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CONTENTS
Edited by Asad R. Rahmani, Director, BNHS
Editorial Board J. C. Daniel, Hon. Secretary, BNHS Prashant Mahajan, Asst. Director (IBA & Education)
Pitti birds — Idrees Babu.K.K.
Compiled, Layout and Designed by Gopi Naidu and Abhijit Malekar
Contributions should be sent to Editors, MISTNET, IBA-IBCN Bombay Natural History Society Hornbill House, S. B. Singh Road Mumbai-400 001, INDIA Tel: +91 22 22821811 Fax: +91 22 22837615 Email: ibabnhs@vsnl.net
5 The Saga of Kolleru Lake, an IBA — M. Shafaat Ulla
8 Bombay Natural History Society Mission Statement ‘Conservation of nature, primarily biological diversity through action, based on research, education and public awareness.’ BNHS is BirdLife International partner designate
BirdLife International is a global partnership of conservation organisations, represented in over 100 countries, working for the diversity of all life through the conservation of birds and their habitats. BirdLife International Wellbrook Court, Girton Road Cambridge CB3 0NA, UK Email: birdlife@birdlife.org.uk Web: www.birdlife.org
Nannaj bustard Area (an IBA) — Sujit Narwade and Kamlakar Fartade
10 Chhari-Dhand Conservation Reserve – an IBA — J.K. Tiwari
13 www.rspb.org.uk This Newsletter is supported by the RSPB
Cover: Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus
by Clement Francis M Views expressed by the contributors in the MISTNET are not necessarily those of the IBCN/BNHS.
(For private circulation only)
OTHERS... Critical Wildlife Habitats (CWH) and IBAs ........................... A Case Study of the Banigudi Shola, Nilgiris ........................ A Glimmer of Hope for the Critically Endangered Jerdon’s Courser ................................. Release of the book -Potential and Existing Ramsar Sites in India .............................................. Release of Telugu language bird book .................................. IBA Day Celebration ............................................................
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EDITORIAL
Strengthening the Network
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he Indian Bird Conservation Network (IBCN) was established in 1998 with an aim to bring people together for the protection of birds and their habitats. There are two key words in this statement, network and bring people, on which I will concentrate in this editorial. IBCN has become quite well-known in the BirdLife family all over the world, but one question which many people ask is about the small membership of the IBCN. In a nation of more than a billion people, with a developing economy and an increasing interest in birds/wildlife, we still have less than 1000 IBCN members (partners) and about 100 institutional partners. I hope you will agree with me that this is a very low number. We have state coordinators almost throughout the country. The Secretariat contacts them frequently including through the quarterly journal Mistnet. I regularly send interesting articles to SCs, and request them to forward it to IBCN partners of their respective states. Whenever we find any person interested in birds, we contact him/her to join IBCN. Still the partnership is not growing. It shows that we are not doing enough to convince people to join IBCN. We all have to reflect on this issue. We need to make policy changes, bring more vigour in recruiting members, make it more of a grass-roots based network, raise the profile and empower the state coordinators and give them time-bound responsibilities. We must not forget that the IBCN is an integral part of BNHS, so strengthening IBCN is strengthening BNHS and the conservation movement of India. As IBCN is a network, the role of the State Coordinators (SCs) is extremely important. The Secretariat at BNHS can at the most become a facilitator - the driving force has to come from SCs. A network will always remain weak and dependent if it is based only the centripetal force (Secretariat). All the strands (SCs) of this network should become strong, and semiindependent. Their strength is the network’s strength. The main criteria of judging a state coordinator’s strength is the number of partners in his/her state and the bird conservation work going on there. In September, I sent to you a letter asking your suggestions on how to strengthen IBCN. Based on the suggestions received and internal discussion in the Secretariat, we are considering making the following policy changes. a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
The tenure of SC will be for two years, and for two consecutive terms. After four years, the SC will vacate the post for a new candidate. By this way, we will get new blood, new ideas and new approaches. IBCN will also become more broad-based. After absence of one term, a person can again become a SC. Larger states and those with distinct biogeographic and cultural regions will have two, and in some cases, three SCs, with clear areas of operation. This is to ensure adequate division of labour and to cater to the unique needs of each region. Definitive role and responsibilities, with achievable targets, would be decided for SCs. For example, all SCs should show 15-20% annual increase in the IBCN membership in their state, at least 40% IBAs of the state monitored annually. (I agree it is difficult to set uniform targets for everyone as monitoring 40% of IBAs in Goa is much easier than 40% in Assam. Therefore we need to agree targets for each state.) SCs should proactively promote IBAs and expand IBCN and involve themselves in conservation. For example, by being on the State Wildlife Board, or having their own conservation organization. Fund raising, monitoring and advocacy would also be important roles of SCs. The SCs will be responsible for ensuring that the IBCN members of their State participate in the environment decision-making process like public hearings, sending policy inputs, etc. as they arise.
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EDITORIAL
f)
One issue of Mistnet would deal only with (new) conservation initiatives of the SCs. This will become like an annual report and appraisal. g) All SCs will contribute to Mistnet in the form of articles, news, pictures and send a quaterly update on bird conservation related issues from their State/region. h) If any SC is part of other conservation organization(s) (either as founder, secretary, vice president etc, not just a mere member or volunteer), he/she should ensure that that organization becomes partner of IBCN and promotes the IBA programme in all activities and communications. i) Membership will be raised from Rs. 150/annum to Rs. 200/annum, and people will be encouraged to join for a minimum of three-five years. j) SCs and partners will be encouraged to monitor wetland IBAs and potential/existing Ramsar Sites during AWC (in January every year). k) The SCs would attempt to host a State level meeting of key IBCN members of their State at least once a year. The meetings would help member appraise each other of their work and also serve to discuss specific issues. l) The SC would disseminate relevant research and conservation articles among their members to keep them abreast of latest developments. In order to facilitate the role of the State Coordinators the Secretariat will: a. Communicate more regularly (through IBCN website, e-groups, telephone and faceto-face meetings) with the State Coordinators and get their feedback b. Keep an updated membership list and send to State Coordinators every quarter c. Produce and distribute the quarterly journal Mistnet. d. Assist SCs in developing their roles and increasing their status within their states e. Help in joint fund raising and accessing resources f. Provide advice and assistance to IBCN members on site monitoring, and all aspects of environmental laws. g. Keep members informed of important developments across the network. With the pressure on our sites and species growing daily it is vital that we all act together. With your help and these proposed changes, I am confident that we can improve the status and effectiveness of the IBCN to conserve what is left of our rich wildlife heritage. Asad R. Rahmani
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M O N I TO R I N G F O R C O N S E R VAT I O N
Pitti birds Support the Livelihood of Pole and Line fishermen in Lakshadweep islands Idrees Babu.K.K., Scientist-B, Lakshadweep Field Station, BNHS. are inhabited. The inhabited islands are Kavaratti, Agatti, Amini, Kadmat, Kiltan, Chetlath, Bithra, Andrott, Kalpeni and Minicoy. The islands are formed by the accumulation of coral sand in the form of sand banks with the action of wind, wave and current, only a few meters above the sea level. Lagoons and the sea around the islands of Lakshadweep are of great ecological significance as they harbour
Pic: Asad R. Rahmani
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cattered among the clear blue waters of the Arabian Sea (8o & 12o 30' N, 71o and 74o E) off the western coast of India is a group of coral islands of unparalleled beauty known as the Lakshadweep Islands. It is the smallest Union Territory of India. Lakshadweep Islands consist of 12 atolls, 3 reefs and 5 submerged banks. Altogether the group consists of 36 islands, out of which 10 islands
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Pic: Idrees Babu K.K
M O N I T O R I N G F O R C O N S E RVAT I O N
Ariel view of the Pitti Island
a very high degree of biodiversity. It is the only atoll formation in India and forms the northern most segment of the Chagos – Maldive – Laccadive oceanic ridge. This archipelago is one of the least researched coral reef systems in the Arabian Sea. Lakshadweep has a land area of 32 km2, surrounded by 4,200 km2 of lagoon, rich in marine wildlife .The Lakshadweep atoll like the other coral atolls elsewhere have two important mineral deposits the phosphate deposits on the island and calcium carbonate deposit in the lagoon. The phosphate deposits occur on all the islands which are formed by bird’s excreta or guano long before man had colonized Lakshadweep. Guano deposits are still being actively formed in the Pitti Island, also called Pakshi Pitti of Lakshadweep. It is the only breeding ground for terns in the Lakshadweep archipelago, known from early 19th century to harbour many varities of terns and other migrant waders. The sea around the Pitti Island is particularly significant for its high productivity. During the fair season, the sea is incredibly calm with a rich variety of underwater life clearly visible below the surface. It is one of the potential fishing grounds for sharks, seerfish and other reef fishes because of the vast continental shelf which even reach up
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to the vicinity of Amini Island. Fishermen from different islands like Kavaratti, Agatti, Amini and even from mainland India target this area for fishing operation. Because of the lack of awareness and conservation education, these fishermen swim to the Pitti and collect eggs of terns. The terns which feed on small fishes act as an indicator of tuna shoals, thereby helping fishermen to find tuna shoal from very large distance and play an important role in supporting the livelihood of pole and line fishermen in Lakshadweep. Even though protection of birds is of great importance, people poach and collect eggs. Pitti Island Lying about 24 kms north-west of Kavaratti, Pitti is an uninhabited, completely barren reef with a sandbank and with lots of pelagic birds nesting on it. It is about 1.21 hectares in area and has no lagoon. The island is mostly made up of broken corals that has been pounded to rough sand like consistency, the constant action of powerful breakers. The island is a low plateau rising 2 m, above msl at high tide, with sloping beaches and steep hard rocks all around. The island was formed by the accumulation of coral sand in the form of a sandbank with the action of the wind, waves and currents.
The island is devoid of vegetation. The central area of the Pitti, locally called Fakkiya Kadu, is slightly sunken into a shallow crater, where terns nest. This island locally called as Pakshi Pitti (Bird Island) is a breeding ground for four species of Terns: Sooty Tern Sterna fuscata, Great Crested Tern Sterna bergii, Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus and Brown Noddy Anous stolidus which are fish eating sea birds with colonial nesting habit. Though some migratory waders are seen on Pitti, terns are the only breeding birds on the islands. The island is of great importance since such breeding colonies of pelagic birds are rare in the Indian Territory. Due to this Pitti Island was declared as the Bird Sanctuary under the provisions of Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. It is also listed as an IBA, by BNHS, RSPB and BirdLife International. Recently, the surrounding areas of Pitti have been proposed as Ramsar Site by BNHS, RSPB and BirdLife. Fishermen and the Pitti birds The people of this archipelago have been traditionally dependent on coconut and fish for subsistence for centuries, with a specialized economy focusing on pole and line tuna fishing. Pole and line fisheries in fact comprises of two separate fisheries: an off shore one for tuna and inshore one for live baits. Live baits are the small fishes such as Spratelloides spp. commonly called sprat used for tuna fishing. It is no exaggeration to say that the well being of the Lakshadweep fishermen depends on the success of the pole and line tuna fishery, and the success of this fishery depends on the availability of live baits and location of tuna shoals in the open sea. The island fishermen set out for pole and line fishing by collecting the live baits in the early hours of the mornings sometime as early as 04:00 h. Once enough bait is collected, the boats sail into the open sea in search of tuna
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Pic: Asad R. Rahmani
Pic: Asad R. Rahmani
M O N I T O R I N G F O R C O N S E RVAT I O N
Nesting colonies of Sooty Terns and Brown Noddy on the Pitti Island
shoals, looking for congregations of sea birds flying above the open ocean. The local fisher folk are keenly aware of the phenomenon, that both the terns and tuna are attracted by small fishes like Spratelloides spp. in the ocean, which is the important food source that they share. Sprats are surface shoaling fishes that are found in lagoons as well as in the open sea. Flocks of terns follow these shoals and are frequently seen feeding and hovering around areas where they have come to the surface. Fishermen observe the feeding terns’ flocks in the open sea and move towards them, as the terns indicate the tuna shoal to the fishermen. Thus, the birds indirectly support their livelihood. The breeding terns of Pitti are therefore highly beneficial to the fishing community and their livelihood. Threats In the monsoon, heavy rains, however, take their toll on the chicks, and mortality is very high. Predation by crabs is another natural threat to the eggs of terns. The main threats to Pitti birds are human disturbance and indiscriminate exploitation of eggs by the fishermen from Kavaratti, Agatti and Amini islands. People have been poaching and collecting eggs for many centuries. MISTNET Vol. 9 No. 4 Oct-Dec 2008 7
As a community member I had different stories from different fishermen of different age groups and from my parents and grand parents that they used to collect even a boat full of eggs in the olden days. Though they exploited a huge quantity of terns’ eggs, they never harmed or wounded the birds, but now the younger generation even wound the birds by throwing stones. By having this type of destructive mentality they are not only exploiting the egg but also harming the brooders and adult terns without even thinking these birds are supporting their livelihood. There are certain reports that even the bigger boats of Kerala which come for fishing in the area occasionally, encroach the island and collect the eggs as well as birds .This poses a severe threat to the colony throughout the year and may lead to habitat degradation and a total loss of this bird community. Conservation issues Large nesting colonies of terns at Pitti thus are of great importance in enriching the nutrients through the excreta, which in turn increases the productivity (both primary and secondary). Hence, most of the water bird habitats have lucrative fisheries, enriching the near waters through guano. Pitti Sanctuary has been identified
by the BNHS as an Important Bird Area under its project IBA, supported by the Royal Society for Protection of Birds (RSPB) and BirdLife International. The site is of national significance since it is one of the largest nesting sites for four species of terns. Only one site has been selected as an IBA i.e. Pitti island. Its selection was mainly on the basis of the congregation of nesting seabirds. However, indiscriminate exploitation of bird eggs by locals and frequent destruction by natural events have had an alarming impact on the population of these birds. Even the fishermen also realize that the population of the Pitti birds has significantly reduced and now these terns have even started moving to other sand banks to lay eggs. Terns rest on the sand banks like Bittra Pitti, Chariyya Panni and Karijja Kupu. They even nest in Karijja Kupu and Chariyya panni. The fishermen from Kavaratti and Chetlath after monsoon collect the eggs. This needs to be stopped through education. Contact: Mr. Idrees Babu, Scientist B, Bombay Natural History Society Lagoon Road, Kavaratti Island Union Territory of Lakshadweep - 682555 India Email: idreesbabu@gmail.com
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Pic: M. Shafaat Ulla
M O NMONITORING I T O R I N G IMPORTANT A N D I N T BIRD E R VAREAS ENTION
The Saga of Kolleru Lake, an IBA K M. Shafaat Ulla IBCN State Coordinator, Andhra Pradesh
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olleru lake (80° 5' E to 81° 20' E and 16° 32' N to 16° 57' N) is the largest fresh water natural lake in India – infact one of the largest fresh water wetlands in Asia. It is situated in the Andhra Pradesh, about 330 kms, east of Hyderabad in the districts of West Godavri and Krishna. It is near the town of Elluru and the nearest large city is Vijayewada, about 60 kms away. There are extreme seasonal variations in the water levels of the lake. During rainy season and at full level, the lake almost covers an area of 950 sq. kms. But during dry season it shrinks to about 135 sq. kms. Although notified earlier, it was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in the year 1999, upto the 5th Contour level, which works out to 308 sq. km. of protected sanctuary area. It was also declared a Ramsar site in the year 2000, and an IBA in 2004. About 70 drains and streams feed the Kolleru Lake system. The waters finally drain
out into the Bay of Bengal, which is about 35 kms away as the ‘pelican flies’, through the Upputoru river. The lake is interspersed with quit a few villages and is interconnected with bridges and bund like roads, some even motorable. Most of those roads are constructed illegally. Inspite of being declare a Sanctuary, the lake was slowly but steadily encroached upon and huge tanks were constructed within the Sanctuary area for fish farming. The fish farming activity continued unabated and with impunity and upto the end 2005, over 70% of the Sanctuary area was illegally occupied. These fish tanks, some as big as 200 acres each, caused not only flooding upstream by blocking natural water flow channels but also caused heavy pollution downstream causing havoc to the ecosystem. The lake, home to thousands of wild birds, consisting of about 100 water dependent species almost MISTNET Vol. 9 No. 4 Oct-Dec 2008
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M O N I TO R I N G A N D C O N S E RVAT I O N CEC was held in January 2006 followed by a field visit. After due process of law, the CEC came down heavily on the state government and gave a deadline of June 2006 by which time the government was told to remove all the fish tanks falling within the 5th Contour of the Sanctuary area. The task of destroying the tanks was taken up on war footing, inspite of resistance from strong vested interests. Almost 90% of the tanks were therefore breached within the stipulated time and the work is in progress to remove them completely to facilitate the natural flow of water. Now a Management Plan has been drawn up by the government for full restoration of the lake. Wetlands International, Southeast Asia is also involved. The Sanctuary boundaries will be demarcated properly along the 5th Contour by the way of concrete pillars and work is at hand to remove illegal roads and bunds. Planting of
different types of trees and vegetation is being taken up to create nesting sites, particularly for pelicans and storks. We surveyed the lake in December 2006 and again in January 2008 and were glad to note that a fair number of birds are back. Infact we counted about 82 species and the total population of the birds seen was estimated to be about 1.2 million. However, since only two monsoon seasons had passed since 2006, it is hoped that the lake would be restored to its full glory in another 3 to 4 years as the monsoon rains and incoming fresh waters completely cleanse the lake and revive the eco-system, which in turn will attract the migratory birds in large numbers. In a few years time, this IBA will reach its peak former glory. Contact: Mr. M.Shafaat Ulla H.No. 4, St. No. 1, Avenue 8 (Road no. 3) Bangara Hills, Andhra Pradesh - 500 003 Email: shafaat_ulla@yahoo.co.in
Pic: M. Shafaat Ulla
disappeared because of lack of space and food. Noticing this alarming situation, a few good Samaritans filled cases in the courts against such blatant and illegal activities and occupation. Finally in 2002, Dr. T. Patanjali Sashtry and Mr. Yernani Nagendranath filled writ petitions in the A. P. High Court and the honorable court gave a favorable decision that the fish tanks falling within the Sanctuary are should be removed. However, the judgment was never implemented, when in 2005 Mr. Pranay Waghray of Nallamalai Foundation, ably assisted by Mr. Ashok Kumar (IAS Retd), IBCN member approached the Supreme Court with comprehensive documentation for implementation of the High Court order. The matter was taken up in real earnest by the Central Empowered Committee appointed by the Supreme Court. The first hearing of the case by
Whiskered Terns seen in flight
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Nannaj bustard Area (an IBA): In great need of local community support Sujit Narwade (Scientist-In-Charge, ENVIS Centre, BNHS), sujitsnarwade@gmail.com
Kamlakar Fartade (Lecturer of Biology at Model multipurpose High school and Junior College, Malinagar, Taluka Malshiras, District Solapur)
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Pic: sujit Narwade
ecently I got the opportunity to get involved in the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) census held by the forest department, at Nannaj Bustard Sanctuary (an IBA), Solapur in September 2007 and 2008, as well as the waterhole census of March 2008. The population of the Great Indian Bustard Ardeotis nigriceps in Nannaj area is nearly 30-35. Nannaj is one of the rare surviving habitats, in India where we can sight the Great Indian Bustard, Blackbuck and Grey Wolf at a single site. Unfortunately due to insufficient data on seasonal movement and exact population of the birds, the management and conservation implementations become very difficult. We already have the bitter experience of the Great Indian Bustard conservation tragedy in Karera Bustard sanctuary which should not be repeated at Nannaj.
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Pic: sujit Narwade
RESEARCH AND MONITORING
The three representative fauna of dry Indian grasslands: Grey wolf, Blackbuck and Great Indian Bustard
Recently, the government banned all mining and buying as well as selling real estate, in surrounding villages of the sanctuary and Solapur city. Restrictions were laid on the land transactions in a large geographical range. The area under the Sanctuary covers more than forty villages and thousands of acres of land private as well as government undertakings as per the government declaration in 1980s. The exact information on existing population and its probable occurrence sites in the area are not available at present. People from various fields like farmers, builders, industrialists as well as political leaders aggressively protested against the court decision of ban on sale deed activities. In this article I want to discuss one of the possible reasons for such an anti sanctuary campaign by the local people. Solapur is one of the fast developing cities of Maharashtra, spreading along three main highways to mega cities Vijapur, Hyderabad, Pune, and three sub highways to Barshi, Tuljapur and Akkalkot. Open land for development is not easily available (adjoining Solapur city) in the current situation. According to the local people, the land at Nannaj and the surrounding area is a MISTNET Vol. 9 No. 4 Oct-Dec 2008
wasteland and no longer useful for humans. Not only this, the local people who helped in the establishment and development of the Sanctuary are now protesting against wildlife conservation, due to rumours spread by some antisocial elements that the government is going to relocate them. Illegal activities like poaching, intentional cattle grazing, burning grassland patches within the Sanctuary are going on under the name of protests. It has resulted in an alarming situation for the wildlife residing here. There is an urgent need to have the local people in favour of the Sanctuary. Apart from all the efforts taken by the forest department to conserve the wildlife, there are new challenges that get aroused. For example, the Gliricidia plantations within the Sanctuary are carried out by the Social Forestry department. This has reduced the ideal habitat for wild grassland species. When forest officers realised the problem and decided to remove the plantation they again had to convince the people that it is necessary for maintaining the original habitat. Increasing population of Wild Boars Sus sp. in these plantations is raising threats for the crops surrounding the Sanctuary.
Apart from the core area the Great Indian Bustard is seen in the private land surrounding the sanctuary. Visitors always complain that they never see any Great Indian bustard when they visit the sanctuary at day time. People should be made aware that GIB is more active in the early mornings and evening time. Not only this, people get confused between the Great Indian Bustard and Woollynecked Stork Ciconia episcopus which leads to inclusion of false records. It is necessary to provide proper guidelines to people for bird watching and their conservation aspects. Nannaj is well known and is a healthy grassland comprising a wide range of wildlife. Large number of quails, larks, Indian Courser Corsorius coromandelica, Red-necked Falcon Falco chicquera, Yellow-wattled Lapwing Vanellus malabaricus, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles exuxtus, Indian Nightjar Caprimulgus asiaticus and of course the Great Indian Bustard reside here. Mammals like the Grey Wolf, Indian Fox Vulpes benghalensis, Golden Jackal Canis aurieus and Blackbuck are also present. Conservation approach Local people need to be told that,
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Pic: sujit Narwade
Pic: sujit Narwade
RESEARCH AND MONITORING
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Pic: sujit Narwade
because and only because of them, the wildlife in the Sanctuary is able to survive. Patches of continuous grassland from the existing area of the Sanctuary and surrounding area should be surveyed for assessment of current population of the mentioned species and their potential threats. Local educational institutes need to be approached for effective and constant monitoring of wildlife. Establishment of a forum to keep communication between interested local as well as global communities through website will work efficiently. Help from the local media for publicity to support this campaign will definitely make the difference. Good and enthusiastic volunteers must take initiatives for strengthening the Great Indian Bustard conservation campaign. People should be made aware of the endangered status of the Great Indian Bustard and its importance in the ecology. Proper training should be provided to the local people for identification of the Great Indian Bustard and Woolly-necked Stork.Conservation awareness programs and workshops should be organised at schools, colleges and in local communities. Such a multi channel approach including various communities is necessary for the conservation of grassland of this IBA.
Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse breeds in the so-called wasteland of Nannaj Sanctuary
Wooly-necked or White-necked Stork is often mistaken for the Great Indian Bustard due to its large size and white neck Pic: sujit Narwade
Yellow-wattled Lapwing prefers dry short-grass plains
A pack of Grey Wolf are regularly seen in Nannaj
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Chhari-Dhand Conservation Reserve – an IBA Jugal K. Tiwari IBCN State Coordinator, Gujarat
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Pic: Jugal K. Tiwari
hhari-Dhand is a seasonal wetland in the grasslands of Banni. Chhari (meaning salt affected, and Dhand = shallow wetland) is situated near the village Fulay. Dhand is a Sindhi word for a shallow saucer shaped depression. There are four terms for wetlands in Banni and across the border in PakistanKar (smallest), Chhachh (bigger than Kar), Thathh bigger than Chhachh and Dhand biggest wetland. The area of these seasonal freshwater bodies depends upon the amount of rainfall received that particular year. These
wetlands are located on the migration pathway of Palearctic migrants and play a very important role as foraging, wintering, roosting, resting and staging grounds for millions of waders, waterfowls, cranes and other feathered migrants that visit the area from August and spend time till March every year. The area of the Banni grasslands is 3,847 sq. km. There are several waterbodies, all ephemeral or seasonal in nature e.g. Vakerio-Dhand, Kheerjog, Vinzar-varo Thathh, Hodko Thathh, Servo-Dhand, Bhagadio Thathh, Kar near Kirro, Kunjevari Thathh and
Hanjtal. The biggest in size among all is Chhari-Dhand. Chhari-Dhand is 80 km south-west of Bhuj and 30km from Nakhtrana town. The wetland is unique in its floral and faunal composition. Eleocharis reeds (1-2 meter tall) grow on the edges of this shallow wetland. The maximum depth of Chhari-Dhand is 2 m in the centre and on the water chhanels. Seasonal rivers such as Charri (Dhurud), Layari and Gajansar and a large catchment area of Kiro, Palkhiari and Vazira hills are the main sources of water to Charri-Dhand.
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Pic: Jugal K. Tiwari
RESEARCH AND MONITORING
Chhari-Dhand is one of the most important wetlands of Kutch
The South West monsoon brings water to the parched alluvial soil of Banni. Sedges like Cyperus rotundus, and Cress cretica grow here profusely. The area is inaccessible for people for almost 2-3 months. This is the time when Chhari-Dhand supports the nesting of resident waterbirds. The first week of October is the time when one can see Chhari-Dhand from all angles. But the failure of monsoon (once in three years generally) gives time to nature to take its own course. In the drought years, Chhari-Dhand is a bone dry billiard table like flat landscape, The Lesser Bandicoots Bandicoota bengalensis is the main prey base for many mammalian, avian and reptilian
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predators. The flooding of Banni and Chhari-Dhand is Nature’s own way of controlling the population of these rodents, which in some year, can multiply in millions and cover the entire Banni landscape, causing loss to crops on the fringes of Banni and entering the human dwellings to feed on everything they can feed and nibble by their gnawing incisors. About 315 bird species are reported from the Kutch district. Chhari-Dhand, an IBA,and the surrounding terrestrial habitat supports over 200 species of birds. Among globally threatened species, the Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus, Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus, Oriental
Darters Anhinga melanogaster, and Marbled Teals Marmaronetta angustirostris have been reported. Chhari-Dhand supports over 40,000 Common Cranes Grus grus in good winters. The wetlands also support about 1500 Great White or Rosy Pelicans Pelecanus onocrotalus. The Common Crane population that utilizes Chhari-Dhand is seen feeding on the tubers of Cyperus sedge. The important ecological role they play is that of Nature’s own farmers who dig the soil to make it fertile and allows aeration. The upturned soil with exposed tubers of the sedges are fed upon by birds like doves, larks and sandgrouses- as these birds cannot dig soil to reach the tubers. Chhari-Dhand was selected as a field station by Bombay Natural History Society in January 1990. I came with team of BNHS scientists and birdtrappers for bird banding and migration studies. S.A. Hussain was Principal Scientist of BNHS Bird Migration project. We did bird ringing till 1992 and trapped over 5,000 birds. Our ringed birds were recovered in Russia and we found the MOSKWA rings on Little Stints Calidris minuta. One Rosy Pelican ringed at Ily Delta Lake, Balkash Kahakhstan, was found dead near Mithdi (Abda Jheel). In 1992, Dr. Asad Rahmani now the Director of BNHS, selected Banni grasslands as one of the BNHS Grassland Ecology field Station. Same field station of Fulay was continued. I was working again in the same area. This time looking in to all other ecological parametres of Banni and Chhari-Dhand. While working at Fulay we found significant information on the ecology of the Banni and Dhands. The jheel villages of Banni support good bird populations in monsoon and forms some important heronries site. Luna heronry, 17 km from Chhari-Dhand, is one of the top 10 heronries of India with over 10,000 nests of 8 species of birds, the Glossy Ibis being one of them. MISTNET Vol. 9 No. 4 Oct-Dec 2008
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RESEARCH AND MONITORING The valuable work of Late M.K. Himmatsinhji will always be remembered. Infact it is suggested to name the Wetland as Chhari-Dhand - Himmat Conservation Reserve. The Pelican Nature Club Members, S.N. Varu and N.N. Bapat always did the best to see Chhari-Dhand is protected. There were some vested interests that wanted Chhari-Dhand not to become conservation reserve, they have tried exploring the rocky habitat near Kiro, Palkhiari for gravel and stone mining. Incidentally these areas are a safe haven for wildlife which take shelter during the time of floods in monsoon. Once it was declared a Conservation Reserve, all the mining leases were cancelled by the District administration and the Mining Department. The Chhari-Dhand Conservation Reserve will open new avenues for eco tourism and cultural tourism in Kutch. Efforts are under way to make the Chhari-Dhand area a responsible ecotourism site. I am a member of District Ecotourism Committee. An Interpretation Centre is planned at Fulay, some eco-huts are planned,
boat-ride in Chhari-Dhand, traditional food of Banni for the guests are all the good plans taking shape. Ever since I started Centre for Desert and Ocean (CEDO), ecotourism and nature education/afforestation work, 24 km away from Chhari-Dhand and settled at Moti Virani, birders from at least 20 countries have visited the place and admired the beauty of the place. Four BNHS nature education camps had been organised so far at ChhariDhand in the past two years. I have organised some 20 one-day nature camps for school students of 10 villages. Chhari-Dhand is now a wellknown name. Its status as IBA and Conservation Reserve will certainly help to conserve this pristine wetland habitat and its birds. We will see that it is soon declared as a Ramsar site. Contact: Mr. Jugal K. Tiwari Centre for Desert and Ocean Village Moti-Virani, Taluka-Nakhtrana, Kutch, Gujarat 370665 Email: cedoindia@yahoo.com
Pic: Jugal K. Tiwari
Chhari-Dhand is a wetland which qualifies the criteria of a Ramsar site (as mentioned in Potential and Existing Ramsar sites of India by M.Zafar -ul Islam and Asad R Rahmani). This wetland is declared as a Conservation reserve in May 2008. The status of Conservation Reserve will help ChhariDhand to enjoy the protection from commercial fishing which greatly disturbs the birdlife. Other aspects will remain the same. Grazing, fuel wood collection, and honey and gum collection will be allowed as it was done before. Thanks to the efforts of the District and State Forest officers, the ChhariDhand is now enjoying the status of Conservation Reserve. Worth mentioning the names are Mr. R.L. Meena (CF), Mr. L.N. Jadeja, DFO, Mr. Gujjar, Sub-DFO, Mr. Roy Choudhary (Forest Secretary) and Mr. Nanda (present Forest Secretary). The advocacy role of IBCN Gujarat was significant in this work. The press played a positive role; Indian Express and Kutchmitra are worth mentioning here.
Sometimes up to 1500 Great White Pelicans are seen in Chhari-Dhand
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M O NMONITORING I T O R I N G IMPORTANT A N D I N T BIRD E R VAREAS ENTION
Critical Wildlife Habitats (CWH) and IBAs Anand Chandrasekhar Advocacy Officer, IBA-IBCN, BNHS
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he conservation community while working towards a common objective, often has a surprisingly diversity of viewpoints on all major issues concerning wildlife conservation. This could be a good or a bad thing depending on how one look at it. A good thing, as it promotes lateral thinking and ensures that healthy debate precedes important decisions concerning our wildlife. On the other hand, it makes us appear divided to outsiders and makes it easy for vested interests to take advantage of the ensuing chaos and confusion. Thus, it was not surprising that the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006 popularly known as the Forest Rights Act aroused strong emotions and opinions among the conservation fraternity. The purpose of this article is not to examine the politics or even the debate on the Act. One of the greatest failures of the conservation community has been its reluctance to participate in the environment decision-making process when the opportunity presents itself. This is something we simply cannot afford to keep doing, especially when India has embraced double digit economic growth which is likely to have an adverse impact on wildlife habitats. One of the most important sections of the Act is the one dealing with Critical Wildlife Habitat (CWH). The Government with its penchant for long winded definitions goes on to define CWH as: “CWH means such areas of National Parks & Sanctuaries where it has been specifically and clearly established, case by case, on the basis of scientific and objective criteria, that such areas are required to be kept as inviolate for the purposes of wildlife conservation as may be determined and notified by the Central Govt. in the MoEF after open process of consultation by an Expert Committee, which includes experts from the locality appointed by that Govt. wherein a representative of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs shall also be included in determining such areas according to the procedural requirements arising from sub sections (1) and (2) of Section 4” From the definition we understand that ‘CWH are basically areas within National Parks and Sanctuaries that are going to be kept inviolate for wildlife conservation and that these CWH are going to be identified by a set of scientific criteria after due consultation’. The concept seems quite similar to Core Areas within National Parks where human activities are restricted. However, there are certain differences especially in the meaning of the term ‘inviolate’. Now the term ‘inviolate’ usually conjures up images of pristine habitats devoid of human presence; a sort of modern day Eden. However, the Act does not embrace this meaning of the ‘inviolate’ concept. The Act says that communities within CWH cannot be
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resettled or their rights curtailed unless the following conditions can be proved; a) The rights and settlements within the CWH would cause irreversible damage and threaten the very existence of the species and/or the habitat. b) Co-existence options are not available. c) The free and informed consent of all the Gram Sabhas in the CWH concerned is obtained and that they are satisfied with the resettlement/alternative package. Therefore only when all the above conditions are satisfied, can CWH acquire actual ‘inviolate’ status. As a result, it is very unlikely that we will end with very many ‘inviolate’ CWHs in India. However, the ‘inviolate’ CWHs we will end up with, will be an outcome of scientific evidence and prior, informed consent of local communities. Thus, the whole process has often been deemed as a rationalisation of the Protected Area Network (PAN) in India. The Silver Lining Of all the provisions of the Act, the one that holds most promise for the security of IBAs is that “…Provided that the critical wildlife habitats from which rights holders are thus relocated for purposes of wildlife conservation shall not be subsequently diverted by the State Govt. or Central Govt. or any other entity for other uses”. This provision explicitly states that the CWHs identified will not be diverted for any other use (dams, mines, power projects, etc.) by the Government, private sector or even the Forest Department for all time. This is without doubt the strongest provision of the Act for the defence of IBAs from unsustainable development and management practices. No other act provides such an unconditional provision. Under previous legislation, forest land could be diverted for other uses with approval from committees like the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), Central Empowered Committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court or Forest Advisory Committee (FAC). This provision makes the Act unique and makes it vital for the IBCN to be a part of the CWH identifying process. The CWH identifying process The guidelines issued by the MoEF say that a Central Committee and State Level Committees will be constituted to identify CWH. The State Level Committees will identify CWH at the State level and send the proposals to the Central Committee who will make the final decision. In addition, some States have constituted PA level Committees for each PA that will be responsible for identifying the CWH within that particular PA. MISTNET Vol. 9 No. 4 Oct-Dec 2008
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MONITORING AND INTERVENTION
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A Case Study of the Banigudi Shola, Nilgiris Anand Chandrasekhar Advocacy Officer IBA-IBCN, BNHS
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workshop on IBA Monitoring Framework and Advocacy Strategy was organised by the BNHS in collaboration with the Keystone Foundation in Kotagiri, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, on the 5th and 6th of November 2008. The purpose of the workshop was to build capacity of conservation organisations in the Nilgiris region for monitoring and advocacy action. Participants from Keystone Foundation, Kotagiri Wildlife Association, Nilgiri Wildlife and Environment Association and the Sholai School were involved in the exercises. It was the first ever IBA workshop that dealt with identifying Critical Wildlife Habitats (CWH) within IBAs under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006 (popularly known as the Forest Rights Act). A presentation on CWH was followed by a field exercise where participants actually identified CWH based on a range of criteria. An interesting outcome of the workshop was a set of location-specific CWH criteria for birds based on experiences in the field and available information. The workshop demonstrated that even though identification of CWH is a complex procedure, it could still be accomplished by a group of committed individuals with a fair knowledge of the IBA and its inhabitants. Criteria for identifying CWH The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has laid down certain criteria for identifying CWH; Field excercise for CWH identification “The size of the inviolate area within each critical habitat zone will be based on its potential to harbour viable populations of umbrella species (endemic species, top carnivores, mega-herbivores, indicator, wild relatives of species of economic value, endangered and threatened, and migratory species), which would serve to conserve the entire biodiversity of the area”. The MoEF also states that wildlife corridors should also be considered for CWH status even if they fall outside the Protected Area Network (PAN).
Suggested CWH criteria for IBAs IBA criteria (A1, A2, A3 and A4) for which the IBA was designated. ‘Pristine’ nature, un-fragmented or ideal example of representative habitat Human settlements, population density and anthropogenic pressures Practicality and enforcing capacity Pressure/threat levels
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Pic: Prashant Mahajan
Importance of IBCN participation The whole CWH process is a great opportunity for the IBCN to be involved in identifying CWH within IBAs. It is important for the IBCN to be a part of the CWH process because; 1. CWH identification is likely to be biased towards mega fauna thereby overlooking key bird habitats within PAs. 2. To provide inviolate areas for birds where necessary. 3. To safeguard IBAs from development threats and from unsustainable management practices 4. To participate in the environment decision-making process as stakeholders. 5. To minimise conflicts with local communities. Opportunities for IBCN participation There are several ways IBCN can contribute to the CWH process; 1. Identify CWH within your IBA and submit to State level Committee. 2. Identify CWH within an IBA and submit to PA level Committee. 3. Become member of State or PA level Committee and include your CWH IBA in proposals to be sent to Central Committee. 4. Provide information to State and PA level Committees to help them identify CWH (consultative role) 5. Participate in public hearings for CWH (The State/PA level Committees have to hold public hearings to identify any objections to a CWH designation from local communities and civil society) The enormity of the task of identifying CWHs within all the PAs is quite apparent. It is therefore vital for the IBCN to be involved to ensure that the process in based on the best knowledge and information available. Nobody knows IBAs in India as well as the IBCN. As custodians of that knowledge we are responsible for providing our birds the best protection possible. In these uncertain times, we need to be seizing opportunities for securing our IBAs. Sometimes, it is the silver lining in the cloud that dispels the gloom of an overcast sky.
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Pic: Prashant Mahajan
MONITORING AND INTERVENTION
Case study of the Banigudi Shola Banigudi Shola is 21 hectare montane wet temperate forest patch near Kotagiri in the Nilgiris at an elevation of 1599m. Though not an IBA or even a National Park or Sanctuary, the site was chosen for the field exercise as it was representative of the kind of issues likely to be encountered in CWH identification. The forest is a sacred grove and is surrounded by tea estates and settlements. A forest settlement of indigenous Kurumba adivasis exists on the periphery of the forest.
Pic: Prashant Mahajan
Mapping the CWH through discussion following the field excercise
Deity temple- a socio-religious factor
Criteria used to identify CWH during 8. Patches used by the Indian Gaur 2. Socio-religious factors the field exercise; 1. Stone temples 2. Sacrificial altars 1. Bird diversity 3. Pilgrims entering the forest Direct indicators 1. Portions used by Threatened 4. Duration and frequency of religious festivals Species 2. Portions used by Endemic Species 3. Portions used by Himalayan 3. Human settlements and rights 1. Kurumba tribe forest settlement wintering migrants 2. Tea estates 3. Fuelwood collection for Surrogate indicators subsistence and tea shops 1. Fig trees 2. Waterbodies Discussion and identifying the CWH 3. Forest clearings for Banigudi Shola 4. Forest edges The field exercise was followed by a 5. Transition zones (ecotones) discussion to determine the areas within 6. Malabar Giant Squirrel nests 7. Chromatogaster ant nests the forest that qualified for CWH status. (Woodpecker food and nesting site During the discussions it was very tempting to designate almost all of the for Rufous Woodpecker)
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forest as a CWH on the basis of bird diversity and requirements alone. However, certain degraded patches and exotic plantations portions were excluded from the CWH with the intention of using them as buffer zones. In addition, CWH areas were chosen such that they faced little/no pressure from surrounding settlements. This would enable co-existence and require no/minimal resettlement or curtailment of forest rights. The forest was visited by around 300 pilgrims three times a year. However, it was felt that the pilgrimage duration and frequency would not have a major impact on bird diversity. It was agreed that the pilgrimage could be continued (under close scrutiny) even if it is within the CWH identified. The whole exercise was very useful for the participants as it helped dispel certain doubts about the CWH identification process. It also helped identify CWH criteria from an IBA point of view using bird diversity indicators. Even though the Banigudi Shola is not a Protected Area (and hence not eligible for CWH status yet), the exercise served to confirm its importance as a Critical Wildlife Habitat in the Nilgiris for avifauna. It is hoped that the participants will replicate the exercise in other Protected Area IBAs (there are 267 PA IBAs in India) and ensure that bird diversity is incorporated in the CWH process. IBCN members are encouraged to identify CWH in their IBAs thereby guaranteeing the highest level of protection for India’s bird habitats. Acknowledgements BNHS would like to thank the Keystone Foundation, in particular Anita Verghese and K. Senthil, for hosting the workshop and managing logistics. We are also grateful to Mr. Bhupathi for his inputs in the field exercise. Contact: Mr. Anand Chandrasekhar K-4, Tara Apartments Alaknanda, Delhi - 110 019 Email: advocacy.officer_iba@yahoo.co.in MISTNET Vol. 9 No. 4 Oct-Dec 2008
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MMOONNMONITORING I ITTOORRI INNGG A ANNDD I INNTTEBIRD ERRVVE ENNTTI IOONN IMPORTANT AREAS
A Glimmer of Hope for the Critically Endangered Jerdon’s Courser Anand Chandrasekhar and P Jeganathan
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o develop a long-term strategy for the conservation of the Jerdon’s Courser, a workshop was organised by the BNHS in association with Andhra Pradesh State Forest Department (APFD) on the 29th and 30th of June at Hyderabad. The objective of the workshop was to help draft a Species Recovery Plan for the Jerdon’s Courser, which would serve as a reference for the Supreme Court, policy-makers, conservation managers, researchers and other stakeholders. This Species Recovery Plan would form the basis of future conservation action and clearly outline actions, responsibilities and time-frames. Participants from the APFD, Cambridge Univeristy, University of Reading (U.K), Royal Society for Protection of Birds (RSPB, U.K), WWF (India), Bird Watchers Society of Andhra Pradesh (BSAP) and other local NGOs and individual supporters contributed to the process. Mr. Aitanna, forest guard, who has literally served as a local guardian for the Jerdon’s Courser for more than a decade also shared his experience. It was agreed that the first priority was to ensure that the unique scrub forests favoured by the species must be protected. The APFD agreed to cease forestry activities in potential Jerdon’s Courser habitat and remove exotic vegetation. It was also agreed that research and monitoring activities would be stepped up and potential habitat of the species within the scrub forest would be mapped using remote sensing techniques and ground surveys. The need for more baseline information on the species through camera-trapping and tracking strip surveys was stressed. Dr. P. Jegnathan of the BNHS stated that it was vital to
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Dr Rhys Green of Cambridge University, U.K., who is a part of this multi-institution project, giving lecture
capture and radio-tag a couple of birds to obtain baseline data on this elusive species. Participants were unanimous on the need to identify new sites that may host Jerdon’s Courser and advocated increasing resources to survey new sites. There was a consensus on the need to raise awareness of the Jerdon’s Courser and the unique scrub forest it inhabits, among communities and decisionmakers. It was also established that it was necessary to lobby for the
designation of the Jerdon’s Courser as the State Bird of Andhra Pradesh to foster a sense of pride and stewardship among stakeholders. BNHS Director, Dr. Asad R. Rahmani concluded the workshop by stating “The conservation of the Jerdon’s Courser must be prioritised on par with Project Tiger”. It is hoped that with a comprehensive Species Recovery Plan supported by passionate stakeholders, the ‘Phoenix of the scrub forests’ will rise again.
Participants of the Jerdon’s Courser Workshop. The Jerdon Courser project is funded by Darwin Initative. Dr Ken Norris of University of Reading, Dr Rhys Green of Cambridge University, Dr Chris Bowden of RSPB, the State Forest Department and many more are involved in this project
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BOOK RELEASE
Release of the book -Potential and Existing Ramsar Sites in India
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etlands are considered ‘liquid treasures’ of a country. India is blessed with a multitude of rivers and natural wetlands, scattered all over the country, except perhaps in very dry parts of Rajasthan. In a country like India where nearly 80% of the population depends on agriculture, rainwater, wetlands, rivers, wells and canals are important to sustain agricultural activities. Wetlands are also important for biodiversity conservation because some of the most endangered species survive in wetlands. With increasing depletion of ground water and threats of climate change, wetlands have become very important for the ecological security of India. Recent studies indicate that natural wetlands help in Carbon sequestration. In India, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) is the nodal agency for implementing the conservation
programme on wetlands, mangroves and coral reefs. Started in the 1980s, the programme is guided by the National Committee on Wetlands, Mangroves and Coral Reefs, constituted to advise the government on appropriate policies and programmes for the conservation of these ecosystems, to suggest specific sites for conservation action, and to identify research and training priorities. Several wetland sites in the country have been selected on a priority basis for conservation and management action, financial support for which is being extended by the Ministry. Since India became a contracting party to the Ramsar Convention in 1981, only 25 wetlands in the country have been internationally designated as Ramsar sites. This is inspite of the richness of aquatic ecosystem types in the country. The 25 Ramsar sites in India do not represent even a fraction of the diversity of wetland habitats
existing in the country. The Hon’ble Vice President of India Shri M. Hamid Ansari released the book titled “Potential and Existing Ramsar Sites in India” authored by Mr. M. Zafarul Islam and Dr. Asad R. Rahmani at 1700 hours on 25 July 2008 in New Delhi. The book describes 160 sites which qualify Ramsar Criteria, including the existing 25 Ramsar Sites. Most of the potential Ramsar sites and many existing Ramsar Sites are important for biodiversity conservation. About 144 are Important Bird Areas (IBAs), and 79 are protected areas (sanctuaries, national park, conservation reserve). While selecting the potential sites (135), an attempt has been made to cover all the biogeographic areas, expect Andaman and Nicobar. The book is profusely illustrated with 220 pictures and 155 maps. People interested in biodiversity conservation, particularly wetlands, should have a copy of this book. The list price of the book is Rs.1,500/ Shir H. Hamid Ansari, Hon’ble Vice President of India releasing the book. L to R: Shri B.S. Parsheera Addl.Secretary, MoEF, Shri B.G. Deshmukh President, BNHS, the Hon’ble Vice - and for BNHS and IBCN members it is President of India; Mrs. Pheroza Godrej, Vice President, BNHS; Mr. M. Zafar-ul Islam and available for Rs.1,125/-. (packing and Dr. Asad R. Rahmani postage extra).
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B O O KIMPORTANT R E L E A SBIRD E AREAS MONITORING
Release of Telugu language book “ Dakshin Bharata Pakshulu” Mr. M. Shafaat Ullah – IBCN State Coordinator, Andhra Pradesh
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he English language book “Birds of Southern India” by Richard Grimmet & Tim Inskip was translated into Telugu language by members of Birdwatchers’ Society of Andhra Pradesh (BSAP) with financial help from the World Bank, the Netherlands Partnership Programme, Global Environment Facility, Ministry of Environment and Forests, and Asia Bird Fund of BirdLife International. BNHS, as a BirdLife Partner in India, coordinated in the translation process. BSAP therefore in conjunction with BNHS organised a function for official release of the book on 19th. July, 2008 at the Secunderabad Sailing Club, overlooking the picturesque Hussain Sagar lake The Chief Guest was Mr. Hitesh Malhotra, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests(WL) and Chief Wild Life Warden, Andhra Pradesh. About 50 persons attended the function, consisting mainly of BSAP and IBCN members. Other important invitees who were present were Mr. A.V. Joseph, Addl. PCCF(Admn), Mr. B.S. Yousuf Sharief, CCF(WL), Mr. K. Varaprasad, DCF(WL), Dr. G. Umapathy, CCMB, Dr. Narender Prasad, SACON, Mr. Anil Epur, WWF and his staff, apart from Dr. Asad Rahmani, Directior, BNHS. Reporters from Times of India, The Hindu and Enadu were also present. The function was moderated by Mr. Shafaat Ulla, IBCN State Coordinatior, Andhra Pradesh, who first introduced the three main translators - Ms. Shobha, Ms. Kalyani and Mr. Munir and then requested Dr. Rahmani to address the gathering.
Mr Hitesh Melhotra, PCCF (Wildlife) releasing the book. Mr. Siraj Taher, President, BSAP and Dr. Asad R. Rahmani, Director, BNHS are also seen
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Dr. Rahmani said the main aim of the book is to reach the grass root level and the frontline staff of the forest department. He informed that similar translations have already been done in other languages like Urdu, Hindi, Marathi and Malyalam and efforts are on to translate the book in other Indian languages also. He urged the forest department to buy the books and distribute it to all his staff as it will be a useful tool in protection of forest and environment in general. Mr. Siraj Taher, President, BSAP under whose supervision and guidance the translation was done, elaborated on the technicalities of translation and also the difficulties he encountered in arriving at reasonably correct terminology in Telugu language, and hoped that the book would be well accepted and would be of immense value and help to one and all. Dr. Rahmani handed over a gift wrapped copy of the book to Mr. Malhotra who officially released the book. Mr. Malhotra in his brief speech said that he was very happy that a Telugu version of the book has been published and promised that his department will make full use of the book and prepared to buy the books and distribute the same to all his field and frontline staff. He thanked Dr. Rahmani for the close cooperation and help that has always been extended by BNHS to the AP Forest Department. The function concluded by a vote of thanks given by Mr. Sushil Kapadia, Secretary, BSAP.
Mr Shafaat Ulla, State Coordinator of IBCN discussing IBCN activities in Andhra Pradesh
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NETWORK NEWS
Dr. Bharat Jethva joins Wetlands International Wetlands International has now decided to coordinate Asian Waterbird Census from India office. They have appointed Dr. Bharat Jethva to coordinate the Asian Waterbird Census from India now onwards. The Wetland International South Asia office is based in New Delhi, India. Mr. Jethva is local and native of the Gujarat state. He obtained his Doctorate degree from a reputed institute, Wildlife Institute of India. “Feeding Ecology and Habitat Needs of Wolves in the Bhal Area of Gujarat” was his Ph.D topic. He joined GEER Foundation and worked as Scientist and coordinated a number of studies related to bird conservation and bird census. Some of key works on birds include Gyps Vulture Census in 2005 & 2007; Sarus Crane Census in 2004 & 2007 and a comprehensive study on the Great Indian Bustard in Gujarat. Email: bjethva@rediffmail.com
Dr. Zarri conferred Young Scientist Awards by DST, J&K Dr. Ashfaq Ahmed Zarri, a Wildlife Biologist and an Assistant Registrar in the Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, was conferred Young Scientist Award-2007 by the Department of Science and Technology in a function help at the Convocation Hall of the University of Kashmir. The Award was handed over to Dr. Zarri by Mr. C. Hosing, Advisor to Governor, Jammu and Kashmir. The award comprised of a Citation and Rs. 10,000 cheque. Dr. Zarri was conferred the award because of his research contribution to biological science and scholarship. Trained in wildlife sciences at BNHS, Mumbai, Dr. Zarri is a former scientist at the Centre for Biodiversity Studies (CBS) of the Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University. He is Jammu and Kashmir State Coordinator of the IBCN. Masters in Wildlife from AMU, Dr. Zarri received his Ph. D from in the University of Mumbai for his work on the ‘Ecology of the Nilgiri Laughingthrush’, a bird species highly endemic to the Nilgiri Hills of the Western Ghat. He is currently investigator or coordinator of several projects sponsored by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Environment and Forests and Ministry of Textiles focusing nature education, nature conservation and women empowerment. Zarri is also recipient of Chancellor Certificate of Merit for his outstanding performance as a Scientist in the CBS of BGSBU and Himalayan Super Achiever Award 2008 presented by Himalayan Education Mission Society. Email: ashfaq_az@rediffmail.com
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CMS Champions Award On 1 December 2008, Dr Taej Mundkur of Wetlands International was awarded the newly established CMS Champion in an Award Ceremony on the first day of the 9th Meeting of the Conference of the UNEP Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) in Rome, Italy. The award is in recognition of his global efforts in coordination and advancement of the Scientific Task Force Avian Influenza and Wild Birds, aimed at promoting greater awareness on avian influenza and wild birds. More information is on http://www.iisd.ca/ cms/cop9/enbots/1dec.html Dr Mundkur has done his Master in Microbiology and a doctorate in field ecology of waterbirds in Gujarat in the year 1991. Dr Taej Mundkur stresses the impacts of Avian Influenza (AI) on domestic poultry, livelihoods and biodiversity and therefore the need for cross-sectoral cooperation in responding to the threat. Dr Mundkur noted the importance of building cross-sector cooperation with NGOs, technical institutions, and international and local organizations to study and control AI. The Scientific Task Force on AI and Wild Birds, jointly coordinated by UNEP/CMS and FAO, was established in 2005 aiming at, inter alia providing sound guidance for wildlife experts, scientists, decision makers and the media, ensuring that internal efforts do not overlook vital information concerning migratory species, and finding ways to apply the findings to other diseases. The Task Force includes BirdLife and Wetlands International. He has been working with Wetlands International to promote the conservation of wetlands and their biodiversity, focussed on flyway cooperation for improving management of wetlands and research and monitoring of waterbirds. Email: crabplover@yahoo.co.uk MISTNET Vol. 9 No. 4 Oct-Dec 2008
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M O NMONITORING I T O R I N G IMPORTANT A N D I N TBIRD E R VAREAS ENTION
Pic: Noor Khan
IBA Day Celebration at Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP)
Dr Munde, the Conservator of Forest and Director of SGNP, speaking about the importance of SGNP
of Sanjay Gandhi National Park. After the inauguration, the participants went for the bird watching trail in the core area of SGNP. It was unbelievable experience for the people to see that such a dense forest exists within the limits of the metropolitan city like Mumbai. People were divided into three groups for the trail guided by Dr. Ketaki Marthak, Mr. Mayuresh Khatavkar and Mr. Ratndeep Patil. They led the trail and oriented the participants about various birds, forest plants, insects, reptiles, and the ecosystem as a whole. The participants returned to the Nature Information Center of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Mr. Prashant Mahajan gave an audio-visual presentation on the importance of protecting birds and their habitat, and why Sanjay Gandhi National Park is Important Bird Area? The participants expressed their views and commitments to support the cause of IBCN. The programme was concluded with the vote of thanks given by Mr. Prashant Shinde, Director, Srushtidnyan.
Mr Prashant Mahajan, Asst. Director, IBA and Education, briefing about the importance of SGNP as an IBA
Participants enjoying bird-watching in SGNP
Pic: Abhijit Malekar
Pic: Prashant Mahajan
Srustidnyan, an IBCN partner, took the initiative of celebrating the IBA Day, in Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Mumbai, Maharashtra. The IBA day was celebrated on October 26, 2008 There was a good response from the citizens of Mumbai for the programme. Around 60 people were expected but the number went up to 150. Citizens from different parts of Mumbai and outside Mumbai gathered at the gate/entrance of the SGNP, early in the morning by 6.30 am. Mr. Prashant Mahajan, Asst. Director of BNHS gave a warm welcome and a detailed idea about the programme. He discussed with the audience the importance of protecting the habitats of birds such as the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. He also briefed about the Indian Bird Conservation Network and the important role that this network plays in conservation and protection of bird habitats. Dr. Munde, the Conservator of Forest and Director of SGNP, inaugurated the IBA hoarding at the entrance of the Park. He appealed to people to contribute in the protection
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I B C N PA R T N E R ’ S FA C T F I L E
Neo Human Foundation Founded in Contact Person
: :
Telephone Number Email Address
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June 15, 2001 Mr. Satya Prakash (President) ‘Chandraprabha Niketan; College Moore Near Shivum Dharm Kanta Hazaribagh - 825301, Jharkhand 09934509213 nhfsatya@hotmail.com
Vision “To explore the right natural way to live peacefully in this planet earth, whose activity are based on love and affection and respect for the whole humanity to become a NEW MAN, and save this beautiful planet earth from becoming extinct due to unnatural activity of human being.”
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programme for wildlife conservation. To establish a network of volunteers in Jharkhand for rescue, survey and monitoring of wildlife. To educate the people about the importance of wildlife to mankind, by distributing pamphlet and posters at the identified sites. To organise human health care camp, and vaccination camp for cattle inside protected areas. Activity Profile
Vulture Conservation The Foundation started survey of Endangered species of vulture nesting sites in the month of September 2007 and submitted the monitoring and surveillance report to RCCF & DFO Wildlife Division, Hazaribag. The Foundation has identified two species of vulture Gyps bengalensis and Gyps indicus, identified by Mr.
Pic Courtesy: Neo Human Foundation
Objectives 1. To organise wildlife awareness programmes such as tours to wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, zoos and museums. 2. Bird watching at wetland areas and IBA sites of local and migratory birds. 2. To encourage school and college students to participate in the above programme. 3. Survey, monitoring and surveillance of the wildlife of Jharkhand and also to take up research
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Monitoring the Gyps species is one of the important activities of the organistion
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MISTNET Vol. 9 No. 4 Oct-Dec 2008
CMYK
Pic Courtesy: Neo Human Foundation
Pic Courtesy: Neo Human Foundation
I B C N PA R T N E R ’ S FA C T F I L E
Wildlife Awareness Programmes are regularly conducted for school and College students
Satya Prakash, President, NEO and confirmed by Dr. Vibhu Prakash, Scientist, BNHS during his visit to Hazaribag, in October 2008. Approximately 150-200 vultures are seen in and around Hazaribag. The Foundation participated in Vulture Conservation and Co-ordination Committee meeting at RCCF Office, Forest Department, Hazaribag on 29 January 2008. RCCF appreciated the Foundation’s survey monitoring and surveillance work. Awareness about the importance of vultures and their cause of extinction is made through print media and pamphlets. The Foundation is getting good cooperation from locals around the vulture site. Conducted survey for the presence of diclofenac around vulture nesting site (supported by Dr. Vibhu Prakash, BNHS). The presence of Diclofenac around nesting site was reported to the Forest Department for necessary action. Forest and Environment Department, Jharkhand has taken vital steps for vulture conservation by deciding to make Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centre in Jharkhand. Survey of migratory birds In December 2007, the Foundation conducted survey of migratory birds at Hazaribag Jhil, Charwa Dam, Gonda Dam, (both dam lie just outside the boundary of Hazaribag Sanctuary), Itchori, Barhi, and Tilaya Dam. Press release was given describing the importance of these migratory birds and also to declare these areas as ‘Protected Areas’. Survey of local birds in Hazaribag Sanctuary (IBA) Surveying and documenting avian fauna for their density and abundance of Hazaribag Sanctuary (IBA) and surrounding areas. MISTNET Vol. 9 No. 4 Oct-Dec 2008
Charwa Dam,Hazaribagh, where the Organisation conducts bird-watching and monitoring
Wildlife Rescue Assisting Forest Department (Wildlife Division, Hazaribag) in rescuing, release and giving veterinary care to wild animal. The rescued animal are released in the Hazaribag sanctuary for in situ conservation or being sent to Bhagwan Birsha Zoological Park, Ormanjhi, Ranchi, for ex situ conservation. Bird watching tours Under Wildife awareness programme the Foundation organises bird watching tours. Student from schools and colleges take part in the programme. Zoological tour Zoological tours are conducted in the Bat Conservation Centre, Mandu (Ramgarh), Muta Crocodile Breeding Centre (Ormanjhi, Ranchi) and Bhagwan Birsa Zoological Garden (Ormanjhi Ranchi). Plantation- The Foundation has also started plantation programme in urban areas (mainly fruit yielding) to improve the habitat for avifauna. Bat survey- The Foundation is also conducting survey of bat roosting sites. So far, four species of bats have been found at various places in Jharkhand. Wildlife Conservation and Protection Training Camp The organisation’s personnel were invited as Resource person by Range Forest Officer, Koderma and Girihdih (Wildlife Division) to give training to EDC (Eco Development Committee/ Eco Vikas Samiti) & Forest Staff in the training camps.
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IBCN STATE COORDINATORS IBCN MISSION STATEMENT To promote conservation of birds and their habitats through the development of a national network of individuals, organisations and the government
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Andaman & Nicobar Islands Mr. Harry V Andrews Trustee & Director Andaman & Nicobar Islands Environmental Team Division of Madras Crocodile Bank Trust Post Bag 4, Mamallapuram - 603 104, Tamil Nadu Email: mcbtindia@vsnl.net Arunachal Pradesh Dr. Bharat Bhushan Bhatt State Forest Research Institute, Van-Vihar P.B.No. 159, Itanagar - 791 111 Email:b_bhatt@rediffmail.com Andhra Pradesh Mr. M. Shafaat Ulla H.No. 4, St. No. 1, Avenue 8 (Rd No.3) Banjara Hills, Andhra Pradesh 500 003 Email:shafaat_ulla@yahoo.co.in Assam Dr. Anwaruddin Choudhury Near Gate No.1 of Nehru Stadium, Islampur Road Guwahati 781 007, Email: badru1@sify.com Bihar and Jharkhand Mr. Arvind Mishra Mandar Nature Club Anand Chikitsalaya Road, Bhagalpur - 812 002, Bihar. Email: mncarvind@hotmail.com, mncarvind@rediffmail.com Chhattisgarh Mr. Arun M. K. Bharos B-101 Gayatrinagar, PO Shankar Nagar, Raipur-492 007 Email: cwsraipur@yahoo.co.in, cwsraipur@hotmail.com Delhi Mr. Nikhil Devasar Delhi Bird Club, C 1/503 Mayfair Tower, Charmwood Village, Eros Garden, Surajkund Rd., Faridabad, Haryana. Email:devasar@gmail.com Goa Mr. Carl D’Silva ‘Masabille’, Plt.6, Kamat Palm Grove Estate, Cardoz Vaddo P.O.Caranzalem, Taligao, Goa - 403002 Email:cbeedee@sancharnet.in Gujarat Mr. Jugal Kishor Tiwari Centre for Desert and Ocean, Po. Moti-Virani, Taluka – Nakhtrana, Kutch – 370 665 Email: cedoindia@yahoo.com Haryana and Punjab Mr. Suresh C. Sharma Gokul Nagar, Rohtak Road, Sonipat - 131 001 Email:sureshcsharma@gmail.com, sureshsharma@rediffmail.com Himachal Pradesh Mr. Jan Willem den Besten Kuldeep House, Mc Leod Ganj, Kangra - 176 219 Email:denbesten888@hotmail.com Jammu and Kashmir 1. Dr. Ashfaq Ahmed Zarri Manager Biodiversity Project Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir - 185 131 Email:ashfaq_az@rediffmail.com 2. Dr. Rahul Kaul Director-Conservation, Wildlife Trust of India A-220, New Friends Colony, New Delhi - 110 065 Email:info@wti.org.in Karnataka Dr. S. Subramanya PHT Scheme, J Block, GKVK Campus University Of Agricultural Sciences, Banglore, Karnataka- 560 065 Email: Subbus@vsnl.com Kerala Dr. P. O. Nameer Asst. Professor, College of Forestry Kerala Agricultural University (KAU), Thrissur 680 656 Email: nameer.ommer@gmail.com
15. Madhya Pradesh Dr. Koustubh Sharma Research Station, OC/A-2, NMDC Quarters Majhgawan, Panna - 488101 Email:kos78@sancharnet.in 16. Maharashtra Mr. Bishwarup Raha Hemant Vihar, 13, Savarkar Nagar Off. Gangapur Road, Nashik–422005 Email: wolfajay@hotmail.com 17. Manipur Dr. R. K. Ranjan Singh Manipur Association for Science and Society (MASS) Manipur Cultural Integrated Conference Palace Compound, Imphal - 795 001 Email:ranjanrk@sancharnet.in 18. Mizoram Mr. N. R. Pradhan Asstt. Conservator of Forests C/o. Chief Conservator of Forests, WL, Mizoram Aizawl, Mizoram Email:navrpmiz12@yahoo.com 19. Nagaland Mr. Thomas Kent Asstt. Director of Tourism C/o. Directorate of Tourism, Kohima, Nagaland - 797 001 Email: ktthomasreng@yahoo.co.in 20. Orissa Mr. Biswajit Mohanty Wildlife Society of Orissa “Shantikunj”, Link Road, Cuttack- 753 012 Email: kachhapa@gmail.com 21. Pondicherry Dr. Priya Davidar Salim Ali School of Ecology & Environmental Sciences Pondicherry University, Kalapet - 605 014 Email:davidarp@si.edu 22. Rajasthan Mr. Manoj Kulshreshtha Snehdeep, B-33, Sethi Colony, Jaipur - 302 004 Email: wildbrook@gmail.com, snehdeep_jp1@sancharnet.in 23. Sikkim Ms. Usha Ganguli-Lachungpa Sr. Research Officer (WL), Government of Sikkim Department of Forest, Environment & Wildlife Deorali-737 102, Gangtok Email: ulachungpa@gmail.com, ulachungpa2001@yahoo.com 24. Tamil Nadu Dr. V. Santharam C/o Institute of Bird Studies & Natural History Rishi Valley Education Centre Chittor – 517 352, Andhra Pradesh Email:vsram2003@yahoo.co.in 25. Tripura Mr. Kamal Kanti Banik Dishari, Ek No. Tila, Belonia, South Tripura - 799155. Email:dishari21@yahoo.co.in 26. Uttar Pradesh (East and West) 1. Dr. Vijay Prakash Singh (Eastern UP) Jaidev Nagar (Rajgarh) Lakhimpur Kheri - 262 701 Email: tarai_eco@yahoo.com 2.
Mr. Neeraj Srivastav (Western UP) Flat No.303, Plot no.26/10, Kumar Enclave, Wazir Hasan Road Lucknow - 226 001 Email:neervun@yahoo.co.in 27. West Bengal Mr. Kushal Mookherjee, Secretary, Prakriti Samsad 65, Golf Club Road Kolkata-700 033 Email: kushalmookherjee7@gmail.com
CMYK
IBCN ORGANISATIONAL PARTNERS
Birdwatcher’s Society of Andhra Pradesh
Assam
Pole Star Academy Assam
Institute of Bird Studies & Natural History, Andhra Pradesh
Green Guard, Assam
Mandar Nature Club, Bihar
Nallamalai Foundation, Andhra Pradesh
Early Birds, Assam
Bastar Society for Conservation of Nature, Chhattisgarh
Andhra Pradesh
Assam
Chhattisgarh Wildlife Society, Chhattisgarh
Delhi
GEER Foundation
Wildlife Protection Society of India, New Delhi
Bird Conservation Society of Surat, Gujarat
Haryana Gujarat
Haryana
Karnataka Karnataka
People for Animals, Madhya Pradesh
Maharashtra Madhya Pradesh
Maharashtra Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Kerala
Manipur Association for Sciences and Society, Manipur
Nature Conservation Society, Maharashtra.
Orissa
Gujarat
Indian National Trust for Art & Cultural Heritage, Jharkhand
Kerala
Aaranyak, Assam
Assam
BIOMIX Assam
Assam
Delhi
Delhi, M.P. Chhattisgarh and Assam
International Society of Naturalists, Gujarat
Gujarat
Nature Conservation Society Jharkhand
Wild Haven Madhya Pradesh
Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology & the Environment, Karnataka
Madhya Pradesh
Green Guards, Maharashtra Nature Conservation Society Amravati, Maharashtra
Envirosearch, Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Nature Science (Club’s) Society, Maharashtra
Action for Protection of Wild Animals, Orissa
Green Friends, Orissa
Sahyadri Nisrag Mitra, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra
Orissa
CMYK
IBCN ORGANISATIONAL PARTNERS
Orissa
Wildlife Society of Orissa
Pahal, Punjab
Sikkim
Amrapali Institute, Uttaranchal
Association for Conservation & Tourism, West Bengal
West Bengal
Rajasthan
Aligarh MuslimUniversity, Uttar Pradesh
Himalayan Nature & Adventure Foundation,
West Bengal
Society for Conservation of Nature, Uttar Pradesh
Nandadevi Foundation, West Bengal
Institute for Cultural & Physical Development Trust, West Bengal
West Bengal
Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited
Karnataka
Turquoise Wildlife Conservation Welfare Society, Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Megamix, Nature Club, Assam
Centre for Environment Protection, Mizoram
Rajasthan
Nature Club, Bishop Heber College, Tamil Nadu
Dhan Foundation Tamil Nadu
Arulagam, Tamil Nadu
Sikkim
NEED, Rajasthan
Punjab
Gramin Vikash Society of North East, Assam
Vattakanal Conservation Trust, Kerala
Assam
Assam
Forest Environment and Generation de New Image Manipur Wildlife , Punjab
Green Hearts Nature Club, Assam
Gujarat
Gondia Nisrag Mandal, Maharashtra
Samrakshan Trust, Meghalaya Orissa
Gujarat
Maharashtra
www.ibcn.in
Malabar Natural History Society Kerala
Srushtidnyan, Maharashtra
Alipurduar Nature Club, West Bengal
West Bengal
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Bird Conservation Society Maharashtra
AVES Arunachal Pradesh
Tamil Nadu
Maharashtra
Karnataka
JFB India New Delhi
Jharkhand
The Friends of the Doon Society, Uttaranchal