I visited rajasthan desert(Thar) for three days last week. I was lucky to spot Wild asses (Equus hemionus), blue bulls (Boselaphus tragocamelus) and black bucks (Antilope cervicapra) in good numbers. I have posted some of the pictures on www.flickr.com/photos/somesh-goyal
Sighting of wild asses in Rajasthan was surprising because hitherto no one had provided any record of wild asses in Thar desert in Rajasthan. If there is any info regarding this animal, please share. Blue bulls were seen in good numbers too. Neelgai is the largest Antelope of Asia though most Indians consider it sacred for being a gai or a cow. In the Aurangzeb's rule neelgai was called neelghor or the blue horse!
Please enjoy!
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Man-eaters of Sunderbans
In a bizarre incident on the southern tip of the Indian Sunderbans, a royal bengal tiger dragged a fisherman from his boat on Friday morning. His friends came to his rescue and literally beat the beast away! However, due to low tide the fisherman identified as Purna Das could be evacuated to Kolkata in the evening where he has undergone an operation and is battling for his life.
UN help in detecting poaching
A standing committee of the UN's Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species(CITES) has decided that the Australian customs will impart intelligence training to Indian customs officials in tracking down criminal networks trading illegalyy in big cat skins and body parts.
Environmental Investigation Agency(EIA) has been underlining the role of thorough investigation to pin down the kingpins of illegal wildlife trade. A recent investigation in China indicates that trade in tiger skin and body parts is still on with fresh arrivals from India, Pakistan, afghanistan, russia and Vietnam. A fresh tiger skin was recovered in China which is claimed to have come from India. After Dalai Lama made a call to Tibetans to give up tiger skins, there has been some fall in the demand but the Chinese demand continues which poses serious threat to tiger conservatio initiatives in India. Poachers are active in India and the national capital accounts for most wildlife cases registered in the country which goes to prove that illicit trade in wildlife is controlled from Delhi.
One important issue that CITES needs to bear in mind before starting training is that under the Indian conditions, primary responsibility to investigate rests with the local police and now with the creation of Wildlife Crime Records Bureau, the responsibility will be shared by the apex body. EIA will do well to co-ordinate the efforts in such a way that cutting edge investigators benefit from this decision.
Environmental Investigation Agency(EIA) has been underlining the role of thorough investigation to pin down the kingpins of illegal wildlife trade. A recent investigation in China indicates that trade in tiger skin and body parts is still on with fresh arrivals from India, Pakistan, afghanistan, russia and Vietnam. A fresh tiger skin was recovered in China which is claimed to have come from India. After Dalai Lama made a call to Tibetans to give up tiger skins, there has been some fall in the demand but the Chinese demand continues which poses serious threat to tiger conservatio initiatives in India. Poachers are active in India and the national capital accounts for most wildlife cases registered in the country which goes to prove that illicit trade in wildlife is controlled from Delhi.
One important issue that CITES needs to bear in mind before starting training is that under the Indian conditions, primary responsibility to investigate rests with the local police and now with the creation of Wildlife Crime Records Bureau, the responsibility will be shared by the apex body. EIA will do well to co-ordinate the efforts in such a way that cutting edge investigators benefit from this decision.
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