JPAM UPDATE 18, October 1998
EDITORIAL
UNDERMINING
PROTECTED AREAS AND
PEOPLE
Protected areas and other natural habitats
have always been under threat, especially so since the from the liberalised
economic policies that were introduced by the Congress Government. in 1991, and
which are being followed by every successive government regardless of their
political colour. This issue has six cases of destruction underway
or threatened by mining. Mineral prospecting and extraction from
protected areas has always been a major threat, but has now assumed menacing
proportions because of the liberalised mining policy of the government; the
entry of the world's biggest mining interests into the Indian economy; and the
rapid increase in demand for minerals for export and industrial use.
Little
hesitation has been demonstrated by state and central governments appear to
dereserve, denotify, or in other ways open out wildlife habitats for such
activities. The fact that many of these habitats are also home to, or the
resource catchments of, tribal and other forest-dwelling communities, adds to
the sense of alarm but also provides yet another opportunity for
conservationists and social activists to join hands rather than fight against
each other.
We must be able to collectively respond to this threat, whether
it is in Kudremukh, Bhadra, Palamau/Hazaribagh, Kanha, Kutch, or elsewhere.
Apart from grassroots resistance, legal action (see Kudremukh in this issue),
and other means, we should also demand that the Mining Policy of the government
explicitly state that ecologically and culturally sensitive areas will be
off-limits to mining activities.
The repercussions of the WWF petition on
protected areas in the Supreme Court, which we have reported about in the past
few issues of the Update, continue to be felt in various parts of the
country (see NATIONAL NEWS FROM INDIA). Agitations against feared displacement,
demands for denotification (alarmingly supported by some Chief Wildlife Wardens
and many District Collectors), harassment in the rights settlement procedure.
the sequence of events that were predicted by some of us when the Court ordered
settlement of rights within one year in all PAs (see JPAM Update 15), are
indeed taking place now. Some local organisations, with help from Delhi-based
groups, are filing an intervention to apprise the
Court of the serious nature of
the consequences, and to seek a more just and sensible process of
settlement.
Fortunately, WWF-India, which has otherwise not been pro-active
in responding to the situation created by its petition, has agreed to go along
with the intervention in spirit. If admitted (a big IF), this intervention may
partly defuse the crisis, but nevertheless in many parts of the country, our
protected area network and its inhabitants (wildlife and human) are going to
suffer grievously if hasty actions are taken by district authorities. On the
positive side are instances such as the unusual stand taken by the DCF
(Wildlife), Anshi National Park (see NEWS FROM INDIAN PROTECTED AREAS).
Also
on the positive side, a meeting of forest officials, NGOs, independent
wildlifers, and social activists was held to discuss the future of wildlife
conservation in Maharashtra. The meeting was marked by frank and open
discussions, and its recommendations bring hope that a more participatory and
effective mode of conservation is going to emerge (see NEWS FROM INDIAN STATES).
NEWS FROM INDIAN PROTECTED AREAS
ANDHRA PRADESH
Prospecting for uranium in
Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve
The State government has agreed to
allow the Atomic Mineral Division (AMD) for exploration of uranium deposits in
about 7 sq.km. of the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve at Chitrial in
Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh. A communication to this effect was sent to AMD
director K. K. Dwivedi on July 20, after a two-year protracted wrangle between
AMD and the State government. The government was initially reluctant to hand
over the forest land and sanctuary to the AMD, as this would defeat the aim of
protecting wildlife and habitat. However, in recent months, following several
requests from the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), officials of the Forest
Department and AMD conducted several inspections at the sanctuary and found "no
wildlife activity in the sanctuary at all", and only "shrubs and scanty
vegetation on account of massive deforestation".
According to sources, the
allotment of the sanctuary to the AMD would give a tremendous boost to their
uranium exloration works, essential for atomic energy and development of nuclear
technology. Preliminary studies at the sanctuary site indicated that the area
had the potential to yield 30 million tonnes of uranium ore deposits (valued at
Rs 50 lakh per tonne). Presently only three other States -- Bihar, Meghalaya and
Karnataka -- are rich in uranium deposits. The uranium deposits found in Andhra
Pradesh are said to be of superior quality than that of even Bihar, where it was
first discovered in the 1970s. Hence, Andhra Pradesh is being considered by the
DAE as the best prospect for future uranium requirements.
Source: Deccan Chronicle, quoted in e-mail from K. Jagdish on
nathistory-india@lists.princeton.edu dated 24/7/98.
ASSAM
SOS : Catastrophe at
Kaziranga
Manju Barua, a member of the Indian Board for Wildlife, and the
NGO Aaranyak Nature Club, have reported that the worst flood in recent history
in the Brahmaputra river valley has taken a terrible toll of wildlife at
Kaziranga National Park. The entire protected area has been swamped with water,
and rhinos and elephants have moved to high ground in thickly inhabited human
areas including into cowsheds and tea estates. The Government of Assam simply
does not have the infrastructure to deal with a crisis of this proportion. And
what little facilities they have are understandably diverted for thinly
distributed relief of human communities.
The floods hit Kaziranga in three
waves this year, in May, June and September. Normally the flood waters recede in
three to seven days, but this year, allegedly because of severe deforestation of
upstream catchments in the Brahmaputra Valley, the flood has lasted for weeks on
end. As a result serious damage has been caused to the food sources of animals
such as rhinos, elephants, deer and wild pigs. The crops of the neighbouring
villages have also been destroyed by flood waters. Wildlife has been forced to
move away from the protected area of Kaziranga and are now reported in areas of
human habitation.
Hundreds of deer and wild pigs have been drowned, and a
large number that escaped drowning are reportedly being slaughtered by poachers.
According to the Aaranyak, the casualties so far reported are: 500 deer drowned,
200 killed by people, 32 rhinos drowned, 2 killed by people; also believed to be
affected is the population of about 500 swamp deer. 60% of the rhinos are
anticipated to have left the Park and poaching gangs have moved in on them.
Forest Guards are hopelessly outnumbered by these poachers.
Meanwhile, the
Chief of Army Staff at a meeting in Bombay, has also offered to help by getting
his jawans to take up rehabilitation or other work; however, he needs to
first be formally requested by the Assam Government.
APPEAL
FOR FUNDS FOR KAZIRANGA
Manju Barua and NGOs he is associated with have
taken it upon themselves to borrow or otherwise raise money to mitigate the
tragedy. They feel that by focussing their efforts on relief to the human
population living in and around Kaziranga, they will be able to prevent humans
from turning on wild animals; funds will of course also go to direct relief
measures for affected wildlife.
Contributions can be made by bank drafts
(payable at Guwahati) in favour of: 'Wildlife Areas Development and Welfare
Trust'. All these should be sent to Manju Baruah (address below).
Aaranyak
is also collecting donations for wildlife relief work; donations should go in
the name of 'Aaranyak Nature Club', and can be wired directly to their bank
((Bank A/C No. 9387, Punjab National Bank, Zoo Road Branch, Guwahati).
Source: Emails from Bittu Sahgal, through August-September 1998; Email from
Bibhab K. Talukdar, Aaranyak, 17/9/98.
Contact: Manju Barua, Wild Grass,107, M.C. Road, Uzanbazaar,
Guwahati 781 001, Assam. Tel: (Guwahati) 91-361-546 827; (Wild Grass) 91-377-662
437. Fax: 91-361-541 186 or 520 348.
Aaranyak Nature Club, Samanwoy
Path (Survey), P.O. Beltola, Guwahati 781 028, Assam. Tel: 91-361-566 087.
Email: bibhab@gw1.vsnl.net.in.
New Sanctuary Proposed in Dibrugarh Forest
Division
Nature's Beckon, an environmental activist NGO, has proposed to
the Government of Assam to declare Jaipur, Dirak and West block of Upper Dihing
Reserve Forest areas as a Wildlife Sanctuary. Jaipur Reserved Forest is located
along a part of the Dibrugarh Forest Division with the river Buridihing flowing
along its north-east boundary. This Reserved Forest harbours many species of
endangered animals including the Hoolock gibbon, Capped langur, Assamese
macaque, elephants, tigers, leopard and various types of squirrels.
Nature's
Beckon is well-known for its persistent efforts in getting the Chakrashila
forests, the southern-most range of the threatened Golden langur, declared a
sanctuary, for which they mobilised the local villagers to great effect.
Source: 'Nature's Beckon: Keen on the Conservation of Wildlife of
Jaipur Reserved Forest.' Nature's Beckon, Assam.
Contact:
Mridu Paban Phukan, Nature's Beckon, 'Datta Bari' Ward No.1, Dhubri 783 301,
Assam. Tel: 91-3662-21 067; Fax: 91-3662-20 076.
GUJARAT
Kutch Projects Yet to Get Wildlife Clearance
The mineral
mining projects proposed to come up in Kutch district, Gujarat are on hold as
they impinge on wildlife sanctuaries of the area. The lignite, bauxite,
bentonite and China clay deposits prospected by the Mines Department have not
been acquired for concession due to this constraint, according to J V Bhatt,
Additional Director of Geology and Mining, government of Gujarat. Bhatt stated
that sizeable reserves of these minerals had been found in the Narayan Sarovar
Wildlife Sanctuary.
It may be recalled in this connection that the current
extent of the Sanctuary (about 444 sq.km) is considerably smaller than what was
originally notified in 1981 (about 766 sq.km.); already almost half the area has
been denotified in 1995 to make way for mining and a cement factory. Now it
seems that 'development' may claim even more of this habitat, which is amongst
the last remaining for the threatened Chinkara, Houbara and Great Indian
bustard, and other wildlife species.
Mining officials said a study of the
area should be carried out to demarcate viable prime areas for wildlife
conservation and assess the environmental impact of existing and proposed
industries near Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary.
Source: Chakravorti,
Tapan. 1998. 'Kutch Projects Yet to Get Wildlife Clearance'. Financial
Express. 30/8/98
KARNATAKA
High Court Takes Serious View
of Mining in Kudremukh National Park
Based on a petition filed by the
Environment Support Group, Nature Conservation Guild, Save Western Ghats
Movement, Nellibeedu Samraskhana Samithi, and K. R. Sethna, former Member of the
Indian Board for Wildlife, the Division Bench of the Karnataka High Court has
reviewed alleged violations of the prospecting license conditions by Kudremukh
Iron Ore Company Ltd. (KIOCL) within the Kudremukh National Park. After
considering various options, the Bench directed the Petitioners to file a
comprehensive complaint to the Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and
Forests (MoEF) over the matter, and to demand corrective action. Further, the
Bench assured the petitioners that the writ petition itself would be treated as
a representation to the respondents.
The petitioners drew the attention of
the Court to the actions of the MoEF, the Karnataka State Forest Department, the
Karnataka Department of Ecology and Environment, and the Chief Wildlife Warden
of Karnataka, for fundamentally violating the Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972,
in allowing 'prospecting' within the notified Kudremukh National Park for the
benefit of KIOCL, a public sector undertaking.
KIOCL, in utter contempt of
the law, cut roads through the mountainous tracts and endemic shola
forests; engaged in blasting operations scaring away the wildlife from the
Nellibeedu region; drilled bore-wells on Sujigudda mountain drying up streams
and springs; and felled hundreds of trees. This continued for over three years,
and went unchecked by any of the relevant government agencies, despite repeated
protests and representations, locally and nationally, by the petitioners, local
elected representatives, various experts and environmental groups. The
petitioners are now preparing a comprehensive complaint to the MoEF on the case.
Source: Email from Environment Support Group, 28/8/98.
Contact: Environment Support Group (ESG), Reservoir Road,
Basavanagudi, Bangalore 560 004. Telefax: 91-80-665 7995; Email:
admin@leo.ilban.ernet.in; esg@bgl.vsnl.net.in; Website:
http://www.cfar.umd.edu/~venu.
Bhadra Sanctuary: Union Minister to
Inspect Iron Ore Mines
Union Minister for Environment and Forests Suresh
Prabhu has agreed to carry out a personal inspection of the Kemmanagundi iron
ore mines of the Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Limited (VISL), Bhadravati,
following a plea from Shimoga MP, Ayanur Manjunath, to resume mining activity.
The mines have been closed because they are within the Bhadra Wildlife
Sanctuary.
Mr Manjunath said the Karnataka Government had recommended for
renewal of the VISL mining lease. He claimed that there was no forest as such at
the place where mining activity was carried out. The area, for which permission
for mining lease was requested, lay on the outer periphery of the sanctuary, and
would not affect flora and fauna in any manner.
As the mines were located
partly within the forest land, the State Government had sent a proposal to the
MoEF for clearance as required under the Forest (Conservation) Act, so that the
renewal of the mining lease could be granted to the VISL. The proposal was still
pending in the MoEF.
The NGO Kalpavriksh has sent a letter to Prabhu (in
September 1998), expressing concern regarding this move, and asking him to
reject any proposal for restarting mining here.
Sources:
'Union Minister to Inspect Kemmanagundi Iron Ore Mines'. Deccan Herald,
29/8/98; Letter of 2/9/98 from Pankaj Sekhsaria, Kalpavriksh, to Suresh Prabhu,
MoEF.
Contact: ESG (see above, for Kudremukh).
Anshi National
Park: Agitation Against Involuntary Displacement
Local communities inside
the Anshi National Park in Karnataka are opposing what they fear is a move to
displace them from the Park. In response to a March 1998 proclamation of the
Asst. Commissioner, Karwar for the settlement of rights (in pursuance of the
Supreme Court's directions in the WWF case, see NATIONAL NEWS FROM INDIA), the
Anshi Udyanavan Punaravasti Virodhi Samiti ('Anshi National Park Resettlement
Opposition Committee') has in a letter dated 9th May 1998, expressed their
opposition to any plans to move them out, and have stressed that they are the
ones who have protected and helped regenerate the forests in the
area.
Significantly, in an independent letter to the Conservator of Forests,
Wildlife North Circle, Shimoga, the Deputy Conservator, Wildlife Division,
Dandeli, too has suggested that the resettlement of people from the Park is not
a good idea. According to him many of the management activities in the protected
area involving labour are carried out by the local people, and their
co-operation is needed to provide social fencing which will protect the National
Park. Any attempt at resettlement will only further antagonise the already
agitating people and will be a very futile and counter-productive step. He has
suggested that instead, their settlements should become 'enclaves', physically
located inside the boundaries of the Park but legally excluded from it.
(Ed.
note: The DCF's suggestion for enclaves or enclosures has precedence in
Karnataka, where several PAs have such an arrangement. Ref: Lal, R., Kothari,
A., Pande, P., and Singh. S. 1994. Directory of National Parks and
Sanctuaries in Karnataka. Indian Institute of Public Administration, New
Delhi.)
KERALA
Tribal colony in
Peechi Sanctuary under Naxalite control?
Trouble may be brewing in the
Peechi Wildlife Sanctuary. The Thamaravallachal tribal colony, situated just 3
km from the Peechi reservoir, is spread over a patch of more than 100 acres of
reserved forest, with a population of about 500 men, women and
children. Government officials allege that this village is now virtually
under the control of CPI-ML (Red Flag), a faction of Naxalites who physically
prevents the entry of any non-member irrespective of his official status, to the
colony.
According to the Superintendent of Police, A. Hemachandran, the
police do not take much action partly because there is no immediate law and
order issue and the area is under the jurisdiction of the Forest Department.
According to the SP, the tribals fall prey to the 'extremist' groups mainly
because of poverty. If adequate measures for their welfare were taken, tribals
would be prevented from turning to the extremists.
The tribal community is
demanding its rights to the land and forests, arguing that they acquired the
relevant skills and expertise to protect forests through generations. However,
owing to the inaccessibility of the colony for over a decade, the Forest
Department has been in the dark about the developments there.
As per the
existing laws, the state government cannot allocate the land encroached upon
since January 01, 1977 to the encroachers. It cannot even demarcate the
boundaries of land under the possession of encroachers since January 01, 1977,
as it would amount to granting permission to encroachers to occupy the forest
land under their unauthorised possession. The Forest Department, therefore,
could not take any action to contain the expansion of the colony and keep a
watch on the activities of its members.
MAHARASHTRA
Melghat Tiger
Reserve: Destructive Development
Two projects are causing serious concern
about the future of the Melghat Tiger Reserve: the first is a highway being
built through the Reserve; the second a pumped storage scheme in the adjacent
area.
The road works undertaken in the Melghat Tiger Reserve, against which
NGOs have been agitating for months, have been found to have violated the Forest
(Conservation) Act of 1980. The work has now been stopped and an FIR is being
prepared against the Contractor. But, the question that Kishor Rithe, the Hon.
Wildlife Warden of Amravati correctly asks is "What were the Field Director and
the Chief Wildlife Warden of Maharashtra doing while the violations were on and
all of us were complaining almost daily about it?" The situation now is that the
Executive Engineer of PWD and CF are liable for punishment.
Some years ago,
when around 4,000 tribal children died in the Melghat area due to so-called
'malnutrition', almost no rise in the normal infant mortality was observed in
the 57 forest villages inside the Melghat Tiger Reserve. This could be
because quite apart from fresh and safe drinking water, the Korku communities
had access to tubers, roots, creepers, wild fruit, fish, crabs and other such
life supporting resources. These communities will probably have to face outside
"competition" as the roads that have been constructed now enable outsiders in
vehicles to enter the very heart of the forest.
The Chikhaldara Reserved
Forest surrounds the proposed Chikhaldara Pumped Storage Project (CPSP) site on
all four sides - a dense mixed 'A' class forest with old growth trees including
teak and a reported evidence of tigers. These forests are contiguous with the
Melghat Tiger Reserve and serve as both corridor and buffer for the TR. Contrary
to the information provided by the Chief WL Warden, the CPSP is a mere 4 km away
from the Sanctuary, and 6-7 km from the NP boundary (core area). Any
construction that involves non-forest purpose could contravene SC instructions,
irrespective of its status as a PA or otherwise.
As per Indian Board
for Wildlife/Project Tiger stipulations, no project is allowed within 10 km.
radius of the boundary of a Project Tiger Reserve. As per the EIA report, the
following endangered species have been recorded at this site: tiger, panther,
bear, flying squirrel, giant squirrel, rattel, python, gaur, nilgai, sambar,
pangolin. It is highly undesirable that such prime habitat be destroyed for this
project.
The proposed project requires about 144 ha of forest land, for
submergence (almost 100 ha.), colony, quarries, etc. Much of this forest is
reportedly of density higher than 0.4. According to the EIA report, the land
falling under submergence is proposed from 4 villages with a total area of
104.36 ha. (Forest land/Revenue land). Though the project report is claiming
that no gaunthan (village common land, for grazing and other uses) will
be affected, it is important to study any direct or indirect effect of the same
(e.g. through agricultural changes).
The project being located in the
reserved forest, violates the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980.
In addition, the Gawaligarh Fort, just one km away from the project site, is an
important ASI/State Archaelogical Monument, but is not mentioned in the EIA. The
influx of more than 1,300 labourers could drive away all the wildlife in the
area. The pipes and tunnels between the lower and upper reservoirs will become
an artificial barrier for the wildlife. NGOs are demanding that this project
should be rejected at the outset.
Source: E-mails from Bittu
Sahgal, 04/18/98 and 11/08/98, on
nathistory-india@lists.princeton.edu.
Contact: Kishor Rithe, Honorary Wildlife Warden, 'Prathishtha',
Bharat Nagar, Akoli Rd., Near Sainagar, Amravati 444 605, Maharashtra. Tel:
91-721-672 359; Email: ncsa@bom3.vsnl.net.in.
Bittu Sahgal, Sanctuary
Magazine, 602 Maker Chambers V, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400 021. Fax: 91-22-287
4380; Email: bittu@giasbm01.vsnl.net.in.
Village Protection Force for Tadoba-Andhari
A progressive
partnership between the Forest Department and local communities, which was
developing in the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, recently received a rude shock
when a tribal youth was killed allegedly by vested interests. Under the
centrally sponsored ecodevelopment programme, a Adivasi Youth Wildlife
Protection Committee was established for the Reserve. Five youths from six
tribal villages situated in and on the periphery of the Andhari Wildlife
Sanctuary were trained and their services utilised for the protection of
wildlife and its habitat in the Tiger Reserve. Ten protection huts were
constructed in different parts of the Reserve and patrolling parties were
stationed at these huts in order to curb illegal activities. The Committee's
first success was the nabbing of 22 poachers from Jabalpur, after which several
illicit bamboo cutters were caught.
Research undertaken by people from the
Nagpur University suggests that the Forest Department and the local tribals were
working out a meaningful partnership. However, in May 1998, one of the tribals,
Vinod Sidam, was found murdered. The Forest Department reportedly moved fast to
arrange compensation, but some local politicians have doubted its handling of
the situation and complicated the matter.
Source: 'New
Protection Force for TATR', Tigerlink News, Vol.4, No.2, September
1998
Contact: Rucha Ghate / Mukund Kulkarni, Postgradugate Training
Dept., Economics Dept., Nagpur University Campus, Amravati Road, Nagpur,
Maharashtra.
ORISSA
Major Port Proposed
near Bhitarkanika Sanctuary
The Orissa Chief Minister has laid the
foundation stone for a major port to be built on the left bank of the Dhamra
River (the Bhitarkanika Sanctuary is on the right bank). Forest clearance was
not sought though the site lies in the Banipahi forest range near Chandinipal.
It is a CRZ I area, thick with mangroves and is part of the proposed extension
of the Bhitarkanika National Park for which a draft notification was issued in
1988.
Recent amendments to the Coastal Regulation Zone Rules have provided a
very small loophole, which the State government is trying to exploit to avoid
environmental clearance. The amendment allows the Surface Transport Ministry at
the Centre to give environmental clearance if the existing port or harbour is
expanded or modernises "within port limits." The government is taking the
position that in the 19th and the early part of the 20th century, a port existed
at Dhamra! Unless there is massive protests and resistance at this stage itself,
Bhitarkanika may well be lost forever.
Source: E-mail from
Bittu Sahgal 26/07/98
PUNJAB
Harike Wetland Conservation Mission
The Punjab government
has constituted a Harike Wetland Conservation Mission with the aim of
safeguarding the future of this lake. Situated 55 km south of Amritsar, Harike
is the largest wetland in northern India. It is a vital winter home of an
enormous concentration of migratory waterfowl, including a number of globally
threatened species. Harike's shallow reservoir was created in 1953 by the
construction of a barrage at the confluence of the Sutlej and Beas rivers. It
was declared a 41 sq.km wildlife sanctuary in 1982, and later enlarged to 86
sq.km.
Considered a wetland of international importance, it was included in
the list of Ramsar sites in 1990. Like many wetlands in India, Harike has
considerable human use of its resources, including fishing, grazing, and use of
water for irrigation. There are also several perceived problems, including
silting and shrinking of the water body, water hyacinth infestation,
encroachment, and water pollution.
The Mission has been asked to review all
existing management plans and submit a comprehensive report within one month.
The long term objective is to prepare an integrated masterplan for the
conservation and management of Harike lake and the development of the region
around it; screening, and monitoring of development activities, and evaluation
of plans and proposals of departments of the Government which concern the future
of Harike.
Source: Email from Belinda Wright, 23/07/98, on
nathistory-india@lists. princeton.edu.
Contact: Belinda Wright, Wildlife Protection Society of India
(WPSI), Thapar House, 124 Janpath, New Delhi 110 001. Tel.: 91-11-621 3864; Fax:
91-11-336 8729; Email: blue@nda.vsnl.net.in.
UTTAR PRADESH
Rajaji National Park - A Breakthrough?
The Friends of
Doon Society (FDS), a Dehradun-based NGO, have reported that there is some
progress on the move to relocate Gujjars outside the Rajaji National Park. On a
visit to the Park, the former Minister for Environment and Forests Saifuddin
Soz, accompanied by the Park Director and senior officials of the Ministry, was
shown the degradation taking place in the area. He also met many Gujjars inside
the Park.
The Minister reviewed with the Park authorities and the Chief WL
Warden of UP some pressing problems, such as restoration of green corridor
connecting the two halves of the Park at Raiwala, and widening the bridge at the
Chilla Hydel Power Channel to enable elephants and other animals to cross.
Addressing a deputation of Gujjars, Prof. Soz categorically ruled out any
consideration of a proposal mooted by a local NGO (Rural Litigation and
Entitlement Kendra) to hand over the Park to the Gujjars. He advised them
instead to give up the idea of living inside the Park. The
UP government has
since then forwarded the proposal for the allocation of two acres of land to
each Gujjar family.
FDS also reports that the Pathri rehabilitation colony,
which now has 150 Gujjar families, has been significantly improved, and there is
a vocational training centre for the residents which includes training in
tailoring and electrician's work.
One wonders, however, why there is not
similar enthusiasm amongst urban conservationists to save Rajaji from the
ravages of railway lines, highways, the IDPL/BHEL factories, the Haridwar
district headquarters, the army ammunition dump, the demands for fuel/timber by
Dehra Dun/Rishikesh/Haridwar which are met by illegal felling, and dozens of
other 'developmental' and commercial activities which are eating away the Park's
habitat?
Source: 'Rajaji National Park - A Breakthrough',
The Friends of the Doon Society Newsletter, Winter 1997-98
Contact: P.K. Ghosh, Friends of Doon Society, c/o EBD Business
Centre, 49 Rajpur Road, Dehra Dun 248001. Tel: 91-135-654 487.
Poachers benefit as Corbett Park staff denied entry into
Park
The Irrigation Department has reportedly banned the entry of forest
officials in or near the dam at Kalagarh, where it controls the functioning of a
178 sq.km. reservoir running through the heart of the Corbett Tiger Reserve. The
Forest Guards are even being denied access to speed boats without which they are
unable to reach Sonanadi Sanctuary, which forms the western part of the Tiger
Reserve, for normal day-to-day patrolling.
Apparently this step was taken
after Park staff caught six Irrigation Department officials catching fish from
the reservoir, an offence under the Wild Life (Protection) Act. The Irrigation
Dept., however, claims that all vehicular movement (for all departments) has
been stopped to ensure the safety of the dam during the monsoons, and this has
nothing to do with the fishing incident.
The Chief Wildlife Warden of UP,
R.L.Singh, feels that if the situation persists for long, it would create havoc
for the Reserve as poachers may have a free hand.
Source: Suri,
A. 1998. 'Advantage Poachers as Departments Wage a Battle'. Indian
Express, 28/8/98.
Contact: Field Director, Corbett Tiger Reserve,
Forest Department, Ramnagar 244 715, District Nainital, Uttar Pradesh.
Dudhwa National Park on Way to Recovery
Effective habitat management
and positive interaction of the Park authorities with local communities, are
helping in the revival of Dudhwa National Park. According to the findings of a
six-year study conducted by Dr. Salim Javed, Aligarh Muslim University, the
status of the terai grasslands, which had earlier suffered considerably
due to habitat destruction, is now showing positive improvement, thanks to
sustained conservation efforts in recent years.
The presence of large
numbers of rare species of birds including Swamp francolin and Black stork, bear
testimony to the "improved ecological status of the park".
Further details
of what kind of local community and other inputs are being provided, have been
sought from Dr. Javed.
Source: Hasan, Tariq. 'Project Helps
Improve Dudhwa Park Ecology'. Times of India, 23/6/98
Contact: Dr. Salim Javed, Centre of Wildlife and Ornithology,
Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202 002, Uttar Pradesh.
NEWS FROM INDIAN STATES
BIHAR
Railway Threatens Wildlife Corridor
The auxillary double
loop railway line being built for Central Coalfields Ltd. (North Karanpur
Coalfields Project), a subsidiary of Coal India Ltd., is being laid partly
through old sal (Shorea robusta) forests that form a forest
corridor for wildlife in the area. This corridor directly connects the Satpahar
Range with Palamau forests to the east. Satpahar itself connects through the
corridor of open woodland into the Mahudi Range that runs the length of the
North Karanpur valleys and forms the last link to Hazaribagh on the north bank
of river Damodar. Both Palamau and Hazaribagh have protected areas, the former a
Tiger Reserve.
This forested area is interspersed with tribal hamlets, many
of which will be displaced by the rail project. Also affected will be ancient
mesolithic (c. 8000 BC) rock art sites which are world-famous. The World
Bank, which is financially supporting the project, has been fully apprised of
the situation and they plan to study the damage by CCL's mining operations
before going ahead with their loan. Local NGOs have alleged that if the plans
for all the mines in the area are allowed to go ahead, they will annihilate all
existing forest corridors.
The good news is that, the Hurilong Underground
Coal Mine Project of CCL was rejected at the last MoEF Expert Committee on
Mining in June 1998. The project required 165.93 ha of forest land next to
Palamau Tiger Reserve. The mouth of the proposed mine was to be situated only
1.5 km from the Reserve boundary and the underground mining would have taken
place inside.
Sources: Krishnan Kutty, on
nathistory-india@lists.princeton.edu, 16/07/98; and Tigerlink News,
Vol.4, No.2, September 1998. See also articles by Philip Carter in Sanctuary
Asia (Vol. VIII(5), 1997); CSE Change, 15 Sept. 1998; The
Ecologist Asia (Vol. 6(2), March-April 1998); and Cheetal, Vol.
36(3&4).
Contact: Krishnan Kutty, E-mail: 6wwc@sparrl.com.
Bulu
Imam, INTACH, The Grove, Hazaribagh 825 301, Bihar.
KARNATAKA
The Karnataka Tiger Conservation Project
The Karnataka Tiger
Conservation Project (KTCP) was launched in January 1998 to strengthen the
conservation status of four important tiger habitats in Karnataka - Nagarahole,
Bandipur, Kudremukh and Bhadra - through field-oriented protection and community
involvement activities. It is supported by the Wildlife Conservation Society
(USA) in collaboration with the Karnataka Forest Department, Wildlife First!,
and other NGOs.
Since its inception, the KTCP has implemented several
activities such as providing jeeps in important ranges of the four protected
areas for patrolling; protection and fire control duties; staff training and
welfare activities; training camps to improve field craft, anti-poaching and
protection skills of field staff; an innovative scheme for providing insurance
cover to field staff; educational campaign about the negative impact of forest
fires; and community contact programmes including talks and slide
shows.
After considerable lobbying and follow up, the voluntary resettlement
and relocation programme of tribal families is likely to be taken up soon with
all governmental clearances and funding in place. Due to pressure from
Wildlife First!, this year no permits were issued for bamboo removal from Bhadra
Sanctuary by the Mysore Paper Mills or for supply to artisans.
Source: 'KTCP-update'. Tigerlink News, Vol. 4 No.2, September
1998.
Contact: Wildlife First!, 248, 4th Main Road, Chamrajpat,
Bangalore 560 018, Karnataka.
MAHARASHTRA
Workshop on Protected Areas in Maharashtra
The Maharashtra Forest
Department called a meeting, 'Biodiversity Conservation in Maharashtra: Vision
Beyond 200' on 3-4 September 1998 at Nagpur, to discuss various issues relating
to the management of protected areas and other conservation matters in the
state. The meeting was spurred by the preparation of a Directory of National
Parks and Sanctuaries in Maharashtra, part of a series of directories being
produced at the Indian Institute of Public Administration (and now being
produced by an independent team of researchers, funded by WWF-India). This
Directory is in a draft stage, and its authors felt that a discussion on the
various issues raised during its compilation would help both in its finalisation
and be an occasion to take decisions regarding the future of wildlife
conservation in Maharashtra.
Over 100 persons from the Forest Department,
conservation and social action NGOs, and independent wildlifers attended the
meeting. Discussions were held on management, research and monitoring,
awareness/education, conservation and development interface, and other issues.
Though the topic of the workshop was conservation in general, much of the
discussion was focused on PAs.
The recommendations of the workshop are being
finalised by the Forest Department; a first draft of these recommendations has
critical points: the need to strengthen the legal and other capacities of the PA
staff, joint custodianship of PAs with local communities, guaranteeing the right
to life (including to bona fide biomass resources) of local communities, strong
steps against destructive developmental and commercial activities in and around
PAs, the need for conservation measures across the entire landscape and not just
restricted to PAs, etc.
Contact: M.G. Gogate, Chief Wildlife
Warden (Maharashtra), Jaika Building, Civil Lines, Nagpur 440 001, Maharashtra.
Fax: 91-712-552 518; 536 669.
Meeting of People Affected by PAs in Western Maharashtra
A meeting was
held at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, on 7 September 1998, of
villagers affected by protected areas in western Maharashtra including
Bhimashankar, Koyna, Radhanagari, Malvan, Harishchandragad and Kalsubai
Sanctuaries. Among the issues discussed were the situation arising from the WWF
- India case regarding settlement of rights of people in PAs (see NATIONAL
NEWS), and the proposed changes in the Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972. A
resolution was adopted at the meeting.
Contact: Kusum Karnik,
Shaswat, At and PO Manchar, District Pune 410 503, Maharashtra.
ORISSA
GOI Announces Project
Turtle; Orissa Govt. Moves to Build Port
As reported in JPAM
Update 15, thousands of sea turtles are being killed every year off the
coast of Orissa, mainly due to the indiscriminate fishing practices of trawlers.
Bivash Pandav, a researcher of the Wildlife Institute of India, who has
personally walked the length of the nesting beaches of the Olive Ridley turtle
in Orissa, estimates the total mortality this year at over 13,500.
This is an
epidemic of major proportions, entirely human-made (and not caused, as one
imaginative official of the Orissa government said, due to fatigue during the
turtles' migration!).
In August, responding to national and international
calls for action, the Government of India announced a major programme called
Project Turtle, conceived by scientists of the WII. The Ministry of Environment
and Forests committed about Rs. 1 crore for stepped-up patrols of the waters to
prevent turtles from being snared in shrimp baskets and other nets. It also
hopes to get US$ 5 million over five years from the Global Environment
Facility
for more sustained conservation efforts, like tracking turtle migration routes
by satellite.
In a move that could undermine the above efforts, however, the
Orissa Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for a major port to be built on
the left bank of the Dhamra River. The Bhitarkanika National Park is on the
right bank of the same river! Banka Behari Das of the Orissa Krushak Mahasangh
alleges that this port will be in violation of the Forest Conservation Act as
also the CRZ regulations. The area is part of the proposed extension of the
Bhitarkanika National Park.
The Orissa Government is using a small loophole
in the Coastal Regulation Zone rules, which allows the Surface Transport
Ministry, Government of India, to give clearance if an existing port is being
expanded --- the government claims that in the 19th and early part of
the 20th century, a port existed at Dhamra!
Sources:
Email from Bivash Pandav, 25/8/98; Science, Volume 281, Number 5384, 18
September 1998; mail from Banka Behari Das, 26/7/98.
Contact: Bivash Pandav / B.C. Choudhury, Wildlife Institute of
India, Post Box 18, Chandrabani, Dehradun 248 001. Tel: 91-135-640 112-15; Fax:
91-135-640 117; Email: (for Choudhury) wii@wii.gov.in (for Pandav)
pandavb@yahoo.com.
Banka Behari Das, Orissa Krushak Mahasangh,
Parivesh Bhavan, 14 Ashok Nagar, Bhubaneshwar 751 009, Orissa. Tel: 91-674-400
305; Fax: 91-674-404 222.
NATIONAL NEWS FROM
INDIA
Voluntary Relocation Scheme for Protected Areas; and Note on 'Voluntary
Relocation'
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE)
(formerly the Ministry of Welfare), Government of India, under the leadership of
Maneka Gandhi, has proposed a scheme to reduce human-wildlife conflicts and
address the critical livelihood needs of people living inside PAs. The scheme
envisages financial support to NGOs in implementing voluntary resettlement and
rehabilitation programmes for such people, especially those who are being denied
developmental opportunities on account of the Wild Life (Protection) Act. It is
reported that the Planning Commission has cleared about Rs. 25 crores for the
scheme.
However, the first draft of the scheme contains a series of
fundamental faults. The programme has the grandiose title of Scheme for
Voluntary Conservation of Nature by Tribals and Others, but has nothing to do
with such conservation within PAs. NGOs have criticised it on the following
counts: for assuming that tribals can only participate in
conservation by voluntarily agreeing to move out For not critically defining
'voluntary' for not explicitly rejecting forced displacement, and for not
laying out essential aspects of what would constitute a fair resettlement
process (such as a public hearing, independent monitoring, etc).
At a recent meeting, these points were put across to the
MSJE, which has promised to consider them in a revised draft. At the time of
going to press, it was not clear whether a revised version has come out.
Meanwhile, in a follow-up to the Second Consultation on Wildlife Conservation
and People's Livelihood Rights, held in April 1998 (see JPAM Update 17),
Sunil of Kisan Adivasi Sanghatan, Kesla (MP) has prepared a discussion note on
what constitutes 'voluntary' relocation and what does not. He has clearly
distinguished between 'induced' and 'voluntary' relocation, the first being a
situation in which artificial conditions (such as restrictions related to
wildlife laws) force people to ask for relocation.
A comment note on Sunil's
draft has been prepared by Ashish Kothari of Kalpavriksh. These two documents,
along with the MSEJ's draft and Kalpavriksh's critique, are currently under
circulation for further discussion, with the aim of coming out with a commonly
acceptable definition of what could constitute 'voluntary' relocation from PAs.
Readers wishing to have a copy of these documents may pl. contact the Editors at
the JPAM Update address (see end of newsletter).
Sources: 'Scheme for Voluntary Conservation of Nature by Tribals
and Others', circulated by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment vide
letter dated 29th June, 1998; comments on this Scheme by Ashish Kothari, vide
letter to the Ministry dated 2nd July 1998; Rashtriya Udhyano va Abhyaranyon
se Swaichhik aur Jabardasti Visthapan: Ek Tippani (in Hindi), by Sunil,
Kisan Adivasi Sanghatan; and comments on Sunil's note by Ashish Kothari.
Contact (for official scheme): Maneka Gandhi, Minister for Social
Justice and Empowerment, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi 110 001.
For other
notes, contact Editors at JPAM Update address.
WWF implements
Tiger Conservation Programme
WWF-India's Tiger Conservation Programme
(TCP) is paying special attention to reducing conflicts between wildlife and
people living in and around tiger reserves. A plan for providing immediate
compensation for cattle killed by tigers is being implemented in three states
where the maximum number of poisoning cases have been reported: Uttar Pradesh,
Andhra Pradesh, and Bihar. The compensation programme seeks to counter the added
threat to the Indian tiger, i.e. poisoning of tigers that are killing livestock.
Such poisoning has been reported from several reserves, including Corbett and
Dudhwa National Parks, U.P., and Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Sanctuary, A.P.
(see JPAM Update 15).
In association with local NGOs and/or the Forest Department, the programme
has started with activities in Corbett and Dudhwa National Parks and
Katerniaghat Sanctuary, U.P.; Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam and Eturnagaram-Pakhal
Sanctuaries, A.P., and Palamau Tiger Reserve, Bihar.
Source:
'Reducing Human-Animal Conflicts', Tigerlink News, Vol.4, No.2, September
1998
WWF Case on Protected Areas
As reported in a previous
issue of JPAM Update (No. 15), a petition filed by the World Wide Fund
for Nature - India in 1997, in the Supreme Court, had sought directions to state
governments to expeditiously implement the Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972.
Amongst the various interim orders passed by the Court, one related to the
settlement of rights of people living inside or otherwise using protected
areas.
The Court directed that such settlement should be carried out within
one year. NGO have subsequently pointed out that a hasty process of settlement
in which there are no clear guidelines, could be disastrous both for the
protected areas and for those communities who depend on the resources of these
areas. Some of the implications that were brought out by these NGOs, have
already started manifesting themselves in various parts of India.
In
Maharashtra, reportedly there are moves to delete substantial portions of the
PAs, in the mistaken belief that people will otherwise have to be moved outside
the boundaries. What happened with Melghat Sanctuary (which was partially
denotified in 1994, ostensibly to avoid having to shift people out of a PA),
could well happen to dozens of other PAs in the countrya sad (but not
unpredictable) consequence of the petition. In Anshi, Karnataka (see story
inside), local people are agitating against the national park, fearing
displacement (as was reported from several other PAs in past issues of the
Update). At a recent meeting of affected people in Bombay, villagers from
several PAs of Maharashtra asserted that they would rather see the PAs
denotified than to have to move out.
An intervention is now being prepared
by a number of environmental and social action groups, most of whom are working
with people in and around protected areas. The intervention petition will argue
that the settlement process should be participatory so that everyone can have a
fair say in decision-making; that it should be culturally and socially
sensitive; that it should use a clear definition of 'rights' (which includes
both recorded or unrecorded customary rights), and should not presume that all
rights have to be extinguished, etc.
WWF-India, while not being pro-active
in trying to resolve the issue, has nevertheless agreed to the idea, and has
stated its preference for "a just and participatory approach at all times".
Readers are requested to send in any details that they think would have a
bearing on this case, especially if there are genuine instances of violation of
people's rights in the settlement process, examples of good settlement processes
happening, instances where district authorities, forest officials, and local
people are collaborating in the process, etc. Any news especially on threatened
denotification by state governments, may pl. be brought to notice immediately;
if the Editors of JPAM Update are alerted, we will in turn send out an
alert to others in the network.
Contact (for the main case): Samar
Singh, World Wide Fund for Nature - India, 172 B, Lodi Estate, New Delhi 110
003. Tel: 91-11-461 6532; Fax: 91-11-462 6837. (for the
intervention): Farhad Vania / Sanjay Upadhyay, B39, Dainik Janyug
Aptmts., Vasundhara Enclave, Delhi 110096. Telefax: 91-11-2477375; Email:
fvania@ndb.vsnl.net.in (or) upadhyay@del3.vsnl.net.in.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Workshop on Collaborative Management of PAs in the Asian
Region
As reported in JPAM Update 17, a workshop on the
Collaborative Management of PAs in the Asian Region was held at the Royal
Chitwan National Park, Nepal, on 25-28 May 1998. The workshop was aimed at
discussing a proposal for a regional programme to promote co-management (with a
primary focus on involving local communities in conservation) of PAs in several
countries of South and South-east Asia. The meeting was organised by IUCN-Nepal
and the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation, with assistance from the
Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, HM Government of Nepal
and IUCN"s World Commission on Protected Areas.
A core working group formed
during the workshop, which has subsequently met and revised the proposal in the
light of the participants' suggestions, has subsequently finalised it at a
meeting in Bangkok in August. The proposal, after being discussed by a steering
committee formed at the workshop, will be sent for consideration by the
interested donors.
Contact: Scott Perkin, S. & SE. Asia
Regional Biodiversity Programme, IUCN- The World Conservation Union, No. 48,
Vajira Road, Colombo 5, Sri Lanka. Tel.: 94-74-510-517; Fax: 94-1-580-202;
E-mail: scott@slt.lk.
Krishna Oli, IUCN-Nepal, P.O.Box 3923,
Kathmandu, Nepal. Tel.: 97-71-535-921; Fax: 97-71-536-786; E-mail:
iucn@mos.com.np.
Initiatives by the World Commission on Protected Areas
The World
Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), a global network of people working on PAs,
has come out with a series of interesting and innovative ideas regarding the
future of PAs. At a series of meetings (including a 5-year review of its global
mandate, held in Albany, Australia, see JPAM Update 15, and a Steering
Committee meeting in June 1998) and related processes, it has proposed or
finalised the following:
- A draft policy on PAs and
indigenous peoples, jointly prepared by WWF and IUCN (the World Conservation
Union) staff, which stresses the need to respect the rights of such peoples and
involve them in the planning and management of PAs;
- A draft policy on
mining and PAs, which stresses that no mining should be allowed in most
categories of PAs, and even in others, only localised extraction under strict
environmental supervision should be allowed;
- A Task Force on Local
Communities and Protected Areas. This task force would be an inter-commission
one, between the WCPA and IUCN's Commission on Environmental Education and
Social Planning (CEESP).
- A Task Force on Management Effectiveness of PAs.
Contact: David Sheppard, Head, Programme on Protected Areas, IUCN
The World Conservation Union, Rue Mauverney 28, Ch-1196, Gland, Switzerland.
Tel: 41-22-999 0001; Fax: 41-22-999 0002; Email: das@hq.iucn.org.
WHAT'S AVAILABLE?
Dwivedi, Ranjit. 1997. Parks, People and Protest: The Mediating Role of
Environmental Action Groups. Sociological Bulletin, 46(2).
This paper focuses on analysing the effect and dynamics
of the Jungle Jeevan Bachao Yatra (reported in JPAM Update 2,3,4), which
traversed through several national parks and sanctuaries in central and western
India. Organised by a conglomerate of NGOs, conservation groups, grassroot
organisations and environmentalists, the aim of the march was a critical
assessment of official conservation policies and practices. Dwivedi feels that
though the Yatra raised critical issues and awareness, it portrayed a somewhat
romantic picture of rural India, and thereby lessened the chances of true
empowerment of local communities.
Sivaganesan, N., Sivasubramanian, G., and Limatoshi, A.O. 1998. People
Participatory Approach for Conservation of Elephant Corridor - A Case Study in
the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Paper presented in the National Seminar on
Wildlife Conservation, Research and Management, Wildlife Institute of India,
Dehradun, 10-13 August, 1998.
A case study report on the
pilot project launched by SACON and Sathyamangalam Forest Division, focusing on
providing alternatives to fuelwood collectors in the forest corridors in the
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Details of how these people were also involved in
protection work, including the creation of multi-stakeholder committees, are
provided.
Contact: N. Sivaganesan, Salim Ali Centre for
Ornithology and Natural History, Moongilpallam, Anaikatty (PO), Coimbatore 681
108, Tamil Nadu. Tel: 91-422-807973; Fax: 91-422-807952.
Pabla, H.S. and Mathur, V.B. 1998. Policy Options for Wildlife Conservation
in India. Paper presented in the National Seminar on Wildlife Conservation,
Research and Management, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehra Dun, 10-13 August,
1998.
This paper takes stock of the wildlife
conservation policies in India, admitting that past policies have created
suffering and hostility among local communities. It suggests some new
initiatives for distributing costs borne by such communities, treating
over-abundant wildlife as local resources, and proper rehabilitation of some
villages from PAs.
Contact: V.B. Mathur, Wildlife Institute of
India, P.O. Chandrabani, Dehra Dun 248 001. Tel: 91-135-640112-15. Fax:
91-135-640117. Email: wii@wii.gov.in.
Nath, Cheryl D. and Sukumar, R. 1998. Elephant-Human Conflict in Kodagu,
Southern India: Distribution Patterns, People's Perceptions and Mitigation
Methods. Asian Elephant Conservation Centre, Bangalore. Unpriced.
Report on a research project to study 'selected aspects
of elephant-human conflict', conducted in Kodagu district of
Karnataka.
Contact: R. Sukumar, Asian Elephant Conservation
Centre, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
560 012, India. Tel: 91-80-3092786; Fax: 91-80-3311280; Email:
aecc@ces.iisc.ernet.in.
Gautam, R.C. and Bhartari, Rajiv. 1998. Jeev Vividhata Sanrakshan Me
Sahbhagita: Kyon aur Kaise? Corbett Tiger Reserve, Forest Department, Uttar
Pradesh. Unpriced.
A booklet in Hindi (roughly
translating as 'People's Participation in Biodiversity Conservation: How and
Why?'), published by Corbett Tiger Reserve as a part of its eco-awareness
programme. It aims to sensitise and inform forest department employees and
officers about the importance of strategies used with/by local communities to
conserve biodiversity.
Contact: R. Bhartari, Dy. Field
Director, Corbett Tiger Reserve, Ramnagar, Dist. Nainital, Uttar Pradesh. Tel:
91-5945-85489; Fax: 91-5945-85376; Email:
rajiv.bhartari@lead.sprintrpg.ems.vsnl.net.in.
Kothari, A., Pathak, N., Anuradha, R.V., and Taneja, B. (eds.). 1998.
Communities and Conservation: Natural Resource Management in South and Central
Asia. UNESCO and Sage Publications, New Delhi. 506 pp., Rs. 325 (paperback);
Rs. 495 (hardcover).
A compilation of 25 papers on
community involvement in conservation of wildlife and biodiversity. Analytical
pieces are complemented by country overviews from India, the Maldives, Mongolia,
Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, and case studies from India and Sri Lanka. Both
protected areas and areas outside of PAs are covered.
Sharma, Arpan. 1998. Implementation of the Relocation Plan in Kuno Wildlife
Sanctuary: An Assessment. Unpublished report.
One of the
few independent assessments made of a relocation programme from a protected
area. Palpur Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh is slated to be the
second home of the endangered Asiatic lion (to be relocated here from Gir
National Park in Gujarat), for which several villages are being moved out of the
sanctuary. Is the relocation voluntary? What are the provisions? How is its
implementation? These questions are addressed by the author in this preliminary
study.
Contact: Arpan Sharma, c/o College of Social Work,
Nirmala Niketan, 38 New Marine Lines, Mumbai 400 020.
Report of the Expert Committee on Conferring Ownership Rights of MFPs on
Panchayats/Gram Sabhas. January 1998. Ministry of Environment and Forests,
Government of India. 93 pp.
With the enactment of the
Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act of 1996, ownership of minor forest
products has been transferred to the tribals living in Scheduled Areas. This
Committee, set up by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, has gone into the
implications of such ownership. Arguing that the Act does not transfer absolute
ownership (since this could threaten forests and wildlife), the Committee has
defined MFP (basically excluding trees and bamboo/cane), recommended full
usufructory rights over such MFP to Gram Sabhas everywhere (not just Scheduled
Areas), except in protected areas, and suggested ways by which local
people can get maximum benefits from MFP without threatening the resource
base.
The report does not suggest what should be done in the case of
protected areas (which it defines as not just national parks and sanctuaries but
also biosphere reserves), which is a major oversight considering the dependence
of communities on MFP within such areas.
Contact: Ministry of
Environment and Forests, Paryavaran Bhawan, CGO Complex, Lodi Estate, New
Delhi 110 003.
UPCOMING...
Training Workshop On Wetland Research Methodology, January 5-10,
1999
As a part of its ongoing wetlands ecology, conservation and management
Programme, the Wildlife Institute of India is in the process of consolidating
wetland research methodology, and intends to develop a cadre of biologists who
could contribute significantly in wetland conservation. Keeping this in view the
Institute is planning to organise a one week Training Workshop on Wetland
Research Methodology. The course is intended for research personnel from
universities, research institutions, and protected areas. An MSc in any branch
of biological science, preferably with 1-2 years of research experience in the
field of wetland ecology, conservation and management, is required.
The
workshop is field based and will be conducted at Chilika, Orissa with additional
field trip to Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary. There is no course fee for the
workshop. However, the participant will have to pay Rs.1000.00 as registration
fee that will cover lodging and boarding and cost of the course materials. No
travelling allowance will be given to report at the workshop
venue.
Interested candidates can send their biodata stating qualification,
name of the institution/ project/ protected area with whom they are associated,
experience if any, with a letter of recommendation from two referees addressed
to:
Last date for application is November 15.
Contact: The
Director, Wildlife Institute of India, Post Box # 18, Dehradun.248 001,
India. Tel: 91-135-640 112/5; Fax: +91-135-640117; Email: wii@wii.gov.in.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Appeal for funds for a film on Melghat
'The Political Economy of
Khichri' is a video film being made by Nancy Adjania, a Film and Television
Institute of India graduate, on the issues related to the Melghat region of
Maharashtra, including the Melghat Tiger Reserve. What began as an investigation
into the child mortality in the area, has evolved into an exploration of the
region's various social, economic, environmental and developmental problems. The
film project revolves around the fact that starvation arises from the alienation
of people from their resource base, traditional medicines and nutritious
indigenous foods.
The film is in its final stages and the film maker has made an
appeal for funds for its completion. A funding proposal can be made available on
request.
Contact: Nancy Adjania, C-13, Usha Sadan, Near Colaba
Post Office, Colaba, Mumbai 400 005. Tel.: 91-22-215 1070; E-mail:
ranjithoskote@hotmail.com.
JPAM Update is produced roughly every two months as a follow-up to the
workshop on Exploring the Possibilities of Joint Protected Area Management
(JPAM), organised at the Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi,
in September 1994.
JPAM Update 18 was prepared by Anuprita Patel,
Ashish Kothari, Farhad Vania and Pankaj Sekhsaria with secretarial assistance
from Vishal Thakre, on behalf of Kalpavriksh - Environmental Action
Group.
This issue has been sponsored by World Wide Fund for Nature -
India.
Ideas, comments, news, and information may pl. be sent to the
following address:
Ashish
Kothari
Kalpavriksh
Apartment 5, Shree Dutta Krupa
908 Deccan
Gymkhana
Pune 411 004
Maharashtra
India
Telefax:
91-20-5654239
Email: ashish@giasdl01.vsnl.net.in
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