Tsanglao and Forest Range Officer Namsibo facilitated the release of the two leopard cubs from Tening village to Nagaland Zoological Park in Dimapur on Monday…reports Asian Lite News
Two ‘vulnerable’ leopard cubs, rescued from a tree by four teenagers in a Nagaland village, were released to the state’s Zoological Park in Dimapur, officials said on Tuesday.
A Nagaland Wildlife official said that four boys, aged around 11 to 12 years — Njancham, Kaisithui, Khouralung and Wiramsiaged while bathing at the Tening village on Sunday found that the leopard cubs were sitting at a branch of a hollowed tree near paddy fields.
The official said that the children brought the cubs to the village after which a resident of Tening village, Chamdinbo, a High School teacher, informed the Extra Assistant Commissioner Tumben P. Tsanglao for necessary assistance in handing over the cubs to forest and wildlife authorities.
Tsanglao and Forest Range Officer Namsibo facilitated the release of the two leopard cubs from Tening village to Nagaland Zoological Park in Dimapur on Monday.
The officials of Nagaland Zoological Park and Peren forest officials have taken necessary steps for specialised care and protection of the cubs.
The official said that the whereabouts of the mother of the cubs is still unknown.
“What remains to be seen is how the cubs were found not in the wild, but at a tree very close to the paddy fields of Tening village making a stark reminder of growing man-animal conflict, amidst the loss of habitats for the big cats,” the official pointed out.
He said that according to the current IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) red list status of Indian Leopard is “Vulnerable”
Teaming with marine life, the aquarium will provide guests with a remarkable opportunity to delve into a submarine world…reports Asian Lite News
The National Aquarium (TNA) in Abu Dhabi will showcase the astonishing biodiversity of species when it opens its doors later this year.
Located in the vibrant lifestyle hub of Al Qana in Abu Dhabi, the largest aquarium in the region will showcase over 200 sharks and rays, representing 25 different species, said a TNA press release on Monday.
Teaming with marine life, the aquarium will provide guests with a remarkable opportunity to delve into a submarine world and discover the awe-inspiring variety of species found within our oceans.
The magnificent ecosystem is also the only place in the UAE to house a school of iconic Scalloped Hammer Head Sharks. Additionally, the Bull Sharks will also make their debut in the region and guests will be able to see first-hand, what is “widely considered one of the most dangerous shark species” in the ocean and rivers.
Other species of sharks and rays will include Sand Tiger Sharks, Lemon Sharks, Zebra Sharks, Black Tip Reef Sharks, Eagle Rays, Shovelnose Rays, Cownose Rays, Freshwater Rays, amongst others.
Sharks are one of the most misunderstood animals in the ocean with the misperception that they are dangerous, a narrative that has been reinforced by the film industry. With their numbers dwindling due to over-fishing, the team at The National Aquarium is seeking to turn fear into fascination and educate visitors around how well these apex predators can adapt to living peacefully. Guests will be able to observe how these animals interact with other species, including TNA’s team of world-class divers.
An unmissable highlight will be the feeding demonstrations with both sharks and rays, as well as a one of a kind public ‘Shark Encounter’. Guests will be able to hand-feed sharks as large as two metres long, which promises to be an unforgettable experience, especially for people who have a living fear of sharks.
Paul Hamilton, General Manager at The National Aquarium, commented, “We cannot wait for our opening this year, to reveal our array of animals and animal-related activities. In general, people have a fear of sharks and we want to celebrate these fascinating creatures that are so crucial to the health of our oceans. We are hoping that through personal interaction, the aquarium will help people overcome any fears and perceptions that they might have. Most importantly, we look forward to providing our visitors with an unrivalled and memorable edutainment experience on every visit.”
The National Aquarium signed a five-year partnership with The Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD) in July 2020 to help create the largest and most innovative rehabilitation schemes of its kind to protect and rehabilitate wildlife in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. The partnership has resulted in a large number of animals saved, including 200 sea turtles being successfully rescued and released until today.
EAD calls on the community to report injured wildlife or environmental emergencies, through the Abu Dhabi Government Contact Centre at 800555.
“Save the Tiger” campaign is to build awareness among the masses about saving our National Animal…Varun Khullar speaks with N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe.
Tiger is always the perfect synonym for valour and power. The latest Tiger Census confirmed that the current tiger population in India has increased to 2967 in 2021 from 2226 in 2014. The Indian tiger survey released last year revealed that India now accounts for about 70 per cent of the world’s tiger population.
As we celebrate “International Tiger Day”, on July 29 its important to raise awareness for tiger conservation, a corporate professional and wildlife photographer by passion, Varun Khullar asserts. He believes that this mammoth task can only be achieved by collective efforts and the “Save the Tiger” campaign must inspire and spread awareness. What motivated you to be a part of the “Save the Tiger” campaign?
The combination of grace, strength, agility and enormous power has earned the tiger its pride of place as the National Animal of India. The “Save the Tiger” campaign started in 2010 and its conservation automatically ensures the conservation of a large number of flora and fauna and entire ecosystems. Royal Bengal Tiger is the pride of our nation and its decreasing population in the past years due to human-animal conflicts and poaching motivated me to be a part of the “Save the Tiger” campaign. We must do whatever we can within our power to ensure their survival and make sure our future generations can also enjoy their beauty and presence.
How do you plan to contribute to the campaign?
“Save the Tiger” campaign is to build awareness among the masses about saving our National Animal. As apex predators, Tigers keep prey species under control. This protects the vegetation which in turn maintains the integrity of streams, forests and croplands that provide people around the world with clean air, water, food and financial benefits. When we protect tigers, we protect ourselves. For the last four years, I have been printing my Wildlife Tiger calendars and distributing them to my friends and family circle to create awareness of the beautiful nature and Tigers we have around us. Through this medium, I try to increase wildlife tourism among masses which generates funds for Forest departments and the funds are then used appropriately for saving the Tiger and saving the forests from poachers. This money is used for setting Camera traps, securing boundaries, generating water supply and electricity in forest core areas, setting up security check posts deep in forests to help the “Save the Tiger” campaign.
Since when have you been into wildlife photography and what about tigers attracts you the most?
I had started this journey by being a normal visitor to a wildlife sanctuary and experienced a safari ride into the jungle, just like anyone else would do, all this happened a good 12 years back. The love for wildlife has ever since beckoned me back into its arms. After every safari, there are always new stories to share and wonderful experiences to take back. It is an incredible experience watching tigers in their natural habitat roaming freely without any inhibitions. The thrill and excitement during the search, the chase, the patience and then the reward of seeing some beautiful tigers is what truly makes a safari unforgettable.
Tigers have more than 100 stripes on their body but no two tigers have the same pattern of stripes. Everything about the tiger attracts me, their behaviour, the roar, their walk, the look into their eyes, the thrill of the tiger chasing the prey and the cuddle of the tigress with its cubs. In photographing the tiger — patience is the key.
Can you share a life-changing experience that you’ve had while capturing the wild cats?
The Tiger sighting of the majestic T24 named Ustad in 2010 will always remain in my heart. One of the most beautiful male tigers of the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, T24 was eye-candy and a delight for wildlife enthusiasts and wildlife photographers who visited Ranthambore just to have a glimpse of him. He was shifted to Sajjangarh Zoo in Udaipur in May 2015 after being accused of killing four people. The tag of ‘MANEATER’ for Ustad was indigestible and the killings attributed to Ustad, were mere accidents as I feel he never ventured out of his territory but people went to his home. This animal and human conflict are heartbreaking and for us as humans, it’s high time now to realize the importance of maintaining a perfect balance in the ecosystem.
How do you balance being a corporate professional and a wildlife photographer?
With interest in wildlife and especially Big Cats my passion persuaded me to buy a good DSLR camera with a telephoto lens and I started capturing the wildlife in my cameras. Initially, before Covid-19 I somehow managed to take out time from corporate life once in 2-3 months for wildlife getaways like Ranthambore national park, Jim Corbett national park and Jaipur and captured the beautiful big cats — tigers and leopards.
Capturing tigers often was difficult as with a busy corporate life one cannot travel often to wildlife parks but passion keeps one going. I started capturing birds and started building an interest in bird photography. With capturing birds in and around Gurugram — Delhi NCR I have built a strong interest in Birds of the Indian subcontinent. People have started calling me a ‘Nature & Tiger Lover’. At weekends I try to visit nature parks around my place and try to capture nature with my camera. My seniors understand my passion and have supported me in the same.
Sinha had also wanted to know the total forest area and waste land area in the country (state-wise details) and the area of land under Section 4 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, (state-wise details)…reports Asian Lite News.
The word “forest” is not defined in any Central forest acts, namely, the Indian Forest Act 1927, or the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and the Central government has also not laid down any criterion to define a forest, the Parliament was informed on Monday.
This was revealed in the statement tabled in the Rajya Sabha by Environment, Forests & Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav in reply to a question by member Rakesh Sinha, who sought to know “how the forest is defined/formed and, whether, there is any specific criteria?”
Bhupender Yadav
Sinha had also wanted to know the total forest area and waste land area in the country (state-wise details) and the area of land under Section 4 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, (state-wise details).
He also sought to know the area of forest land which is under dispute and being claimed by individuals or villages, and the steps taken to resolve such disputes by the government.
While the statement did provide data about forest land and waste land, the government skirted the issue of dispute, saying it has no records for the same.
“The disputes regarding forest lands are variable in nature and keep changing depending upon the pace of settlement process, recording of new disputes, demarcation/survey on case-to-case basis etc. by the respective state/UT authorities as per due process of law applicable to the area. As such forest area under dispute for the country has not been quantified by the Ministry,” Yadav said.
The recorded forest area of the country is 7,67,419 sq kms. As per the Wasteland Atlas, 2019 published by the Ministry of Rural Development, the total wasteland in the country is 5,57,665.51 sq kms, the Rajya Sabha was told.
No pay for 6 months, workers in indefinite stir : Arunachal tiger reserve unguarded
With the agitation of the 202 contingency workers at the office of the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), the Pakke Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Pakke-Kessang district has been left unguarded….reports Asian Lite News
Over 200 part-time workers of the Pakke Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh launched an indefinite strike on Wednesday for non-payment of their wages for the past more than six months.
With the agitation of the 202 contingency workers at the office of the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), the Pakke Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Pakke-Kessang district has been left unguarded.
Accompanied by eight elephants, the workers, some of them in their uniform, threatened to continue their agitation until their wages, which have been pending since December last year, are paid by the authorities.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority, headed by Union Environment, Forest & Climate Change Minister Prakash Javadekar, provides funding for the wages of the contingency staff of PTR through the state government.
PTR workers’ union General Secretary Nikum Nabam said that the strike was to begin from May 2, but it was suspended after the state Environment and Forest Minister Mama Natung assured them that their wages would be released soon.
No pay for 6 months, workers in indefinite stir : Arunachal tiger reserve unguarded
“We have families to take care of with a meagre wage of Rs 11,000 per month. Since December, we are in great distress, and the government must take suitable steps to release our wages,” he said.
Besides the payment of wages, the agitating workers also demanded regularisation of the Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF).
Nabam said that they have learnt that the government had released the funds for their wages but the money has been lying in the treasury instead of being transferred to the DFO of the PTR.
“Forest officials are trying hard to transfer the fund from the treasury to the forest department. The finance department failed to release the due salaries in time. Their demands are genuine,” a senior forest official told IANS on condition of anonymity
Environment and Forest Minister Natung said that due to the Covid situation and non-availability of officials, disbursement of wages has been delayed, but the workers should have waited for two-three days before launching the agitation.
The 862 sq km Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary and Pakke Tiger Reserve falls in the Pakke-Kessang district in southern Arunachal Pradesh. It has rich flora and fauna besides a diverse species of wild animals.
Braving all odds, the tiger moved across three islands in the span of four months, Yadav said, adding that he did not venture near human habitats…reports Asian Lite News.
A tiger which had been radio-collared in India was found to have travelled around 100km to reach Sundarbans in Bangladesh over a period of four months, West Bengal’s chief wildlife warden VK Yadav was quoted as saying.
The male tiger was radio-collared in December 2020 to enable foresters to track his movement patterns near human beings. He was captured from Harinbhanga forest just opposite the Harikhali camp under Bashirhat range in Bengal and later released with the satellite collar on December 27, reports said.
His long and arduous journey to Bangladesh involved several hurdles including some rivers wider than a kilometre. Braving all odds, the tiger moved across three islands in the span of four months, Yadav said, adding that he did not venture near human habitats.
“After initial movements for a few days on the Indian side, it started venturing into the Talpatti island in Bangladesh Sunderbans and crossed rivers such as Choto, Harikhali, Boro Harikhali and even the Raimangal,” Yadav said. The tiger could originally have come from Bangladesh before foresters captured him for radio-collaring, Yadav added.
The last recorded location of the tiger was at Talpatti island in Bangladesh on May 11, according to reports. Throwing light on the possible reasons why there was no update on the tiger after May 11, Yadav said the collar may have slipped off its neck.
“The gadget also had a mortality sensor, which gives signals in case of the tiger’s death. But that didn’t happen…. In all probability, the collar has slipped off its neck. In the Sundarbans, salinity in the water can also damage radio collars,” he said.
This was not the first time that a tiger from India has strolled to Bangladesh. In January 2017, a female tiger who was also radio-collared, travelled a 100km distance to reach the Bay of Bengal’s tip. Five other tigers were also radio-collared, out of which one travelled into Bangladesh’s Talpatti island, Dhaka Tribune reported.
Gardening is an awesome diversion from our increasingly technologically driven lives. Spending time gardening and enjoying nature can help us mentally de-stress by keeping us involved…writes Puja Gupta.
Lockdown has changed our daily routines and most of us are very much irritated and stressed throughout these days. While it may sound weird to tell people with depression to go outside and garden, there is a considerable amount of clinical evidence which suggests that spending time with plants improves our mental health, particularly depression. Even spending time with indoor plants works wonders to alleviate both mental and physical stress in people of all ages.
Vinayak Garg, Founder, Lazy Gardener says: “Many researchers have found that gardening or green care’ stimulates our bodies’ natural development of happy chemicals, which may help keep depression and anxiety at bay, with unexpectedly amazing results. Even during this pandemic, each nation is battling a war where the enemy is not visible nor are the weapons. In these times, along with other safety measures, why not turn to the potential benefits of gardening as a way to help in the mental and physical war against coronavirus.”
Here are some interesting and the creative way to fight depression and anxiety, suggested by Garg.
Getting your hands dirty!
Getting your hands dirty in the garden boosts your serotonin levels, according to studies. Serotonin is a happy chemical that also serves as a natural antidepressant and immune system booster, lack of which is responsible for depression. When you come in contact with soil, a particular soil bacterium, Mycobacterium vaccae, causes serotonin to be released in our brain, making us feel better and happier from within. At the very least, now we understand why people prefer to garden without gloves and always enjoy the sensation of getting their hands into the dirt and compost heap. De-stress therapy at your doorstep
Gardening is an awesome diversion from our increasingly technologically driven lives. Spending time gardening and enjoying nature can help us mentally de-stress by keeping us involved. When you directly contribute to the nurturing of the buds and witness the plants grow gradually, believe me, your happiness and contentment will know no boundaries and you’ll keep coming back to it. This is a small yet a very powerful exercise to even boost your self-esteem, leaving no space for stress at all.
Building your Creativity
How about simply finding out how to keep those garden pests away and improving soil quality to keep the garden healthy? How about deciding what kind and colour of a pot will suit your favourite plant the best? Get yourself into it once and this green care will take care of your positivity, creativity, mood upliftment, skill building, and ultimately help you fight depression naturally and gradually.
Building your strength
Working in the garden improves dexterity and strength. Digging, raking, and mowing are especially calorie-dense activities and the aerobic exercise involved will easily burn the same amount of calories as a gym workout. During gardening, physical exercise is combined with social contact. You get exposed to nature and sunlight. Sunlight works two way on your body: reduces blood pressure while also increasing vitamin D levels, and the fruits and vegetables grown have a positive effect on the diet. Sounds healthier right?
The Miyawaki method of afforestation, pioneered by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, has revolutionized the concept of urban afforestation by turning backyards into mini-forest…reports Asian Lite News.
An initiative by National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) using Miyawaki plantation has succeeded in developing a mini forest amid the concrete jungle in Telangana’s Ramagundam, known for blazing summers.
The mining town in Peddapalli district is also known as Agnigundam (furnace) for the scorching heat it experiences every summer with the highest temperature even touching 50 degree Celsius.
The town, known for coal mines runs by the Singareni Collieries Company Limited, also boasts of NTPC’s 2,600 MW Ramagundam Super Thermal Power Station, the largest in South India.
The Miyawaki project launched by NTPC-Ramagundam early last year at its oxidation pond has developed into a dense forest with 100 per cent survival and set an ideal example of urban foresting.
The phase I&II of the project covers over 7,662 square meters with plantation of around 14,034 trees.
The Miyawaki method of afforestation, pioneered by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, has revolutionized the concept of urban afforestation by turning backyards into mini-forest.
Experts say this method is ideal for urban spaces where a few cents of land can be set aside to increase the green cover.
For the first time NTPC came forward to use this unique technique to develop a dense native forest in an urban area.
Under Miyawaki method, dozens of native species are planted in the same area, close to each other, which ensures that the plants receive sunlight only from the top and grow upwards than sideways.
It requires very little space and plants grow ten times faster, and the forest becomes maintenance-free in three years.
In January last year NTPC launched the project, covering over 1,400 square metres having around 2,900 trees of 53 varieties.
Officials from district administration and forest department and hundreds of students from four NTPC township schools participated in the massive plantation.
Developed in association with Peddapalli district administration and the forest department and executed by the Telangana State Forest Development Corporation Limited (TSFDCL), the project involves a scientific way of planting.
After selecting a location based on soil quality, water availability and secured boundary wall, an area is dug up to 0.60 metres depth and followed by filling with various layers of rice husk, farmyard manure, cocopeat and ‘Jeeva Mutram’.
Subsequently, planting points are marked at a grid of 0.75M x 0.75M and then species of high canopy (16 varities), medium canopy (19 varieties) and low canopy (18 varieties) are planted.
Zero usage of chemicals and fertilizers inspired the authorities to go for the Miyawaki technique. This ensures a cent per cent native, organic and natural plantation within a short time.
These dense forests not only help retain groundwater, recharge groundwater tables and support local biodiversity but also increase the green cover and curb air pollution.
NTP’s efforts in enriching the environment through innovative technique have come in for praise from state officials, who hoped that this pilot project would encourage others to come forward.
NTPC officials are closely monitoring the progress and documenting it so that it can be replicated in large scale in other areas, too.
In November last year, NTPC-Ramagundam launched second phase of Miyawaki method plantation at its oxidation pond area covering 6,044 square meter area by planting around 10,684 plants of 61 varieties.
TSFDCL officials termed it as a model for others to follow. They lauded NTPC’s efforts under CSR for social development and environment protection.
They believe that the growth coupled with flowers and fruits in 10 months is a boost for urban foresting.
Following the success of Phase-1&II of Miyawaki plantation at its oxidation pond area, NTPC-Ramagundam recently launched Phase-III at Ganganagar park of Ramagundam Municipal Corporation (RMC).
Experts say this method is ideal for urban spaces where a few cents of land can be set aside to increase the green cover.https://t.co/K27MTxnptU
A total of 8,003 saplings of 54 varieties were planted covering 4,176 square meter area. Belonging to RMC, the park was filled with ash and bushes and the same were removed and filled with red soil suitable for plantation. This phase has also been taken up in association with TSFDCL.
The success of the two phases and the launch of the third is definitely showing a new way for urban foresting.
Impressed by the work done by NTPC-Ramagundam, police in neighbouring Karimnagar district has also taken up plantations with Miyawaki method at some of their campuses in Karimnagar town.
At least 128 people were killed and 72 others remain unaccounted for due to floods and landslides triggered by tropical cyclone Seroja in the Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province, the country’s disaster mitigation agency said on Tuesday.
The National Disaster Management Agency’s spokesman Raditya Jati said in a statement that eight municipalities in the province were impacted by the tropical cyclone, reports Xinhua news agency.
He said 67 deaths were reported in Lembata district, 49 in East Flores and 12 in Alor.
Cyclone Eloise kills 6, displaces 8,300 in Mozambique: UN (Credit: twitter.com/UNOCHA_ROSEA)
“Authorities continue to update data from rapid assessments in the field,” the spokesman said.
According to Jati, the number of people in the province who flee their homes has reached 8,424, as floodwaters and landslides destroyed houses, public facilities, roads and bridges.
