PANJIM: It could be the lack of mining trucks; or the roar of mining machinery; or even the change of guard in the Forest department, but at last the forest department has been forced to admit that Goa indeed is home to the majestic tiger.

Even a dead tiger – killed by poachers was evidence enough of the existence of tigers in Goa, it was sought to be brushed under the carpet by the department and authorities under various pretexts including the claim that the tigers’ presence in Goa was at best “migratory” and they had probably ventured here from forest reserves in Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Jaipur: A big cat from Ranthambore took a bigger stride this time! It almost leapt into history as it trekked 220 km (as the crow flies) between the state's reserve and Datia in Madhya Pradesh.

Though long dispersal of tigers from Ranthambore were reported earlier, but this is the longest distance in a direction travelled by any dispersed tigers from Ranthambore.

Marking a major departure from the report of the committee led by ecologist Madhav Gadgil that had called for declaring the entire Western Ghats as an ecologically sensitive area (ESA), the 10-memb

The pride of Gujarat will have to be shared with Madhya Pradesh this year, with the Supreme Court ruling that some of the Asiatic lions currently found only in the famed Gir sanctuary must be shifted to Madhya Pradesh within six months.

However, the Centre’s dreams of bringing another big cat to India — the extinct cheetah — have been further deflated, with the apex court slamming any attempt to import African cheetahs.

The State has four major tiger reserves, six national parks and 36 wildlife sanctuaries, which adds up to 15,732 sq km.

Industries located along the Gangetic delta in Haldia, Kolkata and its outskirts are polluting the fragile ecosystem of Sundarbans, home to 40 lakh people and the Royal Bengal Tiger, a latest study

Tigers from Madhya Pradesh could soon be heading for Rajasthan to repopulate the Sariska sanctuary.

Tiger Reserve status accorded for the 1.40 lakh hectares of Sathyamangalam with 90,000 hectares as core zone is a shot in the arm for conservation of rare flora and fauna besides combating the pressures of poaching as the Sathyamangalam valley is on the State border.

Welcoming the decision of the Union Government, president of Osai (an NGO involved in conservation) K. Kalidasan said that the status will go a long way in getting the required funds and undivided attention. Mr. Kalidasan pointed out that during 2007, eight to 12 tigers were found in the area. Organisations such as World Wide Fund for Nature, World Wildlife Fund and Wildlife Trust of India confirmed the tiger existence through various studies

Tiger Reserve status accorded for the 1.40 lakh hectares of Sathyamangalam with 90,000 hectares as core zone is a shot in the arm for conservation of rare flora and fauna besides combating the pressures of poaching as the Sathyamangalam valley is on the State border.

Welcoming the decision of the Union Government, president of Osai (an NGO involved in conservation) K. Kalidasan said that the status will go a long way in getting the required funds and undivided attention.

Rs 280-Cr Plan Focuses On Rehabilitation Of Sahyadri Villages

Kolhapur: The state forest department has submitted the first detailed conservation plan for Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) to the Union ministry of environment and forest. The Rs 280-crore plan focuses on the rehabilitation of villages on the fringe of the reserve and 90% of the proposed funds have been earmarked for it. Sources said the ministry would study the plan and pass it on to the National Tiger Conservation Authority for the final approval.