Pugmark Tiger tracking dumped
Govt Rejects US Module Of Breeding Tigers in Captivity
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
New Delhi: Environment and forest minister Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday told the Rajya Sabha that the old system of tiger census through pugmarks was “faulty” and a new statistical measure based on camera trap has been started.
Stating that the number of tigers hovered between 1,150 and 1,600, Ramesh also made it clear that at no cost would India follow the US and Chinese model of breeding tigers in captivity. “All tigers in India are in the wild and will remain in the wild,” he said. Though the estimation of tiger population took place once in four years, he will prefer to have it once in two years, he added.
In a debate that saw members cutting across party lines express concern about the falling number of tigers, Ramesh said the best protectors of the environment and tigers were local communities. “We don’t need policing. We need incentives for local communities to protect the ecosystem,” he said. Ramesh said he had already spoken to 200 vangujar families who live in the Jim Corbett Park. “I am going to start social protection force with their help. If it works, we will take it elsewhere too. They will be paid and given mobility and connectivity,” he said.
Ramesh said according to the new plan, people living in tiger reserves would be moved to buffer zones while the core inviolate area would have no human habitation. He said about 80,000 to 1 lakh people will be moved to buffer zones and compensation had been increased from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. Responding to concerns expressed by nominated member Chandan Mitra that no poacher, including notorious Sansar Chand, had ever been punished, Ramesh said his ministry had proposed setting up a National Green Tribunal for speedy trials. “If the Act needs change, I am open to it.”http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Client.asp?Daily=TOIKM&showST=true&login=default&pub=TOI&Enter=true&Skin=TOINEW&GZ=T
— Mr. Chandan Mitra was ill informed that Sansar Chand has not been punished.In fact he is serving a five year term and facing trial in other wildlife cases also including a case under an organised criome case filed by Central Bureau of Investigation.
For the cats,
Carole Baskin, CEO of Big Cat Rescue
an Educational Sanctuary home
to more than 100 big cats
12802 Easy Street Tampa, FL 33625
813.493.4564 fax 885.4457
Sign our petition to protect tigers from being farmed here:
http://capwiz.com/bigcatrescue/issues/alert/?alertid=9952801&type=CU
Free ways to join us and help the big cats:
Twitter: Follow Me and be invited to enter our Animal Lover's Dream Vacation Giveaway! http://twitter.com/BigCatRescue
This message contains information from Big Cat Rescue that may be confidential or privileged. The information contained herein is intended
only for the eyes of the individual or entity named above. You are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, disclosure, and/or copying of the information contained in this communication is strictly prohibited. The recipient should check this e-mail and any attachments for the presence of viruses. Big Cat Rescue accepts no liability for any damage or loss caused by any virus transmitted by this e-mail.
