Letters - October 15, 2012

Home remedy For waste Waste management is a problem in all urban centers of the country (‘Stench in my backyard’, September 1-15, 2012). We need to understand that there’s no other way to manage waste except segregating it at the source, that is our homes.

Missing the grass for the trees

I looked out from the observation hut and took in the soothing vision of lush green grasslands in the autumnal light of an October evening. A male great Indian bustard (GIB) had been displaying in a bare patch, puffing out his neck feathers and bobbing his neck in synchrony with his impressive booming call. Just then, I saw two wolves trotting through the grass about 300 metres from the bustard.

Lives of others

BEYOND USUAL SUSPECTS A case for neglected species in wildlife research and conservation For most of us wildlife is represented by large mammals like elephant, rhino, lion and tiger, may be birds like hornbill, raptors, peafowl and waterfowl and awe inspiring reptiles like marine turtles, crocodiles, python and king cobra. The fact is that wildlife ranges from very small insects to gigantic trees and from coral polyps to whales. Unfortunately, only a very small number of species have received attention of researchers and conservationists. While charismatic species largely drive the conservation scenario, they also seem to be the focus of wildlife research mainly because of the availability of funds and the role of charismatic species in setting our wildlife policies.

Bustards to lose ground

THE Maharashtra government is all set to reduce the area of the only sanctuary for the rare Great Indian Bustard after the Supreme Court allowed its denotification on July 22. The sanctuary in Solapur district will be reduced from its present size of 8,496 sq km to 1,222 sq km.

Endgame for bustards

Downsizing bird habitat

Maharashtra wants to denotify Maldhok bustard sanctuary IN A closed-door meeting on February 20, the Maharashtra government and the state wildlife board agreed to reduce the size of Maldhok sanctuary--home to the endangered Great Indian Bustard. The agreement proposes to reduce the sanctuary, spread over 849,700 hectares in Solapur district to 4 per cent of its present size.

By how much?

a central Empowered Committee- appointed expert panel has suggested reducing the size of the Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary in Maharashtra to 122,200 hectares (ha). But the state government wants to reduce it further, to 35,000 ha.

Should villages in Desert National Park be relocated?

there is debate over whether villages, within the Desert National Park in Rajasthan, should be relocated. Park officials stress on relocation, politicians are against it and scientists say while people are required, development should not affect ecology. To resolve the

Open-or-shut row

even as bird lovers are yet to come to grips with the Madhya Pradesh government's decision to close down the Shivpuri-based Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary, a forest official's statement has sent confusing signals.

Quiet Exit

apart from the signboards directing the way to Son Chirya Sanctuary in Ghategaon, it is quite impossible to tell whether your destination has arrived. A railway line goes past the protected area, situated 60 km from the historic town of Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh. There is an irrigation dam, too, and mining activities are in full swing.