Bhubaneswar: The wildlife wing of the forest department plans to conduct a prey density survey in Karlapat wildlife sanctuary in Kalahandi district. Like Sunabeda sanctuary in neighbouring Nuapada, a portion of its area is under Maoist influence since 2015.
The movement of Maoists and villagers inside the sanctuary at times leads to anthropogenic pressure.Cattle pressure (movement of domestic animals) kept by villagers also pose a threat to the wild animals. It is for this reason that the department wants to conduct a separate survey of ungulate population in the sanctuary after the state-wide tiger census report comes out.
“In the state-wide tiger census, we have conducted sign survey and collected camera-trap inputs. These studies can also give us a certain picture of prey base in the sanctuary but won’t give detailed accounts of species of the prey. The separate study will help us understand the density and also what extent the anthropogenic or cattle pressure has affected the prey,” said Susanta Nanda, principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife).
Karlapat is a small sanctuary spread over 175 sq km. It has undulating terrain interspersed with valleys. A number of perennial streams flow across the area and feed into the river Saagada which feeds into Tel, a major tributary of river Mahanadi.
The wildlife wing claims the sanctuary has robust prey population with sambar, deer, chital and bison being frequently sighted. However, in the recent past, no Royal Bengal tiger has been sighted there. Leopards are sometimes spotted.
Sources said fear of Maoists in the sanctuary also at times forces forest personnel to shun night duty at some places inside it, which are dominated by the extremists.
In March 2017, Maoists had kidnapped four persons from Karlapat village and killed one of them after keeping them in captivity for three days. The other three were freed.
The Maoists of Bansadhara-Ghumsura and Nagabali division had claimed responsibility for the abduction and murder of the villager, who they alleged was a police informer.
The forest department hopes that the sanctuary, comprising six continuous blocks of forests, can be developed into a tiger habitat considering its contiguity with Sunabeda sanctuary.
We also published the following articles recently
The movement of Maoists and villagers inside the sanctuary at times leads to anthropogenic pressure.Cattle pressure (movement of domestic animals) kept by villagers also pose a threat to the wild animals. It is for this reason that the department wants to conduct a separate survey of ungulate population in the sanctuary after the state-wide tiger census report comes out.
“In the state-wide tiger census, we have conducted sign survey and collected camera-trap inputs. These studies can also give us a certain picture of prey base in the sanctuary but won’t give detailed accounts of species of the prey. The separate study will help us understand the density and also what extent the anthropogenic or cattle pressure has affected the prey,” said Susanta Nanda, principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife).
Karlapat is a small sanctuary spread over 175 sq km. It has undulating terrain interspersed with valleys. A number of perennial streams flow across the area and feed into the river Saagada which feeds into Tel, a major tributary of river Mahanadi.
The wildlife wing claims the sanctuary has robust prey population with sambar, deer, chital and bison being frequently sighted. However, in the recent past, no Royal Bengal tiger has been sighted there. Leopards are sometimes spotted.
Sources said fear of Maoists in the sanctuary also at times forces forest personnel to shun night duty at some places inside it, which are dominated by the extremists.
In March 2017, Maoists had kidnapped four persons from Karlapat village and killed one of them after keeping them in captivity for three days. The other three were freed.
The Maoists of Bansadhara-Ghumsura and Nagabali division had claimed responsibility for the abduction and murder of the villager, who they alleged was a police informer.
The forest department hopes that the sanctuary, comprising six continuous blocks of forests, can be developed into a tiger habitat considering its contiguity with Sunabeda sanctuary.
We also published the following articles recently
Colonies inside Hastinapur sanctuary: Forest department mulls issuing notice
The forest department in Bijnor is considering issuing notices to residential colonies developed within the Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary due to violations of regulations. Three colonies were found in the Ravali Road and Barrage Road areas, despite the prohibition of construction in the sanctuary. The colonies were built on private land with the approval of Change of Land Use (CLU) from agricultural to non-agricultural. The sub-divisional forest officer stated that the nature of the land cannot be changed in the sanctuary, and no new colony can be established without the forest department’s permission. The UP government plans to establish eco-sensitive zones for tourism promotion.
The forest department in Bijnor is considering issuing notices to residential colonies developed within the Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary due to violations of regulations. Three colonies were found in the Ravali Road and Barrage Road areas, despite the prohibition of construction in the sanctuary. The colonies were built on private land with the approval of Change of Land Use (CLU) from agricultural to non-agricultural. The sub-divisional forest officer stated that the nature of the land cannot be changed in the sanctuary, and no new colony can be established without the forest department’s permission. The UP government plans to establish eco-sensitive zones for tourism promotion.
UP to have more wildlife, forest guards
The state cabinet approved an increase in the number of forest guards and wildlife guards posts. Forest guards will be increased from 2,918 to 3,647, and wildlife guards from 259 to 266. Physical standards are no longer required for grade four staff being promoted as forest guards and wildlife guards. Pay matrix will be used for their salary instead of grade pay.
The state cabinet approved an increase in the number of forest guards and wildlife guards posts. Forest guards will be increased from 2,918 to 3,647, and wildlife guards from 259 to 266. Physical standards are no longer required for grade four staff being promoted as forest guards and wildlife guards. Pay matrix will be used for their salary instead of grade pay.
Ranthambore tiger ventures close to a village; forest dept on its toes
A male tiger has ventured close to a village near Ranthambore National Park, causing concern for forest officials. Monitoring teams are working to prevent any human-animal conflict. The tiger’s identity is unknown, but it is suspected to be a male sub-adult. Forest officials are urging people not to panic and waiting for the tiger to return to the forest on its own. Tranquilisation is a last resort. The park’s population of tigers exceeds its carrying capacity, and steps are being taken to increase the region’s capacity for tigers.
A male tiger has ventured close to a village near Ranthambore National Park, causing concern for forest officials. Monitoring teams are working to prevent any human-animal conflict. The tiger’s identity is unknown, but it is suspected to be a male sub-adult. Forest officials are urging people not to panic and waiting for the tiger to return to the forest on its own. Tranquilisation is a last resort. The park’s population of tigers exceeds its carrying capacity, and steps are being taken to increase the region’s capacity for tigers.