AP steps for better use of irrigation systems
In an effort to bring in changes in water use patterns and facilitate integrated water management, the Andhra Pradesh Government has approved amendments to the AP Farmers Management of Irrigation Systems Act and announced that eh elections to the water users associations will be held in September. The objective of …
Alaska wildfires exceed 2 million acres
Wildfires driven by warm, dry weather in May and August, have burned more than 2 million acres (800,000 hectares) of forest in Alaska this summer, almost three times the annual average, state officials said this week. The last wildfire season to consume as much acreage in Alaska was in 1997, …
Smoke from forest fires shrouds Indonesian Borneo
Choking smoke from forest fires shrouded Indonesia's side of Borneo island yesterday, grounding planes and pushing air quality way above hazardous levels in parts of the vast region, officials said. Flights had been delayed since Monday because of thick smoke covering at least two provinces on the island, which Indonesia …
Public-private partnership for green belt
Corporates in Maharashtra should explore pragmatic strategies with the state government and build on public-private partnerships in the areas of setting up biotech parks, and special economic zones for the benefit of both the people and the environment, Mr. Vilasrao Deshmukh, Maharashtra's chief minister, said on Tuesday. Echoing the chief …
Elephants engaged in illegal tree-felling seized
In a sudden raid against illegal felling of trees and timber trade in the Rani Forest Range area under Guwahati East Forest Division, the forest staff Rani Range led by Zalnur Ali, Forest Range Officer captured and seized four elephants along with "mahouts" at Shikurberia area close to Assam-Meghlaya border …
Lack of awareness
It is unfortunate that there is still no proper awareness of the joint forest management programme (JFM) in the State even though the Karnataka Government launched the programme many years ago. According to a recent study, both the people and the forest department officials are yet to fully understand the …
Overhaul Canada's Pacific forest industry - report
The timber industry on Canada's Pacific coast is doomed to failure unless regulations are updated and many of its sawmills are allowed to close, according to a government report. Timber producers must replace obsolete mills with new facilities, but will not be able to raise the needed investment dollars because …
Where are all the greens going?
Each year the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and the Gujarat Forest Department distribute thousands of saplings to institutions and individuals. The expenditure which the AMC incurred for the year 2001-2002 in plantations, soil treatment and the works, was Rs 778000. According to a survey conducted by the Forest Survey of India, …
Bush forest plan draws environmentalists' fire
Even on a day when a late-summer rain coats the arthritic woods, it is clear that Idaho Panhandle National Forest is sick. To save this forest, one of the biggest in the United States, federal officials have concluded that they have to burn or log sections of it, tear out …
Wasteland scheme not for individuals
Much of the adverse criticism by Opposition parties on the Waste Land Development Programme of the Tamil Nadu State Government is unfounded. While the Opposition parties have accused the government of formulating the scheme to lease out government land to private parties, the scheme has ruled out any such provision. …
Naturalists oppose move to cut dead trees
The Indian Institute of Technology campus has been attracting several migratory bird species this year, but a move to remove dead trees on the campus could affect the nesting site. A meeting convened in Chennai recently by the authorities, has approved the decision to remove dry trees on the campus, …
Farmers defer protest
With the dramatic change in events after farmer and Beechanahalli Gram Panchayat member K Guruswamy jumped into the Kabini river, farmers and farm leaders have arrived at a decision not to stage any protest till September 24 following the Cabinet decision to conduct an all-party meet on September 21, a …
Survey confirms illegal tree felling on govt. land in Bhati
An extensive survey was today conducted at Shell-Naiquinim in Bhati village in Goa in the illegal tree felling case, reportedly at the instance of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. The Conservator of Forests and the Crime Branch Department have been asked to conduct a detailed inquiry in the matter and to …
'3,000 sq. km to come under forests by 2007'
Another 3,000 sq. km in Punjab may come under forest by the year 2007, courtesy an aid from Japan, that has already funded such projects many times. Sources int e Forest Conservation Department revealed that recently a delegation from Japan had visited the state and had assured of monetary help …
Kommamuru canal suffers 70-ft-breach in Guntur
The Kommamuru canal developed a 70-feet-breach in the late hours of Sunday following which at least 3,000 acre under Krishna western delta were drowned. The breach was found at 29/7 kilometer milestone between Chebrole and Brahmanakoduru villages of Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. This canal, popularly known as Buckingham canal …
Red sanders worth Rs 5 lakh seized by forest officials
District forest officials, under the supervision of DFO Venkaiah and Forest Range Officer, Flying Squad, K Rajasekhar, recovered red sanders worth Rs 5 lakh on Sunday at Telladorakona, near Chillalkala Mallki village in the reserve forests of Udayagiri-Veligonda region in Anathasagaram, Andhra Pradesh. He said 240 logs of red sanders …
Govt order may dislodge tribals
For thousands of tribals, the forest has been home for generations and provided them with their livelihood, Now, say activists orders have come to evict them as well as other poor 'encroachers', as the government seeks to regain a hold on dwindling forest cover.
Land use changed without govt. nod
The officials of town and country planning department and Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) have once again struck gold. This time they have changed the land use of 80 acre of green belt area in Khajrana to 'residential' without Madhya Pradesh State Government's approval. According to the City Master Plan, the …
Water touches optimum level at Almatti Dam
Karnataka's prestigious Upper Krishna project achieved a milestone when it impounded water at the Almatti Dam to the height of 519.6 metres, thereby fulfilling a long-awaited dream of people in the Krishna river basin. "We have stored water till 519.6 metres height of the dam," said Water Resources Minister H …
Call to reserve state forest as sanctuary
Wildlife experts from the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) have demanded renotification of 500 sq.km of denitrified Melghat sanctuary in the biodiversity rich Satpura mountains to protect and enhance the green belt.
