Statements Change; but is the Tiger Same?

The question in everyone’s mind; still unanswered! With each passing day, the Maharashtra Forest Department changes its statement; sometimes admitting that the tiger they killed was not the true man-eater and at another moment they would strongly feel that the Talodhi man-eater is dead.
The incident took place in Talodhi village near Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, where a man-eating tiger (tiger or tigress?)had been creating havoc, which was finally gunned down on 30th November ’07 following an order passed by the Principal Chief ‘Conservator’ of Forests (PC’C’F). The reason for putting the word conservator in single quotes is clear. At a stage where the world is battling to protect the tiger, curb man-animal conflict; our dear PCCF…oops! PC’C’F has found a new solution to this crisis. PC’C’F- inspired by Corbett, eh? But let me tell you, situations have changed now and this solution will take us nowhere.
Moving on to the next flaw in the issue- the incorrect sex determination. Earlier the tiger was supposed to be a female. A photograph taken using camera trapping methods revealed a tigress with prominent mammary glands. But after the tiger was shot dead, it was found to be a male! So now the big question; has the forest department killed the right one or not?? To this the forest department on the day of the killing expressed conformity in having shot the right tiger. So is it that the tiger changed its sex?!? Hmmm…I’ve never heard of a sex changing tiger, have you? Well lets ask our forest officials about this unusual phenomenon. So what’s your answer, forest department?
For a few more days the forest department was rigid with its statement that the Talodhi tiger (whether the man-eater or not, no one knows!) is dead. Then suddenly came a bolt from the blue, with one of the officials claiming that the tiger which was shot dead was not the real man-eater! So what do the officials say about this ‘pseudo’ man-eater? The Deputy Chief ‘Conservator’ of Forests (Dy’C’F), Brahmapuri Forest Division admitted the change in statement saying, “The tiger was not the man-eater but a threat to humans.” A threat to human lives?!?! But why may I ask? Just because it strayed into the village? And hence the department felt the need for killing it! What a policy to follow! When the entire nation is desperately struggling to save the tiger, these people, who claim to be their real ‘protectors’ have started taking steps which endanger its existence even more! Utterly shameful! Disgraceful comment, Mr. Dy’C’F!
If this much was not enough, another twist in the tale was added on 6th December ’07 when the Veterinary Doctor who performed the post-mortem of the tiger (which was supposedly a ‘threat to humans’) charged the forest department of tampering with a key tiger sample. The Vet claimed that the officials had interchanged the samples which had wild boar’s flesh and hair with bullock’s meat and paddy grass. All this to support their earlier claim, that the tiger had killed and eaten a bullock, hence posing a threat to humans lives! Nothing much surprising because everything from tiger numbers to other important data related to forests are all manipulated by the forest department! So this one does not shock me. All I have to say is, “Good presence of mind, department!”
Next, and the last of all the surprises till today was the killing of another villager by a tiger! What next forest department? Another shoot at sight order?
So before the forest department sets off to commit another crime, we- the people, the citizens of this country must all awaken together to Mother Nature’s call for help and save our National Animal from the clutches of its so called ‘protectors’!

Mother Nature We Are With You!

A poetry for N-Nats' song on nature conservation.

When there’s no one to wake me up,
A sweet bird call awakes me,
So if I’m asked about my second mother,
My answer would be thee,
When I’m out of bed on a gloomy day,
A colourful butterfly makes me happy,
So if I’m asked about my second mother,
My answer would be thee.

In today’s world, deforestation is being done,
On top of that, the burning UV rays of the sun!
All adding to our mother’s pain,
And her tears fall to the earth as acid rain!
In this world only a few care for you,
But remember mother, we are always with you.

For money and for fun, they kill our dumb cousins,
I understand dear mother, you are suffering from their sins,
It’s horrible to see you dying in front of our eyes,
My request to developers, ‘Please be a bit wise’.
In this world, your protectors are so few,
And remember mother, we are always with you.

Life in a Metro

Introduction- As time went by, the human civilization became more and more advanced. Under the dominance of the human race, trees were and are still being chopped off, as jungles are being converted into urbanized settlements. Yet in these concrete jungles, people share their homes with a variety of creatures and this article is an ‘ode’ to their extreme adaptability. The title of this article has been inspired from Anurag Basu's film. The only difference being in the content matter as Mr.Basu's film portrays the life of people in cities, whereas this article deals with how animals adapt themselves to urban conditions.

People hold a popular misconception. They feel that, to sight animals visiting jungles is a necessity; quite ignorant of the fact that they share their home with plenty of creatures. These wild animals, deprived of their natural habitat are forced to seek refuge in and around human settlements. But even in this modified habitat they are equally at home as they would have been in the jungles.

To begin with mammals, the Common Mongoose tops my list of extremely adaptable animals. The Common Mongoose is a specialised city dweller with its body perfectly designed for its respective mode of life. The short limbs and elongated body give it easy entrance into houses, while its non-retractile claws help it in digging holes to capture its prey (mainly ground dwelling shrews and rodents) and to climb the compound walls. In places of high human interference, Mongooses may also become nocturnal. Rodents like the House Rat (Rattus rattus) and House Mouse (Mus musculus) have purely become a commensal of Man. Spread to almost every part of the world through human agency, these creatures have become parasitic on Man. The Rodents emerge from their daytime haunts (usually dark areas in kitchens, pipelines etc) at night, where they come face to face with another nocturnal forager- the Grey Musk Shrew. Shrews feed exclusively on insects and are thus helpful to Man. On the other hand, Rodents being carriers of diseases are parasitic on Man. Unfortunately Shrews, sometimes are persecuted for their mouse-like appearance. Other mammals showing notable adaptability are the Civets. Civets spend the day hidden between boulders or in hollows on trees and emerge at night. At night they raid plantations along with fruit bats or predate over small game like hares and other rodents.
Cities host a rich array of birdlife. Birds show a preference for particular habitats, but some like the White-throated Kingfisher are equally at ease around habitations and scrub jungle as in ponds and deciduous forests. In cities, White-throated Kingfishers feed mainly on frogs, crabs and even snakes! Among others, commendable adaptability is displayed by Mynas, Bulbuls, Sunbirds, Sparrows, Doves, Pigeons (Passerine birds) and likewise. Mynas and the Passerines build their nests on grilled windows, bathroom windows and along parapets; whereas Sunbirds and Bulbuls feed on spiders, moths etc which roost on the walls of buildings during the day. Another specialised insect-hunter is the Black Drongo, sometimes seen hawking winged insects at night with the help of glowing street lights and halogens. Other night predators are Owls, Owlets and Nightjars. Owlets spend the day in tree hollows, while Nightjars stay concealed among leaf litters, both coming out at night from their respective haunts to feed on insects along with insectivorous bats. Owls (mainly the Barn Owl) reside in old buildings, emerging at night to hunt rodents, thus proving beneficial to agriculture. Raptors like the Black Kite and Shikra and in some places even the Peregrine Falcon are very well adapted to the city life. Shikras are successful in every habitat, whereas Black Kites prefer open country. In Pune city, Black Kites are found in large numbers, where pairs can be seen nesting on trees, forts and on high street lights.
Extreme urban adaptability among the herps is exhibited by the Hemidactylus geckos (House geckos). Of these, the Northern House and Brook’s Gecko are widespread and are almost inseparable from the buildings. Geckos being nocturnal, benefit from the glowing bulbs and tube-lights which attract moths in large numbers, thereby providing an easy prey for the geckos. Common Tree Frogs again are a commensal of Man. These frogs can be seen in buildings where they find the atmosphere of toilets congenial.
With thousands of creatures sharing homes with millions of people, cities are a miniature jungle. These creatures have their own distinct lifestyle, well adapted to succeed in this artificially modified environment. Man might be the most intelligent animal, but these are animals which have fought, and are still fighting against all odds. As far as intelligence is concerned, these animals are at par with Man. After all, surviving in an environment continuously altered by ‘the most intelligent animal’ also needs brains!

Changing Seasons, Changing Phases...a la vision of Botanical Garden

Situated in the heart of the city, adjacent to the Telangkhedi Lake, lies the Botanical Garden of Nagpur. It is a heaven for birdwatchers and a paradise for birds. Because of its location, Botanical Garden and the areas surrounding it have 5 major eco-systems namely- garden, lake, pond, plantations and forest. The varied habitats make it a rich bio-diversity hotspot of Nagpur. To support such a vast diversity and to maintain these habitats and ecologies, seasons play a vital role. With every season, Botanical Garden turns over a new look. The wildlife changes too. Lets have a look at how seasons affect the diversity, the habitats and the appearance of Botanical Garden.

1. Summer- After four months of cold weather, the hibernating reptiles come out of their burrows. Summer is the season of the Garden Lizard. By mid-April, the males sport a handsome breeding plumage to attract the females and can be seen displaying their bright red colouration from elevations. Skinks are frequently encountered in the gardens. Reptiles thrive in this dry weather. Apart from reptiles, Botanical Garden has its share of summer migrants. Minivets are common near light forests and Paradise Flycatchers- the most awaited summer migrants choose to reside among plantations and gardens. In the summers, Little Terns migrate from the coasts to inland water bodies. The Telangkhedi Lake and the Kingfisher Pond(called so because the unfailing attitude of Kingfishers to be present there always) inside Botanical Garden dry up, but still sprout with life. Just after sunrise, Peafowls, Pheasant-tailed Jacanas and Yellow-footed Green-Pigeons can be seen around Telangkhedi Lake. Even the Eurasian Cuckoo had once been sighted by our group on a tree on the banks of Telangkhedi Lake. Due to acute water shortage inside the garden, Bull Frogs and Skittering Frogs seek refuge in the fountains. Summer is the blooming season of the Flame of the Forest(Palas) which adds beauty to the forests adjoining Telangkhedi Lake.

2. Monsoon- After a long dry season, the monsoons bring a much needed relief. Monsoon is a season of renewal. The gardens turn green again, Kingfisher Pond gets filled up to the brink and even more, water of the Telangkhedi Lake spreads over vast areas. The forests adjoining Telangkhedi Lake become lush green and inaccessible. Some parts inside Botanical Garden become inaccessible too due to high density of plants and water logging. Birdlife also changes considerably with the arrival of Pied Cuckoos and Scaly-breasted Munias, who drop down for nesting purposes. The clever polygamist- the Baya Weaver also begins to nest in this season. Bitterns, though mainly nocturnal, may be encountered in the day time as well. The most noticeable of all the migrants is the Blue-tailed Bee-eater. Large numbers gather on the banks of Telangkhedi Lake, which at this time is full of Coots and Moorhens as the monsoons mark the beginning of the breeding season for them. Snakes also come out of their burrows. Ratsnakes can be seen swimming in the Kingfisher Pond. Bull Frogs return to the Kingfisher Pond, while Skittering Frogs can be spotted in stagnant water bodies.

3. Winter- Winter marks the beginning of the breeding season for most birds. Many species migrate from far off lands to this place- the Botanical Garden and adjoining areas. Winter is Green Bee-eater time in Nagpur, who come here as a result of their seasonal local migrations. Bee-eaters can be seen perched on any wire, from where they launch aerial attacks on winged insects. Inside Botanical Garden, Red-throated and Asian Brown Flycatchers are commonly seen. The rare Verditer Flycatcher is also seen from mid-October to November end. But the delight of winter is the Osprey which stays in Telangkhedi Lake from November to mid-February. Other migratory raptors recorded from the Telangkhedi Lake region are Western Marsh Harriers and Booted Eagles. Our group had also spotted a Bonelli's Eagle and a Crested Serpent Eagle in this region in December, 2006. The huge Grey Heron is also seen in the winter months. In the orange plantations, Rollers remain engaged in performing their elaborate courtship rituals. Migratory waders like Stints, Sandpipers and Snipes are common around lakes and ponds. This is not a season for the herps as they return to their warm burrows for hibernation.

As time goes by and seasons change, Botanical Garden too sports new looks. Species keep coming and going. Water level rises at one time and then suddenly drops down. But whatever the season is, this paradise is always full of life.

Hymn to the Himalayas

Here's a short verse i've written on the beauty of the Himalayas. I went for an excursion to Sikkim and Darjeeling and this verse is completely based on what i saw during the treks. I wrote this verse in the train, on our way back to Nagpur from Kolkata.

Out from the concrete jungle to the Mountains of the God
From Kanchenjunga, the Prince, to Everest, the Lord.
days unforgetful and sightings beyond imagination,
Swallows to Vultures, all adding charm to this hilly nation.
My heart filled with joy on sighting rare birds,
to describe its beauty I went short of words.
Scenery equally amazing, wildlife so diverse,
Its description isn’t possible in only a verse.

A Homely Wild Encounter

In my days of ‘House Arrest’ (the board exam preparatory leave), birding was banned and photography was prohibited. So the only way to be close to nature was reading more and more about her. Among all the books I’ve read, my favourite is the ‘Book of Indian Animals’ by S.H.Prater. On reading that book (for the second time!) my attention was drawn towards creatures which usually kids of my age would ignore for being unappealing- Bats, Mongooses, Civets, Ground Shrews and even Rodents! Of these I found mongooses the most interesting.
In front of my house there is a small nullah which provides an ideal location for the mongooses to flourish. From my balcony I’ve seen generations of mongooses following this pattern to reach their feeding grounds- moving stealthily from the nullah to my neighbours to the right, climb their boundary wall and jump exactly adjacent. But on a fine afternoon, the route had changed. An adult mongoose entered the house of the left neighbours and as usual I had seen it. Luckily no one was at home so I did not want to forgo the opportunity to photograph it. I ran to my backyard hoping to get the right angle. But what I saw next was bewildering. Stealthily I strove to my backyard and not an inch away from me was the mongoose I was looking for. It ran backwards to get away from the nuisance (me). I ran towards the verandah and yet again missed it by an inch. This time it moved backwards slowly and flashed an angry look leading me to clasp my claws. From my balcony, mongooses looked so cute but when it was just a foot away from me, it was just too frightening. Yet without budging a bit, I carefully picked up my camera but sensing my move the mongoose, intelligent as they are known to be, again ran to my backyard from the other side proving its wisdom. Even I ran to the backyard from the opposite side to get a front view of the creature. I felt as if I were a press photographer running everywhere to capture a controversial celebrity in my camera! So finally at my backyard I got a good snap of the mongoose. After this, the mongoose climbed a small tree and jumped to the compound of the apartment behind my house.
Such was my first face-to-face encounter with a wild mammal and surprisingly it was in my own arena! Obviously my enthu grows more to see more of these wonderful creatures.

Humans & The Web of Life

The natural world is like a web in itself. Each and every organism, from the tiniest bacteria to the largest of whales is directly or indirectly, in one way or the other, dependant on each other. Every organism does its bit, which helps in maintaining a balance in the natural world. But over the years it has been witnessed that the threads connecting one species to another have started loosening as Man is attempting to conquer the web of life, thus threatening the existence of every living organism.

1. Population Control in Nature- It has been observed that smaller organisms have healthy populations, they fall prey to creatures larger than them, who have comparatively smaller populations, and finally come the super predators(tigers, lions etc), who reproduce at a very slow rate, and thus have low populations. In this way, nature has devised her own method of population control.

Human Invasion- Humans in their attempt to rule the web of life have caused a severe ecological crisis. Poaching and hunting(mainly of super predators) and trapping of animals for monetary purposes have led to a drastic increase in populations of smaller animals causing an imbalance.

Immediate Aftermath- In the absence of natural predators, the populations of smaller animals increase and they become parasitic on man.

2. Pest Control in Nature- Rodents and insects(like locusts) are a major pest to Humans. Their populations have increased worldwide due to the absence of natural predators. Yet snakes, mongooses, owls, frogs etc do great service to Man by ridding him of these unwanted pests. In return Man punishes them with death.

Human Invasion- Snake skin (mainly of cobras, pythons and ratsnakes) is used for making leather bags, boots and other accessories. Mongooses are trapped in cages by baiting, where they starve to death. Mongoose hair is used in making paint brushes. Owls fall prey to myths and superstitions. Frogs become victims of inhuman experiments as they are used for dissections.

Immediate Aftermath- Increase in pests means reduction in agricultural productivity and increase in the number of diseases.

3. Tree Plantation in Nature- Tree plantation in nature is a continuous process. Butterflies and other nectar-sucking birds and insects transfer pollen grains from one flower to another. Frugivorous bats, civets, parakeets, hornbills etc are important animals which help in seed dispersion and cross-pollination. These animals feed on fruits and the undigested seeds fall on the ground along with their scats. These seeds lie preserved in the ground until the monsoons when they first experience the joy of growing tall. Though this process is continuous, unplanned development is also a continuous task in the present day world, for which thousands of trees are chopped off.

Human Invasion- Human invasion in this case comes mainly from the illegal pet trade. Parakeets, even today, are trapped in large numbers and sold as pets. Bats face persecution due to myths and have been directly affected by concretization. Major threats to the survival of hornbills is the lack of suitable nesting trees and hunting for their casks. Civets are again sufferers of habitat loss and urbanization.

Immediate Aftermath- Slaying of ‘tree-planters’ and uprooting of trees will directly affect humans. In a world bereft of fresh air, survival would become difficult or rather impossible.

In any case, Humans will have to suffer in the days to come. Over the years, we have tried to modify the environment to meet our needs. In doing this we might have been successful in the present, but will the future be similar? Every creature on earth is playing its role with perfection in maintaining the right balance in nature. But are we doing our bit? Humans are the most intelligent and superior animals of our planet. Their role is to protect all other creatures in their surroundings and not to interfere in the web of life. Our efforts have brought us to such a crisis that even restoring ecological balance has become difficult. But there is hope. After all nature is resilient. Given a chance she will bounce back.