Punjab demands MSP regime for agro-forestry
Punjab has asked the Central Government to set up a Minimum Support Price (MSP) regime for agro-forestry species like eucalyptus and poplar on the lines of wheat and paddy. Punjab Agriculture Minister Hans Raj Josan told The Tribune yesterday that viable and practical solutions were required to make tree cultivation …
Rabri gets a suit for Lalu, but will he pay?
Bihar's first lady Rabri Devi and her husband, who has never failed to entertain, are headed for a Rs 1,000-crore face-off in court over a suit filed under the Wildlife Protection Act. Lalu Prasad Yadav's railway ministry has been sued by the forest and environment department of his wife's government …
MoS forests seeks package from centre for forest development
The Government of Jammu and Kashmir intends to cover an area of 12 thousand square kilometres over a period of 20 years at an investment of Rs 800 crores to protect the entire natural forests against the onslaught of ever increasing human interference through development activities viz. consolidation and demarcation …
Afforestation drive on in Karimganj
The Karimganj Forest Development Agency (FDA) is implementing the National Afforestation Programme scheme (NAP) in Karimganj district of Assam. The components of the projects are creation of plantations, awareness among the people, village developmental works, soil and moisture conservation, etc. The scheme has got the administrative approval of the Central …
Green lessons for MLAs
Guess where Kerala legislators will be taken for a three-day study camp - to a lush green forest. Thanks to the initiative of Forest Minister K Sudhakaran, all the 141 members of the Kerala assembly will go for nature study class to the Periyar Wild Reserve at Thekkady in October.
Now, afforestation gets separate dedicated fund
The Ministry of Environment and Forests has created a separate pool, called the Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF), to ensure that the funds received for afforestation are used for purposes intended. Henceforth, the funds collected under CAF will be invested in the Reserve Bank of India schemes, nationalised banks, post offices …
SC approval must for non-forestry measures
The Central Empowered Committee, constituted by the Supreme Court of India, has prohibited the removal of dead, dying and diseased trees, etc from any national park and sanctuary (protected areas).Even the removal of grass from national parks and sanctuaries has been prohibited.Any non-forestry activity lke the felling of trees, bamboo, …
Central fund for forest conservation
The Union Environment Minister, A. Raja today announced the constitution of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA). The fund will be provided to the States for forest conservation pruposes.
Precious forest falls victim to east congo tension
Armed with just an old AK-47 assault rifle, 26-year-old Martin Kazerezi admits he's ill-equipped to protect Africa's oldest national park. "There are so many enemies in the forest," the ranger says, referring not to dangerous animals, but to the conflict raging within the boundaries of Virunga National Park which straddles …
U.S. retailers see green light
High on a ridge above this coastal city stands a forest of ancient araucaria trees, bending in the wind. Native forests like this one, once in constant danger of being razed, now are more likely to remain undisturbed. The world's largest retailer of lumber, Home Depot buys almost 10% of …
Unabated timber smuggling threatens Khasi hamlets
The Silchar-based Barak Valley Khasi-Jaintia Welfare Association (BVKJWA), in a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police of Cachar, Assam, has drawn their attention to the reckless felling of valuable trees in the forest areas along Bhuban Hills by miscreants and their open intimidation to the Khasi …
Rs 1.32-cr project for Solan forest division
A Rs 1.32-crore project, under National Affores-tation Programme , has been approved for the local forest division by the Centre. Aiming at conserving bio diversity and checking land degradation, the project would cover 1,766 households, including 7298 livestock population.Undertaking a socio-economic uplift of the rural community through an integrated approach, …
Punjab to be greener
As much as 18 percent area of Punjab will be brought under forests by 2014 as against only 6 percent at present.This was stated by Mr Hans Raj Joshan, Minister of State for forests, Punjab, while addressing a district level vanamahotsava function at the Sant Harchand Singh longowal Central Institute …
Arunachal Forest department to evict NNP encroachers
The Arunachal Pradesh Forest Department has decided to delocate all the 52 Lisu families, who have encroached a large chunk of land at Namdapha National Park (NNP) in Changlang district of the state. Expressing concern over the reported shifting of nearly 500 Chakma families to forests following recent spate of …
Scotland asked to air views over forest plans
The Scottish public are this week being asked for their opinion on trees. In particular the Scottish Executive and the Forestry Commission Scotland are asking the people they serve for their thoughts on how best they can utilise the country's forests and forest potential. Two issues the organisations are looking …
Agriculture to blame for loss of bio-diversity
Diffuse pollution from the agricultural sector is largely to blame for the dramatic loss of biodiversity in the UK, according to a survey report published by Defra. The Skylark is one of several farmland bird species that have suffered as a result of farming practice. The report, Measuring Progress: Baseline …
Himachal now seeks a price for keeping the green cover
Except for priding itself on the huge green cover, Himachal Pradesh gets little out of it due to the ban on tree-felling. This has compelled the cash-strapped state government to plead with the Centre for adequate compensation.
Bushfires threaten Queensland homes
Several homes are under threat as emergency services battle to control a bushfire near Hatton Vale in south-east Queensland. The fire, fuelled by strong westerly winds and dry conditions, is threatening homes along the Warrego Highway, on the southern side of the Minden Range. A Queensland Fire and Rescue Service …
