5 convicted in for 31 years in Sariska tiger case

At long last the perpetrators of doom in Sariska have been brought to book.

A court has awarded five hunters 31 years of imprisonment under six sections of the Wildlife Protection Act for killing a tigress in Sariska reserve in 2004.

The five, however, will spent altogether seven years in jail as the sentences will run concurrently.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Himankani Gaud sentenced each of the five poachers to 31 years in jail, but they will remain behind bars for seven years.

Gaud also slapped a fine of Rs 1.30 lakh on the five.

The hunters -- Jeevan Ram, Juru, Luru, Ramjan and Taiyab -- had killed the tigress in Akbarpur range of Sariska.

It is a major achievement for the law enforcement agencies in Rajasthan after successes in Gujarat.

Panna lives again!

Hi Folks!

Just back from a trip of Panna Tiger Reserve. The feeling of despondency that I had been carrying over the last two years vanished to see a tigress and two cubs in good health in the picturesque locale of the park.

Detailed report will be posted soon.

Cheers

Good Nnew from Ranthambhore

Hi Folks!

Ranthambhore lives upto its reputation for being the tiger nursery. 9 tiger cubs have been spotted in the park!

For full report click on the link below:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/More-tiger-cubs-bring-cheer-to-Ranthambore/articleshow/7375834.cms

Cheers

Spotting of Sarus Cranes in Himachal Pradesh

Hi Folks!

I was travelling on work to inspect one of my Battalions located in Jungalberri some 12 km from Sujanpur in Hamirpur district in Himachal Pradesh.

This short journey was most rewarding in

the last few days as we saw a dozen Ruddy Shelducks in the Beas river at Sujanpur. Their sighting has never been reported from Sujanpur before.

As we reached near the village of Jungalberri, I let out a shout of joy s

eeing 3 Sarus cranes (Grus antigone) including one immature foraging

happily in the fields some 20 yards from the road. It is second sighting of these cranes in Hi

machal after Una/Nangal. It was so reassuring to see wonderful coexistence between human beings and the birds. The cranes foraged unafraid of the human presence some 10 yards away.
Sarus cranes are among the vulnerable species with numbers hovering around 10,000 in India. The iconic crane has grey body with a contrasting red neck and head. This almost 6 foot tall bird is the largest known flying bird of our times. This gentle giant is known for marital virtue as it is believed to maintain a lifelong marital relationship and is rarely seen alone. Like tigers, these cranes fiercely guard their territory. They breed during monsoons and the clutch has generally one or two eggs weighing about 250 gram each. Sarus is native of the Indian subcontinent, South Asia and Australia. In India, this crane is considered sacred by several tribes and people who virtually worship the bird for its lifelong relationship with its partner.

Between the cranes and the road was a small chchappad hosting som

e Pond

Herons, a pair of egrets and a Whi

te Throated kingfisher.

Also saw a Black Redstart and an Alexandrine parakeet at the fort besides several other birds which i could not shoot.