Archive for the ‘Nature’ Category
Posted by Admin on October 4, 2012
Rattled by the slaughter of six rhinos in a week, Dispur has decided to constitute a state wildlife crime control bureau to protect the state’s fauna. Chief minister Tarun Gogoi made the announcement today while expressing concern over the recent spate of rhino poaching in and around Kaziranga National Park. He said the proposed bureau would track criminals, manage databases, carry out thorough investigation and break the network of poachers. (telegraphindia.com)
Villagers look at a wounded rare one horned Rhinoceros which was shot and dehorned by poachers in a jungle in Parku hills near Kaziranga National Park, about 250 kilometers east of Guwahati. Two rare rhinos brutally attacked by poachers this week in northeast India have died, veterinarians said September 29, 2012 triggering protests at local authorities’ failure to protect the animals. AFP PHOTO/Biju BORO
Indian forest officials stand near a one horned horn Rhinoceros, which was killed and de-horned by the poachers at Karbi hills near Kaziranga National Park, some 250km east of Guwahati the capital city the northeastern state of Assam on September 27, 2012. A rhino was killed by poachers and its horn removed in the early hours on Thursday, barely a day after one was killed and another left bleeding in the world-famous Kaziranga National Park. AFP PHOTO/ Biju Boro
An Indian forest official shows the bullets used by poachers to shoot a one horned horn Rhinoceros, which was killed and de-horned by the poachers at Karbi hills near Kaziranga National Park, some 250km east of Guwahati the capital city the northeastern state of Assam on September 27, 2012. A rhino was killed by poachers and its horn removed in the early hours on Thursday, barely a day after one was killed and another left bleeding in the world-famous Kaziranga National Park. AFP PHOTO/ Biju Boro
An Indian Forestry Department official, riding an elephant, pulls away the carcass of a rhino killed by poachers at Bagori range in Kaziranga National Park, some 250 kms east of Guwahati, on September 28, 2012. A rare rhino, whose horn was hacked off by poachers, died after struggling for its life for over a day. The gravely injured rhino was found in the deluged Kaziranga National Park on September 27, bleeding from gunshot injuries and a huge wound on its snout after poachers cut off its horn, nose and part of its ear. AFP PHOTO/BIJU BORO
In this file photograph taken on September 26, 2012 villagers look at a wounded endangered one horned Rhinoceros which was shot and dehorned by poachers in the jungle of Parku hills near Kaziranga National Park, about 250 kilometers east of Guwahati. Two rare rhinos brutally attacked by poachers this week in northeast India have died, veterinarians said September 29, 2012, triggering protests at local authorities’ failure to protect the animals. AFP PHOTO/ Biju BORO/FILES
Rattled by the slaughter of six rhinos in a week, Dispur has decided to constitute a state wildlife crime control bureau to protect the state’s fauna. Chief minister Tarun Gogoi made the announcement today while expressing concern over the recent spate of rhino poaching in and around Kaziranga National Park. He said the proposed bureau would track criminals, manage databases, carry out thorough investigation and break the network of poachers.The government took the decision after drawing flak from various quarters over its failure to curb poaching of rhinos in the state. The state bureau is likely to be constituted on the lines of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, which was formed by the Centre on June 6, 2007, by amending the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
He said the number of anti-poaching camps in Karbi Anglong district would also be increased to prevent killing of Kaziranga rhinos that strayed into the district during floods. “I will take up the issue (of setting up of the camps) with Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council as Karbi Anglong is a Sixth Schedule area.” The chief minister also stressed the involvement local people in wildlife conservation and mooted constitution of animal defence parties on the lines of village defence parties.Slamming the Opposition for criticising his government over the incidents of rhino poaching, he said Assam was among the best performing states in the country in wildlife conservation and the number of rhinos had ncreased in Kaziranga during his tenure. “The number of rhinos has increased from 1,080 in 1984 to 2,201 in 2001.”
Gogoi, however, was quick to add, “I am not trying to justify the recent killings of rhinos at Kaziranga. We have taken it very seriously. What I am saying is that nobody should play politics on this issue.”The chief minister said the state government would publish a white paper on steps taken by it for protection of animals and those taken by erstwhile governments.He said the increase in number of rhinos in Kaziranga had, in fact, become a problem, with the animals straying out of the protected area to adjoining forests in Karbi Anglong district, where poachers and militants attacked them for their horns.Sources said one way of tackling the poaching menace during the floods was to deploy adequate security forces like the CRPF and army in the Karbi Anglong hills, to which the animals head in search of higher ground. “There is need for heavier deployment of security forces between April and October when floods occur and the animals of the park start moving to Karbi Anglong,” a source said.
According to him, in Karbi Anglong, the weapon to guard ratio was 1:2, which was unfavourable in an encounter situation. “Besides, we have weapons like the .303 and .315 rifles which have to be cocked for every shot, by which time the poachers, who are armed with automatic weapons, can fire several bursts,” he said. The source said all poachers, however, did not have sophisticated weapons. “We have found empty cases and live cartridges of SLRs and AK-series rifles as also those of .303. This shows that even militants could be involved apart from the traditional poachers whose signature is the 303 rifle,” he said.Asked about a possible remedy, he said local youths should be provided livelihood opportunities to keep them from being lured by poaching gangs. “We must be able to ensure another generation of poachers does not come up while dealing with those already into the trade.”
Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) standing mist of long grasses, Kazaringa, India.
Posted in India Forgotten, Nature | Tagged: animal cruelty, animal poaching, Assam, barbarism, Dispur, flora and fauna, Guwahati, India, Indian Rhinoceros, Kaziranga National Park, Poaching, Rhinoceros, Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, wildlife endangered | Comments Off on Shocking Photos: Poachers chop Rhinos’ horns
Posted by Admin on July 4, 2012
http://in.news.yahoo.com/photos/floods-in-assam-slideshow/
At least 77 people have been killed and nearly two million affected by heavy monsoon rains that caused floods in Assam, in what the prime minister on Monday called one of the worst such disasters to strike recently.Prime Minister announced an aid package of Rs.500 crore. The mighty Brahmaputra river and many of its tributaries have breached their banks after downpours, washing away thousands of homes mostly made of bamboo and straw, as well as roads, bridges and power lines.Authorities have given shelter, food and medicines to thousands of homeless people, and deployed mobile medical teams to prevent the outbreak of disease.(Reuters)
This handout photograph received from the Press Information Bureau (PIB) and taken on July 1, 2012 shows an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter on a Relief and Rescue mission in the flood-affected areas of Assam. At least 79 people have died and 2.2 million forced to leave their homes over the last week as torrential monsoon rains triggered floods across India‘s northeast, officials said on July 2, 2012.
A view of flood-affected people, who are stranded, standing on a bridge in the flooded area of the Sonitpur district in the northeastern Indian state of Assam July 1, 2012. Incessant heavy rains in northeast India have caused massive flooding and landslides, killing more than 60 people, local media reported on Sunday. Picture taken July 1, 2012. REUTERS/Stringer (INDIA – Tags: DISASTER ENVIRONMENT)
An aerial view shows the flood-affected areas of the Sonitpur district in the northeastern Indian state of Assam July 1, 2012. Incessant heavy rains in northeast India have caused massive flooding and landslides, killing more than 60 people, local media reported on Sunday. Picture taken July 1, 2012. REUTERS/Stringer (INDIA – Tags: DISASTER ENVIRONMENT)
Villagers travel on a country boat through flood waters at the flood affected area of Tataliguri in Morigoan district, some 80 kms from Guwahati, the capital city of India’s northeastern state of Assam on June 29, 2012. At least 27 people have died and 10,00,000 others have been forced to leave their homes as monsoon rains swamp wide areas of the northeastern Indian state of Assam, officials said. AFP PHOTO/Biju BORO
Flood-affected residents are silhouetted against the setting sun as they travel on a boat through their submerged paddy fields at Himalua village in the northeastern Indian state of Assam July 1, 2012. Incessant heavy rains in northeast India have caused massive flooding and landslides, killing more than 60 people, local media reported on Sunday. REUTERS/Utpal Baruah
A view of flood-affected people with their domesticated animals stranded on an islet in a flooded area of the Sonitpur district in the northeastern Indian state of Assam July 1, 2012. Incessant heavy rains in northeast India have caused massive flooding and landslides, killing more than 60 people, local media reported on Sunday. Picture taken July 1, 2012. REUTERS/Stringer (INDIA – Tags: DISASTER ENVIRONMENT ANIMALS)
A flood-affected man pushes a temporary raft carrying his son through the flood waters after heavy rains at Mayang village in the northeastern Indian state of Assam June 30, 2012. Incessant heavy rains in northeast India have caused massive flooding and landslides, killing at least a dozen of people, local media reported. REUTERS/Utpal Baruah
A flood-affected girl uses a submerged hand-pump to fetch drinking water at Dhuhibala village in the northeastern Indian state of Assam July 1, 2012. Incessant heavy rains in northeast India have caused massive flooding and landslides, killing more than 60 people, local media reported on Sunday. REUTERS/Utpal Baruah
Flood-affected residents use a temporary raft to move their belongings to safer places in front of their submerged hut at Himalua village in the northeastern Indian state of Assam July 1, 2012. Incessant heavy rains in northeast India have caused massive flooding and landslides, killing more than 60 people, local media reported on Sunday. REUTERS/Utpal Baruah
Flood-affected residents sit inside their flooded house at Dhuhibala village in the northeastern Indian state of Assam July 1, 2012. Incessant heavy rains in northeast India have caused massive flooding and landslides, killing more than 60 people, local media reported on Sunday. REUTERS/Utpal Baruah
Flood-affected residents move to safer places on a temporary raft next to their submerged huts after heavy rains at Khalabhyan village in the northeastern Indian state of Assam June 30, 2012. Incessant heavy rains in northeast India have caused massive flooding and landslides, killing at least a dozen of people, local media reported. REUTERS/Utpal Baruah
Unidentified women weep next to the body of a victim of a boat that sank in India’s Brahmaputra river, at Buraburi village in Dhubri district of the northeastern Indian state of Assam May 1, 2012. Rescue workers fought heavy wind and rain to search for survivors after at least 103 people drowned on an overloaded ferry carrying about 300 people that sank at night on one of India’s largest rivers on Monday, police said. REUTERS/Utpal Baruah
Posted in India Forgotten, Nature, Press Releases | Tagged: Assam, Brahmaputra River, damming of the brahmaputra, Flood, geological catastrophes, Guwahati, India, Indian Air Force, July 1 2012, Northeast India, Sonitpur district, States and territories of India, Sunday | Comments Off on Floods kill 77 in Assam, two million affected
Posted by Admin on June 4, 2012
http://in.news.yahoo.com/photos/nature-till-i-die-slideshow/;_ylt=AggUbEpT.Sm0.xab.CfiKNfPfNx_;_ylu=X3oDMTN2cWhmZ2tnBG1pdANMYXRlc3QgbmV3cyBwaG90b3MEcGtnAzdhN2UwZjc1LTFkZTYtM2JiMy05MDhmLTg3NTIwNGNjNzY4ZARwb3MDMwRzZWMDdG9wc3RvcnlfZ2FsBHZlcgM0OTdjNzVmMi1hYmQ2LTExZTEtYjFjZi0xNTY4NjkzNjNiM2Q-;_ylg=X3oDMTJwaG9tNDFsBGludGwDaW4EbGFuZwNlbi1pbgRwc3RhaWQDMDFjYzgzYzMtZDY0Yi0zMDg2LTg0NTQtMmYzMWM2MWY0ZDU3BHBzdGNhdANhdXRvcwRwdANzcy1nYWxsZXJ5;_ylv=3
Nature till I die
My art and the environment, Yahoo’s original series tracks what loving the environment means for an ordinary person with extraordinary commitment. These are people who love an art form and from that vantage have explored the environment. In mainstream media, we hear too many ideological voices of activists, partisan NGOs and biased industry players, but sometimes it starts with what piques an individual’s curiosity. Today meet 18 year old Archith Sridhar. When he was 10, his mother caught him lovingly caressing a centipede on his palm, examining its glossy colors and its numerous legs. For him, this beautiful creature was fascinating – as was the injured migratory stork that he helped rescue and leave at the Blue Cross, an animal rescue centre. Leisure reading for him as a twelve-year-old was ‘Microcellular organisms’, a biggie with glossy illustrations. He’s currently pursuing a Bachelor’s in Veterinary Sciences in Pondicherry. The camera has been his favorite gadget – from a trip with family(much to his chagrin) to Bandhavgarh’s tigers to flying solo to Gir and Agumbe or enrolling as a docent at the Madras Crocodile Bank. Ask him what he wants to become – he is not sure. Ask him what he wants to do now – and he would probably pick up his Canon 7D and his backpack. Hear him tell you about his photos and experiences with passion, enthusiasm and humor.
Tigress, Bandhavgarh: MP
This striped and endangered majesty of an animal is forever in conflict with human habitation. This picture to me perfectly captures that conflict. The tigress is stepping onto a dirt road criss-crossed with jeep tyre marks.
Tarantula, Agumbe
Walking through Pit viper terrain, wading through a pond in shorts and floaters without a torch (I didn’t want to scare the tarantulas away), my group and I came here specifically to see these tarantulas creeping out of their nests burrowed into mud embankments.
Spectacled cobra, Chennai
Snake hunting with the Irulas was an unforgettable experience and spotting this Spectacled Cobra made my day. My usual camera was at service and I had to make do with a point and shoot, and thus had to get really close to this guy for such a shot. The thrill of looking at a cobra in the wild was like a dream come true.
Jaws III, Croc Bank: Chennai
Meet Jaws III, the largest captive saltwater croc at in India at over 18 feet. He is a massive and fierce dominant male who keeps complete control over his territory, even refusing to allow mating females into his murky waters. You wouldn’t want to meet him on a Sunday swim, snout to snout.
Golden frog, Agumbe :Karnataka
The toughest customer – He kept jumping away, out of the line of my lens. Believe me, he almost missed his chance to be covered here, at Yahoo! He was the typical celeb guy being chased by this lens man. Had to crouch very low, get my camera a foot away from his eye level and click, using the flash.
A Pair of Jungle babblers, Gir : Gujarat
What makes this photograph special for me is that one bird was grooming another. They looked like they were in love with each other, totally immersed in the mood of the moment. You take the pick on who the male is, and who the female is.
Shield bug, Chennai
On a snake walk with Irulas, this flashy bug distracted me from my main quarry. Instead of looking for snakes, I began looking for more of these bugs. Little did I know then that they were capable of releasing pungent chemicals in self-defense. I am happy I did not have to find out the hard way.
Indian scops owl, Gir, Gujarat
Perfectly blending with the bark, he was patiently posing for a long while. Unusually, instead of the animal tiring of me, it was my turn to walk away. I loved his expression and his patience.
Moth in my backyard
I have been unable to identify this patterned moth, which I one day clicked in the backyard of my house. Note that it appears to have eyes, an open mouth and a flowing moustache – giving the appearance of a face looking at you. Imagine further, and you can see arms and a body to this creature.
Web, Agumbe
Beautifully created, carefully designed and perfectly executed, this spider web is doomed to be destroyed for it fell right in the middle of a road entering the Agumbe Rainforest Research Station. The effort and toil of one whole night would be gone with the next motor vehicle.
Peacock, Gir
My camera got wet in a sudden shower and began to malfunction. I missed most of the beginning of his spectacular dance, but luckily, was able to manage a few shots towards the end.
Dew on Branches
What better time than dawn to capture beads of dew? Indeed my first time and to me it seemed that the dewdrops formed in a second, showcased their beauty for another second, then fell to their death. Poetic.
Jungle babbler, Gir : Gujarat
I was roundly cursed by this feathery friend for disturbing his peace.
Calotes versicolor, Chennai
This male of the species(identified from its elongated dorsal spine above its head) is common lizard that you spot in your garden. Often mistaken for the chameleon, this lizard possesses the ability to change colour as well. In the breeding season, the male acquires a bright red coloured throat(like in this picture where it is faintly seen in between the black) and thus, is often referred to as a ‘blood sucker’.
Black faced Langur, Bandipur, Karnataka
Black faced Langur, Gir, Gujarat
Calotes rouxii, Agumbe, Karnataka
Chital, Gir, Gujarat
Gharial, Crocodile Bank, Chennai
Signature spider, Bandipur, Karnataka.
Photo credit : Archith K.Sridhar
Contact him at: archithphotography@gmail.com
Posted in India Forgotten, Nature, Picturesque | Tagged: Agumbe, Bandhavgarh National Park, Chennai, India, Indian Cobra, Irula, Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, Tarantula, Yahoo | Comments Off on Nature till I die
Posted by Admin on June 1, 2012
http://in.news.yahoo.com/photos/a-day-out-in-munnar-slideshow/
A Day Out in Munnar
Munnar, which means confluence of three rivers, was the summer resort of the erstwhile British rulers in the colonial days. In the late 19th century, A.H. Sharp planted the first tea bush and since then tea has been the main agricultural crop in the region. Today, the hills around Munnar are blanketed with best-in-class green tea bushes. With its sprawling tea plantations, pristine valleys and mountains and cool air, it’s no surprise that Munnar was rated the second-best Asian travel destination, only second to Tokyo.Our editor CLINT THOMAS had a day out in Munnar and captured its poetic beauty. Enjoy this virtual tour.
Munnar, which means confluence of three rivers, was the summer resort of the erstwhile British rulers in the colonial days. In the late 19th century, A.H. Sharp planted the first tea bush and since then tea has been the main agricultural crop in the region. Today, the hills around Munnar are blanketed with best-in-class green tea bushes. With its sprawling tea plantations, pristine valleys and mountains and cool air, it’s no surprise that Munnar was rated the second-best Asian travel destination, only second to Tokyo.
If you are a true admirer of nature, Munnar is your dream destination and cruising along winding smooth roads across mist-sheeted lush green tea gardens is the finest experience you can ever have.
Around every corner is another stunning view. You do not need a map or a guide; all you need is a good pair of shoes and the curiosity to see what is around the next curve. You need not necessarily be a shutterbug; random clicks can get you incredible photographs.
On the way to Munnar, some 22 kms before reaching there, I stopped by Anayirankal dam, a vast expanse of water surrounded by green carpeted hills covered with tea gardens. The distant view of the reservoir follows you for another 15 kms and it’s an excellent location for photography.
Does this picture suggest land’s end? It virtually is. This is Top Station, which is 41 kms uphill from Munnar. Located at the border of Kerala and Tamilnadu, this spot offers an ‘awebreathtakingsome’ panoramic view. Strolling down this pathway with steep abyss on both sides is adventurous, rather risky, but the view you get there is one of a kind.
The dude who poses here is Varayadu or Nilgiri Tahr, stocky goats with short, coarse fur and a bristly mane. Nilgiri Tahr is an endangered mountain ungulate listed in schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. Eravikulam National Park which has the highest density and largest surviving population of this species is situated hardly 14 kms from Munnar town. Know more about this endangered species.
At every other corner you will find women with baskets full of locally grown fruits and vegetables. Don’t forget to bargain and buy tender carrots, passion fruits and wild tomatoes, all farm fresh and delicious.
Anamudi is the highest peak in the Western Ghats situated at a height of 2,695 metres (8,842 feet) above mean sea level. It is located in the southern part of Eravikulam National Park, fifty kilometers from Munnar. It is also the ideal place for wildlife travelers and nature lovers. It literally means “Elephant forehead”.
13 kms away from Munnar, Mattupetty is famous for its highly specialised dairy farm, the Indo-Swiss project. More than 100 varieties of high yielding cattle are reared here. The Mattupetty Lake and Dam, just a short distance from the farm, is a gorgeous picnic spot. The sprawling Kundala tea plantations, Kundala Lake and the echo point are other attractions in the vicinity. A boat cruise on the lake is the best way to enjoy the leisure.
Bristling with wildlife and crystal clear streams, the enticing charm of Munnar is simply irresistible. The area has many attractions within a short distance of the town of Munnar, including the Sandalwood Forest of Marayoor and the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Posted in India Forgotten, Nature, Picturesque | Tagged: Anamudi, environment, Eravikulam National Park, Hill station, hill stations, India, Kerala, Munnar, natural beauty, nature, Nilgiri Tahr, picturesque india, scenery, scenic beauty, Tea, Tokyo, Top Station, Western Ghats | Comments Off on A Day Out in Munnar
