Shortcut to Bharat II proposed
Private bus operators on June 28 worked out a proposal for converting old vehicles to conform to Bharat Stage II norms. The move follows a Calcutta High Court directive that a new method be adopted to improve the engines of old vehicles.
Vikram operators conduct Yagya
The Vikram operators of Doon, claiming to be undergoing harassment, conducted a 'Budhi-Shudhi Yagya' in front of the Vidhan Sabha for putting an end to the rampant corruption prevalent in Uttaranchal state. Members of the Vikram Tempo Mahasangh, present, also shouted anti-government slogans on the occasion and conducted a dharna …
People`e involvement needed to check dwindling Hojai forest cover
Hojai subdivision in Assam was once known as the 'store-house' of forest wealth covered with substantial species of valuable timber potential from commercial point and maintained more than what National Forest Policy prescribed for national minimum forest cover. Out of total 1,67,000 hectares geographical area, about 49095 hectares were covered …
Icrisat lake dries after 27 years
Like millions of others across the Andhra Pradesh state scientists at the premier International Crops Research Institute for the Semi Arid Tropics are praying to the rain god. For the first time in 27 years, the 64 acre Icrisat lake, the backbone for the agricultural and research operations, has dried …
Orissa forest tax
The Orissa government has decided to promulgate an ordinance to levy and collect forest development tax on all forest produce. The tax collection would be carried out by the Orissa Forest Development Corporation.
Karnataka, AP water row will be sorted today
A 10-member technical team, comprising of chief engineers and engineers and led by Andhra Pradesh principal secretary, irrigation, J. Harinarayana, will participate in the crucial inter-state officials meeting to sort out water-sharing row between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, in New Delhi. The Karnataka side will be represented by a team …
Burning issues in HP House: Forest fires, TU leader`s death
The issues of forest fires and the alleged murder of a Trade Union leader on the Parbati project in Kullu, interrupted the proceedings of the Vidhan Sabha a number of times on Thursday. The Speaker, Mr Gangu Ram Musafir, had a tough time maintaining order in the House. The Forest …
Kerala forests: Govt puts state under scanner
A Central team, which has just returned from Kerala, has found the state's contentious proposal on giving forest land to tribals just does not match ground reality. In its present form, even a sympathetic centre would find it "unimplementable".The state is expected to recast its proposal within a month and …
Murder most profane
There have been Bills, but none as anti-green as the one the West Bengal government is all set to pass in the Assembly. A tree is a "nuisance". That's what the West Bengal government thinks. Not just that, it's also serious about translating the thought into action. A person can …
Senate Panel Pushes for Forest Bill as Fires Rage
A Senate bill that would protect U.S. forest land from wildfires and harmful insects by streamlining rules for removing underbrush gained momentum yesterday as blazes ravaged parts of the West. Democrats and environmental groups oppose the plan, which they say would curtail public input, shift fire resources away from residential …
Amazon destruction jumps, shocks environmentalists
The deforestation rate in Brazil's Amazon, the world's largest jungle, has jumped 40 percent, sparking alarm yesterday among environmentalists and a promise by the government to launch emergency measures. "This is shocking," said Mario Monzoni, a project coordinator for Friends of the Earth group in Brazil. "The rate of deforestation …
Satellite view shows Amazon rainforest shrinking fast
The new deforestation rate in the Amazon announced by the Brazilian government has shocked conservationists, who said that drastic measures are needed to reverse a large increase in clearing since last year. The world's largest tropical rainforest is being rapidly cleared for agriculture, including soy bean fields and cattle ranches. …
Old transport vehicles can`t enter Bangalore from July 1
The Karnataka State Transport Department has decided to ban commercial transport vehicles, over 20 years old, from entering city limits from July 1. The announcement comes a few days after this website's newspaper pointed out the apparent reluctance of authorities in implementing the ban, which was put off twice. A …
Goa`s forest cover highest among neighbouring states
Though Kerala and Manipur may look green on brochures and magazines, Goa is as much greener and has increased its green cover over a period of 14 years. Goa's forest cover is 56.59% which is the highest in comparison to the neighbouring states excluding those in the North East.
Where have all the trees gone?
It's wild, wild world. So wild, that 11170 plant and animal species across the globe face extinction. Certain species of trees have,over the years, disappeared from the face of the earth
Streamlined forest inventory and management project launched
A forest inventory and management project has been launched for the first time in Sri Lanka to expedite forest conservation activities in the island. Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Rukman Senanayake said Lankapuvath. The new project will enable to identify and locate the available forest resources for the purpose …
CWC makes stand against Kotmale project
The Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC), claimed that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe (Sri Lanka) had pledged to scrap the controversial Upper Kotmale Hydro Power Project (UKHP), if the CWC could convince the Japanese government that the project is harmful to the country. CWC made the claim during a media conference in …
Van Vihar to start sapling plantation
Plantation of saplings will commence in Van Vihar National Park with an aim to provide shade along the road to tourists for crossing from gate number 1 to 2, as well as to provide shade to animals from Wednesday.Director Van Vihar, L K Choudhary informed Central Chronicle that plantation of …
Keralites destroying forests in Byndoor
It has come to light that the Ambikanu forest surroundings in Karnataka have been extensively encroached upon and the precious trees there have been looted. Trees worth several lakhs have been destroyed and the cultivation of the cuscus grass and lemon grass was undertaken on the ground which i rendered …
Kerala minister denies mafia hand
Kerala forest minister K Sudhaka-ran on Monday denied that many officials in his department had been transferred from different centres under pressure from the 'sandal mafia' operating in the State. Replying to a submission by opposition leader V S Achuthanandan in the Assembly, he also termed as 'baseless' media reports …
