Sandalwood prices to dip, after 30 years
First the good news. Sandalwood prices may drop. Sandalwood trees grow largely in the dry, deciduous forests of the Deccan Plateau; nearly 80 per cent is grown in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. the tree is endangered, thanks largely to rampant smuggling . So the Karnataka government imposed tough restrictions on …
Forest Secy told to decide on tree price
The Himachal Pradesh High Court directed the Forest Secretary to take decision on the issue of price of trees grown on private land by January 31,2003. About 182 petitions were filed in the court challenging the decision of the Forest Department is using different price of trees grown on private …
A.P. tops list in forest encroachment
Andhra Pradesh has attained the dubious distinction of topping the list of states with the highest encroachment on forest land. According to the information collected from the State governments and union Territories, in Andhra Pradesh 3,413.22 sq. km of forest land is under encroachment.
Army under green scanner
The Delhi state conservator of forest has launched an inquiry into the illegal felling of trees in the Ridge area under the purview of Delhi Cantonment authorities. According to initial reports of the inquiry conducted by deputy conservator of forest Subhash Chander, at least five trees have been cut in …
Bid to auction 1.33 lakh trees foiled, protesters tear gassed
The government bid to auction tens of thousands of trees planted on the encroached land of the famous Anchar Lake, Srinagar, was almost aborted today after the locals posed a strong resistance. Police had to lob tear-gas shells at the protesters and several of them were arrested. This triggered clashes …
Tribals will not allow distribution of forest lands to industrialists
The Madhya Pradesh government is taking forest land from the tribals and distributing to the industrialists. With this announcement by the government, the tribals are heading towards agitation. In Baitul district, meetings regarding this are going on. They can protest against this anytime.
Forest Department amends norms for wood purchase
Madhya Pradesh state administration department has certain changes in norms set for purchase of timber wood. In accordance with the instruction of State Administration now the consumers will get chance to purchase timber directly from the depots of Forest Department. The selling of wood will commence from December 10. A …
Forests being handed over to users' panels in Udayapur
In view of the rampant deforestation in the past few years, the District Forest Office (DFO) , Gaighat, (Nepal) has intensified its acts of handing over forests in Udayapur district to the Community Forest Consumer's Committee (CFCC).
SFRI concern over forest exploitation
Over exploitation of forest resources and unscientific method of harvesting were some of the prominent causes for biodiversity loss over Arunachal Pradesh.
Illegal tree felling of trees on the rise
The illegal felling of trees in the jungles, illegal excavation, and encroachment in forestland is on without fear, despite the strict orders of the high court. The speed at which the felling of trees is on in Damoh, Tendukheda, Singrampur, Tejgarh, Hata, Sagouni, etc. of the Damoh district of Madhya …
A tale of felled trees: Dirt track turns motorable road
All five streams in Tungareshwar forest have been diverted, besides other alteration of the topography. Environmentalists are worried about the forest patch at Tungareshwar, 14 km from Vasai, Maharashtra where a flurry of 'developmental activities' is taking place without the permission of forest authorities.
Illegal timber trafficking continues in Tinsukia
The recent seizures of sawn timbers, planks as well as logs, including the big haul of about 600 numbers of logs at Kaliapani Ghat in Natun Gaon in Assam by police reveals the existence of a nexus of illegal timber traffic racket that is operating in this border district of …
New technique can save forests, says expert
Expressing concern over the adverse impact of terrorism in organising international events, Prof Lars Christersson from Swedan, chairman of the International Organising Committee, who is at Barog, Himachal Pradesh was here to attend an international conference on world perspective on short rotation forestry for industrial and rural development. He said …
The cement coast
A recent letter from the ministry of environment and forests has been reason for much jubilation for Mumbaikars. The letter instructs the Usha Madhu Cooperative Society promoters of an ambitious 18 hole golf course project in Goregaon in north west Mumbai to stop developmental work with immediate effect. It says …
A ring of bushfires surrounds Sydney
Reinforcement firefighters rushed to the Blue Mountains after a bushfire broke containment lines and left Sydney surrounded by a ring of flames. The blaze at the popular tourist destination, which destroyed two homes and threatened a historic hotel, was one of about 70 bushfires burning across New South Wales.
Conference on short rotation forestry opens
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh inaugurated a week long international conference on short rotation forestry for industrial and rural development at a hotel in Barog, Himachal Pradesh. The Chief Minister said the huge deficit between demand and supply of forest based products had led to largescale ecological disturbances.
MP leads country in forest management
Madhya Pradesh has registered a remarkable success in forest management with community participation in last nine years. Ownership right over minor forest produce had been conferred on gram sabhas and the Madhya Pradesh state was first to do so.
Rs 93 crores for increasing forest cover, says Minister
A third of the forests in the Tamil Nadu state has been over utilised and to make amends for this, about 34,900 hectares of depleted forest reserves in 108 villages will be improved at a cost of Rs 93.3 crores, the Environment Minister, R. Vaithilingam, has said. Already 3.73 lakh …
Encroachments, felling threaten forests in Doda
Doda district, Jammu is faced with impending doom, in the form of large scale destruction of forests, awaiting to crate havoc any time if not checked in time. There are number of reasons behind the destruction of forests like felling of trees by local smugglers, encroachment upon the forest lands …
Safe water not fundamental right, says panel
The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), after claiming to have detected pesticide traces in 12 brands of soft drinks, now says that even the availability of "safe drinking water' may not be a certainty in the country. "Municipalities can supply water that is neither potable nor drinkable, but there's …
