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A recent RTI query revealed that India has lost 337 tigers in the past decade, due to a variety (hardly new) of reasons. These pertain to both inside and outside the tiger reserves.

Now think about the actual number of tigers died. This is because,the credibility of Indian government and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NCTA) is hardly believable.

A highest of 58 were found dead in 2009, followed by 56 in 2011, 36 in 2008 and 28 each in 2007 and 2002, the RTI reply said. A total of 17 tigers, including cubs, were found dead in 2005, 16 each in 2003 and between January and March this year, and 14 in 2006.

As many as 68 tigers were victims of poaching in the past decade.Besides poaching, other reasons include natural causes such as old age, starvation, infighting and weakness, also due to human negligence in rail and road accidents and electrocution.

About a dozen incidents are those where cause of death "Could not be ascertained". While it is mandatory to release postmortem reports, two instances of tiger deaths in 2003 are still waiting for results. Way to go NTCA!

The poaching trend is alarming, as the number of incidents are increasing by year. A highest of 14 tigers were poached in 2010, 13 in 2009, 11 in 2011, nine in 2002, six each in 2007 and 2008, five in 2006, three in January and March this year and one in 2004.

Shedding more light on this RTI data, 61% of Adult tigers die due to infighting,while poaching killed 19% of cubs and 20% of adults. Infighting is resultant of lack of forest cover, which is obviously an anthropogenic forcing of tiger habitat. Cubs die due to malnutrition and infighting. All of this point to insufficient monitoring by both NTCA and forest department. Provisions to circumvent insurgencies in tiger reserves are not enough to combat ever increasing poachers. Some tigers might have crossed territory and fell prey to opportunistic poachers, but that is a rarity. 

They are more afraid of us than we are of them. If animals were to be in our position, human race would be wiped out from the Earth if they were to extend the same courtesy.

Dear All,

  Find attached the Draft Report to the People on Environment & Forests 2010-11, issued by MOEF.

Though there was some respite from the sweltering heat as some parts of the city witnessed rain showers. But the showers were accompanied with unprecedented hailstorm which hit the city at around 5 pm today and continued for atleast 20 minutes.The hailstones were of the size of concrete stones Rain resulted in traffic jams along various roads. City denizens were left without electricity for 3 to 4 hours.

Starting this week, InGreen is going to feature each state of India for a whole week. This photo roll highlights environmental concerns and ecologically sensitive areas. Readers can post content provided they cite the source and credit the original creator of the photo.  Disclaimer : InGreen does not own rights to any of the photos, if not told explicitly. We post pictures from public domain and what users submit. If any of the works depicted are yours, please drop me a line and I'll be glad to credit you.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands has been known for its rich diverse and endemic flora and fauna, its thick and varied forest types, its coral reefs with high biodiversity indexes have been well documented for their conservation values. But there never has been a wetland of sizable importance in these islands. The only wetlands have been the numerous mangrove creeks in both Andaman and Nicobar island groups.  A contiguous wetland ecosystem has never been a part of the island bio-geography.

This changed with the boxing day tsunami and the earthquake which caused it on 26th Dec 2004, tectonic forces had changed the shore profile of the islands and the invading sea which had claimed a sizable chunk of agricultural land at Sippighat and the surrounding villages of Taylorabad, Garacharma, Attam Pahad never retreated creating a wetland here in these lowlands. Spanning a vast area, these wetlands are best described as separate water bodies and marsh lands comprising of several connected blocks of different eco-types in different stages of ecological succession, some being of shallow & medium depths colonized by reeds, marshes, mangroves and mangrove associates while some are deep water blocks with breeding fish stocks.  Being connected with the sea results in daily tidal flushing, bringing in nutrients and fresh fish stock to this wetlands, while fresh water inflow occurs during both the NE & SW Monsoons to this water-body making it a dynamic ecosystem. 

Known as the Sippighat wetlands this site today is a rich and evolving wetland ecosystem. The current status of the Sippighat wetlands is that it stands on revenue & private land holdings.  The conservation value of these wetlands can be easily judged by resident and migratory water fowl as well as raptors which have started colonizing these wetlands, its proximity to Port Blair and ease in accessibility ensure it being a must-visit birding spot in the itineraries of both amateur and serious bird watchers. This ease however also attracts local hunters who have been frequenting this site for hunting the Lesser Whistling & the endemic Andaman Teal inhabiting these wetlands.  

Wetlands have very short nutrient cycles and thus are one of the most dynamic ecosystems easily colonized by biota and just as easily can become waste lands as a result of mismanagement. Being recently formed it has yet to be colonized by heronries and that day might not be far away if these wetlands are protected and managed properly.       

This wetland is a potential Ramsar site being a habitat for endemic species like the Andaman Teal. It could be a good conservation success story if proper steps are taken for its management.