of the accused Anesh Chattersing Rathod whose involvement in this case was
found to be minimal as per investigation done by the I.O., later agreed to
appear as approver on behalf of the prosecution and has accordingly recorded
his statement under 306 of CrPC, narrating the fine details of poaching
incidence before the JMFC, Achalpur. However the approver was influenced by
other offenders and changed his witness. As he become hostile, he will be
prosecuted for tiger poaching as well as perjury.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Rotten
tiger meat, hairs, nails and bold soil sample were seized from the place of
crime and sent to CCMB for DNA analysis. Also Rs 33900 in cash were seized
which were supposed to be related to tiger trade. An iron trap used for killing
the tiger was also seized. Places of residence of accused were raided and
whiskers of tiger, weapons related to the crime were seized. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">All
the statement and <i>Panhnama </i>were made according to Indian Evidence Act. <u>Photographic
and electronic evidences</u> were also taken according to protocol.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
evidence include:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">DNA
Report of CCMB showing traces of DNA from spot of crime and fingernails of
accused.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Recovery
of tiger meat, steel trap, 33900 RS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Call
Detail Records.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Electronic
evidences: Video statement, photographs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Bail applications</span></u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> of all accused except Shiri were rejected trice.
All accused found involved in tiger poaching are still behind the bar and the
trial has commence in the court. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> In total
around 45 persons were arrested from all over India. 10 separate cases were
registered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Vishgal Mail<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">ACF_Protection
Gugamal Division,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Melghat Tiger
Project<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">jazzyforester@gmail.com<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 324pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">mob no.
9673866990<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Vishalmeltiger@gmail.com<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">FG- Vishal P. Bhatkar- 09209933693</span><br />
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Wild Himalayashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06330488253374840535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478645223786925790.post-16647615457144148592014-03-09T23:13:00.000+05:302014-04-20T20:57:06.291+05:30VIDEO on TRANS-BORDER TRADE across MAHAKALI between INDIA and NEPAL<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
VIDEO on TRANS-BORDER TRADE across MAHAKALI between INDIA and NEPAL<br />
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Wild Himalayashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06330488253374840535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478645223786925790.post-31658192920633435132014-03-09T23:01:00.001+05:302014-04-20T20:57:35.176+05:30Snow leopards videographed in Gangotri<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Four different snow leopards have been videographed by means of a camera trap in Gangotri National Park.<br />
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Wild Himalayashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06330488253374840535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478645223786925790.post-26972782174539015862014-01-04T12:57:00.000+05:302014-01-09T21:00:15.651+05:30NGOs and ANIMAL ACTIVISTS also INVOLVED in WILDLIFE CRIMES<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It may be surprising, but the fact is that several wildlife NGOs and Animal right activists are also involved in wildlife crimes in order to keep their institution running on account of funds they receive from international bodies on showing that wildlife poaching is still rampant. Animal right activists also indulge in getting various government orders passed banning cruel practices of animal slaughter, even in states where animals are slaughtered the most respected way. </div>
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KERALA, the God's own country was recently severely criticized by a well known animal right activist group <br />
<a name='more'></a>saying that several cruel practices of animal slaughter like hammering the heads of cows and bulls exist in Kerala, whereas the reality is that Kerala is one of the states where the laws are much respected and even otherwise, the people never adopt cruel practices even if it pertains to killing for food. Even Sea Whales which get trapped on beaches are pushed back to the sea by fishermen instead of taking profit from it. Recently, this animal right group got some government orders issued by the animal husbandry department banning 'cruel practices' which never existed in the State. Such orders are later on claimed to be achievements of the animal rights group to attract more international funding.</div>
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In many other states, there are reports of animal rights activists taking possession of domestic animals like parrots and parakeets saying that they are not being treated properly, whereas the reality is that the owners are treating them like their own family members.</div>
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Several members of such groups also blackmail innocent persons giving them false claims that they are empowered to seize and cut cases.</div>
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NGOs who get funds for wildlife conservation are often prompted to show evidences of poaching. For achieving this target, they use so called 'informers' who instead of informing actual cases of poaching, often are tempted to get involved in poaching, take off skins from naturally dead leopards and other animals, cajole people telling that they would get them a good price for the skins and ultimately trap them and show them to authorities at the same time escaping themselves from the scene. </div>
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Any evidence of poaching will attract funds for camera traps, CCTV, purchase of vehicles, etc. which in turn involve heavy commissions and also help these NGOs get importance and membership in various wildlife advisory committees and boards, etc. thus making their 'livelihood'.</div>
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In this context, it has become very difficult to identify the real wildlife activist, the real environmentalist, the real animal right activist and so on. </div>
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Recently, an animal right activist also conducted a sting operation in a renowned national park by gaining entry as a tourist and started publishing it on you-tube and also used prohibited narcotic drugs for conducting the operation. The activist though initially tried to black mail the officials, ultimately is now under investigation for use of narcotics as shown in the you tube video. However, due to high political support, the activist is still able to evade all prosecution.</div>
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Another set of activists are using tools like Eco-sensitive zone declaration, etc. in order to black mail persons residing close to national parks and sanctuaries and also hydro power developers and other industrialists having their projects close to national parks and sanctuaries. Further, this has become a dealing ground for land mafias as they speculate such lands which lose their market value on even a grape wine rumour that the area is going to become a ecosensitive zone. There is a distress sale and the land mafia take advantage of this. Later on, when things become normal often accounted due to 'mass protests against declaration of ESZ', the land prices regain and the real estate mafia earn a good profit.</div>
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Wild Himalayashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06330488253374840535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478645223786925790.post-65038429783740523562013-11-30T22:55:00.000+05:302014-01-09T19:52:47.043+05:30LIQUOR LADEN VEHICLES SEIZED IN RAJAJI NATIONAL PARK<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Around 200 bottles of Indian Made Foreign Liquor was seized from Rajaji National Park in Uttarakhand on 28 Nov 2013 along with two vehicles carrying them. The liquor bottles were being transported from<br />
<a name='more'></a> Karnal, Haryana to a village called Kimsar in Pauri Garhwal. It was being transported in a Honda City car having a Delhi registration. It was passing through the Kaudia-Kimsar motor road which passes through the Rajaji National Park. This road is the only road to the village Kimsar from Rishikesh, however, the stretch passing through the National Park is not surfaced and the drive is very difficult. Honda City not being a car for tough terrain roads, got easily damaged before it could reach its destination. A Bolero jeep was called for from the village and all the liquor was being shifted to the Bolero. It was around 9 p.m in the night when a forest patrol team during their night patrolling suddenly came across the vehicles. Finding these vehicles in a suspicious mode alerted the staff and on checking it was found filled with liquor. Further checking revealed additional liquor bottles inside the seat of the car. There were four persons in all, of which two of them managed to escape in the darkness. The two others were arrested and the vehicles were seized by the forest staff and were transferred to the Uttarakhand Police for further action. It is suspected that the liquor bottles were being transported to influence voters for the oncoming Panchayat elections in the State.</div>
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Wild Himalayashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06330488253374840535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478645223786925790.post-5312240394994455632013-11-17T17:17:00.001+05:302014-01-09T19:53:14.031+05:30SMALL INDIAN CIVET KILLED IN ROAD ACCIDENT<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXs88gMFR4ebnb5QdevF9S14zw_Ssw5SYjQW5siWJVz3ydieQrv7PRNq3xJo2yn2gBdflvVkZafLdsLwmxrR6EwFJOrNSDKQMeAExShu3RuIM8J-o8sB1oz-0Ktp_4Ec54RBj0wKqeIe1/s1600/IMG_8903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXs88gMFR4ebnb5QdevF9S14zw_Ssw5SYjQW5siWJVz3ydieQrv7PRNq3xJo2yn2gBdflvVkZafLdsLwmxrR6EwFJOrNSDKQMeAExShu3RuIM8J-o8sB1oz-0Ktp_4Ec54RBj0wKqeIe1/s640/IMG_8903.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
A Small Indian Civet (<i>Viverricula indica</i>) was killed in a road accident on 16 Nov 2013 on Dharmawal-Paonta Sahib road (Shimla Bye-pass road) in Dehradun district of Uttarakhand, India. The road kill was estimated to be between 8:30 a.m to 10:30a.m. The blood stains on the road suggests that the Civet was hit and dragged atleast two metres ahead where it was found dead with broken head by a team of foresters who had gone on patrolling in the Timli range of Soil Conservation Division, Kalsi. </div>
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Wild Himalayashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06330488253374840535noreply@blogger.com0Dharmawala, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India30.410991994540431 77.71221499335933930.383603994540433 77.67187449335934 30.43837999454043 77.752555493359338tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478645223786925790.post-41051845308435012432013-11-14T23:09:00.001+05:302013-11-14T23:09:46.747+05:30CORBETT NATIONAL PARK - Dhikala Zone OPENS TO TOURISTS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The Dhikala Zone of Corbett National Park has opened to tourists from 15th November. The rooms inside the park are already booked to its full capacity due to the new online booking facility that has been launched. The park is famous for being the one of the highest tiger country along with other animals like Elephant, different kinds of deer and around 650 species of birds and several species of other flora and fauna.</div>
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Wild Himalayashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06330488253374840535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478645223786925790.post-55724073335778842442013-10-19T19:40:00.000+05:302013-10-19T19:44:53.024+05:30CORBETT NATIONAL PARK OPENS TO VISITORS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>Bijrani zone of Corbett National Park, Ramnagar, Uttarakhand, INDIA, opens.</b><br />
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The Bijrani Zone of Corbett National Park and Tiger Reserve opened on 15th October 2013, however, due to a strike by the Forest Guards, no entry was being allowed. Today, the forest guards agreed not to obstruct the entry gate after they were invited for a meeting by the Government to resolve their demands.</div>
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Wild Himalayashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06330488253374840535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478645223786925790.post-5055181910640621812011-08-28T14:07:00.001+05:302014-03-21T22:39:03.922+05:30BOMBING IN ASKOT WILDLIFE SANCTUARY<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Landslide due to mortar shelling in Askot sanctuary - Click on image to enlarge</td></tr>
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Massive firing and shelling of mortars regularly take place at Tijam, near <strong>Sobala</strong>, conducted by a transit army<br />
<a name='more'></a> camp as a part of 'training and firing practice'. The hard fact is that this activity is done from the camp which is at a higher location of the village towards the <strong>Askote Wildlife sanctuary</strong> area on the other side of the Umchiya gad in district Pithoragarh of Uttarakhand, India. The villagers of Tijam had earlier requested to re-establish the old lake, which had drained off after a massive flash flood. This drained lake area is the only path to go across to the village <strong>Batan</strong>. The firing activity by the army has made this journey dangerous and the villagers are also being harassed by the army. The villagers thought that by making the lake, this area would be not available for the army for firing. Moreover, the firing of <strong>mortars</strong> using<strong> rocket launchers</strong> across the river has also caused landslides across the river in the main sanctuary area. During a recent visit by the DFO, <strong>Pithoragarh</strong>, Mr.Thirugnanasambandham IFS to check the feasibility of the rejuvenation of the lake (as declared by the Chief Minister), he found that the reason the villagers were pressing for the lake was actually to curb the above activity. When asked about the massive <strong>landslide</strong> in the sanctuary, the villagers told him that it was a result of firing of mortars by the army. Several wild animals like <strong>Himalayan Black bear</strong>, <strong>musk deer</strong>, <strong>leopard</strong>s, <strong>ghoral</strong>s, <strong>barking deer</strong>, etc. are also disturbed by this regular firing. The DFO has promised to issue strict orders to prevent the army from doing any firing activity within or near the sanctuary area and not to use the dried lake area as a firing ground anymore. The earlier DFO, Mr.Ram Gopal had also issued letters to the army asking them not to use any forest area for firing and war practice.</div>
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Wild Himalayashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06330488253374840535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478645223786925790.post-49121187126516504712011-08-17T19:38:00.001+05:302011-08-18T19:24:57.939+05:30180 Schedule I Turtles seized in Haridwar - 3 Arrested<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">The <strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/haridwar">Haridwar</a></strong> Forest Division of Uttarakhand Forest Department today seized 180 schedule 1 turtles in a joint operation with the Wildlife Protection Society of India under the guidance of Mr.Jairaj, Additional PCCF, Uttarakhand, who is in charge of implementation of Prevention of cruelty to Animals Act. Three persons have been arrested, out of which two are <strong>aquarium</strong> shop owners. The different species seized were Indian Tent <strong>turtle</strong>, Brown roof <strong>turtle</strong>, Indian Roof <strong>turtle</strong> and Spotted pond <strong>Turtle</strong>. These <strong>turtles</strong> were brought by the poacher from <strong>Shajahanpur</strong> in Uttar Pradesh for sale in <strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/aquarium">aquarium</a></strong> shops in Haridwar. This <strong>poacher</strong> has been involved for a long time in illegal trade of live turtles and also crocodile babies likely for <strong>aquariums</strong> abroad. The trader was contacted for a trade deal after which he was caught at Jwalapur railway station. His statements further led to raids in shops nearby to get more material.</div></div>Wild Himalayashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06330488253374840535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478645223786925790.post-8914672519173243952011-08-12T17:04:00.002+05:302011-08-12T17:09:15.257+05:30TWO ELEPHANT TUSKS RECOVERED FROM FILM MEGASTAR's HOUSE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Two elephant ivory tusks were recovered from Malayalam Megastar Mohanlal's residence in an Income Tax raid in Kerala. The raid conducted at Mohanlal's and Mammootty's residences also recovered unaccounted wealth worth Rs.30 crore. Details on <a href="http://www.flixya.com/blog/3601885/30-CRORE-INR-RECOVERED-FROM-MALAYALAM-SUPERSTARS-RESIDENCES">http://www.flixya.com/blog/3601885/30-CRORE-INR-RECOVERED-FROM-MALAYALAM-SUPERSTARS-RESIDENCES</a></div>Wild Himalayashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06330488253374840535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478645223786925790.post-19497811836606971482011-08-10T09:37:00.000+05:302011-08-10T09:37:22.430+05:30LEOPARD SKIN SEIZED NEAR RAJAJI PARK<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">A full grown leopard skin was seized from Haripur Kalan village near Motichur Railway crossing by the Dehradun Forest Division in a joint operation of the anti-poaching cell of Uttarakhand Forest Department and the Wildlife Protection Society of India. Two persons have been arrested in this matter. Further details will follow.</div>Wild Himalayashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06330488253374840535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478645223786925790.post-31777080095452434592011-07-28T10:26:00.000+05:302011-07-28T10:26:22.898+05:30TWO LEOPARD SKINS AND GUN SEIZED- THREE ARRESTED<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">Two leopard skins and one gun was seized along with the arrest of a poacher and a trader in Mussoorie Forest Division, Uttarakhand, INDIA. The skins were seized on 19th July 2011 in a joint operation of Wildlife Trust of India and the forest department. Two persons were immediately arrested, but they managed to escape taking advantage of the tough terrain and night time. Their whereabouts were tracked and the forest department arrested both of them and send them to jail. On 27th July, the forest department was successful in arresting the actual poacher, Mr.Gulab Singh of village Bhaal, Thatyur block of Tehri district along with his licenced gun which he used for poaching the leopards. According to the accused, he had fired a leopard at night 18 months ago, thinking that a wild boar had come to raid his fields. But why did he trade the skin then? The other arrested trader is Mr.Raghubir Singh also of Thatyur. The third person arrested was the taxi driver, Mr.Sanjay Singh, according to whom his taxi had been booked from Thatyur to Mussoorie and he had no knowledge of the crime. He will have to prove his innocence in court. The villagers of the area were very helpful in getting the culprits arrested. This is a major achievement as usually villagers do not give information against their own villagemates.</div></div>Wild Himalayashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06330488253374840535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478645223786925790.post-53830231329504007172011-07-24T12:33:00.003+05:302011-08-17T20:08:12.008+05:30THREE LEOPORD SKINS SEIZED AND THREE POACHERS ARRESTED<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">A day long combined operation of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uttarakhand">Uttarakhand</a> Forest Department and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildlife">Wildlife</a> Preservation Society of India on 22nd July 2011 culminated in the arrest of three persons with three leopard skins seized from them. The seizure took place at night 8 O' Clock at a remote locality called Shama in District <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bageshwar">Bageshwar</a> of Uttarakhand, India. The main accused is <br />
<a name='more'></a>Mr.Ramesh Chand Pandey of Bageshwar, who is already on bail in another wildlife case. The others were from the local villages nearby. The team on getting information of the crime assembled at Almora and planned the strategy to nab the culprits. The officers and staff of Almora, Bageshwar and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pithoragarh">Pithoragarh</a> Forest Divisions were kept at strategic positions so that the culprits never escape, wherever they chose to make the delivery. At first they called the accused over phone decoyed as a trader. The accused first asked them to reach Chaukori in Pithoragarh, but later changed the location to Bageshwar. On reaching Bageshwar, 3 hrs from Almora they got another phonecall telling them to reach Kapkot 2 hours away and further one hour to reach Shama, where the delivery would take place. The team reached the spot in private vehicles and a taxi, leaving the official vehicles hidden at strategic points. The accused took the team to a small hotel room where the deal was finalised. A few minutes later, a person came to the hotel and showed the well preserved leopard skins. The forest department officials and staff reached the site from all around in disguise and once the delivery took place, the three persons were immediately caught red handed and arrested. Three rounds of gunshots were fired in the air to prevent any possibility of other persons coming to the spot to help the accused persons to escape.<br />
All three were later sent to remand in <span id="goog_1925477965"></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almora">Almora<span id="goog_1925477966"></span></a> jail by the judicial magistrate till 5th August, when further hearing would be done. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">The main accused, Mr.Ramesh Chand Pandey, however, during interrogation has claimed that he has several contacts in higher quarters and challenged that he would get himself free within 10 days! He also offered INR 1 lakh to the staff if they could help him escape.</div></div>Wild Himalayashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06330488253374840535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478645223786925790.post-60275263953494391902011-07-11T19:30:00.002+05:302011-07-14T09:51:30.797+05:30MATING COUPLES DELAY FLIGHTS IN NEWYORK<div style="text-align: justify;">The flights at JFK Airport at Newyork were delayed for up to one and a half hours due to a mating spree of 78 diamond backed terrapins (a kind of turtle) on the runway. One of the pilot noticed the animals on the runway and immediately aborted his take off and informed the controls.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">If the flights of New York can wait for so long for helping these animals out, why can't we even slow our vehicles for a second to allow any animal to cross the road?</div><div style="text-align: justify;">For detailed news on the JFK flight delay, see the link below.</div><a href="http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/08/turtle-brigade-delays-flights-at-jfk/">http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/08/turtle-brigade-delays-flights-at-jfk/</a>Wild Himalayashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06330488253374840535noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478645223786925790.post-90291536719224893492011-07-06T21:24:00.000+05:302011-07-06T21:24:04.535+05:30KING COBRA NESTS AGAIN IN NAINITAL<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photos: K.S.Sajwan Click on picture to enlarge</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">King Cobra with hood up- Photo.K.S.Sajwan</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">King cobra guarding its nest</td></tr>
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The magnificient King Cobra has nested once again in the Himalayan District of Nainital. The first nesting was observed at Talla Ramgarh at 1500m a few years ago and was successfully protected by Manish of Tapogiri, the locals, NGOs and the forest department and the hatchlings were released in the wild. The same locality reported repeated nesting and hatching since then. King Cobra was found upto 2000m in this region. Now, a new nest has been found at Jeolikote at around 1300m altitude. A large king cobra is presently guarding the nest made of leaf litter in a forest lease land presently being cultivated by a local villager. The forest department has immediately taken the role of protecting the nest and the eggs within. The visitors and villagers have been kept 100m away from the nesting site by a wire fencing. Amit Verma IFS, the Divisional Forest Officer of Haldwani has set up a CCTV at the nesting site so that the activity of the mother and other activities can be seen and shown to visitors too from a remote locality. He has pitched a tent away from the site for this purpose. The above photos were taken by Mr.Kalyan Singh Sajwan, a senior assistant of the Nainital Forest Division. The mother was seen repairing the nest after a severe rain had done some damage to it. It moves in a circle around the nest and in the mean time lifts leaf litter to make a pile in a shape of a dome. After repairing the nest, it sits on top of it and guards the nest from predators. However, as the prey of king cobras are snakes, themselves, there is a danger of the mother eating up the hatchlings. Hence, nature has made the design in such a grand manner that the mother would abandon the nest before the eggs are ready to hatch!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqFHWEgod7YE6sN5lNJAk_v_xDF1mUs0bhYwCaqLbF1Cy15TyJ-DtupAbG9mZnZlomjbFPoa5gt01mte3IckWkeDasVJdY8IBKwP0nDNVvw94wiYegGisJMMimLFBGMfhXFFPZ83sxeQP/s1600/kingcobras+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqFHWEgod7YE6sN5lNJAk_v_xDF1mUs0bhYwCaqLbF1Cy15TyJ-DtupAbG9mZnZlomjbFPoa5gt01mte3IckWkeDasVJdY8IBKwP0nDNVvw94wiYegGisJMMimLFBGMfhXFFPZ83sxeQP/s200/kingcobras+%25281%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYu9-amCyeoTMxnh4J1RconZ1HiY8kokL3EUY5HyVA1JrRRq4285_QH64WzBulIUNRqKxyPUBkEhHdlaMth9GwPF6gkYsL3xAihw8kuhBBLGoJDVaeYpzrvIlE-LgyRubzDqe0cVkMmH6f/s1600/kingcobras+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYu9-amCyeoTMxnh4J1RconZ1HiY8kokL3EUY5HyVA1JrRRq4285_QH64WzBulIUNRqKxyPUBkEhHdlaMth9GwPF6gkYsL3xAihw8kuhBBLGoJDVaeYpzrvIlE-LgyRubzDqe0cVkMmH6f/s200/kingcobras+%25282%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a> In the earlier nesting at Talla Ramgarh, the mother abandoned the nest one month prior to hatching. The nest was protected from fire and enclosed with a sheet so that the hatchlings could be seen before they leave the nest. A total of 21 eggs hatched out of which 19 hatchlings survived till the first moulting. They were later released in a jungle near by, slightly away from the habitation nearby. Given below are the photographs of the earlier hatching of king cobras at Ramgarh. According to Shri.Bijulal.T.R. IFS, the Divisional Forest Officer of Nainital, "The parental care of Kingcobras is one of the most amazing phenomenon in the Animal Kingdom!!!". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34cSfjlO8j-TpbGEBciHPh-q8i5gdigMXwCAjohljeGACEEhCyaXGgbfdVlf3ChvPppHJSnuMGsh8fqPFoWascEDy5PvOmOhfEtSppEHW-SApbtnWGp2Cbs8p7mdqzvShB14Oc-5B8RCf/s1600/kingcobras.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34cSfjlO8j-TpbGEBciHPh-q8i5gdigMXwCAjohljeGACEEhCyaXGgbfdVlf3ChvPppHJSnuMGsh8fqPFoWascEDy5PvOmOhfEtSppEHW-SApbtnWGp2Cbs8p7mdqzvShB14Oc-5B8RCf/s200/kingcobras.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A baby King Cobra</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">King Cobras have always been there in the higher himalayas too as the deep crevasses in the rocky ground provided temperatures befitting the species. They were locally known as "Soopy samp" due to their large hood looking like a winnow board ('Soopa' in hindi). However, they were never photographed till 2005 when the first nest was found in Ramgarh, which is the highest published record of this species. The highest unpublished report of Kingcobra is at Kanar Van Panchayat at around 2800m altitude. The Goriganga valley of Askote Wildlife sanctuary also has a good population of Kingcobras. They are also found in pine forests and makes nest out of pine needles. The villagers are aware of a 'snake' that lays eggs under heaps of pine needles and they usually burn the nest out of fear. Such nest was recently reported at Lohaghat too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div>Wild Himalayashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06330488253374840535noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478645223786925790.post-54349501802094789132011-07-06T17:55:00.001+05:302011-08-17T20:14:50.529+05:30COBRA SNAKE SEIZED IN RISHIKESH along with leopard skin<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">A live Cobra snake and a leopard skin was seized near Rishikesh in Narendra nagar Forest Division, <br />
<a name='more'></a>Uttarakhand. The seizure was done during a joint operation of the Uttarakhand Forest Department's Anti- Poaching Cell and the Wildlife Protection Society of India with the support of the Narendranagar forest division staff. Two persons were arrested by the forest department.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Rishikesh</strong> is a tourist spot and pilgrimage centre close to <strong>Haridwar</strong>. This is a point for exchange of wildlife materials with foreigners coming in the pretext of tourism and pilgrimage. Several sages (baba) and ashrams also possess wildlife articles here. Due to heavy crowd and support of devotees, no strong action to recover these products from these ashrams and fake saints are possible. The sale of tiger and leopard claws and teeth, musk pods of musk deer,bear bile, ivory, etc. are taking place , though not very openly in these places. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Several snake charmers also make a living by showing their snakes to the devotees and getting blessings from the snake God. Pythons, Cobras and Sand Boas are the major snakes kept captive by them. Though these snake charmers are found in the open everywhere, nobody seems to rescue these snakes and put the offenders to task. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">The handicraft shops also have products made of marine shells and other marine wildlife products whose trade is banned in India.</div></div>Wild Himalayashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06330488253374840535noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478645223786925790.post-78498668840810406902011-07-01T16:44:00.000+05:302011-07-01T16:44:48.994+05:30TIGER SIGHTED AT KALADUNGI<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">A tiger was sighted at midnight hours in light drizzle and mist at Hairpin Bend no.2 on Kaladungi Nainital road by the Divisional Forest Officer, Nainital, Mr.Bijulal IFS when he was returning from Dehradun to Nainital yesterday. It was a sub adult and was trying to chase a sambhur, which had just crossed the vehicle just a few metres away. The tiger stopped on the road side in the light of the vehicle and then went away into the jungle. Mr. Bijulal is also the person behind making of the feature film MISSION TIGER (<a href="http://www.missiontiger.com/">www.missiontiger.com</a>) and said that this was the first tiger sighting in the wild during his tenure.<br />
This area has been earlier also reported to be Tiger country, with the Bor river nearby and saltlicks also in the Sal forest. The Bubudham temple also has attached sacred value to the forest here. The nearby Camp Corbett Resort personnel has also sighted tigers here in the past and regularly sees pugmarks too.<br />
</div>Wild Himalayashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06330488253374840535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478645223786925790.post-27886709401643422052011-07-01T10:47:00.001+05:302011-08-17T20:10:24.715+05:30SNOW LEOPARD POISONED IN PINDARI GLACIER<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">A shepherd poisoned a snow leopard to death in Pindari glacier area of Bageshwar district in Uttarakhand early this season. According to the shepherd, <br />
<a name='more'></a>Shri. Lakshman Singh (Lachham), the <strong>snow leopard</strong> used to kill his sheep often and since he never received any compensation from the forest department, he decided to kill it. He poisoned one of his killed sheep with <strong>NUVAN</strong>, an insecticide. The snow leopard visiting the kill later got poisoned and died. The carcass was thrown into the Pinder river, he said. He had no intention of trading the skin or other parts, but just wanted to get rid of the animal.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sheep are a major prey-base for snow leopards in the alpine and transhimalayas. Though wild Blue sheep or Bharal is the major prey-base, the snow leopards find it convenient to hunt domestic sheep. During a single attack, several sheep in the herd may get killed, though the leopard lifts only one of them. This causes huge loss to the shepherds, who earn their livelihood through this activity alone. Earlier, the shepherds used to rear 1000s of sheep in a herd and losing a few of them was not an issue. But now, with the decrease in number of sheep being taken to the alpine regions for grazing, they cannot afford to lose even a single one. No, wonder he decided to kill it. Legally, one could also call it '<strong>Self Defence</strong>' as it was an issue of his own livelihood and life. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Crores of INR are being spent on snow leopard conservation in the <strong>Himalayas</strong>. However, the project does not provide for compensations to shepherds, who would then would not mind snow leopards preying on their sheep. Whenever a shepherd complains that his 100 sheep died on a single attack, no forest official believes and gives payment for may be only one or two sheep. We should encourage providing adequate compensation to shepherds as their sheep are the major prey-base that could revive snow leopards in this region.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Pindari Glacier and its associate glaciers are the southern most extent of snowleopards, which come to these areas in winters and migrate to the adjacent transhimalayan regions across the Traill's pass during the summers.</div></div>Wild Himalayashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06330488253374840535noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478645223786925790.post-58384783909478808772011-06-28T10:35:00.001+05:302011-08-17T20:12:20.808+05:30THREE YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR IVORY POACHERS of Rajaji National Park<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The Additional <strong>Chief Judicial Magistrate</strong> has awarded three years imprisonment and a fine of Rs.10000 to Mr. Jagdish, the main accused in the <strong>Elephant</strong> poaching and <strong>Ivory Trading</strong> case <br />
<a name='more'></a>caught by forest officials of the Rajaji National Park, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. They had seized 25kg tusks and arrested two persons of Laldhang area. The other accused died during the trial period. Though the accused was awarded the minimum prescribed punishment, let us rejoice that it took only four years in this case for the first verdict. Elephant tusks are also being traded across the border at Dharchula in Pithoragarh, where there are no elephants, but is a safe transborder route. This year 22kg tusk was seized by the SSB at Dharchula when they were trying to be sent across the Kali river by means of a local ropeway.</div>Wild Himalayashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06330488253374840535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478645223786925790.post-6780538030315560802011-06-27T15:41:00.000+05:302011-06-27T15:41:56.079+05:30POACHERS AWARDED SEVEN YEARS IMPRISONMENT<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Alwar in Rajasthan has awarded seven years imprisonment to seven poachers and five years to one poacher in a tiger poaching case in Sariska Tiger Reserve which took place long back in 2002. The poachers convicted are Zahuru, Ramzan, Hazari, Darra, Fazru, Umardin, Sukka and Heera lal. The first two were also fined INR 1.5 lakh each and the next five were fined 80000 INR each and Heera, who got only 5 years imprisonment was also fined 30000 INR. <br />
Though the justice has come after nearly nine years, there is still scope for the poachers to avoid jail by appealing before the Hon. District Court, then the Hon. High Court and finally the Hon. Supreme Court. Three other accused have already died. By the time the upper courts hear and finalise the judgements, it could be another 30 years!!! if the lower court took 9 years. By then there will be no officer from the prosecution who knows the case well and be able to present the case strongly.</div>Wild Himalayashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06330488253374840535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478645223786925790.post-139527451372191522011-06-26T21:13:00.000+05:302011-06-26T21:13:17.410+05:30MALE LEOPARD DEAD IN NOOSE TRAP<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3n1gVqPU8r3iduLkvxXsbh4SuabDRPv0KE_iwR8FeScSxY5LalE3yTMwecUSubfEY0vqMhzp7X8DrD6dx2FR1xppbmqeDlnJ2Be3zTqjZekY-kSqQNqMvFn6eBDwBZZZf6Rq71yuKP0E/s1600/IMG_0352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3n1gVqPU8r3iduLkvxXsbh4SuabDRPv0KE_iwR8FeScSxY5LalE3yTMwecUSubfEY0vqMhzp7X8DrD6dx2FR1xppbmqeDlnJ2Be3zTqjZekY-kSqQNqMvFn6eBDwBZZZf6Rq71yuKP0E/s320/IMG_0352.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leopard trapped in noose (file photo)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">An adult male leopard was found dead in a field in village Kanthgaon near Gurna in Pithoragarh. On post-mortem, it was found that the leopard was perfectly healthy but with severe blood clot in the lungs, heart and the juglar vein was also found cut. There was a small injury seen behind the shoulder where a few drops of blood was coming out. Probably the leopard escaped and was successful in breaking the noose trap, which is usually a simple clutch wire or any other wire kept as a noose. Once the leopard gets trapped, its tries to run away, during which the noose gets more and more tightened. In this process of struggle, severe internal haemorrage occurs and the leopard slowly loses its life in another few hours. This leopard seems to have broken the trap in the time being, but could not survive for long. One canine tooth was also found missing. </div></div>Wild Himalayashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06330488253374840535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478645223786925790.post-38313496223541614702011-06-25T12:51:00.003+05:302011-06-28T10:36:38.432+05:30ANIMAL SACRIFICE IN RELIGIOUS PLACES ILLEGAL and not prescribed by any religion<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAGe2FFoD_p05S_PPFlGHpHScnsExIF4wOYjA0sXaTVkVFPbi96-ZoTMF5F4DTAxhqqvR92mTXmvrgfMmOMa3VDSGLnE2V_U2h8_f3hDXQt0FLS23CZ8Qn-EsY1KZnOPSIhc1safd_nCR/s1600/answer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAGe2FFoD_p05S_PPFlGHpHScnsExIF4wOYjA0sXaTVkVFPbi96-ZoTMF5F4DTAxhqqvR92mTXmvrgfMmOMa3VDSGLnE2V_U2h8_f3hDXQt0FLS23CZ8Qn-EsY1KZnOPSIhc1safd_nCR/s320/answer.jpg" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Answer to question below</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbHsktz9HoDG41XMYFP0_FiozFmStXJSqnFvTJHSM61TVavjHpvaPL2O2BnhdahjuNcD9nOiUjGvZAolcqCv2jSjxAuQ01kLkX_mEJ6Fg68zAWX7YkrhbNCkyQay5Lp-UQZvDxyQAlegZ/s1600/question.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbHsktz9HoDG41XMYFP0_FiozFmStXJSqnFvTJHSM61TVavjHpvaPL2O2BnhdahjuNcD9nOiUjGvZAolcqCv2jSjxAuQ01kLkX_mEJ6Fg68zAWX7YkrhbNCkyQay5Lp-UQZvDxyQAlegZ/s320/question.jpg" width="268" /></a>It is now clear that the practise of animal sacrifice in temples of Uttarakhand, India is ILLEGAL and an offence under the <strong>Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act</strong>. This clarity has come after the Department of Culture, Uttarakhand has clearly specified that no religious documents mention or prescribe animal sacrifice. The Section 28 of the above act omits killing of animals as prescribed by religion from being an offence under the act. In this context, an application under the <strong>Right to Information Act 2005</strong> was sent to the Department of Culture. Though the Public Information Officer denied the information at the first instance, the Appellate officer, Ms.Bina Bhatt, in her reply to the applicant Mr.Manoj Chandran, resident of Lintyura, Pithoragarh, wide letter no. 236/sa.ni.u./do-95(X)/2011-12 dated 21/6/2011, made it clear that <strong>animal sacrifice is not mentioned in any religious document</strong> or any other order. ( <em><strong>jahan tak prashn mandiron me pashubali dene ka he, to yah kisi dharmik granth athva kisi shaasanadesh mein ullekh nahin hai )</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hence from now on, we can say that Sec 28 of the act will not be applicable to animal sacrifice in temples and hence would be an offence. <br />
Kindly spread the message to all forest and veterinary officials and the district administration and all temple authorities so that the law can be upheld and no offence be committed from now on.</div></div>Wild Himalayashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06330488253374840535noreply@blogger.com0