22 Nepalis caught smuggling Yartsa Gumba in Valley of Flowers National Park

Twenty two persons belonging to Nepal were arrested from several places near Ghangharia, the base camp of Valley of Flowers National Park in the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, District Chamoli, Uttarakhand, INDIA, who were trying to smuggle Yartsa Gambu 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.

SMALL INDIAN CIVET KILLED IN ROAD ACCIDENT

A Small Indian Civet (Viverricula indica) 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. 

CORBETT NATIONAL PARK - Dhikala Zone OPENS TO TOURISTS

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.

CORBETT NATIONAL PARK OPENS TO VISITORS

Bijrani zone of Corbett National Park, Ramnagar, Uttarakhand, INDIA, opens.

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.

BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS FOR SALE

Butterflies and Moths are being smuggled on a large scale from India, Nepal, Bhutan and several other South-East Asian nations as they have a good demand and market in China, Thailand and also in western nations. This picture is of a open market in Bangkok. They also provide fake CITES certificate if you want to be safe at the airport!

Man Leopard Conflict - Guidelines issued by Forest ministry India

The Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India has released guidelines for Human - Leopard Conflict Management. For details see link:
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