Farmers find pop(u)lar way to combat deforestation
The Indian farmer appears to have found a way to help check the rapid decline in the country's natural forest cover and aid nearly 500 wood-based industries. Farmers in Haryana have successfully demonstrated the commercial viability of the poplar tree (Poplus), which can reduce pressure on natural forests which are …
Villagers oppose airport project
The proposal for an airport in the tourist area of Banikhet in Chamba district has not materialised due to procedural wrangles. The proposal was moved almost 10 years back. Little progress has been made so far. The project is now being taken up afresh as under the earlier proposal 5,500 …
Dying plantations may mar timber export from Bihar
Export of timber from Bihar will be severely hit this year as almost one-third of the seasum (dilbergia sissoo) tree plantations have died. Initially, the farmers and the State Forest Department who have taken up seasum plantation in North Bihar were of the view that most of their plantations have …
Hilltribes plan city protest
Northern hilltribes people plan to converge in Bangkok to block aresolution to evict them from national forests, while their opponents have threatened to drum up support for the prime minister's ouster ifthe cabinet fails to endorse the resolution.If endorsed, it would effectively repeal three resolutions of the previous Chavalit Yongchaiyudh …
Illegal logging on as rangers go on strike
Nepal Rangers Association (NRA), whose members went on a relay hunger strike, announced that the strike will continue. And as the rangers continue their indefinite strike, there has been a sudden upsurge in logging in the Terai districts.
A solution for forests
The world's forests have been under siege since the turn of the century, but this year has been calamitous. In Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Central America, Africa and Indonesia, fires have destroyed some 16 million forested hectares (40 million acres). The task of saving the forests has been left to private …
Forest protection squad formed at Villupuram
A forest protection squad has been formed at Villupuram, to monitor the movement of sandalwood in the villages on the Tamil Nadu-Pondicherry border.Consisting of a Ranger, two Foresters and an equal number of Guards, the wing will work under the direct control of the District Forest Officer (DFO), Villupuram.
Filter to clean arsenic water developed
Residents of Burma colony, victims of arsenic poisoning which has gripped at least five districts of West Bengal, have found hope in a water filter based on the principle of absorption.
More than 200,000 saplings likely to be bought
It might only take six months but city chiefs are planning to register trees across Bangkok. A meticulous survey of the capital's trees will include those growing along roads, in public spaces and on open private land. All trees over 1.5 metres will be registered.
Corals with stories
For years foresters and scientists have studied the rings found in treetrunks to determine the age of the growths. In a similar fashion, scientists are now scrutinising the rings lining coral skeletons. Since 1993, a team of Malaysian scientists have been cutting up corals,looking for traces of heavy metals. They …
Smoke signals
Vast forest fires have scarred the globe, but the worst may be yet to come. And the main reason behind it is El Nino. While that notorious weather system flooded some regions, it produced horrendous droughts in other areas, making half the world a tinderbox. Over the years fires, farming …
More funds sought for afforestation programme
The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests is pursuing its case for obtaining more funds from the Planning Commission for its afforestation programme and also plans to create a Joint Forest Management and Development Agency (JFMDA).
Govt investigating claims illegal timber is set for Thailand
The government is investigating a Global Witness report that a Cambodian firm is about to send 100,000 cubic metres of timber to aThai company through Laos. Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai said he had received the report of theLondon-based environmental watchdog agency and relevant state agencies had already been told to …
Kalabagh Dam
Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif has extended an assurance to members of Sindh parliament and federal ministers from Sindh thathis government would not give the go-ahead for construction of Kalabagh Dam till such a time as a consensus has evolved on this controversial issue.(editorial)
Changes to Forest Act ruled out
Union forest and environment minister Suresh Prabhu ruled out major changes in the forest conservation and environment protection acts as demanded by industrialists and champions of tribals. He said the rules may be relaxed for early environmental clearances.
Gujarat tribals given 40 blocks to plant herbs
In a bid to tap the rich herbal resources in the Dang jungles, the botanical garden in this district has given 40 blocks to tribal bhagats to plant their medicinal species. Deputy conservator of forest Ram Kumar said the forest department, which will supervise the proposed planting process, has succeeded …
