No. 14 August 1997
EDITORIAL
This issue is full of news about the attack of commercial-industrial forces on India's protected areas. It seems that after laying bare a substantial part of the rest of India, timber contractors, mine-owners, industrialists, urban elite consumers (like many of us!), dam-builders, and other agents of the country's so-called "progress", are targeting the 4.5% of the country's territory contained in its protected areas (PAs). Not that the attack is entirely new; every once in a while it has taken place on one PA or the other over the last few decades. But the scale and audacity of the assault is now unprecedented, and at least in part due to the new economic policies which in the 1990s have propelled India's economy onto the supposed "fast-track" to the 21st century. With scant regard for the fresh air, fresh water, productive soil, and myriad other things which we all depend on. Our protected areas not only harbour wildlife, but provide these essential "goods", a fact that must be inculcated in the minds of our planners and decision-makers before it is too late....if it is not already. We would urge readers to respond in any way they feel appropriate, to the many depressing bits of news carried in this issue.
What this also means is that those of us arguing for greater involvement of local communities in PA management, need to be very careful not to let this become an excuse for destructive forces to enter the PAs. Fish contractors in Pench (Madhya Pradesh), real estate agents in Borivali (Maharashtra), industrialists in Narayan Sarovar (Gujarat), timber merchants in North-east India, and others have shown that they are quite capable of using the poor as a front for their vested interests. The challenge is to be able to sift out these interests from the ones which genuinely depend for survival on the natural resources of the PAs, and empower the latter not only to be able to live with dignity but also be instrumental in alienating destructive forces within and outside them.
The Committee to amend the Wild Life (Protection) Act (news on which has been carried in several past issues of JPAM Update, has finished its work and handed in a revised Act to the Ministry of Environment and Forests. Unfortunately, the revised draft has not been made public; it has not even been sent to those who sent detailed submissions. This secrecy is rather unfortunate; we can only hope that the Committee has done full justice to the call for greater people's involvement, as also for greater shields against destructive forces of the kind reported about in this issue of the JPAM Update. LOCAL NEWS
ANDHRA PRADESH
Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam: Naxalites against Project Tiger?
The last tiger census in the Nagarjuna-Srisailam Tiger Reserve has indicated that while there are some tigers on the south-east bank of the Krishna river, there are virtually none left in the Nallamalla Range, north-west of the river. Two possible causes are being speculated upon: the first is poisoning of tigers by local people at the behest of Naxalite groups who are opposed to Project Tiger; the second is that poachers may have intensified their activities in this area, while putting the blame of loss of tigers on the Naxalites and villagers. It has also been alleged that the local Forest Department failed to inform the State headquarters of the sudden decline of tiger numbers, due to which no action has been taken so far.
Source: nathistory-india electronic mail discussion site (see below, What's Available?).
GUJARAT
Girnar: Proposed ropeway project threatens Junagadh forests
A ropeway has been proposed from Girnar Taleti to Ambaji Temple near Junagadh town in Gujarat. The primary objective is to facilitate pilgrim traffic to the several temples located around the Girnar peak, inside the Girnar Reserved Forest (RF). The temples already attract lakhs of visitors each year, many of whom stay on for several days. The Girnar hills play a vital role in regulating the water table of Junagadh town and surrounding areas. A forest corridor connects Gir Sanctuary & National Park with the Girnar RF and a small population of Asiatic Lions has also been reported from here.
The Girnar RF is a 7,827.29 ha. teak forest with some dry deciduous scrub, of which 7.28 ha has been identified for the ropeway project. Though the area to be cleared seems to be small, activists allege that "several thousand" trees will be cut, and the increase in pilgrim numbers and associated pressures will have an adverse impact on the forests and local ecology of the area. The proposal has already been cleared by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests. A subsidiary of the Usha group of companies, which manufactures ropeways, is reported to be pushing for the project. A public interest litigation has been filed against the State Government by the Ahmedabad-based Nature Club of Sabar. which has also appealed for help in doing an independent environmental impact assessment of the project.
Contact: Manish Vaidya, Nature Club of Sabar, B 60 Harsh Nagar, D'Cabin, Sabarmati, Ahmedabad 380 019, Gujarat. Tel: 079-746 7073; Fax: 079-333 243.
Sources: Vaidya, M. 1997. Threatening the Biodiversity of Girnar Forest Reserve. Mimeo. Emails from Ravi Chellam, Wildlife Institute of India (WII) dated 28/4/97 and Bittu Sahgal, dated 1/7/97.
KARNATAKA
Dandeli: Reserved Forest land handed over to paper company
127 acres of prime Reserved Forest land in the adjacent area of Dandeli Sanctuary have reportedly been handed over to the privately-owned West Coast Paper Mill by the State government. Due to existing uncertainty over the exact boundary of the protected area and the Reserved Forest, it is feared that some part of the Sanctuary may have been handed over as well.
This follows a sanction by the State government to release nearly 500 acres of forest land, also in the adjacent area of Dandeli Sanctuary, to the Kalyani industrial group to set up a steel plant.
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)-India is considering legal action against the move of the State government on the grounds of allowing forest land to be taken over for a "non-forest purpose."
Source: Indian Express 30/7/97.
Kokrebellur: Crows threaten Painted Storks!
Kokrebellur in Karnataka, one of the better known examples of a people-initiated conservation effort, is a village protecting a large resident population of Painted storks, Spotbilled pelicans and other wetland birds. A few members of Mysore Amateur Naturalists (MAN), a local NGO, have been living in Korebellur for over a year now and have reported that nesting areas in the village are being threatened by several factors. Attempts have been made by MAN to establish a nursery for the chicks that fall out of nests due to various disturbances. A relatively recent pressure is the increase in the number of crows in the village that are constantly getting at the eggs and chicks. The storks are easily disturbed by the presence of outsiders as they move about the nesting sites (though not apparently by the movement of local villagers), which gives the crows an opportunity to attack the nests.
Mysore Amateur Naturalists has appealed for help in tackling the crow problem and the management of the area in general.
Contact: Manu Ravi, Mysore Amateur Naturalists, 571, 9th Cross, Anikethana Road, Kuvempunagar, Mysore 570 023. Tel: 0821-541 744, 542 648.
Source: Email from Shyamal, dated 5/4/97.
Kudremukh: Mining may restart
The Kudremukh Iron Ore Co. Ltd. (KIOCL) plans to resume mining operations in an area covering 310 ha at Nellibedu. The KIOCL and much of its lease area are an enclave within the Kudremukh National Park. The 1996-97 Supreme Court order on forests and erratic power supply by the Karnataka Electricity Board had forced KIOCL to cease preliminary mining operations in the area. Following the Supreme Court order a joint committee had surveyed the area and submitted a report to the government. In all the KIOCL has acquired 4,605 ha of land of which mining is currently taking place on 900 ha. However, mining at Nellibedu will only commence after the Forest Department, State Pollution Control Board, and the Mines and Geology Department have provided the necessary clearances for the project. Contact: Bittu Sahgal, Sanctuary Magazine, 602 Maker Chambers V, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400 021. Tel: 022-283 0061; Fax: 022-287 4380; Email: bittu@giasbm01.vsnl.net.in or bittu@ecologist.ilbom.ernet.in.
Source: Email from Bittu Sahgal dated 22/5/97.
Nagarahole: Villagers declare self-rule
An estimated 125 villages with a population of 40,000 people within the Rajiv Gandhi National Park (better known as Nagarhole National Park) have declared self-rule. Among other reasons, this move was apparently made following the passage of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, which gives much greater control to tribal communities over local resources. Though this move cannot be legally recognised as Karnataka has yet to pass appropriate, enabling legislation, its popularity is increasing, especially among the educated youth in thses villages. A task force has been set up in every village to work out the modalities of self-rule. In some villages barriers have been erected with boards directing outsiders to seek the permission of the yajaman (traditional chief) prior to conducting their business in the village. The gram sabhas (village councils) have taken to hearing and settling cases relating to the village.
It is also reported that the people have once again started collecting non-wood forest produce from the Nagarahole forests. In some cases land has also been taken over for cultivation by tribals. Timber smuggling, reported to be a rampant problem in the Nagarhole area, has declined after the self-rule initiative. Non-tribal shopkeepers in villages have been thrown out as they also used to indulge in exploitative money-lending. Local tribal activists have asked for a redrawing of the boundaries of the Park which will include a core zone closed to villagers and the Forest Department alike; a middle-level zone for tourism and use by local communities; and a fringe zone where the tribal settlements must be allowed to exist in peace. A local NGO, Budakkatu Krishikara Samaja (BKS) (which early this year successfully fought a legal battle against an upcoming hotel on the edge of the National Park, see JPAM Update 13), has supported the tribals in their move towards self-rule.
Source: Tribal hamlets in Karnataka declare self rule, Hindustan Times 1/6/97.
KERALA
Periyar: Plans to develop Sabrimalai temple complex
The Kerala State Government is reported to be backing a proposal to develop the Sabrimalai temple complex adjacent to the Periyar Tiger Reserve, which will include additional construction along the pilgrim access road to the temple. Currently one of the access routes to Sabrimalai is through Periyar Tiger Reserve. The proposal includes diversion of some land from the Tiger Reserve. The State Government also proposes to actively promote tourism in the hills adjacent to Eravikulam National Park, Parambikulam Sanctuary and in the Anamalai range.
Contact: Jagdish Krishnaswamy, 22K, 1315 Morreene Road, Durham, NC 27705, USA Email: jug@acpub.duke.edu.
Source: Email from Jagdish Krishnaswamy dated 18/7/97. MADHYA PRADESH
Karera: Bustard gone, Blackbuck being wiped out
Dr. Asad Rahmani of the Bombay Natural History Society, who spent several years working on the endangered Great Indian bustard of Karera Sanctuary, has reported that the birds are locally extinct and the Blackbuck population on the verge of being wiped out. He also claims that the management of the Sanctuary has been reduced to a minimum with Forest Department staff seldom visiting the area. The trouble is reported to have started with the Forest Department issuing notices to evict villages inside the Sanctuary.(Similar instances were reported in JPAM Update 13).
The relations between the Department and local communities are now strained to the extent that the villagers are reported to have killed nearly 60% of the blackbuck in the Sanctuary and even deny the very existence of the Great Indian bustard. Dr. Rahmani has also reported that in the past the villagers never considered the bustard as being inimical to their interests, indicated by the local name for the bird sonchidiya, or golden bird.
To make matters worse, a proposal to manage Dihaila Jheel inside the Sanctuary, in a way that it benefits the villagers while maintaining its integrity as a wetland ecosystem, has reportedly been shelved by the MP Forest Department.
Contact: Dr. Asad Rahmani, Bombay Natural History Society (see address, under Local News, Borivali)
Source: Letter dated 29/3/97 from Dr. Asad Rahmani. MAHARASHTRA
Borivali: Mumbai residents campaign to "Save the Lakes"
A meeting was held at the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) of about a 100 people representing NGOs, citizens' groups, Forest Department, and others on 22 April 1997, to discuss the problems of the Borivali (now known as Sanjay Gandhi) National Park. A position paper is currently being prepared on the various threats to the protected area including: encroachments, forest fires, bootlegging, expansion of temple complexes, quarries, builders, and the thousands of picnickers who visit the Park every week. In addition, a coalition of NGOs, activists, journalists and wildlifers has been formed for a "Save the Lakes" campaign to highlight the threats to the six reservoirs inside the Park supplying 50% of Mumbai's drinking water.
Contact: Bittu Sahgal (see address, under Local News, Kudremukh). Bombay Natural History Society, Hornbill House, Salim Ali Chowk, Dadabhai Naoraji Road, Mumbai 400 023. Tel: 022-284 3869, 284 3421, 282 1811; Fax: 022-283 7615.
Source: Email from Bittu Sahgal, Sanctuary Magazine, dated 22/5/97.
ORISSA
Bhitarkanika: Olive Ridleys give Gahirmatha the miss
The annual nesting of Olive Ridley turtles at Gahirmatha beach, was particularly poor this year with only a few thousand turtles showing up (See JPAM Update 13). However, other areas, especially in Andhra Pradesh reported greater numbers of Olive Ridleys than has been the case in the past. There is speculation among scientists that changes in global weather phenomenon may have had something to do with the disruption of nesting cycles. Twice in the 1980s there have been similar instances of low nesting numbers. Other possible factors could have been related to the recent spate of development projects in the region including fishing jetties in Bhitarkanika and the upcoming TISCO Steel Plant at Gopalpur, as also increased metal contamination of water courses.
As if the non-arrival of turtles in expected numbers was not bad enough, the carcasses of about 4,000 turtles and some dolphins were also found washed up on the shore of the beach during the nesting season. The cause of these deaths is not known but may have been the result of fishing trawlers using improper nets. The Ministry of Environment and Forests is reportedly considering declaring Gahirmatha and the area around it (not so far included in the Bhitarkanika Sanctuary) a marine sanctuary.
Source: Email from Vivek Tiwari dated 13/6/97.
RAJASTHAN
Desert National Park: Denotification and mining
The Rajasthan state government is reported to be considering allowing mining in Desert National Park. The area is a fine example of a desert ecosystem and has one of India's largest populations of the endangered Great Indian bustard (about 70). The 3,162 sq km National Park has already been affected by the passage of the Indira Gandhi Canal for a distance of 70 km through the Park. Now there is a move to denotify most of the Park leaving only 300 sq km as a protected area, in order to enable limestone mining by private operators. Local Forest Department officials have claimed that the Park has been grossly neglected by the State government and are bitter about the recent moves to allow mining which they see as a contradictory policy of conservation and exploitation.
Contact: Asad Rahmani, Bombay Natural History Society (see address, under Local News, Borivali)
Source: Indian Express 3/8/97.
Kailadevi: People's protection of forests spreads beyond Sanctuary
Forest Protection Committees (see JPAM Update 12), locally known as kulhadi bandh panchayat, are now being established in villages outside Kailadevi Sanctuary as well. In Chaurdhan village at a meeting held on June 7 the members of the kulhadi bandh panchayat were appointed in the presence of Forest Department officials. There has also been some follow up on the resolutions of the workshop on "Kailadevi Sanctuary: Prospects for Conservation", organised by the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), New Delhi and the Society for Sustainable Development (SSD), Karauli, held on 6-7 December 1996 (see JPAM Update 12).
The district administration helped to monitor the state of water availability in villages inside the Sanctuary through the summer months by conducting periodic inspections. The Forest Department has also made plans to construct anicuts in some villages. According to the ACF (Wildlife), the procedures for receiving compensation for injury/loss of livestock to wild animals have been simplified by doing away with the need for a veterinary report prior to processing claims from villagers. This has yet to be officially confirmed by the Forest Department.
Contact: Arun Jindal, Society for Sustainable Development, Shah Inayat Khirkiya, Karauli 322 241, Dist. Karauli, Rajasthan. Tel: 07464-20 065.
Sources: Arun Jindal, pers comm. 30/7/97. Several news items in Rajasthan Patrika.
TAMIL NADU
Kalakkad-Mundanthurai: Road project proposal revived
The Tamil Nadu state government has asked for the release of forest land to enable the laying of a 11.3 km road along the border with Kerala. This section of the road will be located inside the Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, while the complete road will connect Papanasam in Tamil Nadu with Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. The Tamil Nadu government has apparently cleared the proposal and is awaiting clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests to begin construction.
Currently parts of the road are only accessible by jeep or motorcycle. The road will pass through some of the most dense forest areas of the Sanctuary and once regular traffic begins, it will be difficult to save this wildlife habitat.
Contact: Ravi Chellam, Wildlife Institute of India, PO Box 18, Chandrabani, Dehradun 248 001. Tel: 0135-620 912-5; Fax: 0135-620 217; Email: wii@giasdl01.vsnl.net.in.
Source: Email from Ravi Chellam dated 23/4/97.
UTTAR PRADESH
Dudhwa: Changing land use and attitudes affect barasingha
Barasingha (Swamp deer Cervus duvauceli) are declining in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve because their fawning grounds in the swamps outside the Park are being reclaimed for agriculture. Moreover, recent floods in the Suheli river have taken a heavy toll of new born calves, especially in the southern portion of the Park. Now attempts are on to keep the female barasinghas inside the Park by making alternate fawning sites available for them. The open grassland in the Sathiana area of the Park is being ploughed up to encourage new growth of palatable shoots. Local farmers have provided their tractors free of charge to help the Park authorities with the ploughing.
Contact: Rupak De, Field Director, Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, Lakhimpur, District Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh.
Source: Email from Yogesh Wadadekar dated 18/7/97.
Corbett: Pesticide use threatens raptors
A study undertaken by the Bombay Natural History Society in Corbett Tiger Reserve between 1991-96 has established that breeding among the Lesser fishing eagle is being threatened due to increased use of pesticides by farmers in the surrounding area. DDT is reported to have severely contaminated the birds hunting grounds leading to a thinning of eggshells and high mortality among new born chicks.
Contact: Rishad Naroji, Bombay Natural History Society (see address, under Local News, Borivali).
Source: Email from P. Kalra dated 6/7/97.
WEST BENGAL
Sundarbans: Steamer route proposed through the Tiger Reserve
A new international steamer route has been proposed by the Inland Waterways Authority of India, that will pass through the Sunderbans Tiger Reserve for a distance of 191 km before heading out into the Bay of Bengal. Although work on the project has yet to commence, it is expected that the project will involve an enormous amount of dredging every year. An environment impact assessment of the project has concluded that "due to the dredging activity, a complete change in ecosystem is anticipated." Six to seven permanent concrete structures will also be built along the route to enable movement of goods and passengers.
Contact: Bittu Sahgal (see address, under Local News, Kudremukh).
Source: Email from Bittu Sahgal dated 23/4/97.
HELP REQUIRED TO MAP PROTECTED AREA HOTSPOTS
Bittu Sahgal, Editor Sanctuary Magazine is in the process of compiling information on, and making a map of, the instances of commercial pressures on protected areas and other wildlife habitats. Bittu is currently looking for assistance with the map preparation process. The map will need to be done on a computer using appropriate software and should be capable of depicting the following:
Forest cover of India Location of national parks and sanctuaries Location of upto 60 industrial and development projects Location of forest dwelling communities
It is hoped that the map can be reproduced in a size of 15" x 20" or 18" x 23", with each entry annotated by way of a reference note. Ideas and suggestions on how such a map can be made and for further details contact Bittu Sahgal.
Contact: Bittu Sahgal (see address, under Local News, Kudremukh).
STATE NEWS
ANDHRA PRADESH
State government invests in villages around protected areas
According to the Deccan Chronicle, the Andhra Pradesh government has invested in nearly 200 villages around nine protected areas in the state. Vana Samrakshana Samithis (Forest Protection Committees) have been established and roughly Rs. 6 lakhs spent on every village. Details of activities taken up under this investment are not known.
Source: Deccan Chronicle 18/6/97.
MAHARASHTRA
Third Conference on Sanctuaries
The Third Conference on Sanctuaries in Maharashtra, held at Malwan, Sindhudurg District, from 25-27 October 1996, was attended by local people representing several protected areas in the state (Radhanagri, Koyna, Bhimashankar, Borivali, Melghat, Pench, Nagzira, etc.), environmentalists, scientists and Forest Department officials.
A paper on People-oriented Sanctuaries: Principles and Practices, drafted by Vasant Palshikar, was presented and discussed at the start of the meeting. Several experiences from various protected areas were reported, which highlighted the following issues:
Local communities continue to remain unaware of the process of declaration and management of protected areas. People living in and around protected areas have to endure a confusing system of rights and concessions which make certain activities legal and others illegal. Management of protected areas is becoming an increasingly difficult task in the absence of a dialogue between the Forest Department and local people.
Specific cases that came up for discussion included bauxite mining in Radhanagari Sanctuary, fishing in Pench National Park and Malwan Sanctuary.
The meeting concluded with a call for greater involvement of local people in the management of protected areas, greater transparency in government processes regarding protected areas and a lift on the ban on fishing in protected areas.
Contact: Kusum Karnik, 'SHASHWAT', Manchar 410 503, District Pune, Maharashtra.
Source: Summary report on the Third Conference on Sanctuaries.
NATIONAL NEWS
Building Bridges: Consultation On Wildlife Conservation And People's Livelihood Rights
A group of about 20 social activists, wildlife conservationists, researchers, lawyers, and media-persons met from 10 to 12 April, 1997, at Bhikampura- Kishori in Alwar District, adjacent to the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan. The meeting, called by the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) and Kalpavriksh, and hosted by Tarun Bharat Sangh, was an attempt to initiate a dialogue between those advocating the cause of wildlife protection and those struggling to uphold the human rights of rural communities living in and around wildlife habitats.
The participants agreed that there were certain essential principles concerning both local people's livelihoods as well as wildlife conservation that could not be compromised upon. These include: the right to existence of wildlife, the right to access natural resources by local communities, the full and informed participation of local communities in the management of protected areas, opposition to dependence on foreign agencies for funds, opposition to forced displacement, and protection of threatened species.
Based on these principles a strategy was worked out to include: joint programmes between conservationists and social activists, public hearings, consistent defence of local community rights and protected area values, strengthening of wildlife legislation against destructive forces, challenging elite lifestyles and consumerism, declaring all protected areas off-limits to destructive projects, and combining formal/modern with local/traditional knowledge.
Amongst the joint actions proposed as follow-up were: lobbying for changes in the Wildlife Act, producing a simple booklet on the Act, helping the Indian People's Tribunal on Environment and Human Rights to investigate ongoing conflicts in and around Madhya Pradesh's PAs, providing support to villagers' move to declare the entire Arvari River catchment (in Rajasthan) a people's protected area, and taking legal action against some tourism projects affecting PAs.
The full text of the joint statement, and news on follow-up, is available from the Editorial address.
Committee to amend Wild Life (Protection) Act
The Committee to suggest amendments to India's Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, has finished its work and submitted a new draft Act to the Ministry of Environment and Forests. Committee members who were contacted were cagey about parting with a copy of the amended Act. It is not known how many of the suggestions made by NGOs and experts (see JPAM Updates 6 to 13) have been incorporated. On behalf of the group of social activists and conservationists which met at Bhikampura in April this year (see item above), Kalpavriksh and the IIPA JPAM team sent a letter to the Committee asking for widespread consultation before the new Act is finalised. In response, the Committee Chairman, Dr. M.K. Ranjitsinh claimed that they had already undertaken the most consultative process possible.
Contact: Kishore Rao, DIG (WL), Ministry of Environment & Forests, Paryavaran Bhavan, CGO Complex, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi 110 003. Tel: 011-436 0957; Fax: 011-436 3918; Email: krao@envfor.delhi.nic.in.
Indian Board for Wildlife meeting
The Indian Board for Wildlife, having been rescurrected from the dead a few months ago (see JPAM Update 13), had another meeting on July 11, 1997, under the chair of Prime Minister I.K. Gujral. A full report of the proceedings is not yet available, but some of the issues that came up for discussion were: possible employment alternatives for those engaged in the bird trade; people-wolf encounters, particularly in UP; suggestions for overhauling the Forest Department; the World Bank-Global Environment Facility projects; establishment of a Fuelwood Mission; and the establishment of a cell in the Home Ministry to monitor illegal trade in wildlife. Members present at the meeting report that among the several decisions taken, some notable ones include: the PM will address the nation on the issue of wildlife conservation on Doordarshan; the impact of World Bank funded projects on tiger habitats will be studied; a Standing Committee with the Minister for Environment and Forests as convenor, will be established to go into the details of actions required to follow up on decisions taken.
Contact: Kishore Rao (see address, under National News, Wild Life Act Committee).
IIPA's JPAM project ends
Over the last year and a half, the Indian Institute of Public Administration has been conducting field work in three PAs (Kailadevi Sanctuary, Rajasthan; Dalma Sanctuary, Bihar; Rajaji National Park, Uttar Pradesh), as also doing conceptual work, on the possibilities of joint management. The project has involved, apart from research, initiating dialogues between PA authorities and local villagers, servicing the requests of movements and NGOs and officials across the country, and networking (e.g. through this Update). News on the progress of the project has been regularly carried in the Update.
The research part of the project is now over, and a final document containing three detailed reports on these sites, along with 5 other reports on legal, institutional, and other aspects of JPAM, has been produced. The key issues in JPAM have been summarised in a short document, which can be requested from us at the Editorial address.
The report has been sent to the authorities of the three PAs, concerned NGOs and individuals, and major conservation organisations in the country. Already, there has been some response; the Ranthambhor Tiger Reserve authorities plan to use it in a meeting they are organising to discuss the management problems of the area (which includes Kailadevi Sanctuary). Project Elephant director, Shri Vinod Rishi, has offered to use the recommendations of the reports on Dalma and Rajaji.
This report will be brought out as a book by IIPA after getting comments and revising it. The project team will continue to be involved with initiatives in these 3 PAs, and will also continue to facilitate national networking on JPAM related issues, from a new base in Pune (see box on pg. 2).
Project Tiger takes policy decision on displacement from Tiger Reserves
At a recent meeting of the Project Tiger Steering Committee, chaired by the Union Minister for Environment and Forests and attended by the Secretary (Environment & Forests), a categorical decision was taken that "forced displacement from existing or proposed Project Tiger Reserves must not take place." Further it was decided that those villages seeking voluntary relocation will be extended all facilities, including financial, to enable them to resettle elsewhere.
Contact: P.K. Sen, Director, Project Tiger, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Annexe No. 5, Bikaner House, New Delhi 110 011. Tel/Fax: 011-338 4428.
Source: Fax from P.K. Sen, Director, Project Tiger to Bittu Sahgal, Member Project Tiger Steering Committee, dated 7/2/97.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEPAL/INDIA
Shuklaphanta/Pilibhit: Mahakali Pancheswar project threatens wildlife
An agreement has been reached between India and Nepal over the construction of the multi-purpose Mahakali Pancheswar hydel-irrigation project. However there exist several ecologically important areas downstream of the project including: Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve (Nepal), several Reserved Forests in Pilibhit District (India) and the Sarda river in India where over 200 Gharial have been released besides possessing a confirmed population of Gangetic dolphins. It is not known whether an impact assessment of the project on these species and habitats will be made.
Contact: Jagdish Krishnaswamy (see address, under Local News, Periyar)
Source: Email from Jagdish Krishnaswamy dated 18/7/97.
NEPAL/INDIA
At the first Trans-boundary Consultative Meeting on Biodiversity Conservation between Nepal and India, a resolution was adopted which advocates, among other actions, the following: establishment of trans-boundary protected areas, sharing of PA related information, joint anti-poaching and surviellance measures on the border, monitoring of trans-boundary movement of animals, and measures to involve local people in conservation. These decisions will hopefully help to resolve some of the outstanding problems of illegal trade in wildlife, poaching in border areas (e.g. at Dudhwa National Park in Uttar Pradesh), and others.
Contact: Kishore Rao (see address, under National News, Wild Life Act Committee).
MYANMAR
Conservation extracts heavy price from indigenous people of Myanmar
In an impressive case of investigative journalism, reporters of the Observer have unearthed a bizarre conservation policy of the military junta in Myanmar. The proposed Myinmoletkat Nature Reserve will be roughly 100,000 ha in size and located in the semi-independent region of the Karen people. In addition, a large-scale eco-tourism venture is being proposed along the southern coast of the country in the Mergui archipelago with the establishment of the Labini Island National Park. Both proposals are being supported by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Smithsonian Institution in the US. WWF-International is also reported to have shown keen interest in these conservation projects.
However, there is apparently an uglier side to these initiatives. An estimated 2,000 Karen people have either been killed or have disappeared in just two months, as part of the purge to make the Myinmoletkat Nature Reserve totally free of any human presence. There are reports of hundreds of people being engaged in forced labour and several thousands having fled into the deep forest or across to neighbouring Thailand. The officials in the Forestry Ministry have denied any attempts to forcibly evict people from the Reserve. Interestingly, it has also been reported that in the Tenasserim Division, where the Karen Liberation Army is fairly active, indigenous people have already declared their own wildlife sanctuaries.
Source: Burma's junta goes green, The Observer (London) 23/3/97.
IUCN INITIATIVES IN ASIA
IUCN - The World Conservation Union is planning a series of initiatives focusing on people's involvement in protected areas and conservation, in the South and South-East Asia region. The focus, as determined by its country offices, partners and members in the region, will be on action research and process documentation of selected community participation efforts, capacity-building of stakeholders and policy analysis. Exchange of personnel between various sites, and field training will be encouraged. Different units within the IUCN heaquarters (Biodiversity, Social Policy, and Protected Areas), will facilitate the process, which will be carried out by several local groups including IUCN country offices/partners in Asia, Asian members of the World Commission on Protected Areas and of the Collaborative Management Working Group, and NGOs from each country.
Contact, at IUCN HQ (IUCN The World Conservation Union, 28 Rue de Mauverney, Gland CH 1196, Switzerland): Grazia Borrini-Feyerabend, Head IUCN Social Policy Group, Tel: 41-22-999 0274; Fax: 41-22-999 025; Email: gbf@hq.iucn.org. Jeff McNeely, Chief Biodiversity Officer, Email: jam@hq.iucn.org. Caroline Martinet, Biodiversity Unit, Email: ccm@hq.iucn.org. David Sheppard, Protected Areas Programme. Tel: 41-22-999 0162; Fax: 41-22-999 0015; Email: das@hq.iucn.org.
Other contacts: Leslie Wijesinghe, IUCN Sri Lanka, 7 Vajira Lane, Colombo 5. Tel: 94-1-584 402; Fax: 94-1-580-202; Email: twcusl@sri.lanka.net. Krishna Oli, IUCN Nepal, PO Box 3923, Kathmandu, Nepal. Tel: 977-1-523 348; Fax: 977-1-521 506; Email: iucn@mos.com.np. Sejal Worah, World Wide Fund for Nature, ICDP Training Programme (Asia/Pacific), Asian Institute of Technology, P.O. Box 4, Khlong Luang 12120, Thailand. Tel: 66-2-524 6128; Fax: 66-2-524 6134; Email: wwficdp@ait.ac.th. Ashish Kothari (at the Editorial address).
UPCOMING
Forum '97: New Linkages in Conservation and Development
The Conservation Development Forum, a partnership between the University of Florida, Ford Foundation and a global network of scholars and practitioners established in 1996, is organising Forum '97: New Linkages in Conservation and Development, in Istanbul, Turkey. The meeting from 16-21 November 1997, will cover the following themes: culturally conflicting views of conservation; engaging communities in conservation and development; ethics and responsibility in environmental action; conservation and development in war and peace; business as a partner in environmental action; and institutional pathways to sustainability. The agenda also includes a specific workshop on "Community-based Wildlife Management."
Contact: Conservation Development Forum, University of Florida, 304 Grinter Hall, P.O. Box 115531, Gainesville, FL, USA 32611-5531. Tel: 1-352-392 6548; Fax: 1-352-392 0085. Email: cdf@tcd.ufl.edu; Url: http://www.cdf.ufl.edu. Symposium: Protected Areas in the 21st Century
The World Commission on Protected Areas of the IUCN - The World Conservation Union, is organising a symposium "Protected Areas in the 21st Century: From Islands to Networks", in Albany, Western Australia, on 23-29th November, 1997. This is meant to be a mid-term review the progress of the 10-year action plan which was formulated at the IVth World Congress on National Parks and Protected Areas, Caracas, 1992. Participation is by invitation only.
Contact: David Sheppard, Head, Programme on Protected Areas/WCPA, IUCN (see address above, under International News,).
Sixth World Wilderness Congress
The 6th World Wilderness Congress is coming up at Bangalore, 18-24 October 1997. The theme of the meeting is "The Call for a Sustainable Future", and intends to focus attention on the Asian region. The meeting is a project of the International Wilderness Leadership Foundation (WILD) and provides an international forum to discuss and act upon critical matters of environmental security, specially related to the conservation of wilderness and wildland areas.
Contact: Dr. M.A. Parthasarthy, No.1 12th Cross, Rajmahal Vila Extension, Bangalore 560 080, Karnataka, India. Tel: 91-80-345 595. Fax: 91-80-341 647.
WHAT'S AVAILABLE?
Ghimire, K.P and Pimbert, M.P (eds). 1997. Social Change and Conservation. Earthscan Publications Ltd., London.
A useful compilation of papers on the social aspects of conservation, particularly protected areas. Besides some concept papers it also includes case studies from Costa Rica, Germany, India, France, China, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Canada. The book covers issues such as indigenous peoples and conservation, role of NTFP collection in local economies, the interface between development and conservation and the role of tourism.
Contact: Earthscan Publications Ltd., 120 Pentonville Road, London N1 9JN. Tel: 44-171-278 0433; Fax: 44-171-278 1142; Email: earthinfo@earthscan.co.uk
Electronic mail discussion site on natural history
An interesting and useful email discussion site, devoted largely to natural history/conservation issues in South Asia, is run by volunteers from Princeton University, USA. Informal discussions range from the biology of singing ants to population dynamics affecting conservation! Subscribing is free; send an email to: nathistory-india@lists.princeton.edu.
DeCosse, P.J. and Jayawickrama, S.S. 1997. Co-management of Resources in Sri Lanka: Status, Issues and Opportunities. USAID and Sri Lanka Natural Resources & Environment Policy Project/ International Resources Group, Ltd. (NAREPP/IRG), Colombo.
An overview of the co-management opportunities in Sri Lanka, the study makes suggestions for policy changes to enable greater use of the approach for resource management in the country. The study concentrates on state-owned resources and five groups of people, i.e. the local community, local support institutions, external beneficiaries, central resource institutions and other external stakeholders.
Contact: NAREPP/IRG, USAID, 1 Gower Street, Colombo 5, Sri Lanka. Tel: 94-1-586 099; Fax: 94-1-583 175.
CM News
The newsletter of the Collaborative Management Working Group of the IUCN Social Policy Group, provides information from around the world on collaborative natural resource management initiatives including those for protected areas.
Contact: Grazia Borrini-Feyerabend or Gabriella Richardson, Social Policy Group, IUCN (see address above, under International News).
Bird Link Newsletter
Newsletter of the recently established Bird Link network, a collective of individuals interested in ornithology. Bird Link invites contributions of news, information and views on birds and related issues.
Contact: Bird Link, 101/4 Kaushalya Park, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110 016. Tel: 011-696 1520, 660 607; Fax: 011-686 4614; Email: biks@giasdl01.vsnl.net.in.
Desai, Ajay. 1997. The Indian Elephant. BNHS, Mumbai. Daniel, J.C. 1997. Extinction is Forever. BNHS, Mumbai. Karanth, U.K. 1997. Predators and Prey. BNHS, Mumbai. Borges, R.M. 1997. Evolution, the Story of Life. BNHS, Mumbai. Gadgil, Madhav. 1997. Diversity, the Cornerstone of Life. BNHS, Mumbai. Khemikar, Issac. 1997. Moths of India, an Introduction. BNHS, Mumbai.
Published by the BNHS, these six new titles are for the 12 to 18 age-group, with several more to follow in the series. Available at Rs. 125 for the set.
Contact: Bombay Natural History Society (see address under Local News, Borivali) CORRIGENDUM
In JPAM Update 13 (April 1997), we had carried a news item about a two-day workshop on 'People and Protected Areas', organised by the National Committee for Protection of Land Resources, held at Nagpur on 7-8 December 1996. In the list of participating organisations we had failed to mention the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) as one of those taking part. The error is regretted.
WE'RE MOVING! The team producing JPAM Update is shifting base. The Update will now be produced from Pune (pl. see mailing address at the end, which is being used temporarily till an institutional base is found). PLEASE MAKE A NOTE OF THIS. ALL READERS ARE REQUESTED TO CONTINUE SENDING NEWS AND OPINIONS ON PROTECTED AREA ISSUES AT THE NEW ADDRESS.
JPAM Update is produced every two months as a follow-up to the workshop on Exploring the Possibilities of Joint Protected Area Management (JPAM), organised at the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), New Delhi, in September 1994. JPAM Update 14 was prepared by Farhad Vania and Ashish Kothari. Secretarial support was provided by Vishal Thakre, Sangeeta Kaintura, Virender Anand and Kheema Rawat.
Ideas, comments, news and information may please be sent to the new editorial address. Please note this is a mailing address only:
Ashish Kothari c/o Anchal Sondhi, B1 Siddheshwar Heights Sanewadi, Aundh, Pune 411 007 Maharashtra, India
Email: akothari@kv.unv.ernet.in. JPAM Update 14 August 1997
| |
Last modified on: Tue Apr 5 15:39:01 2005