More forest land for projects after PM intervention

The Union ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) has agreed to divert additional 25% forest land that

Photo: N.A.Nazeer

was earlier categorised as no-go area for setting up projects concerning infrastructure ministries such as power, road and coal. This is after the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) stepped in and
pushed the ministry to fast-track project clearances.

Government sources said the move has come as a huge relief for the industry, as around 30-50 projects will now be taken up for consideration. It will also provide access to some of India's best sites for natural resources deep inside forests in tribal areas. "We are working on the finer print," an official said.
Moreover, the ministry has said environment clearance for projects will come in 60 days and forest clearance in 180 days after all the documents are submitted. The environment ministry has also listed priority projects for consideration of its Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC), which is mandated to examine each project with respect to its environmental impact.
The agreement was reached at the two meetings called by the Prime Minister's principal secretary Pulak Chatterjee on business projects over the last fortnight after a group of chief executive officers led by industrialist Ratan Tata met the PM and other central ministers.
The coal and power ministries had complained to the PMO that the environment ministry takes up to six years to clear projects, thereby leading to a shortage in coal supply and power generation. "Priority projects will be cleared within the deadline," an official said.
While the officials of coal and power ministries are happy with the development, non-government organisations (NGOs) are worried about its adverse impact on forests and the environment.
Over 100 NGOs from across the country will meet in Delhi this weekend to discuss ways to protect India's dwindling forest cover and degrading natural resources. The Centre for Science and Environment has analysed recent environmental clearances and found that the country saw more clearances than those planned for during the 11th and 12th five-year plans.

Hindustan Times
New Delhi, February 22, 2012


http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/More-forest-land-for-projects-after-PM-intervention/Article1-815501.aspx

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Spot on, tiger captured in camera trap

G. ANAND

A camera image captured at 2 p.m. on January 24, exactly half-an-hour after the device was placed in position and activated.  

A wildlife survey for the critically endangered Malabar Civet has led to the “first authenticated sighting” of an adult tigress near Athirumala, between Neyyar and Peppara wildlife reserves, almost 60 km northeast of the city. P.K. Jayakumar Sharma, Wildlife Warden, Neyyar, said wildlife researcher A. Mathews Nixon Armstrong had on January 24 set up a camera trap deep inside the moist deciduous lowland forests of the Western Ghats to spot the elusive civet.
Mr. Armstrong told The Hindu that he had placed the trap on the side of a narrow riding path the British had cut through the dense forests in the early 19th century.
The path linked Peppara and Pandipath in the Neyyar reserve to Athirumala, where the remnants of an abandoned tea estate could still be seen. “Only that the untended tea shrubs have become tall as trees now,” he said. On January 28, Mr. Armstrong revisited the spot to check if the camera had captured anything. Among a score of pictures, including that of leopards and barking deer, was the photograph of a stalking tigress weighing an estimated 450 kg.
The camera had captured the predator's image at 2 p.m. on January 24, exactly half-an-hour after the device was placed in position and activated.
“It was possible that the tigress was watching me from somewhere near as I placed the trap. The thought still inspires fear and awe,” Mr. Armstrong said.
Wildlife enforcers, who analysed the photograph, said it could be a lactating mother with cubs. They presumed it was out to hunt when the camera snapped its photograph. They said the presence of the apex predator indicated that the Neyyar-Peppara forests were healthy and abundant with herbivores (at least 400 for one tiger).
The “home range” of a tigress was about 10 sq. km. A male tiger's home range extends up to 120 sq km and could overlap the territories of several females. It was possible that the tigress could have come from the Kalakkad-Mundanthurai tiger reserve in Tamil Nadu, which was contiguous with Neyyar. The Hindu had reported earlier that wildlife enforcers had spotted a tiger kill, the rotting and half-eaten carcass of a wild buffalo weighing at least 600 kg, while on a trek to survey the endangered Nilgiri Tahr population on the Varayattumudi hill in February last year.
Wildlife enforcers said the sighting of the predator would mean heightened vigil and better protection and conservation of the wildlife reserves.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, February 19, 2012


http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/article2907601.ece

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Frogging with Kuttan at Chimmoni

Sunita Raghu

After criss-crossing acres and acres of rubber plantations, that give way to tree-capped mountains and

Photo: N.A.Nazeer

winding curves, our driver hollers “Chimmoni” and plonks us in front of the Chimmoni Wildlife Sanctuary check post. From there, a jeep driven with a similar abandon, takes us to the forest bungalow. A quick perusal of the place and we’re totally won over. Stretching in the distance ahead is a scene of unparalleled beauty — mountains thick with greenery overlook the clear blue waters of the Chimmoni dam, while fleecy clouds remain suspended over the mountaintops.
The forest bungalow is the perfect vantage point and we have it all to ourselves! The forest guard Salim makes sure we are comfortable and promises to take us around in the evening. We fortify ourselves with a hearty lunch and a shuteye and then begin our stroll with Salim.
Leaving the tarred road, we follow a narrow trail cutting through tall teak trees and watch the antics of crimson butterflies. We walk leisurely as Salim points out various trees and their uses. The uneven road that we are walking along suddenly gives rise to a flat grassy path and, lo and behold, right in front of us lies the Chimmoni reservoir, as if cradled in the mountain’s arms.
In the distance, we see a lone person fishing from a catamaran. We soak in the solitude; not a soul crosses us. The sanctuary, explains Salim, rests on the slopes of the Nelliyampathi hills. Turning right, we see foaming milky white water crashing merrily to the ground below and we stand and admire it for some time.
Dusk starts to set in and we walk back slowly, only to encounter a woodpecker go tak-tak-tak on one of the rubber trees and jungle fowl fleeing into the thickets.
Back at the bungalow, Kuttan, the caretaker, plies us with lemon tea. As we sip the comforting brew, talk revolve around politics, movies and literature. Salim surprises us with the news that he is also a poet and short storywriter, as well as a failed farmer (growing vanilla proved his downfall). Post-dinner, armed with powerful torches, we go ‘frogging’ with Kuttan near the dam, but not a single amphibian crosses our path.
Next morning, a Whistling Thrush wakes us with its melodious tune. Sleepy-eyed, we emerge  from our room to see clouds billowing across the mountains, recreating the magic of the day before. The task of escorting us into the forest falls to Kuttan and, after breakfast, we set out on a trail that winds its way to the other side of the reservoir, on the edge of which grow shrubs and trees. At one point, we stop to dip our feet into the cool water. In the forest, Kuttan calls out the names of the trees  and we make the acquaintance of the pretty Yedambiri bloom. We come to a stream and stop to take a breather. Dipping our legs into the water, we get ourselves a free fish pedicure! A few millipedes cross our path as we set off again while a forest skink looks at us inquisitively. Suddenly, the wafting aromas of food comes to us and we see two persons preparing a huge meal by the side of the stream. That reminds us of the lunch that awaits us back at the forest bungalow and that’s all the motivation we need to head back.
Fact File
How to reach:
Chimmoni Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, is easily accessible
from Thrissur, the nearest railway station, around 34 km away. One can also reach the
sanctuary from Amballur on
the Ernakulam-Thrissur road (NH 47). The nearest airport
is Cochin International
Airport, about 75 km away.
Whom to contact:
Asst. Wildlife Warden,
Chimmoni Wild Life
Sanctuary, Chimmoni
Dam P.O., Kerala
Phone: 0480-3209234


http://expressbuzz.com/magazine/frogging-with-kuttan-at-chimmoni/364077.html

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42 taluks in Kerala 'eco-sensitive'

Viju B,

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In what could have far reaching implications on Kerala's development model

Photo: N.A. Nazeer

in the coming years, theWestern Ghats Ecology Experts Panel (WGEEP), chaired by Madhav Gadgil, has categorised 42 taluks across 14 districts in the state asecologically sensitive zones (ESZ).
The WGEEP report was submitted to the Union ministry of environment and forest (MoEF) on August 31 last year. But it has been kept under wraps by the ministry, though a PIL has been filed in the Bombay high court to make the report public. (TOI has a copy of the entire report).
The ESZs have been divided into three segments. In ESZ-1, lying in close proximity to Western Ghats, there will be a ban on the use of private forest land for non-forest purpose or agricultural activity. ESZ-1 does, however, allow extension of village settlements to accommodate increase in population. It is not against road and public infrastructure expansion either, provided there is a nod from MoEF. Fourteen taluks come under this category. Wayanad and Idukki districts have the maximum number of taluks in ESZ-1.
ESZ-2 allows renovation and extension of existing structures such as hotels and resorts. Four taluks come under ESZ-2. ESZ-3 allows land to be changed from agriculture to non-agriculture purpose. But permission for these structures is given only after looking into various socio-economic parameters of the area. Twenty-four taluks bordering Western Ghats come under this category.
Western Ghats and eastern Himalayas are the most significant repositories of India's biodiversity. "The Western Ghats score over the Himalayas in harbouring a larger number of species restricted to India alone. The ghats are among the few biodiversity hot spots remaining in the world which are under severe degree of threat,'' the report noted. The WGEEP has banned monoculture, eucalyptus and exotic plant farming and mining activity in ESZ 1 and 2.It has also banned genetically modified crops and plans to phase out use of plastic bags in shops in all three zones over the next three years.

Times of India 18/2/2012

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/42-taluks-in-Kerala-eco-sensitive/articleshow/11946341.cms

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Kerala to cage tigers, monkeys on the prowl

K.S.Sudhi

Wildlife authorities are planning to cage and translocate tigers and monkeys that stray into human habitations. The Forest Department has already placed orders for the cages, according to K.B. Ganesh Kumar, Forest Minister.
Each district would be provided sufficient number of cages for trapping and transporting such animals. They would be later released in the wild, he said.

Photo: N.A. Nazeer, Courtesy Wikimedia commons

Troops of monkeys had been raiding villages in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and Palakkad districts of late. Pattazhi and Melala villages of Pathanapuram were recent examples. “The animals forcefully enter houses and help themselves to food,” Mr. Ganesh Kumar said.
V. Gopinath, Chief Wildlife Warden of Kerala, said there were also isolated incidents of the animals attacking people. He added that there had been no proposal for sterilising the animals and thus controlling their population.
Guns missing
Though the Forest Department officials had been claiming that they have enough number of dart guns and tranquilisers for dealing with conflict situations, 12 tranquilising guns, procured during the term of the previous government, had gone missing. The government had issued orders to locate the guns, Mr. Ganesh Kumar said.
Leopard attacks
Wildlife experts warn that the State needs to wake up to the problem of leopard attacks. The recent killing of a child by a leopard at Valparai in Tamil Nadu once again brought the issue of human-leopard conflict to focus in the State. Valparai is just 10 km from the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border.
A study carried out by the wildlife biology wing of the Kerala Forest Research Institute had recorded nine instances of leopards killing cattle and dogs in the forest ranges of Peechi, Palapilly, Pariyaram, Athirapally, and Sholayar in Thrissur in 2010. Though the animals had attacked people in Kerala, no casualty had been reported from here, said E.A. Jayson, who led the study, said.
In Kerala, leopards were sighted mostly in the fringe areas of forest, said P.S. Easa, a wildlife expert.
The animals had strayed into human habitations in Wayanad, Tirur, and Thodupuzha too. He suggested that practice of releasing the trapped animals in Muthanga forest should be discontinued.
According to P.O. Nameer, Associate Professor and Head of the Wildlife Forensic Unit of the Kerala Agricultural University, stray leopards were mostly sighted in human habitations located between the natural habitats of the animals. Though no human casualty had been reported in Kerala, the State needed to step up vigil, he said.
The Union Ministry of Environment and Forest had earlier issued guidelines for managing man-leopard conflict situations. The guidelines should be followed, he said.
Dr. Nameer said that leopards with proven tendencies to attack people should be kept in captivity. They should not be relocated or released to the wild as they were likely to return to their home ranges.

The Hindu,

KOCHI, February 13, 2012

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Wetlands in Malabar under threat

MITHOSH JOSEPH

Rapid urbanisation, pollution affect fragile regions
Rapid urbanisation, pollution, and reclamation of land for industrial development are threatening the existence of over 100 identified wetlands in northern Kerala.
Human encroachment and conversion of wetland areas for aquaculture, agriculture, and settlement had also been causing unfavourable changes in the chemical and biological composition of these ecologically fragile places.

Photo courtesy Wikimedia commons

Of the 100 wetlands identified in northern Kerala, 17 important wetlands — located in Kozhikode, Kannur, Wayanad, Kasaragod, and Malappuram districts — had been identified as highly prone to exploitation (including exploitation for natural resources, unregulated spatial development, and disposal of domestic sewage and industrial effluents).
Prime threats
A recent study by the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM), Kozhikode, had identified land-filling and pollution as major threats for the 17 important wetlands in the Malabar region.
Wetlands in Kavvayi, Chempallikkundu, Pulathuruthpandy, Elathuruthpandy, Kottappally, Aavala, Cherandathur, Kandanchira, Akalappuzha, Govindhankettu, Erangikkal, Kottuli, Mavoor, Olavanna, Kadalundi, Thattanchuttythuruth, and Purathur had been identified as locations with heavy loss of vegetation.
Large-scale poaching of wetland birds had been reported from the Pulathuruthpandy, Govindhankettu, and Mavoor wetlands in Kozhikode district.
Weed infestation, and reckless dumping of plastic and solid wastes were also major threats, the study said.
The wetlands of Sasthamcotta, Ashtamudi, and Vembanad had been named as Ramsar Sites but Kavvayi in Malabar had not been identified as one.
The CWRDM had asked the State government to take steps to take steps to ensure protection of all wetlands.

Over 100 wetlands identified in Malabar

Dumping of wastes a major threat

The Hindu, 13/2/2012

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Environment reports have ‘cooked data,' says tribunal

PRISCILLA JEBARAJ

The National Green Tribunal is the latest to point out that consultants are including “cooked data” in the key environment impact assessment (EIA) reports which determine green clearances for industrial projects. The Tribunal has told the government to come up with a mechanism to ensure authentic data.
The Tribunal made its comments last week while suspending the environment clearance given to Scania Steel and Power for the expansion of its sponge iron and captive power plant project in Chhattisgarh, on the grounds that no public hearing had been held.

It pointed out that in what seemed like a misguided effort to make the project look clean, the EIA report actually recorded pollution indicators well below possible levels. For example, the levels of sulphur dioxide reported in the area range between 5.1 and 5.3 micrograms per cubic metre, conveniently ignoring the fact that the minimum detectable limit of the pollutant itself was only 6 micrograms per cubic metre. The levels of the heavy metal mercury in the air had not even been estimated.
“The reflected data casts a doubt on the reliability of the ambient air quality data produced in the EIA report,” the Tribunal said. “It appears that the EIA Consultant has taken it in a very casual way.”
With regard to water quality data, the levels of fluoride are almost identical for both ground and surface water, which the Tribunal found “unrealistic.” The EIA consultant also collected its baseline data four months before the government even issued terms of reference, defeating the entire purpose of the exercise.
“In view of the infirmities noticed, we direct Ministry of Environment and Forests to develop appropriate mechanism, to check the authenticity of environmental data reported in the EIA/EMP report which would facilitate a more realistic environmental appraisal of project,” said the Tribunal. “Steps should also be taken for black listing Consultants found to have reported ‘cooked data' or ‘wrong data' and for producing sub-standard EIA/EMP report.”
This is not the first time consultants have been caught doctoring data. Last year, a Jodhpur-based consultant used a “cut and paste” technique to input identical air quality data for five very different projects. It was blacklisted for a three-year period.
Bottom line
The wider issue remains that since it is project promoters who pay for the preparation of the EIA report, consultants often manipulate data to suit their paymasters. Last year, Chief Justice of India S.H. Kapadia had also called for a change in the system. “If you leave report preparation to the project proponent, I am sorry to say, the person who pays will get the answers he asks for,” he said. While the Ministry had been considering a proposal to have government-appointed panels prepare EIA reports for key projects, no decision has been taken yet.
NEW DELHI
The Hindu, 13/2/2012

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Mammoth ‘trespass' from forest

A herd of five wild elephants entered into a human habitat from Udedurgam Reserve Forests near Shoolagiri on Sunday. On information, forest officials rushed to the spot and drove the elephants, including three tuskers, back to the Udedurgam Reserve Forest.

Photo: N.A. Nazeer, courtesy Wikimedia commons

District Forest Officer A.K. Ulaganathan said that of the total number of 28 elephants camping at Udedurgam Reserve Forest 16 were driven back near the Panchapalli Dam site via Chinnar River.
A team consisting of 10 anti-poaching watchers from Deverbetta near Thalli bordering Karnataka, 10 each from Ullatti and Pavadaipatti villages and 25 forest staff assembled at Pavadapatti village on Saturday night to oversee the operation.
Meanwhile, the team will resume its operations to drive away a group of 16 pachyderms camping at Panchapalli Dam site by Monday night or Tuesday morning.
The other herd of elephants at Udedurgam will also be driven back to Denkanikottai or Ayyur RF. Meanwhile, K.G. Vimalanathan, Ranger In charge Royakottai, had sustained a minor injury in his leg when he slipped on the ground during the driving operations on Sunday.
He was given first aid immediately at a nearby hospital, Mr. Ulaganathan said.


KRISHNAGIRI, February 13, 2012
TAMIL NADU

The Hindu

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Check wetland conversion, State told

The National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM) has called upon the government to desist from allowing any further conversion of paddy fields or wetlands.
In a statement here on Saturday, NAPM leaders Medha Patkar, Gabriele Dietrich, Prafulla Samantara, Sandeep Pandey, Goe Ghosh, Hussein Master, George Jacob, and Madhuresh Kumar said records available with the State Planning Board showed that Kerala had lost over 5 lakh hectares of paddy fields between 1980 and 2007, and had failed to add to land under cultivation.

Photo Courtesy : Wikipedia

It said that the wanton conversion of wetlands and paddy fields in the name of development at Aranmula for a private greenfield international airport project should be brought to a halt, and the government should take over illegally converted land for agriculture purposes and cancel the project immediately.
Expressing solidarity with the people protesting against the project, the statement said,
“The NAPM stands firm with the people of Aranmula and supports the struggle against the proposed airport. We also urge that laws like the Kerala Industrial Single Window Clearance Boards and Industrial Township Area Development Act-1999 be repealed since they usurp the constitutionally granted rights of gram sabhas.”
Gram sabhas have the sole right to plan development in their area as per the 73rd and 74th Amendments to the Constitution and the Kerala government must respect it, the statement said.
‘Aerotropolis' model
The proposed airport on the ‘Aerotropolis' model is completely unnecessary since the State had enough airports, the statement said. Aerotropolis is a new urban form placing airports in the centre with cities growing around them, connecting workers, suppliers, executives, and goods to the global marketplace.
It said the Chennai-based KGS Group, promoter of the proposed KGS International Greenfield Airport at Aranmula, got clearance after the State Industries Department declared 500 acres of land, spread across the Mallappuzhassery, Aranmula, and Kidangannur villages, as industrial area.
The clearance was granted invoking the provisions in the Kerala Industrial Single Window Clearance Boards and Industrial Township Area Development Act-1999.
In another statement issued here on Sunday, P. Prasad, a close associate of Ms. Patkar, said she, along with various other NAPM leaders, would address a massive rally at Aranmula soon.

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Migratory birds turn their back on lakes

IGNATIUS PEREIRA

A recent bird survey of the Ashtamudi and Sasthamcotta lakes in Kollam district reveals a drastic fall in the arrival of migratory birds at these waterbodies.
The survey, conducted by the Travancore Natural History Society and the Kottayam Nature Society, also reveals an increased presence of resident and endemic birds along polluted areas of these lakes.
Both the lakes are Ramsar sites. The brackish Ashtamudi is the second-largest water body, and Sasthamcotta Lake the biggest freshwater lake in the State.

Photo courtesy Wikipedia

The survey shows an alarming drop even in the presence of cormorants. During previous surveys, hundreds of cormorants could be seen at the lakes.
One of the disturbing findings of the survey is that the Brahminy kite ( Haliastur indus ), which largely feeds on fish and crabs, has started depending on poultry waste dumped in Ashtamudi Lake for food. Every day, large quantities of waste are dumped at various points along the lake by poultry shops.
Travancore Natural History Society coordinator H. Charan said the switchover to poultry waste by the Brahminy kites could bring about several changes in the birds, including genetic, and this needed to be taken up for detailed studies. It was no secret that a substantial quantity of chicken purchased by poultry shops from outside the State was injected with hormones, he said.
On Sasthamcotta Lake, 411 birds from 19 species were spotted. Of those, there were only three species of migratory birds, and their strength was 243.
The birds spotted at the lake during the survey include whistling teals, darters, pond herons, purple moorhens, and a lone marsh harrier.
On Ashtamudi Lake, owing to dumping of poultry waste 210 black kites and 160 Brahminy kites were spotted during the survey. The only species of migratory birds spotted were the whiskered terns (71) and common sand pipers (6). Other birds seen on the lake during the survey include large egrets, open bill storks, white ibis and grey herons.

The Hindu 13/2/2012

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