Only 4% more protected land could save biodiversity
A global inventory of the planet's wildlife is urgently needed, along with funding and recruitment in taxonomy and ecology. At a Science Media Centre press conference, experts called for more efforts to preserve biodiversity and support attempts to develop a global electronic database of species. Only a marginal increase in …
NGOs oppose eviction of Adivasis from forest land
Nearly 40 social action groups from across the country, including the Pune city based National Centre for Advocacy Studies, have demanded the immediate repeal of a ministry of environment and forests order which seeks the eviction of Adivasis from forest land.
New NGO out to protect city trees
"The Tree Protectors" is a five member NGO, formed to protect trees in Bangalore. Their idea: to prevent unnecessary felling of trees. The organisation has invited all those concerned to join the organisation and help protect trees in the city. The NGO plans to interact with the various Government departments …
Green cover on fast track out down this road
Long before the cars thundered down the Mumbai-Pune expressway at 120 kmph, the Wildlife Institute of India at Dehra Dun had estimated that the fragile forest cover along this stretch is home to 17 species of mammals and 135 species of birds. Today, over 4.5 lakh flowering shrubs may be …
Tenth Plan targets 25% forest cover
The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests aims to bring 25 per cent of the country's area under forests and tree cover by the end of the Tenth Five-Year Plan. With an outlay of Rs 445 crore, this scheme will aim at prevention and control of forest fires. An integrated …
City yet to come to terms with Tree Court
This is not just another court protecting human rights. It protects those who can neither tell you that they have been injured nor is there anyone to weep for them when you take away their life. This is the Tree Court, the first of its kind in the country which …
Plantation drive success rate 95 p.c.
The survival rate of trees planted in the Faridabad district during the plantation drive has been about 95 per cent. Claiming this, the district authorities in a press release issued said that a two member committee set up for South Haryana had conducted a survey of the saplings.
Fragile forest cover around expressway awaits revival
Long before cars thundered down the Mumbai-Pune expressway at 120 kmph, the Wildlife Institute of India at Dehradun had once estimated that the fragile forest cover along this stretch is home to 17 species of mammals and 135 species of birds. Today, over 4.5 lakh new flowering shrubs may be …
Down the drain
Located 70 kilometres southeast of Jodhpur, Rajasthan, Pali is home to one of the biggest cotton and synthetic textile dyeing and printing industries in the country. With more than 1,000 registered and unregistered textile processing industries, Pali generates effluents to the tune of about 35 million litres per day (mld). …
2,000 trees make way for CM show
The Babulal Marandi government in Jharkhand wants to celebrate the second birth anniversary of the state on November 15 in a big way. And the Chief Minister want to make sure nothing comes in his way. Not even trees. This is exactly why some 2,000-odd trees planted by the Forest …
Exemption to farmers from SC order on forest eviction demanded
The BJP-led Union Government has done great injustice to the poor farmers in the country by not taking pains to file a petition before the Supreme Court seeking some concessions in its order to evict all the post-1978 forest land encroachment in the country, said former Chief Minister S Bangarappa, …
Adivasis protest against eviction
Thousands of Adivasis from all over Maharashtra-loined with slum dwellers from Sanjay Gandhi National Park at a rally protest against the eviction of tribals from forest land.
After worm in burger, 'Mcbulbs' on tree
Fast food giant Mcdonalds is violating the rules, the chain's outlet at Janpath in Connaught Place has put up bulbs on a tree. A tree situated outside the Janpath restaurant has been lit up with a sting of colouful electricity bulbs despite an order issued by the lieutenant governor's office …
Residents of plague hit area want forests surveyed
Having gone through the agony of being literally face-to-face with dreaded plague last year, the fear stricken residents of Barthata Panchayat, falling in Jubbal tehsil, have demanded a comprehensive survey of Kelvi and Murhal forests in Himachal Pradesh which, they suspect is the source of the disease.
Sudhakaran seeks to allay fears of farmers over Forest Bill
The Kerala Government would take all precautions to protect the interests of small farmers while enacting the Kerala Forest Bill 2001, State Forest Minister K Sudhakaran told. The Minister said that government was of the opinion that only the ecological fragile land should be brought under the purview of the …
Rampant felling of trees causing huge losses to forest dept.
The illegal felling of trees rampant in Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh has incurred losses to tune of crores of rupees to the forest department. Valuable forest produce including sheesham, teak and sandalwood are being illegally sent to different parts of the country through the active forest mafia.
SC ban fails to halt illegal timber trade
Despite a Supreme Court ban, the illegal timber trade appears to be flourishing both in upper Assam and in Arunachal Pradesh. This is the conclusion of several senior police officials posted in the upper Assam districts.
Trees hacked in Mahim, locals complain to BMC
Irked by the illegal chopping down of three trees at Mahim (Mumbai) some of the local residents have dashed complaint letters to the BMC ward office, Gardens Departments as well as the Mahim police in order to keep the rest of the trees alive in their locality.
Forest brigands to take forest protection pledge
Beginning a new chapter in the history of Kerala state's forests, scores of local forest brigands who had been implicated in several forest-related crimes in the Nilambur region, would take a pledge for the protection of forests in the presence of State Forest Minister K Sudhakaran, at a function to …
Trees chopped for Ram Lila
At a time when the Delhi government and the civic bodies are swearing by "Keep Delhi Green" slogan, hundreds of trees and saplings were uprooted in Ram Lila ground, Shahdara, so a stage and seating arrangement could be made for the Ram Lila celebrations. This was done in violation of …
