Environment and Conservation News from India: APRIL 16 - 30, 2015


APRIL 16, 2015 (Thursday)
Meenambakkam records 10 cm rain on Wednesday - Record rain for April in 70 yrs: April 16
Severe hailstorm, sharp  showers lashed Shimla and its surrounding areas today: April 15
Chinkara caught on camera in the Bukkapatna State Forest in Tumakuru district: April 16

APRIL 17
Three tigers spotted at Namdapha TR: Apr 16
Three tigers have been spotted at Namdapha Tiger Reserve during a recent tiger estimation and monitoring expedition using camera trapping exercise between March 2 and April 14.  20 cameras were fixed at different locations covering an area of about 44 Sq. Km in which three adult tigers have been captured in cameras along with hundreds of leopards, clouded leopards, wild dogs, Asiatic golden cat, according to CF & Field Director, Namdapha Tiger Reserve, Miao. Scats were also collected which have been sent to WII for analysis, giving more hope about presence of tigers.
There was no concrete evidence of tiger presence in the reserve since most of the tigers were reportedly eliminated during 90’s. Camera trapping carried out during 2012-13 by the Namdapha TR Management Authority in collaboration with Aaranyak managed to capture one adult tiger from core area and subsequent result DNA analysis of scats established presence of tiger. During 2013-14, tiger estimation carried out by officials of Namdapha TR management and Wildlife Institute of India (WII) captured one tiger in their camera along with many co-predators and preys. Subsequently, 29 numbers of Scats were sent to WII for DNA analysis and found presence of two more tigers. Dusu Shra, IFS, CF & Field Director said the Namdapha Tiger Reserve is being strengthened with intensive and extensive patrolling and monitoring activities. The tiger estimation and monitoring team was  led by Parimal Chandra Ray, Field Biologist.
Tigers spotted at Namdapha
Chennai India’s No. 1 greenhouse gas emitter in a study done among seven major cities: Apr 17
Two moderate quakes hit Assam: April 17
Over 1,100 sacred groves in Kozhikode: April 17  
Unseasonal rain in Punjab: April 17
No respite from rain, thunderstorm, hailstorm in Himachal - farmers fear damage to crops: April16
Widespread heavy rain across Uttarakhand: April 16

APRIL 18
World Heritage Day: April 17
Heritage is about what we have inherited—individually as well as collectively. It includes not only "property that is or may be inherited," but also valued things such as historic buildings that have been passed down from previous generations  “of special value and worthy of preservation.”The extended meaning of heritage in the collective sense would include what a nation or a race has valued and cherished over generations—not just the land and historic edifices, but our festivals, cultural events and customs that have endured over the centuries.
Illegal wild orchid trade thriving in Lakhimpur district, Assam: April 17 
<http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=apr1815/state050>
Slow Loris rescued from the Rangamati Tea Estate in Nagaon: April 18
A team led by Green Guard Nature Organization rescued the animal and released it back to the wild at Champawati on the edge of the Swang Reserve Forest. 
Wetlands in Suchindrum and Theroor and Manakudi estuary in Kanyakumari district declared as conservation reserve: April 18

April 19 (Sunday)
A tropical storm swept away thousands of houses, granaries and trees at Garudharia, Kolakhowa, Kheroni and several other villages under Laruah Mouza in Dibrugarh district on Friday evening: Apr 18
Strict vigil to ensure safety of animals during Sendra , an annual tribal hunting festival in Dalma: Apr18
Elephant Deaths Rises in Kerala as Government directive to truck elephants backfires: April 19
Hailstorm flattens paddy crop in parts of Warangal district on Wednesday: April 19
New species of gecko spotted in the ruins of Hampi: April 18
Karnataka initiates satellite based  new forest database using GAGAN: April 19
Green tribunal: Case of impractical overreach: TNN | Apr 19
Kharai camels of Kutch to get protection as endangered species: TNN | Apr 19
 
 APRIL 20
Pre-monsoon rains accompanied by strong wind and hailstorm in Manipur last night damaged around 100 houses mostly in Imphal district. heavy downpour accompanied by strong wind hit hilly Tamenglong district this afternoon. The hill areas of the State experienced seasonal downpours since the last two days: April 19
Rajaji Park in Uttarkhand notified as tiger reserve: April 20
On a mission to popularise Mahogany tree: April 20
‘Natural restoration’ of Kudremukh environment: April 18
Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd (KIOCL) claims the environs of its former mines have witnessed “natural restoration” sans human intervention. Company Chairman and MD, Malay Chatterjee said the environment committee set up by the Supreme Court came up with this finding recently.
He said the company had planted over 16 lakh saplings, which have grown over the last eight years. Natural bunds have been formed on the slopes. The committee said there was no need of human intervention to restore the surroundings.
Hailstorm and unseasonal rains  damage standing crops in about 15,638 hectares in Karimnagar district, Telengana on Monday night: April 20
Elephant corridors passing through Sullia taluk in Dakshina Kannada district into Wayanad, Kerala widening? Apr 20
 <http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/After-Deaths-in-Kerala-Elephants-Suffering-in-Mangalore-Now/2015/04/20/article2773608.ece>
Huge congregation of Rosy Starlings on a  leafless tree in Vijayawada: April 19
The same tree with Rosy Starlings looks like a tree with leaves. The tree is on the premises of the Police Commissioner's office, Vijayawada. During early 90's I used to see the Rosy starlings up to 4000 numbers to roost on near  by Prosopis juliflora thickets in Uppalapadu (IBA, Andhra Pradesh). Gradually their number reduced to two digits. However in March 1992 an unexpected congregation of 50.000 Rosy Starlings was seen.
(Mrutyumjaya Rao, Madras Naturalists Society - from the Hindu, April 4, 2015)    
Similar to above, there is a tree outside Ujjain Rly station which is full of parakeets giving the tree its lively green colour! You have reach there early in the morn to see them in all splendour. As the sun goes they go away looking for food and the tree wears a deserted look.(Ramjee Nagarajan, MNS)
                                                                          
APRIL 21
Rains lashes most of the places across  Kashmir valleys; River Jhelum rises: April 20
MeT dept.predicts heavy rains, thunderstorms in next 24 hours
Flood alert in the Valley as Jhelum river crossed the danger mark: April 21
Heavy snowfall in Kargil: April 20
Silent flows the river - the Aghanashini drains the Western Ghats of northern Karnataka & ends at a an estuary called Tadadi: April 21
2 Red Sander smugglers held as Cops Raid WB, TN Dens: 21st April
 Dalma tusker shot dead by Bangladesh Border Guards: TNN | Apr 21
Heat wave conditions intensify in many parts of Odisha with temp. rising above 40-degree inat least 13 places: April 21
<http://www.thestatesman.com/news/odisha/heat-wave-conditions-intensify/58718.html>   
India has 988 species on IUCN ‘Red List’: April 21 
A.P Police probing the involvement of a former TN Minister in smuggling of red sanders: Apr 21 
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/exminister-under-scanner-for-red-sanders-smuggling/article7124160.ece>  
Andhra Pradesh police nab two key red sanders smugglers: April 21
Smugglers exploited skills of Malayali woodcutters - Report by Committee appointed by the Madras HC: April 21
 Wooden cuttings, planks and seeds of tree species are now displayed at Pilikula Botanical museum: April 22  
Water level recedes in river Jhelum as rain stops: April 21
 Flood threat wanes in Kashmir as weather improves: Srinagar, Apr 22
Jhelum River in flood 


Torrential rains in Chenab valley region last night has again closed  Batote-Doda-Kishtwar highway NH 1B for vehicular traffic due the heavy landslides. Reports of torrential rains have been reported from almost all the major townships as well as rural areas of the region: April 21
Calcutta wilted in the cruel April sun receives a thunderstorm: April 22
Moderate heat wave  grips parts of Jharkhand: April 22
Nor'wester ravages several Bihar districts last night: April 22
Olive Ridley sea turtle eggs  washed away by high tide at Rushikulya rookery: 22nd April
Met Department predicts ‘isolated heavy rainfall’ in Kerala during the next 10 days: 22nd April
This is being attributed to disturbances in the Bay of Bengal, upper air cyclonic circulation over Lakshadweep and the low-pressure formation intensifying into a depression. 
BNHS preparing master plan to document the Great Indian Bustard and a conservation plan for Karnataka: April 22
The NTCA has accorded final approval to Kudermukh NP in Karnataka and Rajaji NP  for being declared as tiger reserves: April 21
The ‘Experimental’ Aravali Biodiversity Park in Delhi opens today: TNN | Apr 22
Forest Minister launches rail fence project in Nagarhole: April 22
'Post-hailstorm Baisakhi' in Bihar: April 22
April 13 is observed as Baisakhi day in a large part of north India, particularly Punjab. It is also celebrated as New Year’s day by Sikhs as well as Hindus. The harvest season of the winter crops such as wheat, gram, pulses, maize etc starts from this day.Unseasonal rain and hailstorm lashed Bihar after a prolonged winter. Even a day before Baisakhi, heavy rain lashed a part of north Bihar, especially in Madhepura district. Inclement weather destroyed standing crop in vast areas of the state. A tropical storm with wind speeds over 140 kmph lashed Purnia, Madhepura and several other districts of Bihar late on Tuesday night (21st). The storm damaged thousands of houses, killled and injured several people and ruined  food and fruit crops. The tragedy is that the bad weather condition was not confined to one or two days, but were spread from February to April and continues till now.
The situation in Bihar is not as bad as in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand etc. Unseasonal rain, which had lashed the two States of Punjab, Haryana for most of the March, have continued in April as well with latest spell on 15th/16th accompanied by strong winds at some places coming as a blow for the peasants whose crops had already suffered damage owing to earlier spells.  The wet weather was likely to hamper wheat harvesting in the two agrarian States.
The latest spell of rain was caused due to a western disturbance which was active over north Pakistan and adjoining region in Jammu and Kashmir. An upper air cyclonic circulation over Punjab and neighbourhood also brought about the change in weather in the northern States. 55 districts in U.P have been affected by the unseasonal rain and hailstorm resulting in immense crop loss and aspate of farmers’ suicide. About 1.57 lakh farmers in 950 villages in U.P have been hit. But the story of Bihar is somewhat different. The farmers are mostly marginal. The population is very dense and apart from farming and earning as migrant labourers there is not much economic activities in the rural areas. 

APRIL 23
IMD first long-range forecast for the 2015 monsoon season, said rainfall over India as a whole was likely to be 93 per cent of the long period average of 89cm from June to September (below-normal or deficient): April 23 
 <http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150423/jsp/nation/story_16195.jsp>
US embassy air quality monitors find  the level of PM 2.5 in Calcutta greater than that of Delhi: Apr23
Dalma elephants delay return from Bengal due to fluctuating temperatures and rain: April 23
NTCA has given in-principle approval  for creation of three new tiger reserves in Ratapani in Madhya Pradesh, Sunabeda in Odisha and Guru Ghasidas in Chhattisgarh: April 23
‘Bamboo whisper’ to ward off marauding elephants used by Muthuvans: April 23
 <http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/bamboo-whisper-to-ward-off-marauding-elephants/article7132612.ece> 
Another monkey fever outbreak likely: April 23
<http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/another-monkey-fever-outbreak-likely/article7132149.ece>  KFD virus was identified in 1957 from a sick monkey in the Kyasanur forest, Karnataka. Hard ticks are a reservoir of the virus. Monkeys and small mammals are  common hosts for the virus after being bitten by an infected tick.
Thunderstorm hit the north-eastern border districts of Bihar late on Tuesday night with a wind speed of more than 150 kmph: April 23
Marine algae have become a common sight at the rocky shores in Jalaripeta, Visakhapatnam, after sea water started receding.  A traditional boat (Background), exempt from the 45-day fishing ban that began on April 15, goes out to fish on Wednesday: April 23

APRIL 24
Torrential rain in Siang valley for the last three days: April 23
NGT issues show cause notices to the encroachers in Kaziranga National Park, Directs Assam government to come up with a detailed project report on CAG recommendations and release central funds to KNP: April 23
Swans frolicking in the twin lakes near Ugratara temple: April 24
With the onset of pre-monsoon showers, the waters of Jorpukhuri in Guwahati are pristine again. The sight of  more than a hundred swans frolicking in the twin lakes near Ugratara temple is gladdening the hearts of nature-lovers.


Thunderstorm lashes Calcutta on Thursday evening: April 24


Severe rain storm lashes most parts of Manipur last evening (Wed): April 23


TN Forest Department declares Oussudu lake as a bird sanctuary: April 24


Growing threat to Great Indian Hornbills: April 24


Kinnaur cut off as rising Satluj washes away bridge on NH-22: Apr 24


First snow leopard census in Uttarakhand to be conducted in June: Apr 24


NGT issues notices to 71 hotels, dhabas and resorts for encroaching into KNP: April 24

Red sanders smuggler Soundara Rajan remanded: April 24


Hunt on for Tollywood actress in red sanders smuggling: April 24


The Kurnool police arrested the  film actor on Sunday while she was travelling in a car to Bengaluru. She was closely associated with Mastan Vali, a lemon vendor who turned into a red-sander smuggler and politician. Her associate Mastan Vali was arrested on April 13.


Protests in recent months against the notification of forest area as Kodaikanal WLS  in 2013: April 24

APRIL 25
New species of catfish discovered in Pange River near Ziro: April 25
A new species of catfish has been discovered by the scientists of the Arunachal Pradesh Regional Centre of the ZSI in the Pange river, at Aro-Lenching, about 10 km from Ziro, the district headquarters, Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh. The moderate sized Glyptosternine torrential catfish, under the genus Oreoglanis (single specimen) was found on 9th June, 2013. The genus Oreoglanis comprises twenty-two species in the world, of these only two species are so far known from India, solely from Arunachal Pradesh. This is the second species in the genus after one such species – Oreoglanis majusculus from Kameng River at Rupa, West Kameng District, reported in the year 2005 by other researchers. The news of the discovery was very recently published in a Germany-based international journal “Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters”. Scientists have named the catfish species as Oreoglanis pangenensis.
Members of the genus Oreoglanis are morphologically characterized by having dorsoventrally depressed head and body with enlarged pectoral and pelvic fins and ventrally situated mouth and usually found in high altitude cold regions. These naturally modified structures of the fish play a vital role for its survival under high pressure water of the streams/rivers. Such peculiar body shape of fish greatly aid in adhesion on substratum and also simultaneously reduces adverse effect of the water pressure on body and fish can make easy station on substratum and conveniently feed on fine green algae, which is a primary food for survival.
Double security shield for Dalma animals  during Sendra  on April 27: April 25
Herb for the dayana rituals of Lord Jagannath, Artemisia nilagirica or Indian wormwood,found in the Nilgiri range, is now being cultivated at the Medicinal Plant Garden at Patrapada near Bhubaneswar: April 24
GI net fence extended to check animal intrusion in to forest-side villages in Bhitarkanika NP: April 24
The devastating thunder-squall of Tuesday night in Bihar had signs of a tornado: April 25
Baglihar hydropower project in Chenab valley a disaster in waiting: Apr 25 
Heavy rains accompanied by strong winds lashed parts of Tamil Nadu: April 25
Large Bryde’s whale stranded near Rameswaram: TNN | Apr 25
Massive earthquake in Nepal; Tremors were felt across eastern and northern parts of India: April 25
AP forms SIT to probe Seshachalam forest encounter: April 25
Monsoon concerns: April 25

APRIL 26
Magnitude-6.7 aftershock hit Nepal today (Sunday), tremors felt across India: April 26
Fresh tremors shook Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, parts of West Bengal, UP and other parts of northern and central parts of India on Sunday. IMD has predicted fairly widespread rain or thundershower activity over Nepal, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim during the next 24 hours
A quake may occur in Northern India in the region of the Kashmir, Himachal, Punjab and Uttrakhand Himalyas within in the next 50 years according to Institute of Seismological Research: April 26
Kasturirangan report on WGs highly subjective and arbitrary, Karnataka govt tells Centre: Apr26
 
April 27 
Internal rivalries leave Assam Forest department headless: April 27
NTCA has submitted a report to MoEF pointing to the irregularities at Anshi-Dandeli Tiger Reserve and its pathetic condition: April 26
Rain lashes Calcutta for the second consecutive day on Sunday: April 27
Heavy rain lashes Kashmir Valley: Apr 27
Flood in Kargil’s Wakha river: Apr 27
Earth Day at Shimla arboretum on April 22: April 27
Storm, snowfall uprooted 60,000 trees in Shimla district in March: Apr 27
Rain, hailstorm damage crops in Uttarkashi district: Apr 27
The Stork Sister of Assam: April 26
Star Tortoises Smuggler's Luck But Carriers' Doom: April 27
Survey of Wild Animals in Similipal Corridor from today: April 27
Tiger population in Achanakmar Tiger Reserve  has gone up from a dozen in 2011 to 28 now: April 27
Scientists find 13 exotic freshwater worms (Oligochaeta) in Tamil Nadu:TNN | Apr 27
Vulture numbers atop coconut palms soaring in Conservation Centre at Shrivardhan in Raigad district: TNN | Apr 27
18 reptile species in Western Ghats face threat: TNN | Apr 27
Only 50 villages in Western Ghat of Goa eco-sensitive - Report: PTI | Apr 26
Red sanders transactions made through hawala - Chittoor SP: April 27, 2015

APRIL 28
After earthquake, thunder squall and rains hit many parts of Bihar: April 28
Rare 'Himalayan chestnut-winged cuckoo' spotted in the Wayanad WLS: April 28
The annual Adivasi hunting festival, Sendra  passed off peacefully in Dalma WLS and without the ritualistic slaughter of animals: April 28
Jammu sits on major seismic fault line: Apr 28
Thunderstorm and heavy rains that hit several parts of Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday: Apr 28
21 landslip-prone sites identified in Himachal: Apr 28
Gypsum mining adding to disaster threat in erstwhile Doda: Apr 28
Torrential rain coupled with hail and thunderstorms damages standing wheat crop in Rajouri district today: April 27
New crab species discovered Kamboi village in the the Gulf of Khambat: April 28
Thirty-eight Indian cities in high risk earthquakes zones: April 28
 <http://www.bihartimes.in/Newsbihar/2015/April/newsbihar28April7.html>

APRIL 29
Ghosts of  past quakes haunt NE: April 28                                                                                      
Northeast India is located in the highest earthquake prone zone V. In this region, earthquake comes with landslides, floods and a series of smaller magnitude tremors. Here earthquakes of intensity up to 9 on the Richter scale can be expected.                                                          
 Killing a country’s ecology: April 29
The Environment Minister insists on clearing all hydro projects, even when the government itself earlier agreed that the Himalayas must be avoided for development work. 
Slaty breasted rail – new to Pichavaram was recorded at the mangrove forests: April 29 
A Nor'wester accompanied by heavy showers,and a strong squall and hail, lashed Calcutta on Tuesday evening: April 29
Season's first Nor'wester pounded Ranchi, Jamshedpur and many other places on Tuesday: April 29
Week-long survey in wildlife sanctuaries in northern Odisha: Baripada/Balasore, April 28
Afternoon squall in Patna a week of after a week  of earthquakes and aftershocks: April 29
PD Act slapped on red sanders smuggler: April 29
Killing a country’s ecology: April 29

APRIL 30
Three rhino poachers killed in Kaziranga: April 29
Slate Awlet butterfly found in Manipur: April 29
Network of 293 ground motion sensors in northern, eastern and northeastern India were not working during Nepal quake: April 29
BNHS waiting for permission from the Assam forest department to put satellite transmitters on Bengal floricans: April 29
A  hail storm lashed Bangapani subdivision in Pithoragarh district, Uttarkhand for two hours yesterday evening damaging  crops of wheat and potato in.A  hailstorm  lashed the remote Jabal and Duidi Tikha areas of the Chohara belt. The 40 - minute hailstorm also damaged apple crop in the Tikker-Shrautha belt in the Nawar valley and many areas in Kullu district. A hailstone weighed nearly 10 gm & the ground was covered in a 2-inch thick layer of hailstones,” rued a farmer.Hailstones affected the fruit-set and bloom in Shimla and  damaged apple crops in Sirmaur: April 29
Where Will the Giant Squirrels of Cauvery WLS Go? : 29th April
3 Tonnnes of Red Sanders Seized in Chennai: 30th April
Rare 'one spot Grass yellow butterfly' sighted at Almora district: April 29
Fear stalks farmers in Wayanad’s forest fringes: Thursday, April 30

Wetlands in Suchindrum and Theroor and Manakudi estuary in Kanyakumari district declared as conservation reserve (see news report above dated April 18)
The Hindu (Print edition), Saturday, April 18, 2015

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