Tumkur's Environmental Issues

A simple idea rescues a Sloth bear mother and her cubs from a dry well

2010-05-13T12:35:00.019+05:30

The rich wildlife of Madhugiri

Tumkur District's Madhugiri taluk, in south-eastern Karnataka, is of great interest to wildlife lovers. The habitats here range from dry deciduous forests in Madhugiri State Forest to the famous grasslands of Jayamangali Conservation Reserve near Maidanahalli, which has one of Karnataka's healthiest single population of blackbuck. The hills to the south of and west of Madhugiri town are well-known for their sloth bears. For the past few years, WANC is working to bring these reserve and revenue forests along with those around Channarayana Durga hill, under the umbrella of a Conservation Reserve or Wildlife Sanctuary.

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A distress call

I got a call at 6.30 pm, 12 May 2010 from Mr. Ramesh, a resident of Veerapura village. Veerapura is about 15 km to the west of Madhugiri town and lies along the Madhugiri - Sira state highway. It is about 3 km, as a crow flies, from the northern boundaries of Madhugiri State Forest, which has a functional Forest Bungalow built by the British in 1898! Ramesh informed me that three bears had fallen into a dry well.

We rushed to the spot and it was almost 8.00 PM. We reached a well that was completely dry and without fencing. We saw three sloth bears - one adult female and two baby bears. The animals looked a little dehydrated and tired. It is peak summer in this part of the world and the days are currently hot, reaching as high as 38 degrees centigrade. We guessed they might have fallen inside the previous day night. We carefully inserted two buckets filled with water into the well. Initially they were not responding. A few minutes later the mother walked up to the bucket and drank from it. The babies soon joined. They consumed nearly three buckets of water, after which they looked a little healthy.

Residents of the village were kind enough to offer these animals jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus). Jackfruit is one of the favourite foods of sloth bears. These fruits ripen annually in later winter - early summer, which often brings these animals to trees in farmlands. The sloth bears started eating the jackfruit without worry.

Some of the smartest ideas are often the simplest

We all, including Mr Harish, RFO, Madhugiri territorial range and Shankarappa, Forester, Madhugiri section, wondered how to bring these bears out from the well. We had intense discussions. We then consulted experts from Bangalore, but they in turn informed it would take 4 hours for them to reach the place. That would have been too late in the night. We hit upon a simple idea which might sound very silly to some. Why couldn't we lower local bamboo ladders into the well and see if the bears would walk out of this well? As it would take 4 hours for the experts from Bangalore to be here, we decided to insert the ladders. If the animal could come out - well and good. If not, the experts could tranquillize them. We cleared the people around the place and went to sleep.

When the experts reached at 3 AM we walked together to the well. We were thrilled to find all the three bears had disappeared into the dark night. Hurray! The bears had successfully climbed the ladder and gone away, probably to their home - the forest. The entire operation ended successfully with a very basic and simple yet successful idea. This is a good lesson learnt and we shall repeat this in the future. We suggest others try this too...

As told by TVN Murthy

Trapped Sloth Bear rescued & released in state forest

2009-07-27T12:47:00.009+05:30

As told, with his pictures, by:
Mr.TVN Murthy
Honorary Wildlife Warden, Tumkur District, Karnataka and
Founder Advisor, WANC, Tumkur.
Email: tvnmurthy at vsnl dot com

----------------
Dear Friends,

It was yet another incident of Sloth bear being trapped by the farmers at Pandithanahalli near Hirehalli of Tumkur Taluk.

It is common in Tumkur district for farmers to set up traps to catch wildboars that venture into farm land for food. This was unfortunate for a well built adult male sloth bear on the night of 20 July 2009. It was trying to cross the barbed wire fence of a farm land near TVS Electronics at Pandithanahalli. The trap hooked the front leg of the bear sometime during night and the animal was crying for help after that.

Early morning on 21 July, the local forest department officials and WANC took a local veterinary doctor to release the animal. The animal was sedated even as it was trapped. When the sedation was in effect it was manually released from the trap and put into a cage.

The entire operation to successfully catch the animal and safely release it near Nayakana Kere inside Devarayanadurga State Forest, took about 3 hours. Mr. Naik, RFO, Tumkur Range and Mr.Boregowda, Forester were present during the operation.

It is to be noted that 11 days into the release, there have been no reports of this (or any) bear attacking humans or entering villages surrounding this state forest.

WANC, led by TVN Murthy has been working to conserve the lesser wildlife of Eastern Karnataka, which gets far less attention (and funding) both by the Government agencies and non-Government agencies.

WANC has been actively work for a sloth-bear sanctuary/ conservation reserve in Madhugiri State Forest and its surroundings in Tumkur district, south-eastern Karnataka.

Best Regards,

TVN Murthy

Notes to editor:
1) Click here to know more info and see a map on Devarayanadurga State Forest.

2) Click here to read another incident of Sloth Bear rescue in Tumkur District.

3) Click here to know about WANC and its activities.

Sending a wild guest back to its home

2009-03-12T13:06:00.012+05:30

As told, with his pictures, by TVN Murthy

Honorary Wildlife Warden, Tumkur District, Karnataka and

Founder Advisor, WANC, Tumkur.

Email: tvnmurthy@vsnl.com

Dear Friends,

On Feb 20, 2009, I received an unusual call from residents of Devalapura village, near Madhugiri Town, in south-eastern Karnataka, at half past eight and rushed to the spot. I could hear howls of a bear from almost half a KM from where it seemed to be located. On reaching the place, I saw an entire village watching in apprehension a Sloth bear. It was trapped up a Jackfruit tree.

The problem

Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) is quite common around Madhugiri in Tumkur District. Many villagers encounter this animal in early hours and at dusk. I have heard many reports of attack on human in this area. During the recent by-elections to Madhugiri Assembly constituency, a sloth bear mother with cubs, mauled to death a home guard deputed to secure the elections.

But, what I didn't know was, about a systematic trap used by villagers to catch this animal. All that the farmers here do is wind a thick steel wire around trunks of Jack fruit trees in and around their farmlands and intertwine it with a few ligatures drawn from automobile brake/ clutch cable. When an animal tries to climb or come down the tree, it unwittingly puts its feet into the knot. As it tries to pull the limb away, the 'trap' will arrest the animal. You can see this in the close-up image of the trapped leg.

The solutions

It would have been an easy task to just untie the knot to release the animal, but villagers said this animal frequently entered the farmlands around their village. They demanded its relocation away from their village. Giving into the villagers, authorities summoned a veterinary doctor to assist them.

The rescue

It was not easy to go near the injured and anxious animal. First, ropes were tied to the animal arresting its movement and then the Vet managed to inject a sedative. In a few minutes, the animal developed drowsiness and was near asleep. With the support of villagers and forest guards we could able to bring down the animal. It was then put in a cage.

It was a sub-adult male Sloth Bear. The body was about 168 cm long, covered in long and shaggy fur. It has its distinctive "V"-shaped white mark on the chest, a whitish snout and black nose. It's snout was long with bare lips and lacked upper incisors - adaptations for its insect-based diet. For your information, the sloth bear's front feet are turned inwards and its curved claws are non-retractable, that are adapted to dig and climb.

The release

Since the bear was healthy and did not have any injuries, it was decided that it be released in a nearby state forest. It was brought into the wilderness of Devarayanadurga State Forest, 10 km as a crows flies south-east from the place where it was caught. After ensuring the sedation had worn off and it was active as it should be, it was released in to the wild.

Aftermath

Three weeks from the release, there have been no reports of this (or any) bear attacking humans or entering villages surrounding this state forest. Please click here to read some info and see a map on Devarayanadurga State Forest.

Blackbuck census - backstage images

2009-03-04T20:31:00.017+05:30

Dear Nature lovers,

Below are some images that depict the way the wildlife census at Jayamangali Blackbuck Reserve, Maidenahalli, Madhugiri Taluk was conducted, in February 2009.

Mr.TVN Murthy, Honorary Wildlife Warden, Tumkur District and Founder Advisor, WANC welcomed the volunteers.

Murthy explained how WANC has made a difference to the area

WANC ex-chairman and member Ameen Ahmed spoke about the Conservation Reserve, its history and current status.

The campus at the reserve got a facelift in time for the census, thanks to the enthusiastic RFO of Madhugiri, Mr.Harish.K. The forest Inspection Bungalow was inaugurated just in time and the repainted hoarding can be seen below.

WANC had put up hoardings and banners at various locations guiding volunteers to the area.

The conservation reserve comes in the jurisdiction of Madhugiri Subdivision as well as Range

Much of the area inside the conservation reserve has been planted and gives the look of an artificial forest.

The expansive grasslands of this area are mostly spread across private farmlands as well as a 'Gomal' or Government common grazing lands, outside the boundaries of the conservation reserve.

A male buck is curious to find out who is in the SUV.

Closing remarks by Mr.Harish.K, RFO, Madhugiri Range and Mr.TVN Murthy, Honorary Wildlife Warden, Tumkur District and Founder Advisor, WANC.

Participants listening in rapt attention to the closing speeches.

The dynamic RFO of Madhugiri Range Mr Harish K, distributing certificates to the census participants.

Enthusiastic WANCers (WANC members) pose for the cameras at the end of gruelling two days.

'Red alert: Blackbuck numbers on the wane'

2009-02-27T22:27:00.002+05:30

Source: The New Indian Express, Bengaluru, 23 Feb, '09

Link: http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Red+alert:+Blackbuck+numbers+on+the+wane&artid=qf6zORGiYXU=&SectionID=Qz/kHVp9tEs=&MainSectionID=Qz/kHVp9tEs=&SEO=blackbucks&SectionName=UOaHCPTTmuP3XGzZRCAUTQ==

Red alert: Blackbuck numbers on the wane

DAYS NUMBERED? A male blackbuck at the Maidenahalli Conservation Reserve in Bangalore on Sunday.

Navya

First Published : 23 Feb 2009 03:44:00 AM IST

Last Updated : 23 Feb 2009 11:29:34 AM IST

BANGALORE: The number of blackbucks in the state is fast dwindling, finds a census conducted in and around Dayamangali Conservation Reserve in Tumkur by the forest department.

The census was released in the city on Sunday. The census, conducted in association with NGO Wild Awareness Nature Club (WANC), estimated the population of the endangered species at 458.

This is a steep fall from the 2002 census data, which had pegged the number at 600.

Dayamangali is one of the two blackbuck reserves in the state, the other being Ranibennur Reserve.

Direct spotting method was adopted for the census, in which 100 volunteers and 25 forest department officials participated. The number of male and female blackbucks were put at 129 and 325 respectively, while the gender of four was not known.

The first blackbuck census in Dayamangali in 1997 had put the numbers at 408. "The population rose during 1997-2002, but has dwindled now. Reasons for this could be loss of habitat, heavy use of pesticides in farms and electric fencing," says Ameen Ahmed, Secretary of WANC. The demography of the area has been changing during the last few years. "Earlier the area around the forests was occupied by marginal farmers, who cultivated groundnut and dry crops. Now these holdings have been consolidated and acquired by large farmers, who use it for horticulture.

This has affected the mobility and feeding practices of the blackbuck, which tends to stray a lot. Commercial activities by vested interests, with some support from the government, has been going on in the area," says Ahmed.

Adding to the trouble is a road right in the reserve forest area constructed by the Zilla Panchayat (ZP) authorities without the forest department's consent.

A case filed by the department against the ZP authorities is pending in the court. However, the road continues to be used by the public.

The number of poaching cases in the area has also risen recently. In two separate incidents, the forest department and the police had arrested poachers in the last ten months. Poaching is usually for sport or meat.

Forest guards should be given vehicles and equipment for patrolling.

More funds should be allocated to protect the blackbuck, activists say.

"This forest was declared a blackbuck reserve, but no funds were allocated for it. Blackbuck or antelope cervicapra is the only animal belonging to the antelope family that is spotted in India and more needs to be done to protect it," says TVN Murthy, wildlife warden in Tumkur district.

Feb 22, 2009: Census at Jayamangali Blackbuck Reserve, Karnataka

2009-02-10T12:52:00.014+05:30

UPDATE ON 17 FEB 2009

Dear Nature lover,

We have CLOSED the registration to new participants.

If you have already submitted your form, we THANK YOU FOR SHOWING YOUR INTEREST TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CENSUS. THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN OVERWHELMING AND WE HAVE RECEIVED OVER 400 INQUIRIES AGAINST THE AVAILABLE FOOD AND ACCOMMODATION FOR 75 PEOPLE + 15 FOREST STAFF/ VOLUNTEERS.

WE ARE CONDUCTING A BLACKBUCK CENSUS AGAIN IN NOVEMBER, AS WELL AS A
BIRD SURVEY IN DEVARAYANADURGA FORESTS IN MONSOONS, THIS YEAR. THOSE
OF YOU WHO COULD NOT BE ACCOMMODATED THIS TIME WILL BE GIVEN FIRST
PREFERENCE THEN.

Please click here to see if you were one of the first 100 participants
http://maidenahalli.googlepages.com/censuslist

Best regards,
WANC,
Tumkur

--
WANC (Wildlife Aware Nature Club)
Tumkur, INDIA
htpp://wildlifeaware.googlepages.com

-----------------------------------------------

UPDATE ON 13 Feb. 2009

A couple of the participants who happen to run an adventure organisation, 'X-Trails' have come forward to transport other participants from Bengaluru to the venue. Please contact Mr.Omer Khaiser or Mr.Prasad at omer.kaiser@gmail.com OR 98450 19200

DISCLAIMER: WANC OR KARNATAKA FOREST DEPARTMENT DO NOT OFFICIALLY ENDORSE THIS. PLEASE SPEAK DIRECTLY AND DO YOUR RESEARCH OF 'X-TRAILS' OR THE PERSONS BEHIND THEM, BEFORE GETTING INTO ANY FINANCIAL DEAL.

Dear wildlife lovers,

Introduction:
Blackbuck is one of the most endangered mammals of India. Its population in India, once estimated at 40 lakhs is now estimated between 25 - 35 thousand. Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve neighbours Maidenahalli, a small village in Madhugiri Taluk, at the north-eastern tip of Tumkur district of Karnataka state. It has the largest contiguous population of Blackbuck in Karnataka, next only to Ranibennur sanctuary. Apart from blackbuck, this area abounds with birds of prey and wildlife - typical of grasslands.

About the census:
The first ever census was conducted in the area in 1997 by Forest Department and WANC, led to the counting of 408 blackbuck. Subsequent census in October 2002, had resulted in the counting of over 600 blackbuck.

The 3rd Blackbuck and wildlife Census of this Conservation Reserve is being held on 22 (Sunday) February 2009. The census aims to approximate the current population of blackbuck in the area along with other mammals. The census has been organised by Tumkur Division of Karnataka Forest Department in association with WANC - Wildlife Aware Nature Club.

FAQs (FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS):

1) How can I register?
Please send an email, BEFORE 15th February, the filled registration form that was sent to you. If you have not received the form as an attachment, please email Ameen Ahmed at tumkurameen AT gmail.com. Selected participants will be informed by 17th Feb by email.

2) Is there any registration fee?
No. Participation is free.

3) Will I be provided food?
Yes, you will be provided simple vegetarian food during the length of the census, specifically the following:
a) Dinner on 21 (Saturday) night.
b) packed breakfast on 22 (Sunday) morning.
c) lunch on 22 (Sunday) afternoon.

4) Can I bring eatables?
Yes, you can bring eatables. But please do not litter the area with plastic and remember to take away packaging of all your eatables.

5) Will I be provided accommodation?
Yes, you will be provided basic accommodation in the forest bungalow at the conservation reserve. We encourage you to bring your own supply of floor mat, bed spread, a bed sheet to cover yourself as well an air pillow. Bringing along an odourless inspect repellent will be a good idea as well.

6) Can I camp in my own tent?
You can get your own tent if you have one. There are three tent bases that can acommodate 6 persons each. PLEASE INFORM US IN ADVANCE IF YOU PLAN TO BRING YOUR TENT.

7) How will the weather be there right now?
February is the month when the temperatures start to rise in this area. The day temperature will be around 33 degrees.

8) What should I wear?
Please wear full sleeved shirts preferably earth or dry grass coloured. Wear full pants and comfortable shoes. The soil here has pebbles, hence please avoid high heeled shoes. Dark/ dull coloured sneakers should be fine.

9) How much do I need to walk?
The census might involve walking over 5 km in a day in hot conditions. Those who are able to withstand this physical activity are encouraged to apply.

10) Where is the venue? How and when should I reach it?
Venue of the census is Forest Quarters, Jayamangali Conservation Reserve. Details on how to reach the venue along with a printable map are available at: http://maidenahalli.googlepages.com/go .

Please reach the area by 5 pm on Saturday 21 Feb.

12) Can I reach the venue by bus?
No. The conservation reserve is not accessible by public or private transport.

13) I am coming from Bengaluru/ Tumkur, I do not have a car or bike. Can you provide me transportation?
Please note that we have NOT made any arrangements to travel to the venue, as we do not have the resources to do so.

14) I am coming from Bengaluru/ Tumkur, I do not have a car or bike. Can you let me know if any other participant/ any body else can provide me transportation?
A couple of the participants who happen to run an adventure organisation, 'X-Trails' have come forward to transport other participants from Bengaluru to the venue. Please contact Mr.Omer Khaiser or Mr.Prasad at omer.kaiser@gmail.com OR 98450 19200

DISCLAIMER: WANC OR KARNATAKA FOREST DEPARTMENT DO NOT OFFICIALLY ENDORSE THIS. PLEASE SPEAK DIRECTLY AND DO YOUR RESEARCH OF X-TRAILS OR THE PERSONS BEHIND THEM, BEFORE GETTING INTO ANY FINANCIAL DEAL.

The other option is to pool with friends and arrange your own transportation.

15) Is first aid available at the venue?
Basic first aid in the form of dettol and band-aid is available in case of very minor injuries. But it is suggested that the participants carry their own small first aid kid for common ailments and injuries. We are trying to arrange for a resident doctor, how ever this is not guaranteed. The nearest medical aid is available at Kodigenahalli village along Hindupur - Madhugiri highway, 11 km from the venue. The nearest hospitals with admission facilities are either at Madhugiri and Hindupura towns, around 20 - 25 km from the venue.

16) Can I carry a cell phone?
We encourage you to bring your cell phone. Please note that the points for recharging cell phones at the venue are limited and the electric power supply is erratic. You are requested to bring a fully charged spare battery for your cell phone, if you have one.

17) What cell phone network is available in the area?
All the major cell phones have network coverage in the area including Airtel and BSNL. Since this is a remote area, BSNL is supposed to have a wider coverage. Also please note that, since this area borders Andhra Pradesh, you might be charged for roaming, even though you might technically be inside Karnataka boundaries.

18) Whom should I contact, if I need more information?
Please contact either of the following:
TVN Murthy, Honorary Wildlife Warden, Tumkur District at tvnmurthy AT vsnl.com (Mobile: 94480 73129)
Ameen Ahmed tumkurameen At gmail.com (99808 32814)

Government buldozes CEC direction, authorises construction in forest

2009-01-19T13:11:00.005+05:30

The Tumkur University authorities have again raised their voice to have the University campus inside the jungles of Devarayanadurga.

There is a direction by the CEC to the Chief Scretary of Karnataka in its hearing on Application Number 585, Wildlife Aware Nature Club, Tumkur VS State of Karnataka, 20th October 2005 (Ref: FOREST CASE UPDATE, Issue 17, October 2005). It has been clearly said that "there be no construction activity or felling of trees till a decision on this case is taken".

Though the CEC decision refers to the entire 300 acres that was originally occupied by the University, only 225 acres has been vacated. The rest 75 acres has been fenced off and has remained in possession of the University authorities. The University wants to clear fell this 75 acres for non-forest purposes. Of late the Vice Chancellor of the University has been

issuing many press statements to this effect. Below is one such statement that appeared in Kannada Prabha, a sister publication of the Indian Express from Bengaluru, on 6 Nov 2008.

Also on 30 November 2008 at 9:30 AM, the University VC claimed on TV9 Kannada Television channel that "he has filed an appeal with CEC". He said there was "a hearing about the same on 28 November and that there is a 'final' hearing regarding this soon" and he "expects the land to be hand over for construction purpose." But this seems far from the truth.

The team of wildlife lawyers who are helping us have a different story. According to them "the matter was listed before CEC on 26.11.2008. The VC of Tumkur university was present during the hearing and requested for the land. CEC has asked the university to approach State government for the land and if they agree, then the VC can ask for reopening of the case."

But despite this, the State Government has gone ahead and directed the Deputy Commissioner of Tumkur district to hand over 75 acres of land for construction of University (please see copies of the letter below).

WANC opposes any non-forest activitiy in the area including construction or felling of trees till a clear directive is given by the H'ble CEC in this case.

Huge Python run over in Devarayanadurga

2009-01-19T12:30:00.004+05:30

Dear Friends,

A huge Rock Python was run over on one of the roads inside Devarayanadurga on 16 Nov 2008. This magnificent specimen measured 8.74 ft and weighed over 6 kilos. It was a really sad day as DD lost one more precious and endangered animal due to increased vehicular traffic and human movement inside the Forest.

This is the reason why we suggest there should be speed breakers on the roads here. Also there should be checkposts inside the forest to prevent unneccessary movement of vehicles from dusk to dawn.

Regards,

Mallikarjun (Mallik)

Friend of Slender Loris

2008-10-09T13:21:00.009+05:30

Dear nature lovers,

Many of you might have heard about the Slender Loris' of Nagavalli village near Tumakuru City. This place is a story of the tireless efforts of BV Gundappa, a school teacher and the current Chairman of Tumkur -based conservation group Wildlife Aware Nature Club (WANC), to conserve wildlife of our eastern plains.

An article on this place by Amit S Upadhye, who is doing a wonderful job of covering wildlife stories in the mainstream media, was published in The Times of India. The story reminds us of the rich bio-diversity of the much neglected eastern Karnataka, like Kaggaladu Heronry, Jayamangali (Maidenahalli) Blackbuck area, Devarayanadurga State forest and numoerous other places of spectacular wilderness which lie outside the Western Ghats and also need the Government's focus.

In conservation,
Ameen

Ameen Ahmed
WANC, Tumkur

PS: For those interested in emailing Mr.Gundappa, unfortunately he doesn't currently have access to internet at his home : (

Source: Sunday Times of India, Times City
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Daily/skins/TOI/navigator.asp?Daily=TOIBG&login=default&AW=1190527197187

-------------Quote-------------

This village has an unusual friend
Amit S Upadhye | TNN
Nagavalli village (Tumkur district):

Are your children delighted to see wild animals on a TV show? But here is a village where one of the rare species dwells right in the backyard and peacefully co-exists with the villagers.

Slender loris (loris tardigradus), smallest of the primates in India, is found in abundance in and around Nagavalli village, situated 86 km from Bangalore. Thanks to a government high school teacher who was instrumental in making villagers aware of the wealth they have in their backyard for decades.

It was in 1996 some children saw two small monkeys sleeping on a bamboo clump in the school compound. When the villagers searched the clumps, they were found to be slender loris which excited everyone, recalls the school teacher Gundappa B V.

Later, several people in the vicinity started reporting to Gundappa about spotting the rare animal in their areas too. These primates are found in Lakkenahalli, Sopanahalli, Timmasandra, Pannasan dra, Banavara, Bidrekatte, Dommanakuppe and Bellagere, all surrounding villages of Nagavalli.

Today, children from schools in and around Tumkur visit Nagavalli to see the animal. Villagers have made friends with loris and no one harms them. "We are used to seeing these animals throughout the day. Sometimes in the evenings we see them crossing the road or moving in the bush,'' says Maruthi, a villager.

Interestingly, slender loris can be easily spotted only during nights because it is a nocturnal animal. But, in Nagavalli, even a school kid can guide you to the tree where slender loris are resting in broad daylight. Today, these primates are facing the danger of habitat destruction. A few electric wires which have come up in the village are also posing a threat for loris. "We have requested the department to insulate the electric wires where loris are usually found,'' Gundappa added.

According to Tumkur deputy conservator of forests B M Parameshwar, the department could not make Nagavalli a popular spot as the exact number of these animals was difficult to estimate.

Conservationists are now planning to put pressure on the forest department to declare the village as community conservation reserve on the lines of Kokkare Bellur where painted storks and pelicans coexist with villagers.

SLENDER NOTES

- Slender loris is a small, nocturnal primate found only in South India and Sri Lanka

- Loris tardigradus malabaricus is a subspecies of the slender loris which is found only in Western Ghats

- The animal has long, pencil-thin arms and legs. It has no tail and has saucer like eyes

- It lives alone or with a mate and an infant. It feeds on insects and small lizards

- It is protected under Schedule 1 of Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972

------------Unquote-------------

Wild Tigress sighted (and caught) near Chitradurga after 60 (35 ?) years!!!

2008-09-23T11:43:00.006+05:30

Dear friends,

A wild tiger has been sighted near Holalkere in south-interior Karnataka's Chitradurga District after nearly 60 years (or 35 ?) years. Please click here to see a satellite image of the area on Google maps. Some of the stories as they appeared in the press are on this page.

So, did this tigress come from south-west of Chitradurga via Joldala from the north-eastern portion of Bhadra Tiger Reserve? Or did it do so from the south-east of Chitradurga via the huge forest belt along the Tumkur - Chitradurga district borders. This sighting may fuel the controversy that Tigers might just be surviving in the forests of Mari Kanive State Forest (Chitradurga District) - Bukkapatna State Forest (Tumkur District). Or is it that the tiger population of Bhadra Tiger Reserve has increased beyond its carrying capacity driving young tigers like these out of its boundaries?

But the biggest question is, are tigers (like leopards) adapting to so called "big prey-depleted" forests like those of Tumkur and Chitradurga districts? This is particularly in view of the tiger sightings inside the isolated Devarayanadurga State Forest. It's high time serious scientific research is taken up to prove/ disprove this.

For those interested in knowing the sightings of Tigers in Devarayanadurga jungles near Tumkur city, please see:

http://tumkurenvironment.blogspot.com/2007/08/tiger-in-devarayanadurga-posted-august.html

http://tumkurenvironment.blogspot.com/2008/03/tigers-return-to-haunt-devarayanadurga.html

In conservation,

Ameen

---------

Source: Deccan Chronicle, Bengaluru, Sep 23, 2008

http://www.deccan.com/Bengaluru/home/homedetails.asp#Durga's tiger after 35 years

----------Quote--------

Durga's tiger after 35 years

Bengaluru Sept. 22: A tiger in Chitradurga? A three-year-old tigress was spotted on the outskirts of the fort city of Holalkere on Monday, the first report of a tiger sighting in this region for over 35 years. Alarmed that the feline could prey on their cattle, the local people alerted the forest department which captured the beast. The big cat, which was manually trapped, has been kept under observation at the Chitradurga mini-zoo. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, deputy conservator of forests Srinivasulu said: "Some people noticed the animal around eight in the morning. But they could not identify the carnivore. By the time we arrived at the spot, it had moved into a maize field. We noticed its movement from the top of a tree."

"But we had to wait for three hours before we managed to immobilise it manually. The government veterinarian (Dr Bhaskar) sedated it and we moved it to the mini-zoo," said Srinivasulu. The DFC said the tigress was given vitamins and glucose. "As it had travelled a long distance it was finding it difficult to move. The veterinarian injected vitamins and glucose so that it would not collapse from exhaustion. At the moment it is doing well." Would the tigress be released in the wild again? "I am in touch with the principal chief conservator of forests. We will take a decision once it recovers completely," said Srinivasulu.

Where did the feline come from? "It is hard to say as there is no forest cover for nearly 10km from where we captured it. In fact, the nearest patch of forests is at Chitradurga, Chennagiri and Bhadravathy," said the DCF.

----------Unquote--------

A case for expanding India's second oldest Reserve Forest

2008-03-31T15:18:00.010+05:30

Background

Devarayanadurga state forest (DDSF) has seen many changes in its boundaries since it first got protection status by the British, way back in 1853. When it finally got notified in 1907 as a Reserve Forest, for unknown reasons, some parts of the forest were excluded from its official boundaries. These are chiefly the slopes along the periphery of state forest’s hills. These have been under control of the state's revenue department but protected by the forest department.

Proposed 'Devarayanadurga East Yellow-throated Bulbul' Conservation Reserve in relation to Devarayanadurga State Forest (sketched from Survey of India sheet No:57 G/3, Scale 1:50,000) Ameen Ahmed, March 2008

Wildlife

India's largest butterfly, over 250 bird species, some of India's most beautiful mammals and snakes, all live in DDSF and its surrounding revenue forests. The Yellowthroated Bulbul (Pycnonotus xantholaemus), endemic to interior peninsular India and categorised as 'Vulnerable' by Birdlife International - IUCN’s official red list authority for birds, deserves special mention. First sighted here by well-known ornithologist Dr.S.Subramanya, it is found here in large numbers. As part of observing of the state forest's 'centenary year' - its final notification in 1907, a bio-diversity survey of the revenue forests around Devaranayadurga village was conducted this March by WANC. Wildlife biologists and scientists from IISc also participated in this. During this exercise, Dr.Gururaja KV added 4 new species to the previous list of 6 amphibians here.

A sketch on a picture showing the forested slopes proposed to be included in the proposed conservation reserve. They were originally excluded from the final notification of the forest by the then Government of Mysore, in 1907.

(Above and below) View of the Yellowthroated Bulbul habitat

Importance
Apart from being a haven for rare and threatened wildlife, its jungles are a catchment area for tens of streams. These streams provide much needed water for tens and thousands of villagers along their courses. Two irrigation reservoirs - Irraksandra and Teetha, apart from countless small ‘keres’ (small man-made lakes or ponds) are fed by the rivers Jaya and Mangali which originate here and for whom this forest forms a major catchment area.

Conservation
Like the rest of urban and semi-urban India, Tumkur district has been expanding by leaps and bounds. There has been an immense pressure on natural areas to meet the demands of development, particularly the boom in construction of not only Tumkur District but that of Greater Bangalore as well. There is an urgent need to safeguard current and future interests of humans as well as wildlife in and around our urban centres. This has to be done by sustainably using our non-renewable natural resources. Expanding official boundaries of forests like DDSF by including the existing wooded areas contiguous with them and retaining the legitimate rights of local villagers, is one way of doing it. In this direction, a team from the local NGO Wildlife Aware Nature Club (WANC) has been identifying the potential forest areas around DDSF that are currently free of human habitations and developmental activities like quarrying. A proposal is being prepared to submit to the state forest department, in April this year, for a Yellowthroated Bulbul Conservation Reserve to be carved out from the revenue forests surrounding Devarayanadurga village, under India's Wildlife Protection Act (1972). This proposal is a part of WANC’s overall strategy to conserve DD’s revenue forests.

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For an earlier story on the Revenue forests of Devarayanadurga, please see this link:

http://tumkurenvironment.blogspot.com/2007/10/slopes-of-devarayanadurga-hill-clothed.html

'Saving the bulbul's home'

2008-03-31T12:55:00.009+05:30

Yellowthroated Bulbul: A new home to secure the future of this exclusively 'Indian' bulbul. Pic: Clement Francis

----------Quote---------
Saving the bulbul's home
Amit S Upadhye TNN Bangalore:
In 1906, when the British government notified a 42.27-sqkm forest patch on the hills along east Tumkur district as Devarayanadurga state forest, it left out 6 sqkm abutting it.

Over a hundred years later, the patch is now getting its due, with conservationists formulating a proposal to declare it a yellow-throated bulbul conservation reserve. The area is a nesting ground for these winged beauties, apart from being home to sloth bears and leopards.

On World Forestry Day recently, researchers from the Indian Institute of Science, members of the Wildlife Aware Nature Club (WANC), Tumkur, and forest department sleuths began a two-day survey of the patch, which is categorized as southern thorny scrub forest. The forest department will formulate the proposal based on the study results. The patch is at present under possession of the revenue department.

"Quarrying on the hill ranges around Tumkur has been putting immense pressure on the critical wildlife habitat thriving below. Seeking the declaration of this patch as a reserve is an attempt to retain it,'' said Ameen Ahmed, WANC member.

"The area holds potential for wildlife. The yellow-throated bulbul is found in plenty in the Devarayanadurga forest, as well as the patch which is being studied,'' said Tumkur DFO B Parameshwar.

The findings of the two days survey were overwhelming for the local conservationists when they sighted a spotted deer and jungle cat, apart from number of winged beauties. "The presence of prey base (spotted dear) for the big cats, gives boost to the theory that the tigers are on prowl in Devarayanadurga state forest,'' added a biodiversity expert.

THRIVING ECOSYSTEM
The 6 sqkm of forest, abutting Devarayanadurga state forest, is likely to be proposed as 'Yellow-Throated Bulbul Conservation Reserve'. The patch, situated about 75 km from Bangalore, is home to leopards, slender loris, blacknaped hares, jackals, hyenas, langoors and sloth bears. Paradise fly-catcher, tickel's blue catcher, Nilgiri fly-catcher and blue rock thrush, apart from yellow-throated bulbul, are seen here in large number.

Givotea trees are found here, along with sterculia and anogeisus species. Anogeisus trees, locally known as 'antu mara' or 'dinduga', are elephants' favourites. Bamboo clumps and more than 200 medicinal plants are found here.

----------Unquote---------

Source:
The Times of India (Bangalore), Times City, Page 5 http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JQkcvMjAwOC8wMy8zMSNBcjAwNTAx&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom

Map below shows some of the areas in focus in the above story:

View Larger Map

Tigers 'return' to haunt Devarayanadurga

2008-03-05T11:04:00.004+05:30

Dear WANCers,
The Tigers of Devarayanadurga have always haunted nature lovers visiting this place so as many of our 'Tiger Conservationists'. The later deny their existence or attribute them to captive tigers being released by travelling circuses or others. What ever the truth is, the Tigers of Devarayanadurga don't seem to go away as quickly as our 'tiger conservationists' want them to. Please read the latest 'sighting' below.

Thanks,
Ameen

-----------------------------------
Tigress with two cubs spotted in Devarayanadurga State Forest
20th February 2008 :

Early morning by 00.30 hrs ie., 19th midnight (at 12.30am) Assistant Conservator of Forests, Tumkur Sub-Division Sri T V Srinivas and Range Forest Officer, Tumkur Range Sri. M N Naik along with a guard Ganganna K C, spotted a Tigress with two cubs near Shanimahatma Temple and Ganesh Temple along Belagumba - Oordigere road inside Devarayanadurga state forest. They were returning back to Tumkur from DDSF. According to Srinivas, he says he was thrilled to see a tiger in the wild. He says the majestic look of tiger can never be forgotten. He was driving his car from DDSF. Car passed the tigeress which was spotted on the road side. Two cubs ran away when the light of the car head light fall on the animal. They took the car reverse and focused the headlight on the Tigress which was sitting with out bothering about the car for about 5 minutes. It did not move from the spot it seems. After some time they raised the engine noise, the tiger gently raised and tried to climb the elevated area. It failed to climb and retook another direction.

According to Naik, who to his credit has worked in tiger reserves like Bhadra and Anashi - Dandeli, claims the visibility of tigress was very clear as the headlight was focused on the animal. He says the stripes on the body were very clear and the head was quite big compared to Leopard. Since they had the opportunity to see the animal for a long time he explains every part very clearly. According to him the cubs were of one and half foot height and the tigress was over 3 ft in height. He says only a tiger could sit such a long time with calm in spite knowing that some one is watching. The whiskers were very prominent and the and the markings on the face were prominent. Next day morning RFO along with few guards tried for the pug mark. Since it is summer and the soil was hard they could locate the pugmarks but were not very clear. No documentation made of the pug mark.

T V N MURTHY

Honorary Wildlife Warden, Govt. of Karnataka

Tumkur District

Email: tvnmurthy@vsnl.com
For more/related information, please see: http://tumkurenvironment.blogspot.com/2007/09/dear-readers-following-story-appeared.html http://tumkurenvironment.blogspot.com/2007/08/tiger-in-devarayanadurga-posted-august.html

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The following story based on this incident appeared in the Times of India (Bangalore on Mar 7, 2008

Link: http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JQkcvMjAwOC8wMy8wNyNBcjAwNTAw&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom

---------Quote--------

IN A FOREST NEAR YOU

Tigress seen in Tumkur forest

TIMES NEWS NETWORK, Bangalore:

You don't have to go too far from the city to spot a tiger. In 2000, a team of biodiversity experts engaged in mapping the medicinal plants nursery in a forest patch in Tumkur district were stunned to spot tiger pug marks and fresh scat in the area.

This discovery proved the existence of tigers in Devarayanadurga reserve forests in Tumkur. Moreover, the Wildlife Institute of India,Dehradun, confirmed the scat found in Tumkur was that of a tiger.

Eight years later, on the night of February 19, a forest official team spotted a tigress along with her two cubs at Belamba Beat in Namadachilume, Devarayanadurga Reserve Forest.

The forest night beat, led by assistant conservator of forests,Tumkur division, T V Srinivas, along with range forest officer, M NNaik and guard K C Ganganna, spotted a tigress with two cubs atNamadachiluve, near Shanimahatma temple along Belagumba-Oordigere Road. This was inside the Devarayanadurga forest.

"We were thrilled to see a tiger family in the wild. We havealready recorded it in the log books. A letter will be submitted to the higher-ups in a day or two,'' said Naik, Tumkur range RFO. When the vehicle passed, the cubs ran away. They reversed and focused the headlight on the tigress, which was sitting without bothering aboutthe vehicle for 5 minutes. "The visibility of tigress was very clearas the headlight was focused on the animal. The next morning, we triedto check the pug marks, but could not since the soil was dry,'' Naik added.

Spread across 41 sqkm, Devarayanadurga forest is home to leopards,sloth bears, wild boars and spotted deer. Sambar and tiger have beenspotted in the past. The previous tiger census conducted by the stateforest department recorded indirect sighting of tiger in the samereserve, since pug marks were noticed.

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'Rare' sparrow spotted after 69 years in Devarayanadurga

2008-02-17T15:49:00.009+05:30

Dear friends,
We saw a pair of Yellowthoated Sparrows in Devarayanadurga State Forest today (Sunday, 17 Feb. 2008) during an outing by WANC members. This was about a kilometre to the east of Namadachelume at the foot of Devarayanadurga hill, immediately after the Durgadahalli/Goravanahalli temple cross. The birds were perched at the top of a Ficus bengalensis tree and we could see them for about 7 - 8 minutes.

Below are some pictures taken with a Canon A95 digital camera through a spotting scope. We were not able to take a picture with the male showing the yellow patch on its throat as it (the male) had turned its face away through the sighting.

It is worth remembering that the only sighting of a YTS in DD was by Dr.Salim Ali 69 years ago. This was way back in 1939, during his survey of the birds of erstwhile state of Mysore. Most birders had thought the bird to be locally extinct. This is another reason to conserve Devaryanadurga's jungles.

Filing RTI application to get info on forests

2007-11-19T16:35:00.000+05:30

Dear friends,

You may find the following information useful incase you have decided to file an application under Right to Information (RTI) Act to get any information relating to forests or forest department.

You can use the following application format

(click here to see a sample of questions you can ask)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Form A(u/s. 6(1) and 7(1) of Right to Information Act – 2005)

To
Pubic Information Officer
Office of (Deputy Commissioner / Deputy Conservator of Forests / CEO, ZP etc)
Address of the office:

1. Applicant’s Name:

2. Applicant’s Address:

3. Details of document/s requested:
a)
b)
c)
d)

4. Year to which the document/s pertain: As stated above or till date

5. Details of amount paid: Indian Postal Order No:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Date:

Place: Signature of the applicant

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Application received by:
(Name, Signature with office seal and date)

----------------------------------------

PLEASE NOTE THE PROCEDURE:

1) Type your questions in the above format and print two copies of the same. Make sure all the details printed clearly.

2) Buy one Indian Postal Order of Rs.10 denomination from a post office.

3) Address the postal order to the concerned officer: For example - (Deputy Commissioner / Deputy Conservator of Forests / CEO, ZP etc)

4) Enter the individual postal order number in the application (in the Details of the amount paid' column').

5) IMPORTANT: Keep the other half of the copy of the Postal order with you as a proof of payment.

6) Submit one copy of the application form with your original signature at the office.

7) Get signature and seal along with the name and date from the person recieving the application, on the other copy.

8) You don't have to answer a lot of questions when you are filing the applications. It is your right to get the information and you don't need to answer any one verbally on what you have written.

9) The office has no right to refuse your application. If they do so, ask them to give in writing that they are refusing your application. You can then file an application with the information commissioner to have the head of that office (DC, DCF, CEO, Secretary etc) summoned.

'Winged guests from Pak surprise bird watchers'

2007-11-19T15:00:00.002+05:30

View of the Tumakuru Amanikere wetland inside Tumakuru City, with the backdrop of the granite hill range of Devarayanadurga state forest

Dear bird lovers,

The winter is here, so are our winged visitors from all over Northern Hemisphere.

Check the story and pictures below. I have made the bird pictures using my spotting scope, hence they might not be the best.

Warm regards,
Ameen

SOURCE:
The New Indian Express, Bangalore, Nov. 19, 2007, Page 5

http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEK20071118231133&Page=K&Headline=Winged+guests+from+Pak+surprise+bird+watchers&Title=Southern+News+%2D+Karnataka&Topic=0

-------------Quote-------------
'Winged guests from Pak surprise bird watchers'
By Devaraj B Hirehalli
Tumkur, Nov. 18: Obviously it's not the emergency in Pakistan which pushed the 'common swallow' birds to Tumkur, but it could be the warmth of the winter season.

This time the pleasant climate and temperature between 15-20 degrees centigrade might be the factor which is wooing the winged guests.

Migratory swift birds with a forked tail usually sighted in the mountain region of Pakistan were among the birds which arrived at the Amanikere tank here.

The marsh harrier from Europe, common Sandipiper from Siberia and reed warbler from the Himalayas are the newcomers sighted here to the surprise of bird watchers.

The spotbilled ducks from the western ghats with their vanity and the locally found black and white kingfisher mesmerise bird lovers.

Besides, birds like mallard, goose, pitta, shoveller etc are expected here in the next 15-20 days, according to Ameen Ahmed, an ornithologist.

Informal hosts like coot, purple moorhen, pheasant tailed Jacana, little and large cormorant (neer kaage in Kannada), brahminy kite and pariah kite too made the 'weedy' tank their temporary home.

As the tank recieved copious inflow of water due to incessant rains this year, the availability of prey which includes insects, reptiles, fish etc, made the birds throng it in good numbers.

The tank has been hosting the winged visitors whenever it brimmed. It has recieved painted storks, pelicans and goose earlier.

As the release of sewage water to the tank was checked by the authorities, it helped the tank improve its ecology and marine life.

But birdwatchers Sachin and Inder from Greenpeace (an NGO), are concerned about the tank being polluted due to the unabated dumping of solid waste.

-------------Unquote-------------

A Common (or Siberian) stonechat

A Common Sandpiper

WANC members were joined by street kids to see the winged visitors

Watching out for the migrants

Egrets and a buffalo in the wetland

A pair of Brahminy Kites

A Purple Moorhen

Below is the Tumakuru Amanikere, as seen on Google maps:

View Larger Map

Inquiry ordered into tree felling in Devarayanadurga forests (Oct. 07)

2007-10-19T18:01:00.000+05:30

Dear all,

The nature lovers in our media have helped immensely in the recent expose of irregularities in Devarayanadurga's jungles. Media of Tumakuru City were among those who caught the forest minister's gunman felling trees inside Devarayanadurga State Forest this Wednesday. The stories carried out by Devaraj, District Correspondent of The New Indian Express and Chandru, TV9 Tumakuru correspondent were noticed by Karnataka's Anti-corruption department(Lokayukta). The Deputy Chief of Karnataka's Lokayukta (Upa-Lokayukta) has ordered an enquiry into this. Please read the story at the end of this email.

In conservation,
Ameen

----------------------------------------------------------
SOURCE:
The New Indian Express, Bangalore - State, Page 6
Friday, October 19, 2007

-------Quote-------

INQUIRY INTO CHARGES AGAINST CHENIGAPPA'S GUNMAN, OFFICIALS
Bangalore, Oct 18:

Upalokayukta Justice G Patri Basavana Goud on Tursday ordered a prelimnary inquiry against gunman of former forest minister C Chennigappa amd two forest officials for allegedly felling trees inthe Devarayanadurga Reserve Forest. Taking suo-muto notics of a news report that appeared in 'The NewIndian Express' on Thursday with regard to illegal felling of trees,the Upalokayukta has directed Conservator of Forests, Bangalore Circle, UV Singh to conduct a prelimnary inquiry and submit a report within one month. Based on the report, the Upalokayukta will decide whether or not a regular investigation under section 9 of the Lokayukta Act should be initiated. The report stated that Chennigappa's gunman Hanumanthappa was caught red-handed while fellingtrees and shifting logs from the forest.

-----Unquote-----

Please read yesterday's story on the gunman being caught at http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEK20071018021527&Page=K&Headline=Chennigappa%92s+gunman+caught+felling+trees&Title=Southern+News+%2D+Karnataka&Topic=0

Forest minister's gunman caught felling trees in Devarayanadurga jungles (Oct. 07)

2007-10-19T17:55:00.000+05:30

SOURCE:
The New Indian Express, Bangalore - State, Page 6
October 18, 2007

http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEK20071018021527&Page=K&Headline=Chennigappa%92s+gunman+caught+felling+trees&Title=Southern+News+%2D+Karnataka&Topic=0

------------------Quote---------------------

Chennigappa's gunman caught felling trees
Express News Service

Tumkur,Oct 17:
President's rule seems to have no impact on former forest minister C Chenigappa's chelas. They continue to fell trees and lift them illegally from the Devarayanadurga reserve forest, 12 km from here. Hanumanthappa, gunman of the former minster, was caught red handed onWednesday, while felling tres and shifting logs from the forests. Some people hired by the gunman and some Forest Department workers werespotted axing the trees and loading the logs into a tractor. His home village Bandihalli is about 10 km from the spot. When environmentalists and mediamen qustioned him, Hanumanthappa claimed that he had taken permission from Assistant Conservator ofForests Srinivas and RFO Krishnappa. According to him, section forester Rakesh conducted a 'mahajr' by visiting the spot and gave a green signal to axe an old tree. A huge tree was axed along with several young trees. DCF Paramesh could not be contacted as his mobile was switched off. Local forest officials 'co-operated' with the law-breakers in the forests made it clear that they have to follow 'instructions from the top brass'.

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Anti-Corruption police chief inspects illegal forest road (Oct 2007)

2007-10-18T13:47:00.000+05:30

Dear all,

Last Friday (12th October 2007) afternoon, I had been to the office ofthe Superintendent of Police, Lokayukta (Anti-corruption) Tumakuru, regarding the irregularities inside Devarayanadurga. After explaining him the situation, I offered to take him to Chinnaga. He readily accepted. I was surprised how a cop would accept to visit the forest with me in half an hour but the District's forest officials failed to do this even 4 months after filing the 1st written complaint (in June2007).

Myself and Mallikarjun went with him. The situation was the same inChinnaga area- there was sand lifting from the areas where the road has been built, people are taking out felled trees and there is illegal stone lifting going besides the road. The SP saw all this.While returning back to Swandenahalli village the SP himself enquired with the village road contractor asking him about the persons behind the Chinnaga road. The local village contractor told that the particular contractor who carried out blasting and felling in forestand the work in Chinnaga area was one Mr.Prakash of the nearby Birenahalli in Tumakuru Taluk. And guess what...the funds were directly provided by Tumkauru MLA, from his constituency development fund! The SP was not happy about this. He was convinced with our efforts and said he would summon the local RFO/ACF and AEE, ZP to seek an explanation on who is behind this road. After that, we took the SPto Devarayanadurga Wireless tower via Belagumba Village and Namadachelume. All along the way we showed and explained him the tree felling inside the reserve forest.

Following up with this, I filed a complaint of corruption and maladministration with the Lokayukta of Karnataka, Bangalore against the following forest officers incharge of this road:
- DCF, Tumakuru Territorial Division
- ACF, Tumakuru Territorial Sub-Division
- RFO, Tumakuru Territorial Range
- Forester, Swandenahalli/Chinnaga section, Tumakuru Territorial Range
- Forest Guard, Swandenahalli/Chinnaga section, Tumakuru Territorial Range

Kindly read details of the complaint at: http://tumkurenvironment.blogspot.com/2007/10/complaint-with-lokayukta-karnataka.html

You can monitor http://tumkurenvironment.blogspot.com for new developments on this and related issues.

In conservation,

Ameen

Ameen Ahmed
WANC,
Tumakuru

Complaint with Lokayukta Karnataka against maladministration in Devarayanadurga Forests (Oct 07)

2007-10-18T13:11:00.000+05:30

Dear nature lovers,

The following is the text of complaint that I filed with Lokayukta Karnataka against the maladminstration and corruption inside Devarayanadurga State Forest.

In conservation,
Ameen

-------------------------------------

From
Ameen Ahmed
Tumakuru – 5721 01

To
The Lokayukta
Dr.B.R.Ambedkar Road
MS Building
Bangalore – 5600 01

Date: 16th October, 2007

Sir,

Sub: Complaint against maladministration and looting of public wealth in Devarayanadurga State Forest, Tumakuru Taluk

Under the preview of the existing Forest Conservation Act (1980) and also under the Honourable Supreme Court of India’s order dated 12/12/1996 in the Godavarman Thirumalpad vs Union of India case prior clearance has to be taken to carry any development activity in a forest or to fell trees. In Tumakuru’s Devarayanadurga and its surrounding state forests today the law of the land seems non-existent due to a dysfunctional forest department.

The following are specific complaints:
1) lllegal road
Inside the north boundary of the Devarayanadurga state forest (see # 1 in enclosed map), is a 8-feet wide cart track that connects Swandenahalli and Durgadahalli villages (see copy of original notification of Devarayanadurga Forest in enclosure 2). A couple of kilometres off this track lies a temple dedicated to Lord Rangaswamy, popularly known as Chinnaga Rangaswamy temple. Occasional devotees from Swandenahalli and nearby villages visit this temple within the forest boundaries and there is an annual ‘Jathra’ (religious gathering). Recently, the above track has recently been broadened (pictures enclosed) to accommodate Tractors, Vans, Lorries and similar vehicles without permission from the Forest Department or the Government of India under Forest Conservation Act (1980). Though the road expansion has taken place in the name of temple, the reality is different. In June 2007, members of Tumakuru-based Wildlife Aware Nature Club (WANC) Sri. Guru Prasad (Guru) and Sri. Mallikarjun.M (Mallik) visited this region for bird watching and found to their shock that trees inside the forest were being felled, rocks quarried and being carried away out of the forest (pictures enclosed). On 12th June, 2007 Sri. Mallikarjun immediately complained in writing to the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), Tumakuru, along with pictures (copy of letter and acknowledgement enclosed). To find out if his letter had made any difference, Sri.Mallikarjun again went to Chinnagara betta on 9th Sep' 07. But, he saw four tree cutters in action without any fear. The forest wealth was flowing outside without any obstruction or probably even with full support of forest department. During this visit they found out that the Chinnagara betta road work had in fact been completed despite the complaint. Also as we write this letter to you, this illegal road work is continuing, trees are being cut, rocks being blasted, sand being illegally lifted and the forest being destroyed. We have information that the road work is being funded by a prominent politician from Tumkur and the work is being carried out by a contractor named Sri. Prakash of Byrenahalli in Tumakuru Taluk. The local forest officials are hand in glove with the forest looters to gain political favours from the politician funding this project.

2) Illegal power line
Apart from this, many mature trees have been felled on the road from Belagumba to Navodaya School (see # 2 in enclosed map) to lay a new power line (pictures enclosed). According to the Forest Conservation Act (1980) any development work inside a forest requires prior clearance from the Government of India. We have information that this work is being carried without the required official clearances. The forest department has not given written permission to fell the trees. We suspect the local forest officials to have granted the tree felling for monetary favours.

3) Illicit tree felling
Since 1997, hundreds of mature trees have been felled in Devarayanadurga and its nearby state forests. Even as we write this, many are being felled. The trees are first debarked clandestinely and let to die a natural death (pictures enclosed). Then they are felled in the name of removing dry wood (pictures enclosed). Trees are being ruthlessly felled here even during daytime. Even on informing the forest department about these events, it is taking no action. Among such places is the Girlakatte valley (see # 3 in enclosed map). In early and mid-90s, this valley had so many trees that it used to be dark even in summer when we used to walk on the path under the canopy of these trees. The same has happened with the canopy behind Rama Lakshmana trees on the 5th mile stone – Namadachelume road (see # 4 in enclosed map). The sad part is that the forest department is not even willing to stop those who are carrying away the felled trees (pictures enclosed).

4) The forest department is not monitoring the entry and exit of vehicles in these forests despite the forest having natural resources and trees worth hundreds of crores of rupees (pictures enclosed).

5) The forest department is hiding information regarding the illegal road and illegal power line and are not responding to complaints and request to provide information related to these two. Sri.Mallikarjun did not get any written response to his letter to the DCF dated 12th June 2007. He filed an application on 10th September 2007 with the forest department, seeking information on the above issues under the Right to Information Act (RTI). But despite the passing of deadline to provide the applicant with the information, the forest department has withheld the information (copy of RTI application and acknowledgement enclosed).

Note: The Superintendent of Police, Lokayukta Tumakuru accompanied myself and Sri.Mallikarjun to this illegal road on Friday, 11 October 2007. We kindly request you to speak to him to confirm our allegations.

Why save Devarayanadurga?
Sir, Tumakuru lies in the south-eastern part of Karnataka state and is among the driest regions of India. Every tree counts and every inch of forest matters, as it is crucial to conserving the region's water sources and tapering the hot summers. Devarayanadurga forest gives birth to tens of streams and feeds thousands of wells in the surrounding villages. The forest is the catchment area of two rivers Jaya and Mangali that are dammed at Irrakasandra Project and Teeta Dam at Goravanahalli. All these water bodies will dry up and cause untold misery and suffering to tens of thousands of villagers depending on them. Hence, it is crucial to save Devarayanadurga forest.

Thanking you.

Yours faithfully,

Ameen Ahmed

Encl:
1) Map of Devarayanadurga forests, from the 1:50,000 scale Survey of India 57 G/3 sheet.
2) Page from original notification of Devarayanadurga State forest showing no existence of any track from the Swandenahalli – Durgadahalli cart track to Chinnadga temple.
3) Pictures showing the illegally built road to Chinnaga temple inside Devarayanadurga forest boundaries and the illegal activities inside.
4) Complained by Sri.Mallikarjun M to the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), Tumakuru against the illegal road dated 12th June 2007.
5) Picture of mature trees felled illegally on the road from Belagumba to Navodaya School to lay a new power line.
6) Picture of trees being debarked clandestinely and let to die a natural death.
7) Picture of a tree felled by tree looters.
8) Picture of tree feller carrying away wood on the Oordigere-Belagumba main road.
9) Copy of application filed by Sri.Mallikarjun.M and the acknowledgement with the forest department, seeking information under the Right to Information Act (RTI) on 10th September 2007.
10) Picture of the wetlands that get filled by the forests of Devarayanadurga.
11) Story on the illegal road from The Hindu newspaper.

Tree looters feasting on Devarayanadurga jungles

2007-10-15T17:08:00.001+05:30

Since 1997, hundreds of mature trees have been felled in Devarayanadurga and its nearby state forests.

Even as we write this, many are being felled. The trees are first debarked clandestinely and let to die a natural death.

A view of one of the half cut trees.

Then they are felled in the name of removing dry wood.

A felled tree besides the Namadachelume-Devarayanadurga main road.

Trees are being ruthlessly felled here even during daytime. Even on informing the forest department about these events, it is taking no action. Among such places is the Girlakatte valley. In early and mid-90s, this valley had so many trees that it used to be dark even in summer when we used to walk on the path under the canopy of these trees. The same has happened with the canopy behind Rama Lakshmana trees on the 5th mile stone – Namadachelume road.

The sad part is that the forest department is not even willing to stop those who are carrying away the felled trees.

A happy tree man carrying away wood from jungle on his bicycle, on the Belagumba-Oordigere main road.

REVENUE FORESTS OF DEVARAYANADURGA HILLS FACE DESTRUCTION

2007-10-06T11:35:00.002+05:30

Background:

The above picture is of the forests in revenue land besides Devarayanadurga village near Devarayanadurga State Forest in Tumakuru Taluk.

Devarayanadurga State Forest is about 42 sq. km large. There are many revenue lands adjoining the boundaries of this state forest that have forests in them. Though unprotected, rare wildlife like panthers, sloth bears and Yellowthroated Bulbuls thrive in them and they are the source of many streams and water courses.

According to the H'ble Supreme Court's judgement in the Godavaraman Thirumalpad vs Union of India, any Government land that has tree cover is a 'deemed forest'. Nature lovers of Tumakuru want the Government of Karnataka to declare these 'revenue' forests as Reserve Forest using its powers under section 4 of Karnataka Forest Act (1963). Please read the below release on this issue.

Press Release

The Tumkauru Division of Karnataka Forest Department had stated in its reply to an application by wildlife activist Ameen Ahmed under Right to Information Act that no forests exist in the revenue land adjoining the boundaries of the State Forests of Devarayanadurga, Panditanhalli and Ramadevara Betta. This information is misleading. The Survey of India Sheet No: 57 G/3 of 1:50,000 scale clearly shows that there are numerous Revenue lands that have “fairly dense scrub jungle” around Kambakallu betta, Hosati kallu betta, Chinnagara betta, Devarayanadurga hill, Talavara betta and Sigekoppalu betta. Satellite images are available on the internet for every one to see that the information provided by the forest department is wrong.

The Revenue forests adjoining Devarayanadurga State Forest boundaries are in great demand for quarrying and hence the forest department is under pressure not to treat these as forest areas. WANC takes serious objection to this. WANC urges Government of Karnataka to invoke its authority under section 3 and 4 of the Karnataka Forest Act (1963) and declare these as reserve forests by retaining the legitimate rights of the local villagers over these lands. According to the Supreme Court judgement in the Godavarman Thirumalmad vs Union of India case, any forest even under control of revenue department is a ‘deemed forest’ and should be protected.

Apart from being the catchment area of hundreds of streams and many lakes/tanks, the forests of Devarayanadurga hills - both within the boundaries of Devarayanadurga State Forest as well as the Revenue forests adjoining it, are home to rare and endangered wildlife like tiger, leopard, deer, sloth bear and more than 250 species of birds. Among them is a rare and endemic bird species – the Yellow Throated Bulbul (Pncnonotus xantholaemus). This bird is found only in a few areas of south India including Devarayanadurga forest and no where else on earth.

Since the forest department is not protecting the revenue forests they are being destroyed at a fast pace. On 21 September 2007, a survey was being done on the road from Devarayanadurga Village that leads to Police Wireless Station and Yoganarasimha Swamy Temple on top of the Devarayanadurga Hill. The surveyors informed WANC members that the survey was being done as per a private electronic company’s plans to widen the road. This patch of hill is visited by people from all over the world to see the Yellowthroated Bulbul, which is found there in good numbers. This is one of the few patches in entire Eastern Karnataka, where wild Hanuman Langurs can be seen roaming freely. Any widening of the road will have a direct impact on the area’s wildlife, as it will involve uprooting shrubs, thorny plants and small stones and boulders, apart from the noise pollution. The existing traffic on the stretch of road that is being widened does not warrant it to be widened.

WANC has written to the Managing Director of the company requesting it not to go ahead with this proposed road expansion plan. Already Tumakuru Town has suffered a lot from destruction of trees in the name of road widening and the same should not be repeated in Devarayanadurga Hills. Simultaneously, WANC has urged the Deputy Commissioner, Tumakuru to stop this roadwork as it amounts to violation of the Honourable Supreme Court of India's judgement in the Godavarman Thirumalpad vs Union of India case. WANC has also sought the intervention of the PCCF (Wildlife) of Karnataka and the Conservator of Forests, Hassan Circle to direct the DCF, Tumakuru to stop this road as it is a violation of the Wildlife Protection Act (1972).

Survey of India Sheet No: 57 G/3 of 1:50,000 showing “fairly dense scrub jungle” in the Revenue land around Kambakallu betta, Hosati kallu betta, Chinnagara betta, Devarayanadurga hill, Talavara betta and Sigekoppalu betta.

This road leading to the PWD Bungalow/Police wireless station from Devarayanadurga village/Namadachelume is being expanded destroying the wildlife habitat around it.

The slopes of Devarayanadurga hill clothed by forests belonging to the revenue department. In the backdrop are the lakes that are filled by streams that flow out of these forests.

A langur in the revenue forests adjoining the boundaries of Devarayanadurga State Forest in the north, just below the Yoganarasimha Temple.

A close-up of the same image

News links:

http://kannadaprabha.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=KPD20071018015638&Title=District+Page&lTitle=%C1%DBd%C0+%C8%DB%7D%E6%25&Topic=0&dName=%7D%DA%DF%C8%DA%DFO%DA%E0%C1%DA%DF&Dist=4

RTI replies on forest offences etc, Sep 07

2007-10-06T11:06:00.000+05:30

Dear WANCers,

Please find below the responses recieved by Ameen's querries filed with the DCF under the RTI in Aug 07.

Some of the responses are very interesting. It has been replied that only 11 dead Jalari trees have been removed from the whole of Tumkur Division since 1997, while it is also replied that 12 Jalari trees have been removed from Devarayanadurga alone during the same period.

Also it has been replied that there has been no Eucalyptus removal from the entire Tumkur Division from 1997 to 2003. But details have been provided for the eucalyptus removed for 1997-98 and 2000-2001. Are you confused? Read on....

Regards,
Ameen

Replies to information asked by Shri.Ameen Ahamed, Ghouse Buildings, Horpet Main Road, Tumkur

Sl No. Information asked Reply
1. How many tree-felling cases have been booked since 1997 till date in the above forests?
A) Devarayanadurga 32
B) Panditanahalli 02
C) R.D Betta 03

2. How many of these cases have been proved in the court?
All compoundable offence cases have been compounded as per power vested with the Deputy Conservator of Forests, Tumkur. The material involved in those cases either released after recovery of value, or confiscated to Government and sold in Public Auction. Revenue remitted to Government.

3. How many forest offence cases including illegal quarrying, illegal sand lifting and encroachment cases have been booked since 1997 till date in the above forests?
Illegal Quarrying: Nil
Illegal sand lifting: 33 cases
Encroachment: Nil

4. How many of these cases have been proved in the court?
All the sand lifting cases have been compounded and released.

5. How many dead trees have been removed since 1997 in the above forests?
Jalari trees 12
Teak 01
Tamarind Tree 01

6. How many Eucalyptus trees have been removed since 1997 in the above forests?
Eucalyptus trees have been extracted by M/s KSFIC, Bangalore. The number of trees
not available. However extent is given below

1997-98 – 74 Ha
2000-01 – 101 Ha
2003-04 – 195 Ha

7. How many trees have been felled for road widening since 1997 in the above forests?
Nil

8. Does the forest department have records of the area of forest cover under Revenue Department adjoining the boundaries of these forests? If yes, how many hectares of forest is controlled by the revenue department?
No forest area is under Revenue Department.
No forest is being controlled by the Revenue Department.

Signed –
Assistant Conservator of Forests &
TA to Deputy Conservator of Forests
Tumkur Division, Tumkur and ASPIO

Replies to information asked by Shri.Ameen Ahamed, Ghouse Buildings, Horpet Main Road, Tumkur

Sl No. Information asked Reply
1. How many forest offence cases including illegal quarrying, illegal sand lifting and encroachment cases have been booked since 1997 from the state and reserve forests of Tumkur Territorial Division?
1) Tree felling 637
2) Illegal Quarrying 50
3) Sand lifting 65
4) Encroachment 274

2. How many of these cases have been proved in the court?
All compoundable offence cases have been compounded and the material confiscated to
Government have been sold in public Auction and revenue remitted to Government
except 71A cases and sandalwood cases.

71 A cases are being tried by the authorized officer and Deputy Conservator of
Forests, Tumkur.

Sandalwood cases have been referred to the concerned jurisdiction Judicial courts.

3. How many dead trees have been removed since 1997 from the state and reserve forests of Tumkur Territorial Division?
Tamarind: 01
Jalari: 11
Teak: 01

4. How many Eucalyptus trees have been removed from the state and reserve forests of Tumkur Territorial Division?
In Tumkur Territorial Division since 1997 to 2003 no Eucalyptus trees were removed in State Forest and Reserve Forest. However since 2003 to 2007 KSFIC have extracted the Eucalyptus trees in the State Forest and Reserve Forest. is as follows:-

2003-04 230.00 Ha
2004-05 1527.00 Ha
2005-06 451.00 Ha
2006-07 81.00 Ha

5. How many trees have been felled for road widening since 1997 from the state and reserve forests of Tumkur Territorial Division?
No trees have been felled for road widening since 1997 to date inside State and Reserved Forest of Tumkur Territorial Division

6. How much money has been spent n roadside tree planting since 1997 inside the state and reserve forests in Tumkur Territorial Division? Nil

7. Does the Tumkur Territorial Division maintain satellite images of the division's forest cover? If yes, what is the period of updating these records?
Not maintained
Not applicable

Signed –
Assistant Conservator of Forests &
TA to Deputy Conservator of Forests
Tumkur Division, Tumkur and ASPIO

Who is behind the "Ghost" road to Chinga Temple inside Devarayanadurga State Forest?

2007-09-23T15:37:00.002+05:30

Dear nature lovers,

Mallikarjun filed two more RTI applications to find out who exactly is involved in the construction of the road to Chinga Rangaswamy Temple from Swandenahalli village. The RTI application is included below.

As Mallik has mentioned, the said road as it is today, never existed in the original notification of DD nor did it exist in the Survey Map of 1972. It neither existed in today's condition when UV Singh was the DFO nor did it when Guru and myself visited it during the time of MN Narayanaswamy in 2000-2001.

Did it appear over night out of nowhere? Who is behind it? Who are the authorities who should be punished for this? These are the questions to which we would like to have the answers. That is the reason behind all these applications and complaints.

Thanks,
Ameen

----------------------------------------------------

To
Pubic Information Officer
Office of CEO
Zilla Panchayat
Tumkur

Form A
(u/s. 6(1) and 7(1) of Right to Information Act – 2005)

1. Applicant's Name: Mallikarjun M

2. Applicant's address:

3. Details of document/s requested: Request to provide information regarding the below as I am an affected party, under section 4 (1) (d) of RTI (2005).

1) Has the Zilla Panchayat sanctioned any funds to build or repair or for any development work around Chinnaga Rangaswamy Temple (located near Chinnaga Betta, Swandenahalli Village) in Tumkur Taluk since 1997 till date?

2a) If answer to above question no: 1 is Yes, then in which year or years, were the funds sanctioned?
2b) For what purpose/work were the funds sanctioned?
2c) What is the total amount of funds (in Rupees) sanctioned for the purpose in the above question 2b?
2d) Who was the authority that authorized the work, either Gram Panchayat or Mandal Panchayat or others?

3) Has the Zilla Panchayat sanctioned any funds for building or repair work of the road, path, culverts, bridges or drainages from Swandenahalli Village leading to Chinnaga Rangaswamy Temple inside Devarayanadurga forest in Tumkur Taluk since 1997 till date?

4a) If answer to above question no: 3 is Yes, in which year (or years), were the works sanctioned?
4b) What is the length of the road/path for which the funds were sanctioned?
4c) What is the total amount of funds (in Rupees) sanctioned for the purpose in the above question 4b?
4d) Who was the authority that authorized the work, either Gram Panchayat or Mandal Panchayat or others?

5) Is the Zilla Panchayat planning to sanction any work/fund to build or repair or any development work around Chinnaga Rangaswamy Temple (located near Chinnaga Betta, Swandenahalli Village), in Tumkur Taluk as of 2007-2008?

6) Is the Zilla Panchayat planning to sanction any work/fund for building or repair of the road, path, culverts, bridges or drainages from Swandenahalli Village leading to Chinnaga Rangaswamy Temple inside Devarayanadurga forest in Tumkur Taluk as of 2007-2008?

4. Year to which the document/s pertain: As mentioned above

5. Details of amount paid: Paid by Indian Postal Order:

Date:

Place:
Signature of the applicant

------------------

For other posts on this please see:
> Devarayanadurga's Chinga area...the looting continues

> Road from Swandenahalli to Durgadahalli destroys prime area of Devarayana Durga State Forest

> RTI applications filed for info on forests of Tumkur Dist.

> 'Roadworks in reserve forest rile greens' (The Hindu, June 29, 2007)

Trees felled inside Devarayanadurga Reserve Forest for new power line

2007-09-23T15:04:00.001+05:30

As you all know, recently there have been many trees that have been felled inside Devarayanadurga Reserve Forest along the Belaguba-Oordigere Road to lay a new power line to Navodaya School.

As we understand, the agency that lays a power line inside a reserve forest should meet the conditions under various forest and environmental Acts of our country.

Mallikarjun has already filed an RTI application with the Forest Department, Tumkur to find out if the forest department has imposed any such conditions on the agency that is laying the power line. To make sure that we get the correct information, I filed a similar application with the BESCOM (previously KEB) on 22 Sep '07 (Please see the RTI application at the end of thi email)

I over heard one of the official there saying Navodaya School is laying down the power line on its own and BESCOM has nothing to do with the actual laying of power line or tree felling. If this is true, then the forest department is wrong in giving permission to any body to cut trees for their own developmental project, without prior clearance from Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India (under Forest Conservation Act, 1980).

I am waiting to get the official response to find out the truth.

Thanks,
Ameen

A view of the Belaguma Village - Oorigere Village road that passes through Devarayanadurga State Forest, besides which the trees have been felled.

An electric pole that has been errected in place of the felled trees.

A mature Tamarind tree that was felled.

A butterfly that was photographed near the felled trees.The trees and its surroundings hold rich biodiversity.

Bare stumps are all that remain...

Even small trees were not spared the axe...

The sad view again...

---The RTI application---

To
Pubic Information Officer
Office of Divisional Engineer
BESCOM Tumkauru Division
Tumakuru Town

Form A
(u/s. 6(1) and 7(1) of Right to Information Act – 2005)

Details of document/s requested Request to provide following information

1a) Whether any clearance conditions were imposed on BESCOM by
Karnataka Forest Department to lay the new power transmission line
through Devarayanadurga State Forest besides the Belagumba-Oordigere
Road leading to Navodaya School near Janapanahalli, in Tumkauru Taluk?
1b) If yes, kindly provide the details of the conditions imposed.1c)
Have the same conditions been met?

2a) How many numbers of trees will be cut for the above mentioned
power transmission line?
2b) Whether any clearance conditions have been imposed on BESCOM by
the Karnataka Forest Department, under any Forest and Environmental
Act to cut the above trees?
2c) Have the same conditions been met by BESCOM?

4. Year to which the document/s pertain Till date or as mentioned above
5. Details of amount paid Indian Postal Order:

Date: 22nd September 2007

Place: Tumakuru
Signature of the applicant

Devarayanadurga's Chinga area...the looting continues

2007-09-23T14:30:00.000+05:30

First, the Forest Department allowed the illegal construction of a road inside, probably, Devarayanadurga's most densly forested area...

The tree looters followed soon. They cut the trees with impunity...

Then they tie the logs to the their bicycles...

They then ride away as freely as they entered the forest. All this while the forest officials sleep away on this problem...

Hi,

I had again been to Chinagara betta on 9th Sep'07 with Gundappa mestru. We were lucky enough to spot the Frogs heaven, Mestru could identify 3 species of frogs by their calls, Painted frog, Marballed frog, Indian Bull frog. I cud enjoy the sight thro my binacs.

Later we took Chinagara betta road and drove.... Once again we saw a beautiful Ground Orchid. We reached the check dam, which was full.

We saw four tree cutters doing their destructional work without any fear. I am attaching some of the photos by which one can judge the amount of forest wealth flowing outside without any obstruction or I may say with full support of KFD.

Once we started ascending the betta we were surprised to see that the road to Chinagara betta is complete, added to this there were cars and vans just infront of the temple. As per the Topo sheet there's no road, not even a foot path to Ranga swamy temple, but today a road which is better than any road in Tumkur city is laid. There's no surprise if KFD or KSTDC plans for a lodge near the temple......

Mallik

Previous posts and stories on this problem:
Road from Swandenahalli to Durgadahalli destroys prime area of Devarayana Durga State Forest

'Roadworks in reserve forest rile greens' (The Hindu, June 29, 2007)

RTI applications filed for info on forests of Tumkur Dist.

2007-09-12T14:19:00.000+05:30

Dear Nature lovers,

Nature lovers Mallik (Mallikarjun) and Ameen (Ameen Ahmed) have filed 2 applications each under the Right to Information Act (2005), seeking information on forests of Tumkur. Many of these questions refer to Devarayanadurga State Forest, in tune with our latest efforts to save it from total destruction.

We are awaiting the answers to these questions.

I. 25th August 2007: Application no: 1 filed by Ameen

Request to provide following information with reference to Devarayanadurga, Panditanahalli and Ramadevara Betta state forests in Tumkur Territorial Range
1) How many tree-felling cases have been booked since 1997 till date in th above forests?
2) How many of these cases have been proved in the court?
3) How many forest offence cases including illegal quarrying, illegal sand lifting and encroachment cases have been booked since 1997 till date in the above forests?
4) How many of these cases have been proved in the court?
5) How many dead trees have been removed since 1997 in the above forests?
6) How many Eucalyptus trees have been removed since 1997 in the above forests?
7) How many trees have been felled for road widening since 1997 in the above forests?
8) Does the forest department have records of the area of forest cover under Revenue Department adjoining the boundaries of these forests? If yes, how many hectares of forest is controlled by the revenue department?

II. 25th August 2007: Application no: 2 filed by Ameen

Request to provide following information with reference to state and reserve forests of Tumkur Division
1) How many forest offence cases including illegal quarrying, illegal sand lifting and encroachment cases have been booked since 1997 from the state and reserve forests of Tumkur Territorial Division?
2) How many of these cases have been proved in the court?
3) How many dead trees have been removed since 1997 from the state and reserve forests of Tumkur Territorial Division?
4) How many Eucalyptus trees have been removed since 1997 from the state and reserve forests of Tumkur Territorial Division?
5) How many trees have been felled for road widening since 1997 from the state and reserve forests of Tumkur Territorial Division?
6) How much money has been spent on roadside tree planting since 1997 inside the state and reserve forests in Tumkur Territorial Division?
7) Does the Tumkur Territorial Division maintain satellite images of the division’s forest cover? If yes, what is the period of updating these records?

III. 10th September 2007: Application no: 1 filed by Mallik

1a) Whether any action has been taken regarding my complaint letter to you dated June 12, 2007 with the subject “Tree felling, blasting of rocks and forest destruction to build road inside Devarayana Durga state forest”.
1b) If action is taken, kindly provide me with a copy of the Action Taken Report.
1c) If action not taken, kindly provide the reasons for the delay in taking action, as I am an affected party under section 4 (1) (d) of RTI (2005).

2a) Whether any action has been taken regarding complaint letter to you dated 2 July, 2007 with subject “Complaint against illegal expansion of Giregowdanahalli – Maidenahalli / Hosahalli 'kachcha' road / cart track inside Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve, Madhugiri Taluk, Tumkur District”
2b) If action is taken, kindly provide me with a copy of the Action Taken Report.
2c) If action not taken, kindly provide the reasons for the delay in taking action, as I am an affected party under section 4 (1) (d) of RTI (2005).

3a) Whether any action has been taken with reference to the two cases filed by forest department on 8th and 9th June 2002 against the road widening inside Devarayanadurga state forest near Devarayanadurga village without permission from the Forest department? Please refer letter dated 12 June 2002, No:VA AA KA: TUVA: A. Kra.Dooru: G.L:157:2002-03 by Range Forest Officer (Tumkur Territorial Range) to Ameen Ahmed, Wildlife Aware Nature Club, Tumkur.
3b) If action taken, kindly provide me with a copy of the Action Taken Report.
3c) If action not taken, kindly provide the reasons for the delay in taking action, as I am an affected party under section 4 (1) (d) of RTI (2005).

IV. 10th September 2007: Application no: 2 filed by Mallik

1a) Whether clearance conditions imposed by MoEF for forest and environmental clearances including those under Forest Conservation Act (1980) have been complied with by agency that is the laying the new powerline through Devarayanadurga State Forest besides the Oordigere Road leading to Navodaya School near Janapanahalli?
1b) If yes, kindly provide the details of action taken for compliance
1c) The number of trees that are going to be felled for this project along with their details like the tree species, age of the tree, physical condition of the tree etc.

2a) Whether clearance conditions imposed by MoEF for forest and environmental clearances including those under Forest Conservation Act (1980) have been complied with by the agency that is the widening the road from Oordigere Road 8th km stone leading to Namadachelume inside Devarayanadurga state forest?
2b) If yes, kindly provide the details of action taken for compliance.
2c) The number of trees that are going to be felled for this project along with their details like the tree species, age of the tree, physical condition of the tree etc.

3a) Does the forest department maintain records of the commercial non-passenger vehicles using / passing through the roads inside Devarayanadurga State Forest?
3b) If yes, how many commercial non-passenger vehicles have passed through Devarayanadurga State Forest in the year 2006?

'Hunt' on for the elusive Devarayanadurga tiger' (Posted Sep 2007)

2007-09-04T11:10:00.000+05:30

Dear Readers,

The following story appeared in the Tumkur Print of The New Indian Express on August 28, 2007. The story is written by Indian Express' Tumkur based corresondent Devaraj B Hirehalli.

Regards,
Ameen

SOURCE: The New Indian Express (Tumkur print), 28 August 2007

---Quote---
'Hunt' on for the elusive Devarayanadurga tiger
By Devaraj B Hirehalli

Tumkur, Aug 27: Wildlife enthusiasts here in Tumkur have been on the 'hunt' for a tiger in Devarayanadurga Reserve Forests since 2000.

No instances of this tiger giving trouble to the people of surrounding villages or to their cattle has been reported so far.

Yet in Sept 2001, the death of a fully grown cow was suspected to be a tiger kill. But this is yet to be confirmed.

Naturally, the dry deciuous Devarayanadurga Hills reserve forest which spreads across 42.47 sq km, also has patches of scrub and a few degraded moist deciduous forests in its valleys. It is evidently a habitat for different species of animals.

In the mid-50s, wildlife activist Kenneth Anderson in his book 'Nine Rouges and a Man eating tiger' claims to have killed a man eating tiger, which he called 'The Hermit of Devarayanadurga', in Devarayanadurga Hills forest quotes Ameen Ahmed, an expert from Wildlife Aware Nature Club (WANC) of Tumkur.

In 1996, then Deputy Conservator of Forests Dr Uday Veer Singh, too reportedly sighted a well-grown tiger in Devarayanadurga.

But since 2000, WANC activists and a few people from the villages and surrounding areas claims to have seen pug marks and heard growls of the big cat.

Forest guards Bore Gowda and Chikanna at Devarayanadurga Hills also said they had sighted the tiger resting on a rock often.

But Sanjay Gubbi, another expert in wildlife study, opines that there was no chance of the existence of a tiger in Devarayanadurga hills reserve forests given its ecology, which doesn't suit the tiger.

For a single tiger survive, it needs a density of 500 prey animals atleast and 15 sq km of dense forests for its survival. But the Devarayanadurga hills forest is a habitat for leopards which could survive on even small animals , he said. If at all the migration was to be considered, there was no forest corridor connecting
Devarayanadurga hills which is 180 km away from its nearst tiger habitat which is at Bhadra Tiger Reserve in Chickmagalur district, explained. The pug marks of a leopard during rainy season may be mistaken for tiger's, he said. But the spirit of WANC to search for their 'loving' tiger will never dampen as they have found pug marks as
recently as July 2007. But this needs research by experts.

---Unquote---

TIGER IN DEVARAYANADURGA (Posted August 2007)

2007-08-02T11:47:00.000+05:30

I.INTRODUCTION TO DEVARAYANADURGA STATE FOREST (DDSF):
Devarayanadurga state forest was the first state forest to be declared in Karnataka (in 1907). It has been enjoying some sort of legal protection by the Government since as early as 1853.

II.VEGETATION /FLORA OF DEVARAYANADURGA:
It is about 42.27 Sq km large and is a patch of mainly Dry Deciduous forest interspread with large patches of scrub and a few degraded moist deciduous forests in its valleys. The forest is degraded towards periphery.

For a forest which is jsut about 6 km from Tumkur city, it is remarkably well preserved and wild. Both the Forest Department and the locals of Tumkur have special attachment towards this forest.

It is important to note that there are no villages inside the forest here and there are many chunks of hilly forests adjoining Devarayana Durga state forest (DDSF) roughly about 20 sq. km, which although unprotected have a fairly good tree cover like the one at Ranthambore National Park. The animals,we know, know no boundaries.

Mr.Harish Bhat (harish@ces.iisc.ernet.in), botanist from Centre for Ecological Sciences, IISc,is among the people having a good knowledge on DD's vegetation. Mr.Bhat has visited here on numerous occasions particularly in connection with a book he wrote on the medicinal plants found here, published by the Karnataka Forest Department in 2001.

III. DEVARAYANA DURGA STATE FOREST AS A HABITAT FOR TIGER'S PREY:
Based on the sightings of WANCers, there has been a definite increase in the prey base here. It has a good population of wild boars and also some wild chital and Sambar. In mid-1990s only one troop of Common langurs could be seen with some luck, near the peak of Devarayanadurga hill. Evidence of Langurs can now be come across more easily. Their booming calls echo these forests at more than one place during a single visit to the forest. Also the Chitals have proliferated more. Their hoof prints can be seen very clearly through out the Namada chelume area, supporting the claims of the forest guards. The wild boars have become more bolder and their sightings have increased. School children of nature camps regularly conducted by WANC, at the Forest Information Centre here, can surely see them when they camp here.

IV. ABOUT TIGERS IN Devarayanadurga:

1950s-1960s
Mr.Kenneth Anderson in his book `Nine rouges and one man eater' mentions about the man-eater he killed in Devarayanadurga forests, which he named "The Hermit of Devarayana Durga". This was somewhere around 1950s.

1990s
Dr.Uday Veer Singh IFS, the then DCF of Tumkur division, during one of his night patrols here, reported the sighting of a well-grown tiger. This was on 23rd August 1996. Many people did not support his sighting, as there was no documentary evidence. Villagers around DDSF had also reported the presence of tigers here for a long time.

2000
In early 2000, Guru Prasad and Sri.Harish Bhat came across the scat of a ‘big’ cat. The size of the scat suggested it to be that of a tiger, as it was too large for a leopard. Wildlife biologists from IISc verified this. In Aug. 2000, Mr.Bore Gowda, a forest guard, discovered pugmarks that were abnormally huge for any leopard, in Namada chelume. Castings of POP were taken and examined. Many experts felt it to be that of a Tiger.

2001
Mr.Bore Gowda, Mr.Chikanna and other forest guards at Namada chelume in DDSF called up WANC founder Mr.T.V.N.Murthy early on Saturday, 18th August 2001 morning on hearing the continuous roars of `Tigers' at Kumbarahalli Kere. Mr Murthy left for DDSF along with his four-year old son Kesar and another WANCer Mr.D.R.Prasanna Kumar, a post-graduate in Environmental Science. Being just about 13 km from Tumkur city, both reached the area soon.They visited the spot along with one of the forest watchers. They heard the growls of two big cats at a short distance from each other. Murthy recorded the calls on his digital Video Camera. When the party split, Murthy claims to have seen a well grown tiger for a brief period of about 5 seconds. The
tiger was gone before its visual evidence could be recorded. The lower forest staff residing at Namada chelume claimed to be seeing tigers regularly after that.

In Sep 2001, the local forest staff claimed that a tiger killed a fully grown cow and sat over it for about half a night, partially consuming it. Some of the neighbouring villagers who 'saw' this scene, did not use that road through out that
evening, out of fear.

2006:
Mr.Ganganna, RFO of Sira Taluk, sighted a full grown tiger crossing the Oordigere - Belagumba road (near 8th km stone) while returning back to Tumkur after attending a forest officers' meeting in July 2006 at Namadachelume.

2007:
Fresh pug marks were found inside Panditanahalli Plantation of this forest in July 2007. The pugmarks were seen by the local forest officials and WANC has taken their castings.

WANC believeS the forest has sufficient prey to support a couple of tigers. We concede though that, no scientific study has been done here to date.

V. Where did the tigers come into Devarayanadurga?
Our guess is as good as any one else's.

The nearest population of wild tigers is towards south-east at Bannerghatta National Park (70 km bird flight). Then comes Cauvery wildlife sanctuary (apx. 100 km of bird flight). Next comes the eastern slopes of Baba budain Giri hills,a part of Western Ghats near Bhadra tiger reserve. The approximate distance here is about 120 km of bird flight. The forest corridor of Cauvery Sanctuary until recently extended up to the Ramadevara betta state forest near Kunigal town, about 30 km as a crow flies from the southern part of here. Also patches of forest are present in between. According to local nature lovers, Tigers (and `Seelu naayi` or `Kenn naayi` for wild dogs in Kannada) have been sighted as recently as late 1980s in Huliyurdurga forests (about 50 km as a bird flies from DDSF), which got its name from 'Huli' meaning tiger in Kannada.

Some conservationists believe they might have been part of touring circuses or zoos that abandoned them here as the Environment Ministry and forest officials tightened their noose around them in mid 1990s. But if this is the case then how can captivated tigers survive in the wild for over a decade now, without them having a direct conflict with humans considering the movement of villagers inside DD forests? How can they learn to hunt chital, sambar or wild boar overnight?

Now coming to the question "When there is no forested corridor that presently connect Devarayanadurga to a tiger habitat having a viable tiger population, then how did they appear here after a gap of almost 50 years?"
The answer is tricky, but we have many recent instances of wild elephants crossing highways and villages and suddenly appear tens of kilometers away from their habitat without being detected for days. If elephants can sneak into their former habitat, can't the tigers do it as well? There needs to be research undertaken to find the answer, which might turn out to be very interesting.

VI. WANC AND DDSF:
DDSF is the second home of many of the members of our Wildlife Aware Nature Club. Being so close, hardly any week passes without us visiting this forest. These visits of ours have resulted in some good studies of the flora and fauna found there.
WANCer Ameen Ahmed presented a poster on the rich avifauna (about 248 Species of birds) of this forest at the Pan-Asian Ornithological Congress in Nov. 1996 at Coimbatore. Another WANCer Guru Prasad presented a paper on the raptors of this forest at the Asian Raptor Conference in Indonesia in Aug 2000. Guru along with Harish Bhat(researcher from Centre for Ecological Sciences,IISc, Bangalore) and the Karnataka Forest Department have come out with an excellent glossy Field guide (with colour plates) on the Medicinal plants of this forest- probably the first of its kind in Karnataka.

VII. FUTURE OF DDSF: Elders visiting this forest claim that it is definitely better than what it was, when wood used to be extracted on a large scale during the pre-independence days. We as a club and the nature lovers of Tumkur city are happy that the tiger is thriving in this forest. This at a time when some of the best wildlife habitats across most of India have been destroyed for ever. Although DDSF as its own threats like the building of roads and increased tourism, it does not have threats like mining or mega projects affecting it on a large scale like Western Ghats. This fact is going to keep us happy for quite some time to come.

Further information:
There is a video of the kill remains with WANC founder TVN Murthy and also interviews of the local villagers who have seen their cows being mauled in front of them. If you are interested, you may visit him at Tumkur.

Thanks,

Ameen
For WANC

A discussion of tigers in DD was at:
http://www.indianaturewatch.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=303

150 years later, Devarayanadurga Forest chugs along...

2007-07-27T13:47:00.000+05:30

I recently came upon some facts on Devarayanadurga forests, not known to many outside the forest department. Most of these are mentioned in Letter No. 3676, dated the 20th of November 1906, from the Conservator of Forests in Mysore. Thought this might make an interesting read for any one who knows about this wonderful piece of woodland, considered to be the earliest Reserve Forest in Karnataka.

Devarayanadurga at present is a 42 sq km forest located on the outskirts of South India's Tumkur City. It has a wild population of Langur, Chital, leopards and wild boars. It is home to nearly 250 species of birds and more than 50 butterfly types. It feeds tens of streams that quech the parched throats of tens of thousands of surrounding villagers. The forest forms a major catchment area for the two streams- Jaya and Mangali. These streams have been dammed at Irrakasandra Project and Teeta Dam (the well-known Goravanahalli Temple). Downstream they join the Northern Pinakini River in Andhra Pradesh, that ultimately empties into the Bay of Bengal.

1853: The earliest protection was started in 1853, when these forests were
protected under revenue department by the British.

1868: After fifteen years of partial protection in the Revenue Department, the ownership of this forest was transferred to the Forest Department and it was constituted a State Forest. It then had an area of 18 square miles, according to Captain Vansomeran's memo appended to his annual report of 1873-74. The same remained unaltered till 1877-78.

In 1879: The forest was surveyed and mapped by the Mysore Topographical survey Department, according to which the computed area was 11 square miles and 256 acres, but somehow this area was not taken into account, and the old estimated area, v.i.z, 18 square miles, continued to be shown in the accounts.

Between 1880 and 1882: The forest was, without formal enquiry, extended, by the addition of an estimated area of 6 square miles, chiefly on the north, east and west.

1883: On 6th February 1883, according to notification No. 38 under Section 9 of the Revised Forest Rules of 1878 in force then in the Mysore Province, the whole Devarayanadurga forest block was re-demarcated and its boundaries were notified based on the lines demarcating the forest from the villages surround it. But the notification did not specify, the actual revised area of the block.

In 1891-92 and 1893-94: About half a square mile consisting of Vaddarahalli and Chennaveeranahalli Jodi lands was excluded, as they had been wrongly included in the demarcation line and the net area of the State Forest has thereafter been continued to be shown as 29 ½ square miles in the annual returns of this office.

In 1889: The area was further extended east on the orders of Mr.Ricketts, late Inspector General of Forests, by the addition of Doddavadibetta Block, estimated to compromise about 6 square miles, and this block was notified by the Government in 1895 ( No.3839 – Ft. 227, dated 12th October).

In 1896: Col. Walker noticed during his tour in the district that the forest extended from time to time without formal settlement, was encumbered with numerous rights and privileges, and accordingly ordered a careful investigation into the latter and the revision of the boundaries, if necessary.

In 1897-98: The settlement was, accordingly, carried out by a revenue officer in concert with the District Forest Officer and was finally disposed of by the Deputy Commissioner. The then Conservator of Forests, Col. Walker, was satisfied with the settlement. The boundaries were finally rectified.

1906: With reference to para 2 of Government Order No. R. 15437-8 – Ft. 169-06-03, dated the 1st June 1906, the revised boundaries of the Devarayanadurga State Forest were forwarded for publication, both in English and '*Kanarese*' (as Kannada was probably called then) in the Gazette.

--------------------------------
On 19 February 1907, the final notification of the forest was published vide Govt. Order no: 7591-Fr-120-06-31 .

Other interesting years of Devarayanadurga forest:
1939-1940: Dr.Salim Ali 'celebrated' the new year here during his study of birds of the erstwhile State of Mysore. (The Hill Myna and Yellowthroated Sparrow recorded by him then are not to be found here today).

In 1960s: Kenneth Anderson shot dead *'The hermit of Devarayanadurga'*mentioned in his book the Nine Rouges and one Man eater.

In 1996: The then DCF, Dr.Uday Veer Singh ( of the recent Kanakapura's U V
Singh Anti- Quarrying Report fame) reportedly sighted a Tiger.

A tiger was subsequently reported occasionally by local nature lovers and forest staff between 2000 and 2006. While some say it is a wild one, some others contend it might be one from 'Touring circus' or private captivity, that was released here as the Forest Department tightened its noose on captive big game in mid-1990s.

For more information on DD, kindly visit http://devarayanadurgaforest.googlepages.com

For those wanting to know the current conservation issues of this forest,
please visit http://tumkurenvironment.blogspot.com/

I would appreciate correction of any mistakes. Comments/suggestions welcome.

In conservation,
Ameen

How forest friendly is Karnataka's Wind Energy?

2007-07-20T23:11:00.000+05:30

PLEASE CLICK ON PICTURES FOR A BIGGER VIEW

A view of one of the hills carved up for wind farms, seen from the Sri Rangapatna (Mysore) - Bidar National Highway just north of Huliyar Town along Chitradurga - Tumkur districts' border.

An approach road on one of the hills carved up for wind farms just north of Huliyar Town along Chitradurga - Tumkur districts' border.

A not too pretty scene of the aftermath on one of the hills carved up for wind farms just north of Huliyar Town along Chitradurga - Tumkur districts' border.

For quite some time, renewable energy sources have been touted to be a viable alternative to coal energy that causes Global Warming and Hydro energy that drowns prime forests.

To encourage renewable energy production, the Government is aggressively pushing wind energy production. But these days, wind farms are being set up by businessmen whose main concern is profit making and not nature conservation. Tens of thousands of wind turbines have sprouted all over south India, particularly in the immediate vicinity of Western Ghats.

Among the areas where wind turbines have been erected in Karnataka are the hills and highlands of eastern parts of Chitradurga district and in western parts of Tumkur district. We saw these windmills first hand this month and I am sad to say that these windmills have had a very immediate negative impact in the forests where they have been setup.
1) Each such wind mill has a concrete base of at least 30 feet by 30 feet.
2) Each one of these has an individual road.
3) Hundreds of trees have been removed to accomodate these giant "fans".
4) The transportation of giant equipment requires huge trucks and causes enormous disturbance to the local flora and fauna.

This way almost every hill top of the 273 Sq. km. Mari Kanive state forest and other reserve forests along Tumkur-Chitradurga border has just been devastated. The building of these roads has also opened up the forests for tree looters and the situation according to a local forest watcher is "just out of control in Mari Kanive forests". These wind mills are atop the hills that extend for hundreds of kilometres north, upto Gadag district.

Due to their destructive nature, there already have been protests against the setting up of wind farms in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, namely Bababudan Giris (adjoining Bhadra Tiger Reserve) and Kudremukh National Park.

As a nature lover I have opposed hydro dams as being detrimental to forests. But, by witnessing the damage done by wind farms in Karnataka's forests, I doubt if wind energy in our country is really that green.

Bue that brings us back to where we started. What is the alternative? Or is there really one?

Thanks,
Ameen

Wind farms on almost every hill top inside the Mari Kanive State Forest in Karnataka's Chitradurga District.

A hill top carved up for wind farms inside the Mari Kanive State Forest in Karnataka's Chitradurga District.

Illegal road work devastates Karnataka's newest Conservation Reserve

2007-07-18T14:23:00.001+05:30

The small bullock cart path from Giregowdanahalli - ID Halli cross that passes through Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve has been expanded violating the Forest Conservation Act (1980) and the Honourable Supreme Court of India's 1996 judgement in the Godavarman Thirumalpad vs Union of India case. (The above picture was taken just outside the boundaries of the reserve, pictures from inside the reserve can be seen below).

The Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve near Maidenahalli has been severely affected by a road construction, as has been happening in Devarayanadurga. During our last conversation, the DCF of Tumkur had assured WANC member Ameen Ahmed that no permission was sought to build this road and that he would instruct the RFO to stop this. Unfortunately the destruction at Maidenahalli is a sad indication of the way things have been working in Tumkur Division of Karnataka Forest Department now.

A new course has been created at many places along the path, causing great damage to the natural vegetation inside the Conservation Reserve.

Many small trees, shrubs and vegetation has been felled and uprooted inside the reserve

A view of the boulders that have been uprooted from their original place and strewn inside the Conservation Reserve.

Ameen Ahmed lodged a complaint with the DCF, Tumkur Territorial Division and also with the Chief Executive Officer of Zilla Panchayat, Tumkur to protest this. Please read the below complaint lodged with the Tumkur DCF to know more on this issue.
--------------------

From

Ameen Ahmed
Ghouse Buildings
Horpet Main Road
Tumkur 5721 01

To
Mr.Parmeshwarappa
Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF)
Tumkur Territorial Division
Tumkur City 5721 01
Date: 2nd July 2007

Respected Sir,

Sub: Complaint against illegal expansion of Giregowdanahalli – Maidenahalli / Hosahalli 'kachcha' road / cart track inside Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve, Madhugiri Taluk, Tumkur District

I am a wildlife enthusiast from Tumkur, working to protect wildlife in Karnataka since 1990. In 1996, along with Dr.U.V.Singh, IFS, I published a document on the wildlife of Maidenahalli area, Madhugiri to help the protection of Blackbuck there. This Status Survey report of ours formed one of the basis for the recent declaration by the Government of Karnataka of Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve.

As you know, Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation area is one of the most beautiful patches of grasslands in India. It is the best place in Karnataka to see and photograph Blackbuck. The density of blackbuck here, per sq km, is higher than that of Ranibennur, one of India's oldest blackbuck sanctuaries. Blackbuck apart, this area has some of the rarest and most endangered birds. In fact, this place is the pride of not only Tumkur District but also our Karnataka state.

About this issue:
Sir, as you know there is a small bullock cart track, about 10 feet wide, that passes through this reserve from Giregowdanahalli to Maidenahalli / Hosahalli, the right of which has been given under the recent Karnataka Government’s notification to create this reserve. Local villagers rarely use this road, as both Hosahalli and Maidenahalli already have a good road access from Kodigenahalli village via the Hindupura - Madhugiri inter-state highway.

Last month (June 2007), this track was expanded to 30 feet wide. I was informed that the road widening has been funded by Zilla Panchayat. I had been to the area on 20th May, 3rd June, 20th June and 1st July this year and was saddened by the destruction it has caused. In fact this road, at many places, looks like a state highway. I could specifically document the following damage:

1) Many thorn bushes that are used by blackbuck to hide from their enemies and used by birds to build nests, have been uprooted.

2) Many rocks, below which snakes and other reptiles use to take shelter, have been removed from the path.

3) The road has been straightened at many places where there were curves, creating new paths a many places.

4) I have been visiting this area since 1993. The blackbuck of this area are well known to be approached closely and are used to being approached on vehicles by nature lovers. I have counted herds of more than a hundred blackbuck during my earlier visits here. But during my visits here on 20th June and 1st July this year (when the JCB work was over), I could see only count 4 of them on this road, apart from 2 inside the reserve. And these looked extremely vary of humans. They bolted away the very moment they saw my car.

5) The road expansion has destroyed a prime habitat of the Indian Courser (Courser coromandelicus) in the area.

About threat from this road to this area and its wildlife:
All the above, I believe, are a serious threat to the very existence of the blackbuck and other rare wildlife of this area. I am attaching a few pictures to share the scenes that I saw.

Sir, the fact is, the upgrading of this track into a tarred road will not make any difference to the local villagers. On the other hand it will
1) Increase, by manifold, the number of vehicles entering the forest.
2) Likely to bring in "VIP" poachers on luxury cars like the infamous Salman Khan poaching.
3) Drive away the blackbuck away from the sanctuary and exacerbate the existing conflict with the surrounding farmers.
4) Will encourage others in the area to take wildlife and forest department lightly and commit similar acts in the future.

My request to you:
In view of the above, on behalf of Tumkur’s nature lovers I humbly request you to
1) Ask those responsible for the damage to undo the damage and restore the wildlife habitat to its original form.
2) File complaints and take action, under Wildlife Protection Act (1972) and relevant laws, against the perpetrators of these acts and bring them to justice.
3) Immediately take steps to prevent any further construction work inside the blackbuck reserve.
4) Take steps to prevent this road from being tarred inside this reserve in the future.

We have already brought the matter to the notice of the Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Panchayat, Tumkur.

It is a matter of grave concern to every nature lover of Tumkur that a road can be built through the heart of a notified conservation reserve over a period of two weeks without seeking permission from the Government of India under Forest Conservation Act (1980). It will be a bigger shame if we as nature lovers of Tumkur are not able to save this pride of Karnataka.

Thank you.

With you in conservation,

Ameen Ahmed

Cc:
- PCCF (Wildlife), Aranya Bhavan, Bangalore

- Conservator of Forests, Hassan Territorial Circle, Hassan City

- Conservator of Forests, Forest Conservation Circle, Bangalore

- Assistant Conservator of Forests, Madhugiri Sub-Division, Madhugiri Town Tumkur District

Apart from this, the forest department (Social Forestry) has also planted new eucalyptus saplings in one of the grasslands surrounding the conservation reserve.

Another view of the uprooted vegetation inside the Conservation Reserve.

The trench that has been dug by uprooting shrubs inside the Conservation Reserve.

Trees felled to widen Namadachelume Road

2007-06-21T22:47:00.002+05:30

Road widening inside Devarayana Durga state forest is taking place without any concern for the trees and the natural environment.

On June 21, three WANCers- Ameen Ahmed, Mallikarjun and Guru Prasad observed and noted the following:
1). The road from 5th mile stone (8th km stone) to Durgadahalli cross beyond Namadachelume, which is currently about 10 - 12 feet wide, is being widened to about 35 - 40 feet i.e. till the cattle prevention trenches on either side of the road that were dug during M.N.Narayanaswamy DCF's period.
2) A JCB has been used to widen this entire 6 km stretch.
3) Almost all the scrub forest trees and small trees have been uprooted/felled along this stretch for this purpose. On this page are a couple of these pictures.
4) All the big and mature trees that could not be removed by the JCB have been marked by machets ( "macchu" as we call in Kannada) / sharp instruments. These big trees are intended to be removed for the road widening process. We have photographed some of these trees and on this page are a couple of these pictures.
5) Infact a few medium sized trees have already been felled. We have photographed these and on this page are a couple of these pictures.

Apart from the above, we noted the following:
6. There has been fresh tree felling inside the Girlekatte Valleybelow the view point between Namadachelume and Devarayana Durga hill.
7. The road from Swandenahalli to Chinnagara Betta is now visible from the DD hills on the way to Yoga Narasimha temple. This road earlier was not even visible during the summer season let alone the monsoons.

All this makes us wonder if we have any reason to celebrate Devarayana Durga's 100th birthday. We need to do something really urgent and drastic to save "Namma Devarayana Durga", else we will not have any forest left near Tumkur City within the next 5 to 10 years.

One of the many trees cut down for the road expansion

The proposed width of the road being expanded can be seen in this picture

A tree marked for felling besides the road

An uprooted tree besides earth that has been excavated besides the road

An uprooted tree besides earth that has been excavated besides the road

An uprooted tree besides earth that has been excavated besides the road

"Jelly kallu" or gravel stones in the forest near Namadachelume's ecological park besides the road to expand it.

Another view of gravel stones in the forest besides the road to expand it.

What remains of a once beautiful Gulmohar tree

Another view of the same Gulmohar tree

A huge Silk Cotton tree that will be felled to widen the road

Another view of the Silk Cotton tree that will be felled to widen the road

Road from Swandenahalli to Durgadahalli destroys prime area of Devarayana Durga State Forest

2007-06-14T18:42:00.001+05:30

The area around Chinnagaradevara Betta is one of the most beautiful in the whole of Devarayana Durga state forest. In addition, this area is probably the least disturbed of all the areas of this reserve forest.

WANCer Ameen Ahmed who first visited this patch of forest in 1990 and WANCer Guru Prasad who has been frequenting this patch since mid-90s, fondly remember this area and often compare the vegetation to that of Bandipur and Mudumalai sanctuaries' undulating terrains.

A small foot path / track used to cut through the forest and connect the villages of Swandenahalli and Durgadahalli, a distance of 8 kilometres. Vehicles though, still have to take a circutous route for more than 15 kilometres to reach the other side of the forest. A couple of kilometres off the track between Swandenahalli and Durgadahalli lies a temple dedicated to lord Rangaswamy, popularly known as Chinnaga Rangaswamy temple. Devotees from Swandenahalli and nearby villages visit this temple within the forest boundaries and there is an annual jathra (religous gathering) of these devotees at the temple.

Since 2000 - 2001, this track has been broadened to accomodate 4- wheel vehicles. This has been widened, causing considerable disturbance to the forest.

In June 2007, WANCers Guru Prasad and Mallikarjun visited this region for bird watching and found to their shock that trees inside the forest were being felled, rocks being quarried and being carried away out of the forest. They came back and wrote a letter to the DCF Tumkur regarding the matter, along with pictures. Kindly see the pictures and the letter below to know more about this issue.

A view of felled trees and blasted rocks

Another view of the blasted rocks

A mature tree hacked

A view of the dense forest surrounding the path

A picture of forest destruction

The following are satellite images of above illegal roads inside Chinnaga area of Devarayanadurga state forest, built by Panchayat Raj Engineering Department (PRED) of Karnataka Public Works Department (PWD) in 2007.

The images have been sourced from Google Maps and stitched. Please click them to see the enlargement.

You can see the above satellite images live on google maps below:

View Larger Map

SOURCE: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=tumkur,+India&jsv=107&ie=UTF8&ll=13.387824,77.165587&spn=0.008934,0.021544&t=h&z=16

The following is the complaint letter by WANC member Mallikarjun to the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), Tumkur Territorial Division.

-----------QUOTE----------

From
Mallikarjun M
Tumkur City
Tel: 98863 85549

To
Deputy Conservator of Forests
Tumkur Territorial Division
Kunigal Road
Tumkur 5721 02

Date: June 12, 2007

Dear Sir,

Sub: Tree felling, blasting of rocks and forest destruction to build road inside Devarayana Durga state forest.

I am nature lover of Tumkur and a member of the conservation group Wildlife Aware Nature Club (WANC).

On June 7, 2007, during one of my routine birdwatching trips along with my club mate Sri. Guru Prasad, I visited Chinigara betta near Swandenahalli inside the north-western boundary of the Devarayana Durga state forest (as per Survey of India 1:50,000 Sheet 57 G/3, First Edition).

Sir, I was shocked to see trees being felled, rocks being blasted and the overall destruction on forestland, for the construction of a road to the Rangaswamy temple located inside the state forest boundary. I and other members of our club have been visiting this stretch of Devarayana Durga state Forest for the past 17 years now and never have we seen such destruction here. This beautiful path that was covered by trees and which we deeply love, has been damaged beyond recognition.

Apart from this, we also saw a tractor lifting the stones illegally from inside the forest and transporting them towards Swandenahalli village.

To prove my above claims, I am herewith enclosing a few pictures of the same.

Sir, I kindly request you:
1) to take immediate action to stop the construction of this road and the destruction of this stretch of Devarayana Durga state forest.
2) to take strict legal action against the perpetrators of these illegal activities under the preview of the existing Forest Conservation Act (1980) and also under the most Honourable Supreme Court of India’s order dated 12/12/1996 in the Godavarman Thirumalpad vs Union of India case.
3) to have a gate with lock installed on this path, to prevent unauthorised activities like stone quarrying from taking place inside the forest.

I hope you will do the needful.

Kindly feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.

Thanking you.

With you in conservation,

(sd/-)
Mallikarjun.M

CC:
1. Assistant Conservator of Forests, Tumkur Territorial Sub-division, Kunigal Gate, Tumkur
2. Range Forest Officer, Tumkur Territorial Range, Kunigal Gate, Tumkur

----------UNQUOTE------------

Struggle for Devarayanadurga Forest to prevent destruction from Devarayanadurga village road expansion (2001)

2007-06-14T18:24:00.000+05:30

There are a few roads that pass through the boundaries of Devarayana Durga State Forest. Among these are

1) Tumkur City - Oordigere Road

2) The above road deviates at 8th mile stone and goes to Namadachelume

3) The road from Namadachelume leads to Durgadahalli

4) The road from Namadachelume also branches into one that leads to Devarayana Durga village

5) Just before Devarayana Durga village a road that branches from Oordigere - Koratagere Road and cuts into the forest, meets the road Namadachelume - Devarayana Durga road.

All these roads cause considerable disturbance.

In 2002 there WANC participated in a campaign to stop the destruction of prime yellothroated bulbul habitat due to the expansion of the road leading to Devarayana Durga village.

The following are some details from 2001:

Dear Nature Lovers,

The latest situation on ground is that the work has come to a halt inthe forest area. Noises though, are being made to resume it in the revenue land adjoining the reserve forest's boundary.

Members of WANC visited the site on 2nd June 2002. After oral requests failed to give results, on 6th June, WANC ex-Chairman Ameen Ahmed wrote a letter to the Deputy Conservator of Forests DCF (Tumkur Territorial Division) with a copy of the relevant Survey of India (SOI) Sheet of 1:50,000 scale. Copy of the letter was marked to the Conservator of Forests (CF) (Hassan Territorial Circle).

In response,

1. We got a reply (in Kannada) from the Range Forest Officer (Tumkur Territorial Range) on 12th June 2002 (No:VA AA KA: TUVA: A. Kra.Dooru: G.L:157:2002-03). He has stated that two cases were filed (not one as claimed below) against "driver of the Hitachi machine, its owner and convener of the Dharma Darshi committee (of Devarayana Durga Lakshminarasimha Swamy Temple)" who were responsible for the destruction. Again these were filed on 8th and 9th June 2002.

2. The Conservator of Forests (Hassan), wrote a letter to the DCF (Tumkur) dated 20-06-2002 (No:A3:Sibbandi:Viva 73:2001-02). Drawing the DCF's attention to my letter, he asked the DCF "to inspect the State Forest area that has been felled, the road that has been illegally constructed and to give a report regarding the same in the next correspondence".

3. Again the Hassan CF has written a letter to the Tumkur DCF on 5th August 2002 (No:A3: Sibbandi: Viva- 73: 2001-02). In this letter the CF has acknowledged the DCF's reply regarding this issue and has directed him to send our club the mainpoints of the Action Taken Report and reply to my original letter and to inform his (the CF's) office about this.

Much of the pressure was due to the local media and the letters sent by nature lovers from across the globe in response to our e-campaign. This includes one letter all the way from Cyprus! Facts from WANC's Status Survey report on Devarayana Durga (DD) forests and the Book on Medicinal Plants of Devarayana Durga Forests by Guru Prasad of WANC and Harish Bhat of CES and also the publicity of DD's Tiger sighting in 2002 helped the campaign very much.

Campaign to save Tumkur's forests from destruction in the name of Tumkur University

2007-05-15T09:50:00.001+05:30

A report by Murthy.T.V.N., Guru Prasad.T.V, Gundappa.B.V, Mallikarjun and Ameen Ahmed

Background of Tumkur University:
The setting up of a University in the City of Tumakuru (previously Tumkur) is a matter of pride for all us Tumakureans. It serves the long standing demand of people of Tumakuru region. Tumakuru District has a high concentration of Post-secondary colleges and University affiliated institutions. Many of these institutions impart outstanding education and students educated from them have made excellent careers in India as well as abroad.

Background of this issue:
Unfortunately some unscrupulous political elements are using the guise of this prestige of Tumakuru to further their own interests. The land for the University has been made a controversy by seeking to establish it in forest land.

The proposed place to establish the university has ranged from the Golahalli state forest to Devarayana Durga State Forest. As people representing nature lovers and seeking to protect the interest of our nation's forests, Wildlife Aware Nature Club (WANC) has all along been opposing diverting any forest land for non-forest purposes. This is in accordance with the Honourable Supreme Court's landmark decision in the Godavarman Thirumalpad vs Union of India case (dated 12/12/1996). WANC has been pleading with the authorities to establish the University in any convenient place away from forest areas.

Despite us regularly reminding the concerned authorities about the matter, the University authorities went ahead and occupied 300 acres of revenue forest on the periphery of Devarayana Durga State Forest adjoining Navodaya Vidyalaya near Janapanahalli along the Tumkur - Oordigere road.

A view of the dense forests of Devarayana Durga State Forest near the proposed University site

Background of Devarayana Durga State Forest:
Devarayana Durga State Forest was the first forest in the history of Karnataka (the erstwhile Mysore state) to be declared a state forest. It was done so in 1907. The forest is one of the last remaining near Tumkur city. It's bio-diversity is probably the richest of any forest in Tumkur District. The forest is home to more than 300 species of plants, 250 species of birds and a large number of butterflies and reptiles. The forest and its surrounding hills are even today home to a healthy population of leopard, spotted deer, Hanuman langur, blacknaped hare, sloth bear, jackal, common mongoose among others. The forest is home to the rare and endangered Yellowthroated Bulbul.

Apart from the actual state forest area, there are quite a few contiguous patches of land here, which belong to the Government (mainly revenue department) and have forest cover. It is important to conserve these forests also, as they have very similar habitat, are equally rich in wildlife and act as the state forest's buffer zone.

Another view of the dense forests of Devarayana Durga

Action by WANC:
When petitions and requests failed to give any results, WANC was left with no choice but to approach the H'ble Supreme Court. A petition was filed in the Apex court regarding this matter (Application Number 585, Wildlife Aware Nature Club vs State of Karnataka, Godavarman Hearing).

The matter was adjourned during the CEC hearing Dated January 18, 2004 as the Government of Karnataka failed to respond. Fortunately our plea was favourably heard. During the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) hearing on October 21, 2005, it was ordered that no tree felling and construction should take place in the said area.

The issue as it is today:
Though the H'ble Supreme Court referred to the entire 300 acres, only 225 acres has been vacated. The rest 75 acres has been fenced off and has remained in possession of the University authorities (see picture below). WANC has been forced again to seek the intervention of the H'ble Supreme Court. WANC has again written to H'ble Supreme Court regarding this issue.

A view of the encroachment fenced inside Devarayana Durga state forest by authorities of Tumkur University

The future:

Tumakuru lies in the south-eastern part of Karnataka state and is among the driest regions of India. Every tree counts and every inch of forest matters, as it is crucial to conserving the region's water sources and tapering the hot summers. Hence, it is crucial that we all fight to save this green cover. Atleast for our future generations, if not for ourselves...

Issue in the media:

1. Forest Case Update, Issue 17, October 2005

2. Government in a fix over granting land to varsity (The Hindu, Thursday, Jan 11, 2007)

3. Land identified for Tumkur University (The Hindu, Saturday, Aug 19, 2006)

4. Tumkur varsity starts hunt for land (PV Srinivasalu,Times News Network / The Times of India, 22 Sep, 2006)

5. Greens want debate on land granted to varsity (The Hindu, Thursday, Mar 10, 2005)

6. 65 acres of reserve forest may fall, thanks to varsity (The Times of India/Times News Network, Times City, September 5, 2001)

The sad state of Tumkur Amanikere

2007-04-17T11:49:00.000+05:30

Dumping of plastic and food remains from an eatery inside the bund of Tumkur Amanikere near Gadi Anjenya temple।

Dumping of construction debris inside the bund of Tumkur Amanikere near Gadi Anjenya temple।

Dumping of construction debris inside the bund of Tumkur Amanikere near Gadi Anjenya temple।

Dumping of construction debris inside the bund of Tumkur Amanikere near Gadi Anjenya temple।

Dumping of construction debris inside the bund of Tumkur Amanikere near Kari Basava Swamy Circle / Sarvodaya Junior College।

Dumping of construction and encroachment inside the bund of Tumkur Amanikere near Kari Basava Swamy Circle / Sarvodaya Junior College।

An encroachment inside Tumkur Amanikere near Kari Basava Swamy Circle / Sarvodaya Junior College।

The sad state of the board put up by Forest Department indicating the importance of Tumkur Amaikere near Kari Basava Swamy Circle / Sarvodaya Junior College।

The sad state of the board put up by Executive Engineer, Minor irrigation Department warning against any dumping inside Tumkur Amaikere near Kari Basava Swamy Circle / Sarvodaya Junior College.

The sad state of the board put up by Executive Engineer, Minor irrigation Department warning against any dumping inside Tumkur Amaikere near Kari Basava Swamy Circle / Sarvodaya Junior College।

The path created into the lake bed of Tumkur Amanikere by those who dump construction debris into the lake near Kari Basava Swamy Circle / Sarvodaya Junior College।

Dumping of Human Waste, construction debris into Tumkur Amanikere lake near Kari Basava Swamy Circle / Sarvodaya Junior College।

A view of brick kins operating inside the Amanikere lake as seen from the road near Kari Basava Swamy Circle / Sarvodaya Junior College।

A view of construction debris being dumped inside the Amanikere lake as seen from the road near Kari Basava Swamy Circle / Sarvodaya Junior College।

IMAGES OF TUMKUR AMANIKERE DURING ITS HAPPY DAYS

Sunrise over Amanikere in December 1991

Dawn over the hills of Devarayana Durga, as seen from Tumkur Amanikere in Mar।1996

A flock of little Cormorants, White Ibis and egrets in the lake bed in May 1993

A flock of white egrets

White Ibis feeding in the lake with the backdrop of Devarayana Durga Hill Range

Akka Thangi Kere - the story of once glorious wetlands

2007-04-17T11:14:00.000+05:30

Akka - Thangi Kere is a pair of wetlands located adjacent to each other on the outskirts of Tumkur City. Due to the rapid expansion of Tumkur City the wetlands were slowly being encroached. To prevent this, the Tumkur District Environment Week Celebration Committee headed by the then DCF of Tumkur District and consisting of nature lovers from the city decided to convert the wetland into a forest. A massive tree planting programme was organised in October 2000 involving nature lovers and school kids of Tumkur City.

Dedicated efforts by the forest department helped the wetland become a beautiful forest. Due to the construction of the Golden Quadrilateral of National Highways throughout India, these wetlands have fallen prey to development. The following pictures tell you the story

THE STATE OF AKKA-THANGI KERE NOW

View of construction debris and bio-waste being dumped inside the boundaries of Akka Thangi Kere from the under-construction New Tumkur Bypass Sira Road (Mumbai - Bangalore National Highway No:4) (Aptil 2007).

View of construction debris and bio-waste being dumped inside the boundaries of Akka Thangi Kere (Aptil 2007).

Remains of poultry and other bio-waste being dumped on the new Tumkur bypass Sira Road(Mumbai - Bangalore National Highway No:4) adjoining Akka Thangi Kere (Aptil 2007).

Remains of poultry and other bio-waste being dumped on the new Tumkur bypass Sira Road (Mumbai - Bangalore National Highway No:4) adjoining Akka Thangi Kere (Aptil 2007).

AKKA-THANGI KERE DURING ITS DAYS OF GLORY

Members of WANC at the site of Akka - Thangi kere, planting the tree saplings (Oct0ber 2000).

School kids from Tumkur marched to the site of Akka - Thangi kere and helped in planting the tree saplings (Oct0ber 2000).