The Daily Indian

In an effort to strengthen Asiatic lion conservation at Gir National Park after poaching incidents of 2007, the Gujarat government is in the process of introduction of high-tech gadgets like GPS, automated sensor grid and night vision devices to make the jungles safe.

Poaching of eight lions in three different incidents in April 2007 in the Gir had sent shock waves across the state, after which the state government had formed a task force to suggest ways to protect the Asiatic lions in their last abode, whose number as per the last survey was 359.

“Based on the recommendations of the task force, we are in the process to introduce these high-tech gadgets in the Gir forest for the lion conservation,” Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife), Pradeep Khanna told PTI.

“We have identified technology partners for the development of communication systems based on GPS,” Khanna said.

The task force, which was also headed by Khanna, had proposed integrated solution to incorporate modern technology for enhancing conservation efficiency, he said.

Gujarat Government, last week in an affidavit in the Supreme Court, declined to give Gir Lions to Madhya Pradesh for their relocation in Kuno-Palpur sanctuary.

Tucked between South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia lays Botswana, the haven of flora and fauna. With Sailing, surfing, dams and rivers being commonplace in all tourist destinations, Botswana also presents a different aura- vast spreads of wilderness which can be a treat for nature lovers. Blanketed by the Kalahari Desert, Botswana is a natural habitat for numerous species like lions, leopards, elephants, African wild dogs, zebras, crocodiles and many more. The two major attractions which lure tourists are Okawango Delta and Chobe National Park. Guided by Landover, walking and fly-in safari packages, the parks don’t fail to provide a glimpse of astounding profusion of mammals and birds coupled with unmatched scenic beauty. Infact, during the peak season, these places are so heavily swarmed by tourists that one might find the inhabitants almost welcoming their curious biped guests with unusual gimmicks!

An experience of a close encounter with nature makes Botswana one of the most visited tourist places for naturists. Apart from the safaris which leave a strong imprint, the Tsodilo hills indeed supplement in casting a spell on the excursionists. Rising out of the plains in north-west Botswana, adorned with hundreds of paintings, the beauty of sunset which this gamut offers makes it insufficient for the two eyes to behold. From the hill top, the view of the panoramic rugged beauty of Africa and the rich colours of the dusk popularly known as the ‘copper bracelet evening’ soothes the eyes and rejuvenates the mind.

Away from the mystique of the wild, The National Museum and Art Gallery in Gaborone (capital city of Botswana) recounts the diverse cultural heritage through traditional crafts and paintings which display the memoirs of Botswana’s rich past. The custodian of its rich cultural heritage, the museum hosts about 18 exhibitions aimed at bringing together and promoting experienced and professional artists. Standing proudly as one of southern Africa’s top three outstanding art galleries, this museum makes an interesting visit for the artistically inclined with the exhibitions adding to the flavour of the aesthetic recipe.

A well knit culture always gives birth to music and this country is one such example. Having visited Botswana, one cannot pass without stepping into the other side of the threshold where tunes attract the ears. The National Music Eisteddfod is one such opportunity to hear traditional Botswanan music and see traditional dances including hunting dances, dances for weddings, births etc and also to explore the other shades of the Botswanan culture. Immersed in calmness, peace and serenity is the landscape this country paints. Therefore, to satisfy the urge of sprawling in the arms of nature and inhaling the pristine aroma…unwind in Botswana.

Right Bytes
The seasoned traveler goes now: April to November are the best months for an enlivening animal watch and January to March makes the place alive with the chirpings of numerous bird species.
Savor faire: Mutton, chicken and river fish are savored. Seswaa or Chotlho are among the most popular ‘meaty’ delicacies. Botswana also has a variety of bread and cereal recipes for the delight of the veggies.

Get to work: Hit the city nightclubs or loosen your pockets at the casinos. Shop till you drop in the malls with flourishing shops or hitch a ride for the Tsodilo hills and go hiking with hired guides.

Keepsake Courtesies: Local crafts such as African carvings, pottery and weaved goods are readily available in the shopping streets and make an exquisite pick.

What’s the word?: The official language is English and Tswana being the national language is spoken by the majority. Some Tswana phrases like ‘A o bua Seenglish’ (do you speak English) and ‘Tsela…e kae?’ (Which way is…) can be handy for a confused or lost visitor and smiles can surely be exchanged by using the universal courtesy parlance, ‘Kea itumela’ (thank you)

Bones and a jaw of animals have been found from two places during digging for some development work in Madhya Pradesh’s Panna Tiger Reserve.

“Few bones and a jaw have been found from two places in Panna Tiger Reserve during digging for carrying out some developmental work” Madhya Pradesh Forest Minister Sartaj Singh told PTI today.

He said that initially it appears that a bone was of a bear and added that it will be too early to comment that the jaw was of a tiger as reported.

“The bones and the jaw have been sent to forensic laboratory for tests,” Singh said.

He denied that huge quantity of jaws of tigers have been found. Only one jaw has been unearthed, he said. Panna Tiger Reserve spread over an area 543 sq kms in Panna and Chhattarpur district situated in eastern Madhya Pradesh had become devoid of big cats last year, after which two felines and a tiger were translocated there to revive the population of the stripped animal.

The issue of disappearance of the big cat population in Panna, possibly due to poaching, was raised in Parliament and State Assembly last year. The state government has set up a committee of experts to probe into the disappearance of tigers from the Panna tiger reserve, which four to five years back had around 35 big cats.

While most women are busy fighting off the beasts prowling in our society, Latika Rana fights for the beast struggling for survival in the jungle. The tiger conservationist, here in conversation with Spriha Srivastava…

It was dark. There was no sound and not a single person around. Under the star-studded sky and amidst the tall grass, all I did was watched the antics of the tigers for hours and hours together.” It’s not just a one-off incident, for Latika Rana’s life is a compendium of such enviable memories. Daughter of Dr Diwan Lalit Mohan Nath, who was closely associated with Indira Gandhi on various aspects of wildlife conservation and was also the head of the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Science at one time, Latika’s choice of career was instinctive, despite growing up amid disparate professional options. “I wanted to be with healthy animals rather than sick people,” recounted Latika of her decision, and in the footsteps of her dad – the conservationist, not the doctor — dedicated herself to the protection of tigers of Kanha National Park since 1984.

We began the conversation by going back in time to her initial years in Kanha National Park. “Back then, the concept of national parks was not very popular. There were not many tourists who visited Kanha, so local people weren’t very comfortable with strangers around. I still remember the glares I used to get when I went around in a jeep. It took me quite a while and effort to gain their confidence and make them understand the importance of preserving the natural habitat of animals. Those people indeed felt for the place and the animals, so they could make sense of what I explained and gradually accepted me,” recalled Latika. “Today, things have changed. Now the place is not a village. There are internet cafes, everyone has a mobile phone and TV and the youngsters are fairly educated. They have become more money minded and do things keeping in mind the monetary benefit that they can derive from it. Conservation of the Park and the tigers has taken a back seat,” she added.

The first person in about 33 years to have received a Ph.D on Tiger Conservation and Management from Oxford University, Latika, along with her husband Nanda Rana, wildlife consultant and photographer, conducts researches on tigers, in the process of which, there has been many a memorable day. “This one is the most memorable incident.

My husband and I were monitoring tiger families and a certain tigress’ babies were about five-six weeks old. One particular day, after watching them for about 13 hours, the tigress brought one of her cubs out of the cave and allowed us to play with it,” Latika recalled excitedly. “It was unbelievable that we sat and played with the cub while the tigress watched us! I can never forget that,” she added. Not that she hasn’t had her share of nerve-jangling encounters, what with the majestic striped cat for a subject. “The high-pitched raging scream of a tigress called Sita charging towards our jeep, still gives me goose bumps. One of her cubs had come towards our car and tried to hide under it. We were in an open jeep. When Sita pounced, luckily, the van behind us came parallel to our jeep and Sita hit that van. Unfazed, Sita charged again… that day she was out to kill.” They made a very lucky getaway that day. Lately, with Panna threatening to go the Sariska way, Latika pours her concern, “No matter what picture the government or others might paint, I know that the case of Panna had never been positive. Now with the reality being splashed all across media, I hope immediate steps are taken to deal with poaching, which is the major problem in that area.” Latika strongly suggested that there should be an endangered species protection unit, where the government should allow private contribution and sponsorships, which had proved to be useful in Nepal. She explained, “The government should accept that they are facing a problem and they need help. We should all join hands to combat the problems that our wildlife is facing.” Latika also propagates the idea of eco-tourism as a solution to the deteriorating condition of wildlife. “Economic benefit should be attached to wildlife preservation, only then will people and the authorities take it seriously,” she said.

Few are those whose hearts beat for the mute denizens in the wild, and rarer it is to come across women at work here, to which Latika responded, “Being a woman and travelling to remote areas, meeting local communities isn’t an easy job. People don’t tend to take you seriously. One has to be strong and convey the message that you mean serious business and nothing is going to deter you.” Latika Rana, for one, has not been deterred, but it’ll also have to be many others who choose to stick to their guns to realise a safe haven for our beautiful and rare species.

Apoorva Prasad tests the northern hemisphere’s highest gondola ride

Skiing in India sounds like an oxymoron. Travellers expect heat, dust and humidity. But occasionally it’s possible to throw some snow into the mix. Up north, there’s Kashmir, specifically the tiny hill resort of Gulmarg, about 40km from the state’s capital, Srinagar. Here, they have built the northern hemisphere’s highest gondola ski lift. Reaching more than 4000 lung-shrivelling metres (taller than most alpine peaks), it is lofty enough for your average, middle-of-the-rung snowboarder such as me.

Getting off the plane in Srinagar is interesting. Blast-protected hangars for fighters line the runway and soldiers watch our every move. Photography is prohibited at the airport. We might all be foreign agents. You never know. The port and starboard views from the plane are amazing. Just like the view from the top of the gondola station in Gulmarg. It is stupendous. Mind-boggling. Dizzying. I could throw a Roget’s Thesaurus of adjectives at you, but they’d still be inadequate. On the crystalline horizon are the Nanga Parbat and Nun Kun peaks and I even think I can spot the great K2 on the Pakistan-China border.

Gulmarg is full of local tourists in the summer: Kashmiris from the larger town of Tanmarg, just below the hill, and from Srinagar, often show up for weekends. Gulmarg is an all-weather resort with refreshing summer meadows and pastoral scenes to keep the camera busy (it was named by the Mughal emperor Jehangir, an avid horticulturist, and means meadow of flowers), but the main reason to come here is winter’s off-piste, deep powder, long-run skiing and snowboarding. This Himalayan resort is one of the newest and increasingly popular ski destinations.

Gulmarg is small, resembling a largish alpine village. It has aspirations to become a great ski resort in winter and a cool mountain getaway in summer.

After the gondola opened in May 2005, platoons of intrepid skiers and camera crews from around the world showed up. But, as with everything in India, a progressive spirit and zen-like attitude is required. There are rescue facilities and old-fashioned avalanche control (that is, “we told you not to go up today”). But there are no groomed slopes on the mountain, minimal hazard warnings and not much to do at night. And we see only men on the streets, dressed in loose, dark woollen phirans (gowns), and at night it is eerily empty.

But the town is surrounded by deep forests of birch, pine and deodar. In the evening light, the scenery is like a watercolour painting. And there are lots of animals in the reserve forest surrounding the town: foxes, wolves, bears and possibly a snow leopard or two. We see fat snow monkeys and ravens. This is Kashmir, and Kashmir is beautiful.
Hitting the slopes

At Kongdori, the gondola mid-station, there are crowds of middle-class Indian tourists, here for the mighty adventure of touching snow. For those born in the heat and dust of the plains (or the tropical humidity of the south), the sharp cold and white expanse of mountain are rare and wondrous. I watch the tourists get pushed along on wooden skis (vintage 1975), rented by cart-pushing ski-wallahs.

But it’s the upper gondola (phase two) to Mt Apherwat that’s the prime attraction for skiers, hikers and those wanting to view the wondrous Himalayan horizon. The cable car ascends vertically 1330m to more than 4000m. The first gondola phase, from Gulmarg to the Kongdori mid-station, 300m above, costs Rs100 (about $3) each way, or Rs500 for the day. Phase two, to the ridgeline of Mt Apherwat, costs Rs250 each way. A day pass is Rs1000.

The air is thin up high. If you’re skiing or boarding, take it easy for the first few days. Ride straight down, in the easier, quality-controlled bowls. It’s possible to hike 30 minutes further up to the very top of Mt Apherwat, or go left or right along the ridge to choose any of the “corridors” to drop into. At first you’ll be left gasping for breath, due to a minor lack of oxygen but also because of the stupendous views.

The sale of licences to drill for oil and gas rights in Alaska will threaten the future of the region’s polar bears, conservationists warned today.

The oil and gas rights to drill in 29.4m acres in the Chukchi sea, which were made available by the US government’s Minerals Management Service (MMS) yesterday, have attracted record bids of $2.66bn from the likes of Shell and ConocoPhillips.

The MMS believes that up to 15bn barrels of recoverable oil and 77 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves lie beneath the Chukchi Sea, which lies between Alaska and Siberia. But environmentalists say too little is known about the possible impact of drilling on populations of polar bears and walrus in the area.

The WWF says the Chukchi Sea is a critical habitat for polar bears, walrus, whales, seals, and migratory birds, and that the auctioning of the “prime” polar bear habitat will threaten the region’s populations. It is also experiencing some of the most rapid loss of sea ice in the world due to climate change.

“The technology to effectively contain and clean up oil spills does not currently exist and this oil lease is a disaster waiting to happen,” said James Leaton, the oil and gas policy adviser for WWF UK.
“It’s also unacceptable that oil companies and the US government are effectively seeking to make a profit from the potential demise of a species,” he added.

The WWF says that the US interior secretary, Dirk Kempthorne, has ignored repeated requests from the American public, Arctic communities and conservation groups to delay or withdraw the lease sale until there is a better understanding of its potential impact on Arctic wildlife and habitats. The WWF and another group, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), also allege that the US Fish and Wildlife Services has delayed its final decision on whether polar bears will be listed as an endangered species to allow the sale to proceed without further controversy.

The listing, which would have had an impact upon the release of the leases, would have recognised the grave threat to polar bears from loss of sea ice and habitats due to global warming.

Brendan Frazier, IFAW’s US spokesman, said: “An endangered listing can affect the sell-off of the oil drilling rights.

“The authorities would have to get approval through the Fish and Wildlife Service to conduct drilling if there is an endangered species that inhabits the area.”

American legislators have proposed listing the polar bear as “threatened”, but that did not go far enough, said IFAW.
“A ‘threatened’ listing leaves open the possibility for exemptions and doesn’t shut loopholes, such as the one that allows Americans to trophy-hunt for polar bears in Canada and bring their heads and hides back to the US,” said Mr Frazier.

“Selling off our natural heritage to the highest bidder is a sad spectacle and represents a step backwards in our efforts to save the Arctic and polar bears for future generations,” said Carter Roberts, the president and CEO of World Wildlife Fund US. The MMS announced its intention to sell oil and gas leases in the Chukchi Sea in early January, and bidding opened yesterday.

An ugly man-animal conflict had been brewing in our very own backyard, and now that situation is almost perilous, it’s anybody guess who’s going to be the winner… Panthera tigris or the tiger fights a lone battle for survival, perhaps the last one, in what is it’s last remaining home.

If Edward James Corbett or Jim Corbett as we know him were alive, he would be a heartbroken man today. The hunter-turned-conservationist and author whose romanticism of India and her wildlife is the stuff fairytales are made of, would not have in his wildest of dreams imagined the fate that has befallen the tiger, India’s national symbol.

In 1900, there were 40,000 tigers in India. Seventy-two years later, the Indian government was shaken out of its slumber when it was reported that this number had come down to a mere 1,200. Alarmed, the then Prime Minister, Mrs. Indira Gandhi introduced the ambitious Project Tiger, perhaps the biggest tiger conservation project ever, the following year. The efforts reaped dividends and things started looking bright for the tiger once again. But as they say, the more things change, they remain the same. Even after 35 years of the Project, the latest estimate as per the 2008 census pegs the number of tigers in India’s forests to just over 1,400 – life indeed has, once again, come full circle for the Royal Bengal tiger. Rampant poaching and destruction of its habitat due to encroachment have ensured that it might be the tiger’s last stand.

Things reached a boiling point when conservationists cried foul when in 1993, in Delhi, a large cache of tiger and leopard bones totalling 400 kgs was seized. Having consumed their last remaining tigers, India is where China gets its supply of tiger bones and parts for use in traditional Chinese medicine. But the fact that tigers were being thus killed is only half the story, that the Indian government literally slept while it happened, is appalling. For as long as can be remembered, the authorities have been living in a state of denial…denying that a tiger was being killed every day in India’s jungles, denying that the threat was for real; instead, claiming that Sariska — where tigers once thrived but now, not a single one roars — was an isolated incident. Officials, to save their skin, grossly misrepresented figures representing tiger numbers, a fact voiced by environmentalists in chorus. “By no stretch of imagination could the number of 1200 tigers have become 4000 as claimed!” says Mr. P K Sen, former Director, Project Tiger. He adds, “Back in 1973 we succeeded in arresting tiger deaths because we had a willing government. Indira Gandhi’s words weren’t mere words, they were laws. And she took a keen interest in it.” The present government, he asserts, is a “limping government on crutches where it is being pulled from the left, right and centre.” Ask him whether lack of funds is a hindrance to conservation efforts and he roars, “Rubbish!” “Millions of dollars are being collected in the name of tiger conservation.” He adds, “Back in 1973, David Shepherd from the David Shepherd Foundation painted the face of the tiger on a canvas and auctioned it. The entire proceeds from the auction were transferred to India. There was no jugglery of funds.”

And as though things weren’t bad enough already, adding to the misery of the Indian tiger is the Tribal Bill, which allows these people to reside inside designated tiger sanctuaries. And that’s when we have an army of NGOs and tiger conservationists? “It has become fashionable to be associated with tiger conservation,” adds Mr. Sen. “You cannot sit here in Delhi and talk about conservation.” he says with a sigh. Without naming anyone, he says, “One of the largest fund-raising NGOs for tiger conservation gave money to the largest organization for saving Indian tigers but only 10% of the funds were utilised. Nobody knows where the rest of it went.” To sum it up, he says, “Let’s come to the brass tacks. The tiger is facing the worst crisis as of today.” A fact echoed by Mr, Rajesh Bedi, India’s most famous wildlife photographer and filmmaker. In his word, “The situation is indeed grim and the tiger is definitely fighting a losing battle.”

So does that mean we’re at a point of no return? If not, what would it take for us to ensure that another Sansar Chand is not born, and a Sariska does not happen again? Like most things, the solution lies in the problem. For one, “We’ll have to tackle the problem with honesty,” says Rajesh Bedi, in an obvious reference to inflated tiger estimates in the past. Says G. Krishnamurthy- Field Director, Panna National Park, “The Panna reserve is very well taken care of by both the State and the Central government. In the last one year alone, we have been able to relocate eight villages from the core area of the reserve. In fact, Panna is the first reserve to have rehabilitated tribals (Bahilias or Parbhi tribes) who are traditional hunters. We now have a school for their children with 110 students in it.

Being at the top of the food-chain process, the tiger is essential for the entire biodiversity of its habitat. If it goes, other species follow suit… But, so long as the value of a dead tiger is more than one that roams the jungle fearless, the tiger is going only one way – to its grave. The solitary animal is alone, even in death, unless we’re ready to give it one last chance…

Ahead of leaving for Copenhagen later this week, US President Barack Obama held a conference call with leaders of Britain, France and Germany, besides calling Bangladeshi and Ethiopian Prime Ministers in his last ditch effort to arrive at a successful deal on climate change.

“The President believes that we can get an operational agreement that makes sense in Copenhagen over the next few days,” White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters at his daily briefing.

On the conference call with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicholas Sarkozy, Obama talked about the climate change negotiations that are currently going on in Copenhagen.

“This conference was one of a number of conversations that the President has held with leaders from around the world in the last few days. A day earlier Obama called Prime Ministers of Ethiopia and Bangladesh,” Gibbs said.

“I believe that all of these countries share the strong goal of getting something done by the end of this week in Copenhagen. The President certainly shares that and believes that we can make progress assuming we meet some of those operational goals,” he said.
Obama reviewed efforts by the US on climate change, reiterated his commitment to making progress towards a successful conclusion of an operational agreement in Copenhagen, he said.

After a gap of nearly three years Madhya Pradesh Forest Department is gearing up again to conduct the Tiger Census which will further reveal the exact number of wildcats in the state. “The last tiger census was conducted in the year 2006 and now the forest department under the supervision of Wildlife Insitutute of India (WII) will conduct a fresh survey in the month of January 2010,” Madhya Pradesh Forest Minister, Sartaj Singh told PTI.

Nearly 25,000 forest employees will be deployed for conducting the Tiger Census which will be done by using a special camera.

The census would be conducted between January 18-23 and later its report will be sent to the WII which after analysing the data will reveal the exact number of tigers in the state, a forest official said.

“Come in under the shadow of this red rock… and I will show you fear in a handful of dust” — TS Eliot in “The Wasteland”. And that fear is what The Sunday Indian found on the once pristine shores of the gulf of Kutch, where businessmen’s avarice and political complicity have devastated the country’s first Marine National Park. Fear in red sandstone mines, fear in illegal ‘dust’, the ones rising from mafia controlled sand mines, and oil slicks from unlawful jetties, leading to squandered natural resources and invaluable wildlife ruined. Indeed, a terrible fear grips you. Mayank Vyas investigates

Welcome to this strange world, where once octopuses and Olive Ridley turtles swam together, but today, stray dogs play, comfortable in their coexistence with pelicans; a world where the sea shore is barricaded with city hoardings with their backs towards the ocean. In effect, these hoardings, some within 50 metres of the coast — breaking all laws — represent humanity itself, with its back turned towards nature. Come to Bedi Bandar and hear the distressing story of the first ever Marine National Park of India, now slithering with oil and choking with sand and stones mined illegally.

They call it development, of course, the government people and the powerful lobbies that can tamper with all legislation. And the Coastal Zonal Regulation Act, which has been violated in most coasts in India anyway, has been, in fact, simply mocked at here. The rich coral reefs are gone, with oil slicks invading them because tankers do not bother to stick to the laws and go to wash their innards beyond 50 km in high sea. It is too costly a bath for the tankers, so they do this within say five or six kilometres from the coastline.

The Marine National Park (MNP) and Sanctuary includes 42 islands in the Gulf of Kutch. It consists of 457.92 sq km of protected area, which includes islands and coastal strips. The Wildlife Protection Act says that the state forest department is responsible for protection of marine life, which was once teeming in this entire belt. There are more than eight government departments that have jurisdiction over the MNP. These include Gujarat Maritime Board, Gujarat Pollution Control Board, Gujarat Forest Department, Coast Guard, Indian Navy, Gujarat Fisheries Board, Coastal Development Board, Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation, etc. and this is where the entire game of turning the MNP into a highly polluted area starts.

Sikka is a small port en route to Dwarka from Jamnagar, where ships and oil tankers normally lay in anchor. As per regulations, these tankers have to get washed 50 km into the high sea. They use sea water for washing and then have to come back to the docks for clearances from the customs and excise department, which says they are not carrying any oil back. But often, these tankers avoid going into deep sea and just go through the washing process five to 10 kilometres from the coast. As they dump back oily and muddy water into the sea, hazardous chemicals bombard marine life, explains Suresh Bhatt, a leading environmentalist from Jamnagar.

Oil spillage is not the only problem for the MNP. Many industrial houses have constructed jetties illegally. These are mainly at Narara, Sikka, Bedi Bandar and Khavdi. The jetties are constructed, unfailingly, without procuring permission from the Forest Department, and the multiplicity of jurisdiction of various departments helps them do so. In some cases, even loading from those jetties have started without proper authorisation.

Rakesh Pandya, another leading environmentalist at Sikka, told TSI: “These jetties are constructed by allowing sea water to artificially ingress two kilometres inside the coastline. Result: millions of acres of mangroves have been uprooted. Besides, this requires dredging sand from the seashore and this kills off the entire coral reef life forms.

In their book “Environmental Law and Policy in India”, Armin Rosencranz, Shyam Divan and Martha L Noble have said that the coral reefs rich in limestone have been thoughtlessly plundered for the manufacture of cement in the Gulf of Mannar (Tamil Nadu) and in the Pirotan Island (Gujarat). Similarly, coastal mangroves constitute extraordinarily rich ecosystems. They give shelter to various marine life forms and also create natural walls along with reefs against inundation during high tides. What is most annoying is how the state government is ignoring the plunder of both coral reefs and mangroves, and in the same breath announcing various pompous mangrove saving schemes!

Tata Chemicals have eight different units at Mithapur, near Dwarka, mainly manufacturing salt and soda ash. It is spilling toxic chemical effluents directly into the sea. When we contacted the Conservator of Forest, Jamnagar MNP, DS Narve, he rebutted: “There are established standards for offloading any industrial waste into the sea. All the industrial units have to establish Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) to treat the waste first. Tata chemicals also set up have their ETP and the Gujarat Pollution Control Board officials regularly inspect it.” But environmentalists hold that the ETP is just hogwash. In fact, none other than former Chief Conservator of Forest, Gujarat, Dr HS Singh in his book “Wildlife of Gujarat” has said that oil spills and industrial effluents are major challenges for the MNP.