Borpani reserve forest turns into safe haven for anti-socials
Borpani reserve forest on the southern part of the Nagaon of Assam has of late turned into a safe haven for illegal immigrants and timber smugglers of the areas like Rajagaon, Puthimari, Singimari, and Kachhua who indulged in illegal felling of costly sal, segun, gomari etc., illegal sawing of the …
Eviction muddle may delay forest project
The second phase of Rs 625 crore AP Forestry Project by the World Bank is likely to be delayed with the NGOs associated with Vana Samrakshana Samitis raising strong objections against eviction of tribals from Podu cultivation land.
Fire destroys forest on Margalla Hills
Fire broke out on Margalla Hills, (Pakistan) destroying a vast area of forest and timber worth millions of rupees. An official of the CDA's environment directorate said the fire erupted on the hills at 10am in the day and continued till 6pm. After hectic efforts of eight hours, the CDA …
5,000 acres recovered from land grabbers
The Pakistan forest department has got over 5,000 acres of land vacated from the illegal occupation of land grabbers during a campaign in Ghotki and Sukkur. This was stated by Dr Ghulam Rasool Kerio, forest conservator. He said the land was worth over one billion rupees, while dead, dying and …
Mani willing to forfeit forest land control
The Revenue Minister, K.M. Mani, declared in Kerala on Friday that he was willing to forfeit control of the Revenue Department over the Mathikettan area in Idukki district where massive encroachment of forest had taken place.
Mahamaya forest faces extinction
The Mahamaya forest under Dhubri Forest Division in Assam has been facing serious problems due to timber smuggler and Forest Department. The people of Dhubri district alleged that one of the ancient and deep forest of Assam has become barren only because of negligence and corruption of the Forest Department.
State forest schemes become autonomous
In tune with the World Bank's advice to make Community forest Management tribal friendly, the Forest Department has issued new guidelines to make Vana Samrakshana Samitis autonomous and restrict the role of the department to that of a facilitator. Negotiations are underway with World Bank officials for funding phase-II of …
New rates for tendu leaf collection announced
While the Self Employed Women's association was preparing to hold dharna in Bhopal in protest against the failure of the government to ensure better remuneration to the tendu patta collectors, the Forest Minister Harvansh Singh on Tuesday announced new rates for tendu patta collection in Madhya Pradesh.
HC declines permission to fell trees
A division bench of the Kerala High Court today once again declined permission to fell and remove trees from patta lands in Wayanad district of Kerala. Following allegations of unauthorised felling of trees at pancharakkolli in Wayanad, a division bench had banned tree felling in the district.
US to slap import duties on Canadian lumber
The US is to impose import duties of more than 27 per cent on softwood lumber from Canada, dealing a large blow to Canadian timber producers and US homebuilders. In a unanimous ruling, the US International Trade Commission found that cheap lumber imports were threatening to harm the US timber …
Mathikettanmala: Central observer arrives
The Centre has deputed one-man fact-finding mission to conduct an on-the-spot study on the large scale encroachment on Mathikettanmala and assess its impact on the forest and environment there.
35% duties smash Canada's softwood lumber castle
Imports of Canadian softwood lumber, flooring, and siding will be subject to countervailing and anti-dumping duties, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled. In final affirmative determinations in parallel dumping and subsidy investigations, the commissioners voted 4-0 that that there is a threat that 779 U.S. lumber producers are being …
25 huge trees cut in ITI campus
Even as the Bangalore city is reeling with soaring heat, as many as 25 full grown trees, including rain tree, neem and jackfruit, have been chopped over the last few days in the housing campus of Bangalore-based public sector undertaking, Indian Telephone Industries. The action reportedly taken as the trees …
Jamir stresses on afforestation in Nagaland
The environmentalist in the Nagaland Chief Minister S C Jamir eclipse the politician in him when he stressed the need to transform the enchanting hillocks and plans of the State into forest with special species of plants and trees. "Our hillocks and plains are beautiful and instead of leaving them …
Corporation plans to bury wood for crematorium policy
The MCD plans to set up more electric crematoriums and set ones that run on diesel and LPG. The wood MCD uses for cremation comes from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Acquiring this wood is not banned but pressure from environmental groups and depleting resources have inspired officials to form these …
New code to govern British Columbia forest industry
The government of British Columbia announced that it is streamlining its forest practices regulations while maintaining strict environmental standards. After years of pilot projects and study, the Liberal government of Premier Gordon Campbell says it has developed a new "results oriented approach," and is encouraging input from all interests before …
NASA to find out how water affects climate
Viewed from space, some of the earth's most pronounced features are the blue of the vast oceans, the white swirls of moisture-laden clouds and bright swaths of ice covering the poles. Much of what the planet is stems from its water, and NASA is about to launch a satellite to …
Matter of concern
The Planning Commission member, Dr. D N Tewari's concern about the increasing monoculture cultivation of tree species in Karnataka has called attention to an aspect that has not been highlighted enough, given the far-reaching consequences. Even now, it was the fact that certain districts in the State were growing hotter …
Rs 20 crore to be allotted to Gram Van Samitis
Madhya Pradesh Forest Minister Harvansh Singh said that seeing the commendable work done by Gram Van Samitis the entire amount of Rs 20 crore of forestation budget of Forest Department will now be made available to the samitis.
