Tiger found dead near Jim Corbett National Park

A tiger was found dead in the western Terrai forest divisions bordering the Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand on Sunday.

Though tiger deaths always bring questions about poaching with them, this one is being seen by the forest officials as a natural death.
"It is a male tiger and there is no sign of outer injury or marks on its body. It is an old tiger. We will conduct the postmortem today and then we will tell what really happened," said Nishant Verma, a forest official.

The cause of death here may be old age, if the forest officials are to be believed.

"The first instance here is that its paws are all torn and there are cracks in it. Also his claws are not sharp and are very blunt. It seems to be an old tiger and so there is the possibility of a natural death," Verma pointed out.

For the time being, the postmortem report of the tiger is awaited to know the real reason of death. (ANI)

Source: Sify.com

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8000 pilgrims stranded in Uttarakhand

DEHRADUN: Over 8,000 pilgrims and tourists on the Chardham Yatra are stranded following heavy downpour and landslides on Rishikesh-Badrinath and Rishikesh-Gangotri national highways in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand since Friday.

Reports reaching Dehradun said yatris on 280km-long Rishikesh-Badrinath highway are stranded after a number of landslides, including one at Shivpuri and another at Rudraprayag, damaged the road. Efforts are on to clear the road but inclement weather is hampering work.

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In Mussoorie Tourists will have to Pay Eco Tax

NAINITAL: It may not be good news for tourists but for Mussoorie it could literally mean a breath of fresh air. The Uttarakhand government has decided to introduce eco tax upon entry into the Queen of Hills with immediate effect, which is a first in the history of Mussoorie. It will be in line with the Naini lake tax charged from tourists in Nainital.

The tax of Rs 100 from heavy vehicles and Rs 30 from cars and jeeps — will be levied by Mussoorie Municipal Board either through its employees or contracted agents from motorists at Kolhukhet — Mussoorie’s entry point. Those planning to spend their holidays at Uttarakhand’s most pictureseque resort should now be ready to cough up ecological tax as their mite towards preserving the pristine greenery of the region.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, chairman of Mussoorie Municipal Board, O P Uniyal, said each private bus will be charged Rs 100 whereas the driver of a small vehicle will have to pay Rs 30 per entry. Two-wheelers will pay Rs 5.

“The decision has been taken. The government will strictly endorse these taxes with immediate effect,’’ said chairman Uniyal.

The objective is to collect revenue for preserving the town’s environment, its heritage, apart from maintaining its sanitation and cleanliness. The money will be spent on encouraging plantation and educating tourists against using plastic while in Mussoorie.

“We don’t know whether the new tax will get good response or not, but we have done this to help preserve Mussoorie’s beauty and eco-system without causing any setback to tourism,’’ said a senior IAS officer in Dehradun.

Source: Timesofindia.indiatimes.com