Only 1411 tigers left in India

India's rare Royal Bengal Tiger population has plunged to 1,411, drastically lower than the estimated 3,700 believed to exist five years ago, researchers said on February 12, 2008.

Rajesh Gopal, who heads Project Tiger, a conservation programme launched in the 1970s, unveiled the latest figures and blamed “poaching, loss of quality habitat and prey”as the main reasons for the decimation.

The census, which took nearly two years to complete, counted the big cat population inside dedicated reserves and those in forests, Qamar Qureshi, a scientist with the Wildlife Institute of India which conducted the survey, told AFP.

An earlier survey in 2002 had estimated the number of tigers in India at 3,700, with the population of those in protected sanctuaries estimated at 1,500. Conservationists have long complained that many Indian forestry posts lie vacant, while the staff that do exist have little in the way of funds, making them no match for poachers.

“This is disastrous news but comes as no surprise,” said Belinda Wright, head of the Wildlife Protection Society of India. “Wildlife crime is so entrenched and we are not prepared for it.”

Poachers killed 122 tigers between 1999 and 2003, the government said in 2005. Alarmed by the dwindling numbers, the government last year announced it was recruiting retired army personnel to form a “tiger protection force” to guard sanctuaries.

Last month, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh set up a national wildlife crime prevention bureau -- drawing experts from the police, environmental agencies and customs - in a bid to break up the poaching network.

Asian giants India and China have been under fire from international experts for failing to halt tiger poaching, with conservationists blaming collusion between poachers, government officials and buyers.

Tigers are hunted for their pelts, claws and bones, which are prized in traditional Chinese medicine. Tiger hunting is illegal worldwide and the trade in tiger body parts is banned under a treaty binding 167 countries, including India.

Despite the population plunge, Gopal and Qureshi said there was still hope for saving the tiger and salvaging the Project Tiger programme, touted as one of India's most successful conservation efforts.

”There is a lot of hope. The tiger population is capable of bouncing back if the quality of the forests is preserved and there is enough prey,” Qureshi said. Conservation efforts will work if people living near tiger reserves are involved in the process, he added. The results of the latest survey offer authentic data as it used “more detailed and scientifically sound” techniques than earlier ones based on paw tracks, Qureshi said.

”When you say about 3,700 tigers in 2002, that was just an estimate. So it is difficult to say whether the numbers have halved or not.”

The latest numbers however "does not include the tigers in the Sundarbans," the world's largest mangrove forest straddling the Indian- Bangladesh border.

”We are still developing the methodology to count the tigers there, because of the difference in habitats,” he said. Qureshi declined to give an estimate of the number of tigers living in the mangrove forests, though some conservationatists have put it at no more than 70.

"Save our Tigers"

A Docking station - "A platform into which you can install a portable computer"

A platform into which you can install a portable computer. The docking station typically contains slots for expansion cards, bays for storage devices, and connectors for peripheral devices, such as printers and monitors. Once inserted in a docking station, the portable computer essentially becomes a desktop model computer. When it is taken out, it becomes a portable computer again. Most importantly, the same data is accessible in both modes because it resides on the portable computer's drives. The idea behind docking stations is to let you simultaneously enjoy the expansion possibilities of desktop model computers with the portability of notebook computers. In addition, the docking station enables you to use a full-size keyboard and monitor when you're not traveling.

A Docking station and port replicator provides a simplified way of “plugging-in” an electronic device such as a laptop computer via common peripherals. The name is sometimes simplified to "dock" which can be used as a noun or a verb. The use of a docking station can allow for the recharging of a device's battery or for the transfer of data. Because a wide range of dockable devices--from mobile phones to wireless mouses to iPods--have different connectors, power charge rates, and uses, docks are not standardized and are therefore often designed for use with a specific make and model of a device.

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Yelagiri Hills - Tamilnadu

Yelagiri Hills is for easy-paced, relaxed
weekends; an ideal getaway from the hustle,
bustle and madness of the city.
No Internet, no mobile phones and no deadlines.






























































How much can one do in just one weekend? Fortunately, Yelagiri Hills isn't a sprawling hill station, bursting at its seams like the Ooty's and the Kodai's of down-South.




Punganoor Artificial Lake-cum-Park
Perhaps the most popular landmark of Yelagiri Hills is the lake. Ask anyone, and they'll tell you where it's located. For want of anything else to do, most visitors to the Hills tend to take the short walk from their lodgings and perhaps, go on a boat ride. The park adjoins the lake and is an ideal outing for kids to play around.

Picnicking isn't allowed inside the premises. Also, there's an entry fee to be paid to enter the lake and park. Worth it, simply because it helps pass time and kids can have fun too.

Jalagamparai Waterfalls
The River Attaaru, runs through the valleys of Yelagiri Hills, and at the village of Jadaiyanoor, flows over to form the waterfall. It's perhaps the only distant spot from the main town (over 30 kilometres) and fairly frequented by visitors to the Hills. Larger groups picnic out here, but because of its isolation don't expect too many facilities. Jalagamparai Waterfalls is also an ideal place to go on a day long trek and if you do decide to go there, just make sure you're well-stocked with water and food.






A word of caution: the waterfalls are dependent on the river being full and the river is dependent on substantial rainfall. Yelagiri Hills hasn't any monsoon season of its own; rainfall here is mainly a 'spill-over' of rainfall in nearby Bangalore or Chennai regions. Unless there is rain here, Yelagiri Hills can largely be dry.

Swamimalai
Possibly the highest peak around and the best place to go on a lovely trek is Swamimalai. It's an easy trek along a muddy path starting from the eastern side of the lake, which is about 3 kilometres long and pretty scenic too. Most visitors to Yelagiri Hills, who have trekking in mind, often climb up Swamimalai.

Make sure you have enough water and light snacks before you set-off up the hillock.

Murugan Koil
If perchance the need arises to seek divine intervention drop by at the Murugan temple to offer prayers and invoke blessings from the deity. For whatever its worth, a trip or even a trek to the holy spot is bound to invigorate energy, health and peace of mind.



Telescope House
You come across this when you're driving up the Hills. It's supposed to be open on weekends, but one has always seen a huge padlock at all times. They say there's a telescope housed inside and from where one can get a good view of places in the distance. But from the naked-eye one can easily get a view of Thirupathur Town or Jolarpet down below; no need for telescopes, really. Besides, it's a waste of time and petrol to drive 2 kilometers to find a padlock at the gates.

Summer Festival
May and June each year is the time for a Summer festival at Yelagiri Hills. Main attendees are local village folk and like-minded people from nearby areas of Vellore District. The government-sponsored event aims to showcase the customs, culture and traditions of the tribal belonging to the areas that fall under Yelagiri Hills. Invitees include state ministers, government officials, members of various panchayat unions and local headmen.

What actually happens is that there are a lot of cultural programmes, music blaring out of loud speakers all across town and a general destruction of peace and quiet. Many welfare measures are announced amidst all the merry-making, but like its every where else, nothings ever achieved.

Yelagiri Hills is for easy-paced, relaxed weekends; an ideal getaway from the hustle, bustle and madness of the city. No Internet, no mobile phones and no deadlines. Just relax! Put your feet up; catch up on some reading in this quiet environment, where the only sound you'll hear is the chirping of birds. You are the master of all that you survey.

At Yelagiri, you can do just about anything you want. For instance, you could trek up those rugged hillocks or go on long walks through narrow roads, explore the green surroundings of this rural retreat. Or perhaps you'd like to head towards the lake nearby for some leisure boating or just squat on a bench in the adjoining children's park and watch the kids play away to glory.

Yelagiri Hills encompasses a total area of just 30 sq kms and an altitude of approximately 3500 feet. Therefore, the climate is rather moderate, and an evening breeze that can get a bit chilly (especially after a few showers), considering that the hills have a fair amount of forest cover.

An advantage is that Yelagiri Hills isn't infested by touristy-types, who prefer hill stations with swanky shopping malls, plush restaurants and stuff like that. It's peaceful and quiet out here in these remote surroundings. Chances of bumping into your neighbour are perhaps one in a million.

What makes Yelagiri Hills an ideal weekend getaway is it's proximity from Bangalore or Chennai; just about 3-4 hours. So, an early morning start can get you to Yelagiri by about 10 in the morning and if you leave the next day just after lunch, your home by nightfall.

The main town of Yelagiri Hills is called Athanur - the nerve-centre of sorts - which is just one long, winding road through the hills, pocketed by isolated villages and thatched dwellings on either side. This is in fact, agriculture country. The tribal who live around these parts make their livelihood from the proceeds of agricultural products such as jackfruit and honey.

Tourism is a far cry presently; but there is evidence that Yelagiri Hills is getting popular. There's a flip-side too. So long as commercialization doesn't happen, Yelagiri Hills will remain a serene retreat for weekend getaways.