Jahanpanah forest: SC sends notice
The Supreme Court has issued notices to the DDA vice-chairperson and Delhi forest officials over encroachment in the Jahanpanah forests of South Delhi. The notices have been sent in response to a contempt petition filed by an NGO, Friends of Jahanpanah City Forest, in February this year. The NGO alleged …
Govt directed to order probe into land dealings
Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Infrastructure T John and his relatives have illegally purchased reserve forest land near Madikeri in Karnataka and are getting revenues from these lands, according to a public interest litigation. The land was declared as Reserve Forest areas under the Karnataka Forest Act. Further, …
Forest depletion in Sonitpur alarming
Blessed with the highest forest cover of 35.2% in the country, Assam had the misfortune of seeing probably the largest scale of deforestation in Sonitpur district which has reduced the green cover to the pathetic 20%.
Compensate for ban on felling trees: HP to Centre
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal demanded compensation for imposing complete ban on green commercial felling for the last 17 years. The ban was imposed to protect and preserve the Himalayan ecology and environment. The Chief Minister made the demand while addressing a meeting of National Development Council At …
Flying squad to check timber smuggling in Doda
The Forest Department, Doda has constituted a flying squad to launch drive against the timber smugglers. The flying squad will have help of Army and Police. The DFO, Doda said that Rs 15.13 lakh is being spent on plantation and fencing of trees on 120 hectares during current financial year. …
Timber-smuggling on the rise, revenue dips
Despite a Supreme Court ban on feeling of trees, timber is making it to the market with consummate ease, thanks to an alleged unholy nexus between forest officials, police and the smugglers in Assam. No wonder, that the prices of timber is less than the Government regulated prices of 1992, …
Paper makers want to grow trees on waste land
Indian paper industry could become internationally competitive if import duty on raw materials was cut to 20 per cent and private companies were allowed to set up tree plantations on waste and idle land. This claim was made by senior officials of top paper companies like Ballarpur industries, Star paper …
Parliament panel probe into island encroach
A 42 member parliamentary standing committee comprising the forest, environment, science and technology ministers will visit Jambudwip off the Sunderbans for an on-the-spot inquiry into complaints of encroachment on the Island by fishermen. The Island is within the reserve forest area governed by the forest and environment laws.
Tree bark smuggling racket busted, business man held
It seems that there is no need to forest destruction in Assam. Department has launched a massive operation to unearth a racket of smuggling of tree barks to Kolkata and some other parts of the country from the state. The Forest department has achieved its first success when a team …
DFO dismisses users group of largest community forestry
The Kailali District Forest Office (Nepal) has decided to take over the management of the Chhatiwan Community Forestry citing misappropriation of hundreds of thousands of rupees by its users group. The forestry occupying around 4000 hectared of forest land is believed to be one of the largest forests managed by …
Massive tree felling in Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary
Chakrashila is one of the most important wildlife sanctuaries of Assam. It has provided protection to the endemic Golden Langurs and other endangered species like Gaur, Tiger, Leopard, Binturong, Crab-eating mongoose, Pangolin etc. Chakrashila is also home of 273 species of birds, 26 species of reptiles and amphibia, 43 species …
Thousands on Edge as British Columbia Fire Grows
Unpredictable winds created havoc for crews fighting a forest fire near Kelowna, British Columbia, as thousands of residents waited on edge for possible evacuation. The 27,000-acre Okanagan Mountain blaze that began on Aug. 16 is only one of several large fires now out of control in southern British Columbia, which …
Agency to protect Dharamsala`s green cover
After inaugurating a forest deve;lopment agency for Dharamsala the Himachal Pradesh Forest Minsiter, Mr Chander Kumar, said 47 vilalges under the Dharamsala forest division would benefit from this integrated afforestation and eco-development scheme. Rs 2.88 crore would be spent over the next five years under the scheme.
Felling of trees along canal banks rampant
The Haryana Government has been suffering a huge financial loss on account of illegal felling of trees along the embankments of canals, distributaries and minors as well as the roads in the rural areas of the district.This has been rampant especially in Gohana and Ganaur subdivisions, thanks to the failure …
Reports on plywood industry denied
The Principal Chief Conservator of Haryana today sought to allay the fears of growers of eucalyptus and poplar trees in the state on account of a Supreme Court judgement reportedly banning sawmills and plywood units in the country.
Oil threat to Assam rainforests
In the far eastern frontiers of India, skirting the high ranges of the Himalayas, nestles the state of Arunachal Pradesh. Adjacent to Arunachal, is Assam. Both share common rivers and a rich cultural and ecological heritage, among the most important of which are its rainforests. The biggest threat to the …
Salt-tolerant mangrove forests protected
The forest department authorities (mangrove wing) in Andhra Pradesh have taken adequate steps to control the deforestation of mangrove forests, which play a vital role in the ecological balance and protect the coastal belt from cyclones and tidal waves.Krishna district magistrate Bambal Ram Meena said 80,000 acres in East Godavari …
Another 'forest rape' for tourism
The Environment Foundation Limited (EFL), Sri Lanka raised alarm over a proposed eco-tourism project near Wasgamuwa National Wildlife Park within the limits of the Wasgamuwa elephant corridor. The EFL writing to the Department of Wildlife and the Ministry of Environment stressed that the project although, is to be implemented without …
