Latest news with #Wildlife(Protection)Act1972
Deccan Herald
3 days ago
- General
- Deccan Herald
85 leopards thriving in Bengaluru's shrinking backyard: Study
Bengaluru: Areas on the outskirts of Bengaluru are home to 80-85 leopards, which not only coexist with a rising population but also with four endangered animals -- tiger, dhol, elephant and pangolin, says a year-long long study by Holemathi Nature by conservation biologist Sanjay Gubbi, a team of researchers from the foundation set up over 250 camera traps across 282 sq km of mixed habitat of agricultural lands, private fields and findings gave several insights on the key measures required for long-term conservation of the animal classified as near the 80-85 leopards in Bengaluru's backyard, 54 were inside BNP while the remaining 30 roamed the reserved and deemed forests besides private lands in the periphery. "The study covered all parts of Bengaluru including Hesaraghatta and adjoining areas, west Bengaluru (Sulikere and adjoining areas) east (Marasandra, Mandur and adjoining areas)," Gubbi told spotted just 3 km from Thalaghattapura is key.A total of 34 mammal species were photo captured during the study. Leopards coexisted with four endangered animals -- tiger, dhole, elephant and Indian Pangolin -- and three near threatened - rusty-spotted cat, Indian chevrotain (mouse deer), painted wooly bat. Four vulnerable species of sloth bear, sambhar, four-horned antelope and smooth-coated otter were also recorded.."Twenty two species fall under Schedule I and five under Schedule II of Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, underscoring the national and global importance of safeguarding Bengaluru's remaining natural habitat," it said, noting that bats and small rodents were outside the study noted that the leopard abundance inside the BNP has climbed steadily — from 40 in 2019 and 47 in 2020 to 54 in 2025 — primarily due to stricter protection that has improved prey availability while past translocation of conflict leopards from other districts may also have contributed to the numbers.."I think Bannerghatta has reached its carrying capacity. Bengaluru is also ensconcing the northern part of Bannerghatta and is now left with no buffer as buildings and layouts have come up to the edge of the national park. The silver lining to Bannerghatta is that it is connected to Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary in the south (we have identified some leopards that use both Bannerghatta and CWS) and some reserved forests in Tamil Nadu," he remaining study stressed the need to notify BM Kaval, UM Kaval, Roerich Estate and Gollahali Gudda as a conservation recommended the addition of Durga Dhakal reserved forest, Block B of Bettahalliwade reserved forest and deemed forests of JI Bachahalli and M Maniyambal to BNP. It said there was a need to safeguard the Muneshwara-Bannerghatta wildlife corridor while increasing community outreach efforts for noted that there were already signs of conflict as Bengaluru expands into the surrounding rocky outcrops, dry deciduous and scrub forests, thus depriving leopards of their natural habitat and prey.."Due to their relatively small body size and lower caloric needs, leopards can survive on smaller prey such as black-naped hare, porcupine, wild pig and even domestic animals. However, when natural prey numbers decline, leopards increasingly turn to livestock, leading to higher levels of conflict," he about the methodology, Gubbi said each leopard has a unique rosette pattern on its body and the team was able to identify individual leopards from the images captured.."Once all individuals were identified, the data were analysed using the Spatially Explicit Capture-Recapture (SECR) statistical methodology to estimate absolute abundance and density," he said, adding that the camera traps were active for a standard duration and checked every 2–3 days to ensure proper functionality.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Bengaluru's leopard count rises, beats Mumbai to become the ‘leopard capital'
A year-long camera-trap survey by Holématthi Nature Foundation (HNF), led by conservation biologist Dr. Sanjay Gubbi, has revealed that the forests and scrublands fringing Bengaluru harbour an estimated 80–85 wild leopards. With this, Bengaluru now surpasses Mumbai's documented population of around 54 leopards and becomes the large metropolis with the highest known number of free-ranging big cats, according to a statement by the Foundation. It is also the only metro whose fringes still support an ensemble of tigers, leopards, dholes, elephants, gaur, sambar and other large mammals. Watch: Is Bengaluru seeing more leopards? Study across mixed habitats The survey spotted 54 individuals inside Bannerghatta National Park (BNP) and around 30 of them roaming reserved, deemed and private forests scattered across the metropolitan periphery. The team deployed more than 250 camera traps across 282 sqkm of mixed habitat — Turahalli, Turahalli Gudda, B.M. Kaval, U.M. Kaval, Roerich Estate, Gollahalli Gudda, Sulikere, Hesaraghatta, Marasandra, Manduru and adjoining government and private lands — as well as throughout BNP. Besides leopards, 34 mammal species were photo-captured, four of them Endangered and four Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. 'Twenty two species fall under Schedule I and five under Schedule II of India's Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 — underscoring the national and global importance of safeguarding Bengaluru's remaining natural habitat,' said the statement. Rising numbers Leopard abundance inside BNP has climbed steadily — from 40 in 2019, 47 in 2020 to 54 in 2025. HNF attributed the increase primarily to stricter protection that has improved prey availability, though the past translocation of conflict leopards from other districts may also have contributed. It also credited the people co-existing with leopards and other large wildlife. Dr. Gubbi was joined by Shravan Suthar, Sandesh Appu Naik, Poornesha H.C., Mayur Mirashi, Aishwarya Karanth and field assistants from local communities. Recommendations The team recommended notifying B.M. Kaval, U.M. Kaval, Roerich Estate and Gollahalli Gudda as a Conservation Reserve and adding Durgadakal RF, Bettahalliwade RF (Block B) and the deemed forests of J.I. Bachahalli and M. Maniyambal to Bannerghatta National Park, where camera traps even photographed tigers. The other recommendations included safeguarding the Muneshwarabetta–Bannerghatta wildlife corridor through appropriate conservation measures, intensifying community outreach so that Bengaluru's rapidly expanding suburbs can coexist safely with leopards, halting further translocation of leopards into BNP and addressing root causes of human-leopard conflict at the source sites.
The Hindu
25-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
From The Hindu, May 26, 1975: Curbs on export of rare birds and mammals
Calcutta, May 25: The Centre has further listed 44 rare species and endangered categories of birds and imposed restrictions on their export under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, according to an official source. Besides, three species of reptiles and 37 species of mammals were brought under the purview of the restrictive order which came into force this month. While the birds include munias, mynas, finches and pigeons (except blue rock pigeons), the reptiles are chameleon, rat snake and water snake. Among the mammals Andaman wild pig, Assamese macaque, common dolphin, hyena, Nilgiri thar and jackal are listed. Under the order only registered exporters of wildlife and wildlife products will be allowed to despatch the listed birds, reptiles and mammals through the major ports of Calcutta, Bombay and Madras and Delhi on production of a wild certificate to be issued by the State's Chief Wildlife Warden. Earlier, the Centre under the Act had totally banned trade in 70 rare and endangered species of mammals, 18 reptiles and 44 birds to protect and preserve wildlife in the country. The trade in butterflies and moth and dragonfly had also been banned. While a separate policy in regard to rhesus monkeys, bonnet monkeys and peacock-tail feather has yet to be announced, the export of non-poisonous live snakes will be allowed on shipping bills by the registered exporters of wildlife in all permissible destinations with a limited ceiling.
Hindustan Times
15-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Junnar forest dept books 21 for involvement in wildlife poaching
Acting on a tipoff, the Junnar forest department has arrested 21 persons involved in wildlife poaching during a coordinated raid in a reserve forest area in Hadsar village, Junnar tehsil. Forest guard Eknath Bangarb from Rajur forest range got a tipoff that around 20 to 25 persons were using Waghuri (traditional traps) to hunt wild animals in the protected area. He immediately visited the said forest area along with forest guards from Nimgiri and Aptale villages and found multiple traps set up and wild animals being driven toward these traps. The group alerted Pradeep Chavan, range forest officer, Junnar forest division, about the same and additional teams were sent to the area. The operation led to the seizure of 21 Waghuris and 10 two-wheelers being used for the transport of personnel and hunting equipment. Twenty-one suspects were detained at the site. Among those arrested, 15 persons are from Surale village; four from Hadsar village; and one each from Mauje Tejur and Mangnewadi (Khamgaon). All these villages are from Junnar tehsil only. During initial interrogation, 17 of the suspects admitted to their involvement in the poaching attempt. They have been released on bond pending further legal proceedings. However, the remaining four suspects including Nilesh Kedari, Ramesh Kedari and Pradeep Kedari (all from Surale village); and Kisan Bhale from Hadsar were found uncooperative; they even provided misleading information during the interrogation. Eventually, they were arrested in the evening on May 13 and produced before the first-class judicial magistrate in Junnar the following day. The court remanded them to police custody for two days. Emphasising the seriousness of the crime, Chavan said, 'Driving wild animals from their habitat, setting traps, or attempting to hunt them are all violations under section 9 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. These acts are cognisable and non-bailable, with penalties including up to seven years of imprisonment and up to ₹25,000 in fines.' Smita Rajhans, assistant conservator of forests, Junnar forest division, said, 'We have got police custody of four accused and the investigation will be conducted by forest officials to trace further connections in wildlife poaching.' The said forest area is home to various wild animal species including wild boar, rabbit, Sambar deer, and southern red muntjac among others. A forest officer requesting anonymity said that they haven't received any information, yet, about the trading of animal meat and the poaching was primarily carried out for consumption. Amol Satpute, deputy conservator of forests, has urged the public to report any suspicious activity related to illegal hunting or wildlife trade to the nearest forest office or on helpline number 1926. Crackdown on wildlife poaching in Maval Meanwhile, the Pune forest department has arrested a suspect from the Maval area of Pune district, seizing substantial evidence of wildlife poaching there. The raid – conducted on May 13 at Sing Bungalow in Tikona village – resulted in the confiscation of approximately 52 kg of suspected wild animal meat, two firearms, live and used cartridges, and hunting equipment. Officials arrested Sukhmit Harmit Singh Bhutaliya, 26, a resident of Tikona, in this raid. A case has been registered under sections 9 and 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. Tushar Chavan, deputy conservator of forests (wildlife), said, 'A sample of the seized meat has been sent to the Wildlife Research Centre, Gorewada, Nagpur for forensic examination and species identification. The firearms and cartridges will be investigated in coordination with the police authorities to verify legal ownership and licences. The accused will be presented before the court following due legal procedure.''
Time of India
11-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Forest officials rescue 5 rose-ringed parakeets
Berhampur: Forest officials rescued five rose-ringed parakeets near Bahuda river at Nuapada , under Ganjam district's Digapahandi forest range, two days ago. "The rescued parakeets, listed under Schedule 4 category of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, are under observation," said Sunny Khokkar, divisional forest officer (DFO) Berhampur on Sunday. He said they would soon be released into their natural officials said during patrolling, they came to know about the parakeets. They went to the spot and rescued them. A forest officer said after being rescued they were kept in a safe place. Local veterinary officers have checked their health. At the time of rescue, some of them were weak. Now their condition is Schedule IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, capturing, trading, or keeping parakeets as pets is a punishable offence. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
