Green Warriors
It's a story that never stops getting told: the mass uprooting of forest cover to make way for 'development projects', the destruction of tribal habitat, the nexus between politicians, forest officials and timber merchants. But some stories have happy endings, and in Madhya Pradesh, there are some happy twists to …
Van Dhan project : on the verge of losing it's identity
The famous Forest Project run by the local government in Madhya Pradesh ie the Van Dhan project appears to be in total doldrums. The plight of the local tribal forest product collectors bear enough testimony to this fact.
Fishermen to be involved in tree plantation
Forest minister Chintakayala Ayyanna Patrudu on Saturday announced in the state assembly that as part of a new sea-shore development scheme sponsored by the Centre, afforestation under Vana samrakshana samithis (VSSs) would be taken up in coastal areas. Replying to a question raised by Telugu Desam Party (TDP) legislator Boda …
MP passes forest maintenance Bill
MP Assembly passed a Bill on Friday empowering the state govt to take over maintenance of forests located on private land and revenue land under panchayats. Parliamentary Affairs Minister H. Raghuvanshi tabled the Bill on power crisis and the House passed it by voice vote.
Fires rage in Orissa's forests
A fire is raging in scattered patches over at least 1,000 square kilometers of Orissa's forest area, state forest chief BK Mishra has said. The state has 27 territorial forest divisions and fires have been reported from 15 division areas this week.
Balethi village bags Vrikshmitra award for afforestation drive
Sustained efforts for over a decade through co-operative management has helped bring back greenery to deforestated Balethi village in Mandavi taluka of Surat district of Gujarat. The village has been awarded the Indira Priyadrashini Vrikshmitra Award by the National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board of Delhi in February 2001.
Russians find pride, and regret, in Mir's splashdown
For all the anxieties it caused during its 86,330 laps around the planet, Russia's Mir space station executed its final program for self-destruction with a series of crisp electronic salutes that sent the 134-ton leviathan streaking out of orbit like a midday meteor shower over the South Pacific.
Forest fire destroys forests around Thimphu
Three consecutive forest fires in a span of a week in Thimphu (Bhutan) has left many wondering whether the authorities have been a little too soft in their clamp down on miscreants among the educated urban dwellers.
White House sets deadline on forest rules
Under prodding from a federal judge, the Bush administration has said it will decide by May 12 whether to keep in place the Clinton administration rules that would prohibit development on 60 million acres of national forest.
Judge denies Bush request to delay forest conservation case
A US judge has denied the Bush administration's request to delay a hearing that could stall a controversial plan closing 60 million acres of U.S. forest land from development. The roadless plan, finalized during the last two weeks of the Clinton administration, has been an issue of fierce debate between …
Haryana plans to increase forest cover
Haryana Governor Babu Parmanand has asked the Forest Department to make concerted efforts to increase the area under forest. It was informed in a meeting here that during the last two years 1.85 lakh Neem saplings have been planted at various places like village ponds, roadside, along canals and schools …
Punish the guilty
The fresh investigation into the shady timber deal, which clearly revealed a nexus between and among the traders, government officials and politicians, is nothing new although it is considered a "praetorian practice". It is rare that the government of Nepal takes any action against businessmen or government officials involved in …
Indiscriminate use of wood in kilns threatens environment
At least 50,000 acres of land are being used in brick manufacturing in Saver and Dhamarai upazilas of Dhaka district and seven upazilas of Manikganj district of Bangladesh. The increasing number of brick fields has threatened the environment as thousands of immature trees are being felled for using as firewood …
MIDC, DPC to pay Rs 43 lakh for water distribution scheme
The Maharashtra Minister of State for Urban development Sunil Tatkare on Tuesday directed the Dabhol Power Company (DPC) and the state-run Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) to equally share the Rs 86 lakh water distribution scheme for the four projected affected villages.Following these directives, the DPC and MIDC would have …
Assault on forests
The government of the newly carved out state of Uttaranchal is reportedly taking up work on a highway linking Dehra Dun and Naini Tal passes through the prestigious Corbett national park! That is, a considerable portion of tree cover in Corbett, probably the oldest reserve in the country which has …
Transporters hold silent demonstration
Delhi transporters along with their family members, under the banner of the Federation of Delhi State Transporters, held a silent demonstration near the National Stadium here today urging the Supreme Court to extend the CNG conversion deadline, ending March 31, by one year.
Punjab to lose 7% water share under 1991 Accord
Punjab (Pakistan) will lose seven per cent, or 2.38MAF, water from its share of 34MAF (determined on the basis of its historic use) during kharif should the chief executive approve the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) vote calling for distribution of water amongst the provinces according to the 1991 Water …
Lumber industry split on looming trade war
A split within the lumber industry widened Tuesday with a call for more talks before the Canada-U.S. softwood agreement runs out at the end of the month. Lumber producers are divided on whether to replace the agreement, which ends March 31, or throw the market wide open under the North …
