[MohsinRoadster]

Looks like its time to come down south for Tigers
300 tigers roam Karnataka’s forests - Bangalore - DNA

[abheekg]

Back to Nagpur after 3 relaxed days in Pench.
Targetted only collarwali and her cubs in all my drives.

Summary of my visit: 6 drives, 4 sightings of collarwali - twice with cubs, 30 GB of photos.
The best sighting of the cubs was in the last drive yesterday evening.

Pics coming soon. Stay tuned.

@mohsin: some really good news filtering through with regards to tiger census reports. I will go through the report in full and give my reflections and inputs.

Regards,
Dr. A Ghosh

[fazalaliadil]

Originally Posted by MohsinRoadster

A sigh of relief. Study shows rise in Tiger population.

Mohsin,
Its good news that the Karnataka forests have gained in tiger numbers. Which is due to actual increase + honest 2009 census, unlike their A.P. counterparts who blew the figures to 95 in (A.P. state forest dept. census) 2009 and now 65 in (NTCA/ Center census) 2010.

When there is an all India increase trend, why the decline trend in A.P. and (Pench and Kanha) M.P. inspite of recorded (2010-11) multiple litters in both states???

Also the Sunderbans count of 70 was not recorded in earlier census, which boosts in the present count.

The increase is spread over 4 years (2006-2010) averaging to about 74 per year. Still dismal if you consider that, in 2008, India lost 65 tigers due to various reasons (officially admitted) and about the same number in the preceeding year.

Originally Posted by abheekg

The best sighting of the cubs was in the last drive yesterday evening.

I will go through the report in full and give my reflections and inputs.

Dr. Ghosh,
Awaiting the family potraits of the original Collarwali.

Also your valuable inputs reg. the tiger numbers.
Regards,

[gd1418]

How about this:

In the beginning of 1970s the Government of India had pressed the panic button as there were less than 1800 tigers in the wild and Project Tiger was born. Forty years later we have less than 1800 tigers and "its good news."

Can somebody explain this to me?

[mallumowgli]

Originally Posted by gd1418

How about this:

In the beginning of 1970s the Government of India had pressed the panic button as there were less than 1800 tigers in the wild and Project Tiger was born. Forty years later we have less than 1800 tigers and "its good news."

Can somebody explain this to me?

This is where we miss the 'like' button in Tbhp. That was a great perspective!!

gd sir, you people are doing a great job - you at the North, Doctor at Central India and Sarmarishi at NE keeping a tab on the health of our wildlife sanctuaries. Hope there was someone at south too from Team-bhp (though we have occassional reports from Fazal sa'ab and DKG sir at Srisailam). But I think it is more difficult in Karnataka and Kerala due to the heavier restrictions here (there was one Vinay Pillai in our midst, but he has gone awol)

[abheekg]

1400 or 1800 or for that matter 40,000 (the figure 100 years back) is a very small figure that can represent a species.

These numbers are like the few grains of rice that get left behind after all the rice from a container has been utilised.

40000 to less than 4000 in 100 years......... You can very well imagine what numbers will be left 5 years down the line if there is even a small let up in the conservation efforts.

Its time to have a rain check friends and refrain from any celebrations. Its time we strive harder to conserve the small remaining pockets at various places and strive for a genetic redistribution of the species for better chances of survival.

And if you want to see wild tigers in your lifetime, I think the time is running out fast..........

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

Continuing my story for Tiger population revival at Pench here are some pics from the last weekend (where I had Tiger sightings in 4 out of the 6 drives that I did in the park).

I was successful in getting good shots of the cubs again and could ascertain that there are 2 males and 1 female in the litter of 5. Could not get to know the sex of the other 2 yet.

I have named one of the bolder male cub - Shahrukh for the way he flaunts himself.

Enjoy this very special image from last wee :

Saharukh:

Originally Posted by mallumowgli

This is where we miss the 'like' button in Tbhp. That was a great perspective!!

gd sir, you people are doing a great job - you at the North, Doctor at Central India and Sarmarishi at NE keeping a tab on the health of our wildlife sanctuaries. Hope there was someone at south too from Team-bhp (though we have occassional reports from Fazal sa'ab and DKG sir at Srisailam). But I think it is more difficult in Karnataka and Kerala due to the heavier restrictions here (there was one Vinay Pillai in our midst, but he has gone awol)

Originally Posted by gd1418

How about this:

In the beginning of 1970s the Government of India had pressed the panic button as there were less than 1800 tigers in the wild and Project Tiger was born. Forty years later we have less than 1800 tigers and "its good news."

Can somebody explain this to me?

Originally Posted by fazalaliadil

Mohsin,
Its good news that the Karnataka forests have gained in tiger numbers. Which is due to actual increase + honest 2009 census, unlike their A.P. counterparts who blew the figures to 95 in (A.P. state forest dept. census) 2009 and now 65 in (NTCA/ Center census) 2010.

When there is an all India increase trend, why the decline trend in A.P. and (Pench and Kanha) M.P. inspite of recorded (2010-11) multiple litters in both states???

Also the Sunderbans count of 70 was not recorded in earlier census, which boosts in the present count.

The increase is spread over 4 years (2006-2010) averaging to about 74 per year. Still dismal if you consider that, in 2008, India lost 65 tigers due to various reasons (officially admitted) and about the same number in the preceeding year.


Dr. Ghosh,
Awaiting the family potraits of the original Collarwali.

Also your valuable inputs reg. the tiger numbers.
Regards,

[abheekg]

Today's installment :

Saharukh and his sister (yet unnamed) pose for me



regards,
Dr. A Ghosh

[Subrat Seet]

Lucky you. Put some nice pictures man. Show us the 300 mm result. Going to try my luck.

[abheekg]

Originally Posted by Subrat Seet

Lucky you. Put some nice pictures man. Show us the 300 mm result. Going to try my luck.

Wish you all the best for your drives Subrat. Althought I wont be joining you, my guys there Bablu and Lallan will help you explore Pench better.

I will be doing staggered drives this weekend - will be there on saturday evening and then again from sunday evening to monday evening.

Catch you at Pench. Let me know incase you need any help.

Dr. A Ghosh

[Subrat Seet]

Thanks Buddy. Lalan is with me for all four drives. Would like to see your 300 F4. Hahaha. Going boundless to reach. Waiting to meet you in Pench, its long time after August 2010 at Tadoba.

[abheekg]

Originally Posted by Subrat Seet

Thanks Buddy. Lalan is with me for all four drives. Would like to see your 300 F4. Hahaha. Going boundless to reach. Waiting to meet you in Pench, its long time after August 2010 at Tadoba.

Sure buddy.
Lallan had actually transported a big television to watch the WC finals from Khawasa to Turia after he forgot that you were booked with him this weekend. We had a good laugh about this the other day.

[gd1418]

I hope Lallan, Bablu, Mukesh etc., are not IPL fans?? Nahi to mera kya hoga?

Originally Posted by abheekg

Sure buddy.
Lallan had actually transported a big television to watch the WC finals from Khawasa to Turia after he forgot that you were booked with him this weekend. We had a good laugh about this the other day.

[abheekg]

With the WC final a foregone conclusion, I am leaving for Pench in a while - this time armed with a good video equipment apart from my regular stuff.

Dr. A Ghosh

[gd1418]

You know something that the whole nation/world doesn't know as yet? Abhi to toss bhi nahi hua hai..!!

Sachin ka ton banega ki nahin? Yeh bhi bata do...

Originally Posted by abheekg

With the WC final a foregone conclusion, I am leaving for Pench in a while -
Dr. A Ghosh

[nomadabhi]

Originally Posted by abheekg

With the WC final a foregone conclusion, I am leaving for Pench in a while - this time armed with a good video equipment apart from my regular stuff.

Dr. A Ghosh

So Doc, what's up!
Planning to increase TRP with your live video feed on Pench as against WC Finals. Go ahead, waiting eagerly.