Stop work on lands under probe: slain RTI activist Amit Jethva's father

Bhikhalal Jethava, father of the slain RTI activist Amith Jethava, has sent a legal notice to Gujarat government seeking a freeze on development activities on all lands, the allotments of which are being probed by the M B Shah Commission for alleged irregularities.

The Narendra Modi government, on August 17, appointed Justice Shah, a retired judge, to head a commission of inquiry to probe allegations of corruption; especially those levelled by the Gujarat Congress against state government in a memorandum submitted to the President earlier.

The allotments under the commission's scanner include ones to the Tata (for Nano plant), Adani Group (for Mundra Port and Mundra Special Economic Zone), Essar Group, L&T (in Hazira, Surat) and other allotments to the industrialists near major cities.

Jethava, through his lawyer Anand Yagnik, has sent a notice to the Chief Secretary and the Principal Secretary, Revenue Department, demanding that a notification be issued to stop development on these lands.

"It is necessary that till the Commission completes its inquiry...And makes recommendations, all the allottees be directed not to develop the land," Jethava's notice said.

"If the allottees are permitted to develop the land in question, then the inquiry will be inconsequential," it said.

Jethava's notice further stated that if the industries put up constructions on these lands, then irrespective of the outcome of commission's inquiry, it would be difficult for the government to take them back and put them to another use.

Amit Jethava, a Right To Information Act activist who carried on a campaign against illegal mining in Gir sanctuary area, was shot dead last July.

By : daily.bhaskar

Environment approvals valid only for 5 yrs: HC

The high court of Bombay at Goa has in a recent judgment held that the environmental clearances granted under the Environment Impact Assessment Notification (EIA), 1994, were valid only for a period of five years from the date of commencement of mining operations.

A division bench comprising Justice S A Bobde and Justice F M Reis passed the judgment in a public interest litigation filed by Shankar Jog, a retired environmental activist. The petitioner had challenged the operation of an iron ore mine operated by Talaulicar & Sons Pvt Ltd at Saniem, Sacorda. He had alleged that the clearances granted to the mine in 2005 under the EIA notification had expired in 2010 by virtue of condition stipulated in the notification.

While allowing the PIL, the bench has held that "in case there is no check on the environment hazard at the time of carrying out the mining activities, it can lead to degradation of the environment".

The court has also granted liberty to the company to seek renewal of the clearances within a period of three months, failing which, the court has directed it to discontinue the mining operations in the concerned mine after the said period until the environment clearance is obtained.

Mapusa-based NGO Goa Foundation, in a press note on Thursday, stated the judgment will impact 54 mines in the state. All these mines will now have to stop the operations and seek fresh environment clearances from the environment ministry, said Goa Foundation's director Claude Alvares.

 

By :Times of india

India third biggest greenhouse gas emitter: Government

India is the third biggest greenhouse gas emitter with its contribution standing at 5.3 per cent behind countries like China and the USA, the Government said in Lok Sabha on Wednesday.


"As per current information available, the countries which are the largest contributor, in percentage term regarding greenhouse gas emissions are China 19.5 per cent, USA 19.2 per cent, India 5.3 per cent, Russia 5.1 per cent, Japan 3.6 per cent and Germany 2.6 per cent," Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan said.

In her written reply to CPI-M MP Susmita Bauri, Natarajan said the Government has taken steps to reduce the carbon emission intensity.

"India will endeavour to reduce emissions intensity of GDP by 20 to 25 per cent in comparison to the 2005 level," she said narrating the programmes initiated by the Government to cut the emission.

by: Times of india

Birds avoid dry Keoladeo sanctuary

The green cover at the Keoladeo National Park after the recent short spell of rain is alluring but it cannot get more deceptive than this - the famed bird sanctuary is devoid of its life line, the winged guests.

All one gets to see in the park are a few birds, most of them only the local species. Among the monsoonal birds, only a handful of openbill storks are seen - small colonies of these birds nestled on a couple of trees, in a small portion of the park.

The beauty of the winged visitors at the Unesco's world heritage site begins and ends there. Even these few birds are likely to fly away soon, the reason being shortage of water in the park.

There is little hope that the monsoonal birds, which normally arrive in the park by July-August , will been seen this time too. Forest officials and bird watchers believe that unless immediate arrangements for water are made, no monsoon birds would be breeding in the park. The minimum requirement of water at the park is 500 MCFT (million cubic feet) annually, but all that it has got this season till now is less than 50 MCFT.

Since, the water bodies in the park are completely dry. the winged visitors avoided the park.

Recent spells of rain have ensured a little more than five feet of water in the nearby Ajam dam.

However, only after the level crosses about eight feet, the water would spill over into the artificial ponds and lakes in the park. Despite it being the monsoon season, the only source of water for the birds in the sanctuary are the 11 bore wells across the forest area. However, the amount of water pumped out is far from enough.

"The situation is almost like in 2009 when the open-bill storks and other birds have had to abandon their nests and eggs, which later became food for snakes and monkeys .

This year, though a few birds have started nesting, breeding has not yet begun. Unless a miracle happens, other breeding birds might not even be visiting the sanctuary ,'' an official said. The release of water from the Panchna Dam in Karauli district in August 2010, had brought in a new lease of life for the bird sanctuary.

 

By : Times of india 

Oil spill off Mumbai from sunken ship MT Rak

A cargo vessel which sunk off the Mumbai harbour Thursday has been leaking oil, an official said Sunday.

"Oil has been observed leaking from the sunken vessel Rak Carrier since late Saturday at an approximate rate of 1.5-2 tonnes per hour," a navy official said.

"Coast Guard ship Samudra Prahari on patrol immediately responded and used oil spill dispersant to neutralise the spilled oil. Operation 'Paryavaran Suraksha' has also been launched by the Coast Guard," he added.

According to the official, an aerial recce conducted Sunday morning indicated spread of oil up to seven nautical miles from the sunken vessel.

The Coast Guard has pressed another vessel, ICGS Sankalp, in the area, he added.

However, the coastal authorities have been advised to maintain strict vigil. "State authorities have also been advised to direct fishermen to refrain from fishing in the vicinity of the affected area," the official said.

The ship MT Rak Carrier, laden with 60,000 tonnes of coal and 340 tonnes of fuel and diesel, sank Thursday afternoon, raising apprehensions of an ecological hazard.

The 30 crewmen aboard -- all Indonesians, Jordanians and Romanians -- were rescued in a coordinated effort by the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.

The Panama-flagged ship, owned and managed by M/s. Delta Shipping Marine Services, Qatar, was on a voyage from Lubuk-Tutung, Indonesia to Dahej Port in Gujarat, carrying a consignment of coal meant for Adani Enterprises Ltd.

Two top officials of the cargo vessel were Saturday arrested and later released on bail by a Mumbai court.

The duo -- Jordanian Capt. Arkan Younis, 36, and Romanian chief engineer Eonascho Eon, 54 -- were nabbed under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 336, pertaining to endangering life or personal safety of others.

By :Times of india

Tiger conservation does not stop with numbers, warn experts

The latest national tiger estimation showing a 20 per cent increase in the number of big cats to 1706 from 1411 is cause for cheer, but leading experts and conservationists say the next focus should be on protecting its habitats and retaining their continuity and overall ecological quality.

"Though the latest national tiger population estimation shows an increasing trend, we need to focus on protection of tiger habitats, retaining habitat contiguity and the overall ecological quality of tiger habitats," says Ravi Chellam, a scientist with the Wildlife Institute of India.

The All India Tiger Estimation - conducted every four years - in 2010 showed a 20 per cent increase over the figure in 2006 which was 1411.

Notwithstanding the increase in the numbers, experts feel the big cats are constantly under threat due to development related infrastructure expansion into tiger habitats.

"Though we still have a few large tiger habitats, expansion of infrastructure into tiger habitats like laying of railway lines and roads have a very negative impact on their habitat as well as on direct mortality of animals and also increased human access to these habitats," says Chellam.

"Data only shows the number of tigers left in the wild, but it is other deeds like conserving habitats and preventing their fragmentation and restoring connectivity that will ensure the tiger population survives and proliferates in the long run," he said.

Tamil Nadu along with Uttarakhand, Maharashtra and Karnataka leads in tiger density, says the estimation.

By: Timesofindia

International Coastal Cleanup campaign

It is my pleasure to inform you that this year we (Gir eco friends) are celebrating International Coastal Cleanup from 15th August to 15th September 2011. I welcome you to associate with us in this year’s International Coastal Cleanup campaign & support this noble cause.


Ocean ecosystems play a vital role in all living things — on land & underwater. Hence our mission is to protect sea animals from careless human behaviour simultaneously keeping the river streams clean & creating & awareness among citizens.

We look forward for your support in creating a better world, a better place to Live

You participate at any location in Gujarat and any day between 15th Aug to 15th sep.

If you interest, Please send your details with address and location so we arrange required support & necessary kits for the cleanup.

Write to, girecofriends@gmail.com

Nearly 37,000 trees are cut in Gujarat every day!

It is estimated that 1.35 crore trees are felled in Gujarat every year.

The threat of increasing population, urbanisation, industrialisation and road expansion is greatest on social forests in non-forest areas.

Illegal mining, increasing tourism, road construction and expansion, human encroachments and illegal grazing in forest areas are perceived as threats to the Gir forests in Saurashtra.
In central and south Gujarat, unchecked cultivation encroachment by tribals in forest areas in the hope of getting land is a rising concern

Rs 3,505 crore worth of revenue per annum is estimated to be generated from timber alone in Gujarat

State's forest cover is merely 9.66% of the state's total geographical area, much lower than the UNEP requirement of at least a third of the total land mass

As the world celebrates World Environment Day today on the theme, 'Forests: Nature at your service', it is a good time to point out that Gujarat's forest cover is meager and it faces further threat largely from human interventions like encroachments, tree chopping for industries and road expansion, illegal mining, illegal cultivation and grazing. These have put the state's forests under immense pressure.

According to a forest department estimate of 2009, there are approximately 42 crore trees in Gujarat in forest and non-forest areas. But shockingly, 5.6% of the 26.9 crore trees in non-forest areas (approximately 1.35 cr) are felled every year! The rest 15 crore are in forest areas.

While the forest department is aware and concerned about the degradation, it has aptly pointed out that this is a global phenomenon, not local. As increasing human population requires land, the biggest pressure is on forests because trees can be chopped within hours to make land available to man for housing, animal grazing etc.

"Social forests are disappearing. It is only because we have massive plantation drives that the rate of degradation has been arrested, otherwise in no time, the forest cover would disappear. The forest and tree cover has increased in the last ten years, though not as much as we need," says additional principal chief conservator of forests HS Singh.

Gujarat minister of state for forest and environment Mangubhai Patel candidly states that development is a must and it cannot be compromised, but "we are ensuring that forest are not harmed in the process".

Singh adds that the Planning Commission has estimated that revenue of Rs3,505 crore is generated every year from timber alone in Gujarat, which makes forest maintenance a very lucrative economic activity. The national revenue from timber is pegged at a whopping Rs45,000 crore by the Planning Commission. Principal Secretary, environment and forests, Gujarat, SK Nanda says that the state is encouraging farmers to take up timber cultivation.

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_37000-trees-felled-in-gujarat-every-day_1551360
By:DNA

Realtors push for hsg projects in Gir

Gujarat's upwardly mobile citizens would love to live in the company of wild Gir lions. Or at least that is what many realtors seem to believe. As many as 28 applications for housing projects in the vicinity of Gir sanctuary and other lion abodes in the region, are pending with the forest department.


The proposals have come at a time when the central government had just approved eco-sensitive zone around Gir, the only home of the Asiatic lion in the world. This severely restricts any fresh development in a five-km radius around the sanctuary. The forest department has to give a no-objection certificate before the collectorate gives the final stamp of approval to the projects. "Buy a home in the grand lion villa." This is now some of the builders are promoting their high-end schemes. This trend has alarmed environmentalists and wildlife activists. They point out that lions were moving out of the sanctuary to reclaim lost lands. The May 2011 census had put their population at 411 in the region.

TOI posed as an investor and spoke to several developers. Paresh Sakhiya, who has his project in Mendarda taluka's Amrapar area says, "The price of a 300-yard residential plot is Rs 2,150 per sq yard. The area has a sizeable lion population and is about seven km from Gir sanctuary." Sakhiya called his scheme a good holiday home as it was close to the sanctuary.

Realtor Jayesh Patel, too, has a project near Mendarda, with each villa spread over an acre and priced at Rs 75 lakh. There would be 12 farmhouses equipped with CCTV cameras and swimming pools. HS Singh, Gujarat additional principal conservator of forests, said, "We are studying housing projects and will disallow them if they infringe on the eco-sensitive zone." AM Parmar, Junagadh collector said, "We have not approved any project."

BY:Timesofindia

POINTLESS PANGA WITH PANGOLIN

For nearly three hours a pride of lions in Gir tried to make a meal out of a pangolin, but failed

 Deputy conservator of forest Sandeep Kumar was on one of his routine rounds of the sanctuary earlier this week in the Paniya area when he saw two sub-adult cubs with a pangolin. Pangolins, which are anteaters, are not a usual sight in the Gir sanctuary.

This pangolin had strayed into the lions’ den, and lived to tell the story. The anteater smelt danger and tried to move away, but it was surrounded by lions. In all, the pangolin encountered eight lions. As soon as the lions tried to bite into the softer parts of its body, the pangolin curled up into a ball, displaying enormous strength by foiling attempts to unroll it.

K u m a r said, “While patrolling, I witnessed this encounter where a pride of five sub-adult lions was surrounding the pangolin in a predatory mode.” The incident repeated at another place just about a kilometre away where a lioness with her two cubs tried to corner the same pangolin.

“In my experience, it was for the first time that I encountered such an amazing event where an unusual prey was being attacked by lions,” said Kumar. Lions are known to prey mostly on large-size animals in comparison to leopards prey on animals as small as rodents to large ones like the sambar deer. During the encounter, the lions repeatedly tried to unroll the pangolin but the pangolin did not give up. During the whole encounter, the only sound produced by the pangolin was a loud hiss, which is usually produced under the stress.

Kumar said “I have not encountered too many pangolins in Gir Sanctuary, in my two and half year tenure, I have only encounter pangolins on four occasion. The department is now planning to have a proper estimation of the population of Pangolins in the Gir sanctuary and also nearby areas.

By: Times of India.

Lion falls into open well, dies

A five-year-old lion was found dead in an open well in a farm on Tuesday at Dasada village in Bhesan taluka of Junagadh district. Range forest officer Dipak Pandya said the lion's carcass has been fished out and sent for postmortem. The incident occurred at least 25 km from Junagadh when two lions came to the area on Saturday night, according to forest department sources. The lions had also attacked some animals in the area. It seems one of the lions fell into the well while jumping over the well, according to beat guards. Pandya said there was no parapet wall around the well.

Villagers informed the forest department on finding a lion in the well. Forest department rushed a team to the spot. A campaign is on for the past four years in the region aski-ng people to build parapet walls around the open wells. They ha-ve been advised to at least have a wired border around it. The campaign had achieved some success in this regard, forest department sources said.

Jaydev Sir Ask About Matter is reality

News are coming that one more Asiatic Lion died due to falling in a well at Medpara (Girnar), near Bhesan, Junagadh!!!
Donkeys are wrongly branded as foolish animal. Asiatic Lions seems most foolish animal on earth. No dog, cat, pig, camel, cow, hyna, deer, rabbit, etc ever died due to falling in a well or some water tank or pond but Asiatic Lions are repeatedly falling in wells and they cannot even swim for few hours so someone can rescue them!!! On the other hand dogs and cats are reported to swim for hours and saved their lives.

People who believes that so many deaths of Asiatic Lions due to falling in open wells are natural and see nothing doubtful in them are too straightforward....

Asiatic lion cubs thrive better in Guj than Africa

Lion cubs are better off in Gujarat than in Africa. At least this seems to be the truth when one takes a look at the survival rate of Asiatic lions of Gujarat. It is higher than their African counterparts.

No less than 56 per cent cubs survive till the age of three years. This is the age when they move out of their pride in search of their own new territory and pride.

In comparison, only 20 per cent of African lion cubs survive beyond two years while 27 per cent fail to make it to three years. The website of Kalahari Predator Conservation Trust quoting International Union for Conservation of Nature has reported, “Among African lions, only 20 per cent of the cubs live for more than two years of life. This is primarily due to food shortage, negligence and takeover of power by other males. About 27 per cent of cubs die from hierarchy invasion of another male lion.”

This high survival rate in Gujarat’s Gir sanctuary was highlighted in a study conducted by Dr V Meena of the Wildlife Institute of India titled “Reproductive Strategy and Behaviour of Male Asiatic Lions”. The study also reveals that survival rate of cubs is lowest in the first year of birth and gradually increases in second and third year.
The survival of cubs depends on infanticide (which results in death of 60 per cent of the cubs), abandonment (13 per cent) and other natural causes (26 per cent). Early mortality of cubs due to infanticide was the chief factor limiting their survival, she revealed.
Forest officials said that the 2010 census recorded 77 cubs who were below three years of age. Of these, 23 each were male and female cubs and the rest could not be identified by the enumerators as the cubs were too small.

Dr Meena says, “There are many scenarios for African lions but the survival rate is comparable and better in most cases for Asiatic lions.” The study also brought out the fact that incidents of death are more outside protected areas.

Yadvendradev Jhala, scientist with Wildlife Institute of India, agreed with Meena’s findings and added: “Higher the survival rate, better is the population growth.”

Dr HS Singh, additional principal chief conservator of forests, says, “The survival ratio among African cubs is around 25-30 per cent. The higher survival rate in Gir has increased the lion population by 15 per cent, as per the 2010 census.”

By:Times Of India

Guj Producer Shoots Lion’s Behaviour

'Sinh Samrajaya - Lions Domain', a 15-minute documentary on the Asiatic lions produced and directed by Gujarati producer Nirav Parikh and his wife Swati has found a place in the LA New Wave International Film Festival, Season 2 which was organised earlier this month in Los Angeles.

The Parikh family has been involved with the Gir forest for the past decade. Parikh's children Devashri (14) and Parth (9) also feature in the film where they talk of the lions.

The documentary is about green soldiers - the four members of the family. Swati Parikh said that unlike other tourists who just see the lions and leave, the green soldiers have a very interesting perspective to their observation and study during lions sighting in forest. The family has unique experience to share.

Swati said that Nirav has been filming the lions for the past 20 years, but the three days when this documentary was shot were the best days for the family.

"We all were witness to territorial fight and even the two kids witnessed this which is a rare shoot for any filmmaker."

Diving details of the documentary she said that the film reveals the social structure and the behaviour of the lions in Gir forest, where the female plays a major role in regulating the joint family affair. The disciplinary protocols, laid down by the king himself, has to be followed by every member of the family or else they face the consequences, said Swati.

Role of water to suffice the Gir lion eco-system, co-existence of mammals, herbivores, and avian fauna in particular are also projected in this film. She said that apart from the LA film festival, the documentary has been nominated for the Japan film festival too. However, the schedule is yet to be decided.

The film was first screened in the international bird watchers' conference held in Khijadia earlier this year.

Expert backs shifting of Gir lions to Kuno in MP

THERE is a strong case of trans-locating endangered Asiatic lions from Gir forests to Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh but the same should be done only with the consent of the Gujarat government and the people of the state, wildlife expert Ravi Chellam has said.


Chellam, who is the director of an NGO, Wildlife Conservation Society, and an expert on the Asiatic lions in Gir, was in Parambikulam Tiger Reserve in Kerala to address a national meet on conservation of wildlife.

Chellam, who had conducted a survey while he was with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and recommended that Gir lions be shifted to Kuno, told The Indian Express that the trans-location would not be worth risking if the Gujarat government does not agree for the project. "The lions in Gir are already moving outside the reserved areas, which indicates the space crunch they are facing.

There is a strong case for trans-location to achieve a sizeable population for them," Chellam said.

Praising efforts made by the Gujarat government in taking care of lions, he said, "When you have only one habitat for an endangered species, not setting up the second prey range is not very wise. Any catastrophic disease or major fire in Gir means there will be no solution."

Elaborating on why Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary was a choice, Chellam said, "We did a survey for 18 months. Kuno has been a range for lions earlier. There were three proposed sites and Kuno emerged as the best one." `THE LIONS in Gir are already moving outside the reserved areas, which indicates the space crunch they are facing. There is a strong case for translocation to achieve a sizeable population for them'

Mobile surveillance of lions outside Gir

For the first time, the forest department has decided to shift its focus away from the Gir sanctuary. It plans to launch mobile surveillance outside the protected area apart from setting up inspection huts and watch towers.

These include coastal areas of Junagadh and Amreli and even Bhavnagar districts, where lions have been found straying. The state government in the 2011-12 budget has proposed to not only strengthen surveillance inside Gir, but for the first time has made allocation of funds for areas away from the sanctuary. The areas will also cover Gariyadhar, Liliya and Savarkundla Taluka of Amreli district and Mahuva and Palitana of Bhavnagar district where the big cats have been spotted during the May 2010 census.

As per April 2010 population estimate, the population of lions inside the sanctuary and their ecological zone is 411. In the coastal areas of Junagadh, Amreli and Bhavnagar districts, there was a population of 74 lions.

The increase in population has resulted in spill over of the lion population outside Gir protected area (Gir PA). Therefore, at present, the most pressing threat to the lion population of the Gir PA comes from the possibility of increased hostility towards the resident lion population outside Gir PA. To combat these threats, it is very important to strengthen the patrolling efforts outside Gir PA boundaries as well, say foresters.

The forest department’s Rs 12.5 crore budget will also include watch towers for other wildlife sanctuaries across the state to monitor big cats.

Forest officials said that there are very few watch towers in Gir sanctuary and these are near dams. But the new proposal will have more such towers in the entire sanctuary also with security check posts.

The stress is because with the development, vehicle movement has increased manifold, necessitating strict vigilance and protection in view of the serious offences recorded in the near past which include poaching, illegal stealing of paws, claws, and organs of lion.

The proposal also states that to strengthen protection, the state government has set up a Wildlife Crime Cell. A task force cell has also been established in Junagadh to strengthen and protect the Asiatic lion.

Eco-friendly fabric from waste banana stems!

Ahmedabad: Growing demand for eco-friendly clothing, especially in overseas markets, has led researchers in Gujarat to manufacture fabric from the banana plant’s stem. Surat-based Manmade Textile Research Association (MANTRA), Navsari Agricultural University (NAV) and Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology (ICAR), Mumbai have initiated a project to produce commercially-viable textile from the banana plant.

Scientists working on the World Bank-funded project have already got partial success in manufacturing thick fabric suited for cold weather. They are also working on commercial viability of technical textile applications such as artificial leather, acrylic fabric for vertical blind and other types of curtains, bedsheets and tapestry. “Scientists have developed a modified spinning and weaving unit from traditional ones used for cotton value chain. Initial success has inspired them to work harder to produce lean fabric suitable for tropical weather,” said Arun Jariwala, president of MANTRA.

M G Parikh, a scientist at MANTRA said the project envisages to utilize waste banana pseudostems, which pose the problem of disposal and are available almost free in central and south Gujarat. The project includes creating facility for banana fibre extraction from the stem of the banana plant, cleaning, grading and converting it into a finished product, he said.

“Banana plant fibre is more eco-friendly than other natural and man-made fibres. We are working on blending it with cotton as well as synthetic fibres. These fibres can also be used for packing cloth for agriculture produce, ships towing ropes, wet drilling cables,” said R G Patil, NAU scientist.

According to experts, the real cost in producing fibres from the banana plant will be incurred while collecting waste stems and fibre extraction, which is negligible in comparison to the other natural fibres like cotton, jute and hemp. This cost competitiveness will fuel growth of this product. Gujarat ranks sixth in the area cultivation of banana in the country with more than 60,000 hectares. The state’s banana yield per hectare adds up to nearly 55 tonne while stem waste totals to nearly 80 tonne.

Wildlife board members question nod to Girnar ropeway project

New Delhi: Environment minister Jairam Ramesh’s decision to give a go-ahead for the ropeway project in Girnar wildlife sanctuary has been questioned by some members in the standing committee meeting of National Board of Wildlife (NBWL), who claim the project would lead to local extinction of long-billed vultures.

The ropeway will pass through a known breeding site of the long billed vulture — Gyps indicus — and if constructed, it would lead to its local extinction, NBWL standing committee member Prerna Bindra said in a recent meeting chaired by Ramesh, which gave a final nod to the project. Along with Bindra, another member Divyabhanusinh Chavda also expressed concern regarding the possible impacts would cause to the resident vulture population, according to a ministry document.

Bindra, who insisted that her note of dissent on the minister’s decision should be officially recorded, said, “The critically endangered long billed vulture has seen a collapse of nearly 99 per cent of its population, and is categorised as critically endangered”.

“Ironically, the vulture is part of MoEF’s species recovery programme,” she said. Citing a ministry report, Bindra said if the ropeway is constructed, it would lead to the local extinction of the long-billed vulture in north Gujarat. The ropeway over Girnar wildlife sanctuary will connect Bhavnath Taleti and Ambaji temples in Junagadh district. Ramesh, while granting the final goahead to the Girnar ropeway, had said height of the towers has to be increased to avoid disturbance to nesting sites of vultures. While granting conditional clearance to the project in February, Ramesh had asked the Gujarat government to submit a report within two months about its study to consider alternate alignment of the ropeway project to ensure that it does not cut across the prime vulture habitat.

But Gujarat rejected the minister’s suggestion saying an alternate route was not feasible in the instant case, and requested the standing committee of NBWL to consider their proposal “in its original form without change in the alignment proposed”.

By : Times of india

"Nirama Cement factory site a wetland’

Cement factory site a wetland’




 The Gujarat government, even before the expert appraisal committee (EAC), had vehemently stuck to its stand that the status of the land allotted to Nirma cement plant ‘was and is wasteland’. The committee report stated that the government neglected the ground reality and stood by the revenue records which were the basis for the allocation of the land.

In its 88-page report, the panel has noted that the Gujarat officials maintained that the area cannot be classified as a wetland or a water body just because a dyke had been constructed 10 years ago to keep out salinity. The officer argued that the government was taking several measures to resolve salinity-related issues and improve ecology. A copy of the report is with TOI.

The committee headed by Professor CR Babu has as its members, Dr Asad R Rahamani, director, Bombay Natural History Society; Dr Parikshit Gautam, director, freshwater and wetlands, WWF-India; Dr Ligia Noronha director resources, regulations and global securities, TERI; Brij Gopal, coordinator, Centre for Inland Water in South Asia; Dr E J James, director, water institute, Karunya University in Coimbatore and Dr P B Rastogi, director, environment ministery.

The panel noted that it is of the view that the site is and ought to have been appropriately re-classified as wetland or water body at least after the construction of the dyke. The report also noted that site in question supports aquatic flora and fauna and species that thrive in fresh water tracts. The report observed that it was a wetland and a water body. The approval accorded may be revoked, the committee said.
 
Questions apex court wanted panel to answer


The Expert Appraisal Committee which was formed under the direction of the Supreme Court was asked to address five questions.

Whether the land in question was wetland or water body?

EAC states that the land in question is a wetland. The plant lies within the wetland/water body created in 2000, by the constriction of Samadhiala Bandhara as a salinity ingress control structure. The report stated that the salinity control department of Gujarat constructed a 200 meter-long concrete structure across the Motapak creek.

The freshwater runoff from the river Shen Shuri locally known as Han Hori and its catchment area created a freshwater reservoir of 62.3 million cubic feet and total water spread area of 244 hectares.

The dyke was foreseen by the state water resources department to benefit the farmers by lift irrigation of 300 hectares of cultivable land in villages Samadhiala, Patwa and Doliya.

The EAC said they walked the 2.5 km stretch and found various wetland plants apart from couple of thousand birds of about 25 species. The report noted that the government had plans to link the Malan, Samadhiala, Nikol and Kalsar dykes.

Whether the project could come up on such wetland/water bodies if so, what would be its impact on environment? Would it lead to environmental degradation?

The EAC report said that no such project whether industrial or otherwise, should be allowed within a wetland/water body. The National Water Policy 2002 gives priority to drinking and irrigation. The EAC said that this wetland supports fairly rich and important biodiversity and livelihood of the local communities.

“Therefore it is not desirable to have a cement plant in this wetland and as well as immediate vicinity,” said the report. The report stated that the impact of the project and the environment degradation caused by it will extend to the agricultural productivity in different ways. Mahuva is known for taking two crops a year. The EAC stated that there are no plans for the disposal and treatment of sewerage.

If at all project could come up, what steps the user agency should take in the interest of “environment protection”? The EAC did not answer this question as it was of the opinion that the plant cannot be permitted to operate from the present site and noted “the project cannot and should not come up in the present area”.
The precise current status of the project may also be indicated by the expert body.

EAC stated that the project cost of the project was estimated to be around Rs 995 crore and of these Rs 493 crore has already been committed on the plant. The EAC noted, “It can be seen that work has proceeded on the cement plant. The report stated that the unused material supplied at site and the equipment delivered there can be shifted and can be used.

The EAC stated “it will be very detailed exercise to assess the loss to the company, but as a rough guess, we consider that such amount may not excess Rs 100 crore,” said the report

LIONS KEEPING NIRMA PLANT AWAY

Panel Cites Presence Of Lions In The Area As One Of The Reasons For Suggesting Plant Relocation

 The roar of Asiatic lions in Samadhiala Bandhara in Mahuva may have influenced ministry of environment and forest’s recommendation to the Supreme Court for relocation of the Nirma cement plant.

The expert appraisal committee, headed by former provice-chancellor of Delhi University C R Babu, has observed that apart from other eco-sensitive hazards, the presence of lions in the area was also one of the reasons for the relocation of the plant.

The MoEF in an affidavit filed on Tuesday told the SC that Nirma’s Bhavnagar cement plant has to relocate since it is in eco-sensitive wetland. The expert panel was formed following directives from the SC to study whether the plant was in a wetland

The 88-page report of the committee states: “It may also be noted that Mahuva taluka also harbours Asiatic lions and four of them are spotted in and around the Bandhara water body which is the site of the Nirma plant.” The April 2010 census has shown presence of 33 lions in Mahuva and nearby areas.

The report noted that in 10 km radius of the plant there is a reserved forest, which is home to critically endangered vulture species. It states that the plant will affect onion production because of pollution by the unit.

By :Times of india

Ramesh seeks archaeological survey of Gujarat forest

Union Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh has urged Gujarat to undertake a thorough archaeological survey of the Girnar reserve forest, which is home to the Asiatic lion, as it could contain historical relics.

In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Narendra Modi dated April 21, the minister has pointed out that he was giving the advice on the suggestion of noted historian from the Delhi University, Nayanjot Lahiri, who recently visited the reserve forest and found the remnants of two stupas, possibly of Mauryan dynasty heritage.

According to Lahiri, many loose bricks were also found around it indicating there could have been other stupas in the vicinity.

‘Therefore, it is urgent, that there is a complete survey of the stupa with accurate line drawings and photographs followed by careful archaeological conservation,’ the minister said.

Green bona fides?

Minister for environment and forests Jairam Ramesh has said he was under ‘pressure’ to overlook violations of environmental norms while clearing certain projects. He has not named the projects which he was reportedly forced to give his nod to. However, one can surmise this could have happened in relation to those projects he turned down initially, only to give his assent eventually.

That the minister was under tremendous pressure from ministries such as mines, surface transport, etc that are keen to green signal projects to boost ‘development’ was never in doubt. What is problematic about Ramesh’s candid confession, however, is that it raises questions over the depth of his commitment to the cause of environment. If he is indeed convinced that environmental regulations are being violated, why did he waver and give in? He should have dug in and convinced his ministerial colleagues with strong arguments.

Had he been really convinced over the violations, he should have stepped down on a matter of principle, rather than give his assent and then grumble. Huffing and puffing on environmental issues is not enough. One needs to run with the issue till the very end. With his revelation Ramesh has indicated, sadly, that he lacks the stamina to run the marathon on environment issues.

Ramesh has infused the environment ministry with a new energy. This was a ministry that had become largely irrelevant over the past decade. Ramesh not only raised its profile, but also has pushed environmental issues to the fore of public discussions. He has rightly argued that we cannot deforest or pollute our way to prosperity.

Yet, with his confession that he buckled to pressure on several projects, it does seem that these arguments were empty bluster aimed at scoring points with activists. Was Ramesh’s passionate espousal of the cause of India’s dwindling forests, its tigers and magnificent marine life only confined to rhetoric?

Ramesh will find that giving the go-ahead to projects that violate norms will not be problematic if he assiduously implements the ‘polluter pays’ principle. That is, if a mining project envisages destruction of forest land, it will be given the green signal only if it engages in reforestation, rehabilitation and so on in a way that it undoes all the damage done. That way, neither Ramesh nor the public will regret his green signalling development projects.

Article By : Sanctuary Asia 

The Politicisation of Forest India

This article  by: Bittu Sahgal Sir, sanctuary asia.


People who claim that people and animals can co-exist should wake up and smell the forest. It's burning.

Yes it is possible for dense wildlife populations to live with very thin human populations. Yes it is possible for dense human populations to live with very thin wildlife populations (not the large carnivore variety). But the recent trend of social activists to suggest that tiger reserves be turned into raw material sources for markets, with forest dwellers harvest, transporting and supplying all manner of goods from tendu patta and mahua flower to bamboo, sand and stones to urban middle men, is just plain suicidal. This is neither going to enrich any forest dwellers nor benefit wild species, which will just vanish, as they have been vanishing from every human dominated landscape in the past 50 years.

Neverthless, this much is true. The rural constituency is vital to the future of wildlife. And forest dwellers living OUTSIDE our protected area network should be the first beneficiaries of all economic inflows and outflows. But this should be for livelihoods that enhance the ecosystem, not deplete it. Sanctuary has been trying for some time to communicate this concern with those who champion the Forest Rights Act, but with little success.

The truth is that villages next to wildlife areas do bear the brunt of conservation costs, yet no policy offers them sustenance for saving wildlife, only for exploiting bamboo, or tubers, or tendu patta etc., which is a lose-lose proposition and has never enriched anyone but the tendu barons, or the timber mafia, or the stone and sand mafia.

Yet social activists, who are otherwise decent and honest, seem unwilling to accept the fact that turning forest dwellers into conduits for unlimited urban demand condemns them to the loss of their resource base and a life of permanent serfdom. This is why the Prime Minister's Office and the National Advisory Council keeps coming up with more and more populist schemes (the latest being permission to harvest bamboo from forest that the tiger needs) at the cost of our ecological security.

Meanwhile as this politicisation of forests continues apace, social activists continue to bask in the belief that it is their 'power and brilliance' that is helping them win the day against the 'wildlife wallahs'.

Without forests, where is the question of forests rights?

Forest dwellers and those living around forests should have GUARANTEED employment and livelihoods, but not as conduits to supply forest biomass to bottomless markets. They should in fact be recognised officially as ecosystem farmers - caregivers for Intensive Conservation Units (ICUs) who are respected across the world, whose food, water, health, education and financial well-being should become our national objective. Unfortunately, many human rights activists and social workers whose understanding of the ecological imperative is not quite up to scratch, believe that turning such communities into channels that end up feeding gluttonous urban demands amounts to offering them legitimate livelihoods, even though this ends up exhausting their larder and driving them to penury in the long run. Here is one such example of tendu, Diospyros melanoxylon, which even the most sensible activists continue to champion in a most senseless way:

BY : Bittu sehgal Sir, sanctuary Asia,

Tiger population rises on the back of conservation efforts

The tiger population in the country has risen to 1,706 in 2010 from 1,411 in 2006, the latest Tiger Census released today said, thanks to sustained conservation efforts.


The census, which was the most comprehensive and scientifically conducted exercise so far, used cameras installed at strategic points like water bodies in forests, as also in respective territories of big cats.

Computers were used to analyse and collate the data.

The 2006 Census had shown a sharp fall in the number of tigers in ‘protected areas’ - reserves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries - in 19 states across the country.

According to it, India had only 1,411 wild cats left in its forests.

Whale shark tagged with satellite collar off Gujarat coast

The whale shark was listed under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act in 2001, according it the highest level of protection.
For the first time in India, a whale shark has been tagged with a ‘satellite collar’ to track the migration routes, behaviour and ecological preferences of this member of the largest fish species in the world.


The satellite tag was put on the fish last week by a team of researchers from the Whale Shark Conservation Project, a joint venture of the Gujarat Forest Department and Wildlife Trust of India (WTI).

According to WTI Assistant Field Officer, Manoj Matwal, another whale shark will be tagged by mid-May.
“The first set of data received indicated that the tagged whale shark, a 6.5 m long male rescued off the Gujarat coast, had reached the coast of Maharashtra moving southward,” Mr. Matwal told PTI.

“We plan to install a similar satellite tag on another whale shark, preferably a female, by mid-May as after that they are not seen off the Gujarat coast,” he said.

“For the second tagging, we are exploring the sea near Veraval and Sutrapada in Junagadh district where the spotting (of whale shark) has been good.”

Satellite-tagging is the latest initiative under the Whale Shark Conservation Project. Earlier there have been efforts to do photo-identification, genetic analysis and visual tagging of whale sharks in India.

“The satellite tag, which is a marine equivalent of a satellite collar, was attached to the caudal fin of the fish.
Data from the tag is transmitted to the satellite every time the fish surfaces,” Mr. Matwal said.

“This tag is expected to last for about six months and give us data related to movement of the fish, its preference in water temperature, diurnal and nocturnal activities and swimming patterns between different layers of water.”

The success of tagging was confirmed after receiving the first signal 68 hours after the tag was fixed.
“The signal was received 250 km off the coast of Mumbai, revealing that it had travelled southward,” Mr. Matwal said.

Over the coming months, researchers would be closely following the movement patterns of the whale shark.
During the tagging operation, WTI also collected a tissue sample of the fish for genetic analysis.

The whale shark was listed under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act in 2001, according it the highest level of protection.

Whale shark is the largest fish species in the world with a flattened head, and a wide mouth positioned at the tip of the snout that stretches almost as wide as the body. The creatures are greyish, bluish or brownish above, with an upper surface pattern of creamy white spots between pale, vertical and horizontal stripes.

Whale sharks were once hunted off the Gujarat coast for its liver oil, which was used to water-proof boats. But after initiation of Whale Shark Conservation Project in 2008, the local fishermen have been made aware of the importance of the fish, and they now participate in conservation activities.

by :The Hindu

Lioness killed by crocodile?

Lake, Where Carcass Was Found Floating, Has Crocodiles
A nine-yearold lioness may have been killed in a crocodile attack, suspect forest officials. This is the second big cat to die in the last two days in Khambha, the eastern part of the Gir sanctuary.

On Sunday morning, the forest department found the lioness’ carcass. Primary investigation revealed that the lioness could have died due to drowning as the carcass was found floating in the pond. The possibility of poisoning was ruled out as the carcass had not turned black.

R L Meena, conservator of forest said that the recovery of the carcass floating in the lake, which is about 150-metre long reveals, shows that the animal may have drowned. He said that the lake also has some crocodiles; hence, the possibility of a crocodile attack cannot be ruled out. However, only a post-mortem would reveal the exact cause of death.

In a similar incident a lioness was found dead in the same area on Saturday. The officials said that it had died of old age.

Meena, however, added that a major cause of worry for forest department was that same water hole was being used by wild as well as domestic animals. He said that the post-mortem report of a lion revealed that the death was due to infection of worms. “There was large presence of worms in the animal which were commonly found in domestic animals,” said Meena. This was only due to sharing of a water hole by the lion and some domestic animals.

By : TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Second chargesheet filed in Amit Jethava murder case

Ahmedabad:The city crime branch on Friday filed a voluminous supplementary chargesheet in the RTI activist Amit Jethava murder case. The report was filed after the arrest of the sixth accused Shailesh Pandya, who is a sharpshooter.

One Bahadursinh Rathod, who is believed to have helped the accused persons in carrying out illegal mining activities in the prohibited Gir sanctuary, has been shown as an absconder in the chargesheet. The investigating agency has been maintaining that Pandya had fired on Jethava on July 20, last year in front of the Gujarat high court campus.

They were chargesheeted last year. Pandya was arrested after the first chargesheet was filed. Jethava was killed after he filed a PIL in the high court against illegal mining activities in the Gir sanctuary.

During a hearing on Jethava’s PIL earlier this week, the high court expressed satisfaction over the state government’s actions to curb illegal mining and the judges proposed to dispose of the petition. On getting a nod from the counsel of Jethava’s family, the high court disposed of the PIL.

Meanwhile, Jethava’s father moved the high court demanding CBI probe in the murder case. This petition is pending in the high court.

‘Stop mining in 1 km area around forests’

HC Directs Govt To Take Immediate Action

The Gujarat high court has directed the state government to stop all mining activities within one km area from the boundary of all 34 sanctuaries, national parks and conservation reserves in the state. This court order is applicable even if the mining is being undertaken by companies which have a noobjection certificate.

The high court told the government to ensure implementation of this order — which is on the lines of a 2006 directive by the Supreme Court — by Friday. The court also directed the government to file an action taken report by February 24. The report is to be drawn up by the state department of forests and environment.

For proper implementation of the norm, the state government has been asked by Justice RR Tripathi to form a high power committee of the principal secretaries of the industries and mines department, forests and environment department and revenue department.

The issue emerged during a hearing on a petition filed by Param Udhyog, demanding permission for mining. The high court came to know about a government resolution passed on April 2, 2008, stating that after obtaining due NOC, mining activity would be permitted even in the prohibited five-kilometre zone from the boundary of reserve forest or sanctuary. In case of Narayan Sarovar Chinkara Sanctuary, the limit was extended to 10 kilometre. However, an affidavit filed by the government made it clear that though it is a policy decision, the government will give NOC in case to case basis.

Advocate for the petitioner, Amit Panchal, highlighted that the state government’s resolution of 2008 was contradicting the 2006 SC orders. The state government assured the high court that it would amend the GR to the effect that mining or industrial activity in the one-kilometre zone would be completely prohibited. Following this assurance, the HC asked the government to stop all mining activities.


by : TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ropeway to Girnar from Bhesan

Thanks to jaydev Sir , He send me this mail.

First Vulture Chick hatched in captivity at Sakkarbag Zoo is good News but next lot of Long-billed Vultures' chicks of Girnar cliffs may not be that lucky.



Without doing any proper survey Ropeway company is saying that first condition put by Hon'ble Minister to recheck alternate alignment is not viable. They are saying it may cause man-animal conflict. This statement is rubbish. If Ropeway starts from Bhesan there is no possibility at all for man animal conflict. The place is completely out of the Girnar Sanctuary and if people seat on ropeway car from Bhesan and reach Ambaji by ropeway, how on earth it can cause man-animal conflict? Lions which are are there between Bhesan and Ambaji are same which are between Jatahankar (present Ropeway starting point) and Ambaji. Possibilities (if any) for man-animal conflict are same in both cases. But in latter one (Jatashankar-Ambaji rout) damage to LBVs' nesting is guaranteed.


Now every one, including Usha Braco is saying that present alignment is passing through nesting Colony of LB Vultures on Girnar cliffs, in that case Bhesan point is only alternative. Hope the survey will be done by responsible persons and vulture experts too.
 
Again .....lots Thanks to jaydev Sir

'Save the Whale Shark and sea turtle Campaign' in Saurashtra coast village

We make Gir eco friends group and completed “Dariyai jiv srushti bachavo jan jaguti abhiyan” in saurashtra coast area. Our main thought is people know about sea turtle and whale shark nearly.


We went to local people, fisherman and coast area school to explain about the trouble of whale shark and sea turtle life.

The first step, therefore, will be to create general awareness among the locals and hopefully steer the fishermen towards whale shark tourism to keep sharks alive which will increase their income. Across the saurashtra coast are planned Poster campaigns and major awareness drives in villages.

Apparently the infrastructure to develop whale shark tourism is lacking and there are currently no dive operations active in this area. It is hoped that the current 'Save the Whale Shark and sea turtle Campaign' can create sufficient public awareness to jump-start the necessary development.

In the past whale sharks have been slaughtered in large numbers when they visit the Gujarat coast, India, between March-May. In the past 10 years this has increased considerably as a means of making quick money.

Official figures before 2001 reveal, every year, over 150 whale sharks are caught along the Gujarat coast. Independent figures, however, show this figure to be closer to 500. The Data supplied by the Shark Research Institute (SRI) helped the Government band the trade and fishing in May 2001 by placing the endangered fish in schedule of the Wildlife Protection Act. This has reduced the number of whale sharks taken but legal protection is not enough as it is not possible to continuously police the state's large coastline. Awareness, therefore, is the only future key to protect and conserve this endangered species.

Over millions of years of their existence, sea turtles have evolved a variety of remarkable strategies for survival. They use a wide range of habitats, thus playing a critical role as flagship species for the conservation of the oceans' ecosystems and diversity. Many of these habitats face mounting threats today around the world. Sea turtles are also an important part of the traditional culture of many coastal indigenous peoples all round the world.

Sea turtles migrate long distances between their feeding grounds and nesting sites. After they hatch and return to the sea, only the females return as adults to nest, males may never come back to land at all. Consequently, knowledge of their biology has been confined to the small time interval when they come on to land to nest. Thus there are many questions that scientists are only just beginning to understand: Where do the hatchlings go after they leave the nesting beach? Does the turtle come back to nest on the same beach where it hatched? How do females navigate to the same nesting beaches again & again, covering several thousand kilometers?

We thanks to our team and local people for given us support. We are also hearty thanks to Mr. Nitin Bondre, Shapoorji palloonji & his Co. ltd.

Non-violence in Lion Kingdom

Inscriptions At The Rock Edict In Girnar Give An Insight Into The Mind Of Ashoka


Frown on animal slaughter

Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi, has caused this Dhamma edict to be written. Here (in my domain) no living beings are to be slaughtered or offered in sacrifice. Nor should festivals be held, for Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi, sees much to object to in such festivals, although there are some festivals that Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi, does approve of.

Green revolution
Wherever medical herbs suitable for humans or animals are not available, I have had them imported and grown. Wherever medical roots or fruits are not available I have had them imported and grown. Along roads I have had wells dug and trees planted for the benefit of humans and animals.

Saving is good
Everywhere in my domain the Yuktas, the Rajjukas and the Pradesikas shall go on inspection tours every five years for the purpose of Dhamma instruction and also to conduct other business. Respect for mother and father is good, generosity to friends, acquaintances, relatives, Brahmans and ascetics is good, not killing living beings is good, moderation in spending is good.

For successors to follow
This edict has been written so that it may please my successors to devote themselves to promoting these things and not allow them to decline. Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi, has had this written twelve years after his coronation. This Dhamma edict has been written on stone so that it might endure long and that my descendants might act in conformity with it.

Keep up the good work
To do good is difficult. One who does good first does something hard to do. I have done many good deeds, and, if my sons, grandsons and their descendants up to the end of the world act in like manner, they too will do much good. But whoever amongst them neglects this, they will do evil. Truly, it is easy to do evil.

An alert ruler
In the past, state business was not transacted nor were reports delivered to the king at all hours. But now I have given this order, that at any time, whether I am eating, in the women's quarters, the bed chamber, the chariot, the palanquin, in the park or wherever, reporters are to be posted with instructions to report to me the affairs of the people so that I might attend to these affairs wherever I am.

Religious harmony
All religions should reside everywhere, for all them desire self-control and purity of heart. But people have various desires and various passions, and they may practise all of what they should or only a part of it. But one who receives great gifts yet is lacking in selfcontrol, purity of heart, gratitude and firm devotion, such a person is mean.

Generosity pays
What does bear great fruit, however, is the ceremony of the Dhamma. This involves proper behaviour towards servants and employees, respect for teachers, restraint towards living beings, and generosity towards ascetics and Brahmans

Don’t kill, don’t deport
Indeed, Beloved-of-the-Gods is deeply pained by the killing, dying and deportation that take place when an unconquered country is conquered.

by:timesofindia

State to convert 11 villages on Gir periphery to revenue land

Activist warns of commercial exploitation, increasing man-animal conflicts

The state government has decided to limit the Gir Sanctuary area, deleting 11 villages on its periphery and converting them to revenue land. This comes in the wake of a previous effort to create an extended Gir by increasing the boundaries to accommodate the increasing lion population.

Officials said the state government has in principle approved a proposal for the ‘Rationalisation of Boundaries in Gir Sanctuary’. This proposal essentially means 1939.38 hectares of forest settlement villages will be converted to revenue land, while the reserve forest area to be declared as sanctuary will be limited at 2141.40 hectares.

There are 14 forest settlements in the sanctuary and 11 of these villages are located on the periphery. The other three villages are located inside the sanctuary. The proposal aims to convert the 11 villages on the periphery to revenue villages and delete the areas from the sanctuary limits.

The rationale behind the move is that these areas are under cultivation and no negative impact on the habitat is expected as a result of their deletion as they are not available to wildlife in any way.


“There are forest areas that are contiguous to the sanctuary. These may be added to the sanctuary for efficient wildlife conservation and provision of additional suitable habitat to wildlife,” said P M Christian, Deputy Secretary, Forest and Wildlife Department.

He added: “The proposal is pending with the Government of India so its status is not known. The proposal is yet to get a final clearance.”

Mahesh Pandya, an environment activist said the proposal of converting villages on the sanctuary periphery to revenue land will promote faster conversion of farm land to non-agriculture ones and promote commercial construction of hotels and the like.

“This will limit the space for wildlife and create major obstacle and increase man-animal conflicts. The Forest Department’s logic that the areas are under cultivation and not used by animals for habitat is misleading. Lions and other animals have been restricted by villagers in the areas and fatal incidents have also been noticed in the past. Instances of lions falling in farm wells have also been reported which shows that lions and other animals can use the land if allowed

By Times of india

69 vultures, ropeway site await Jairam at Girnar

Ahmedabad: Finally, the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest is likely to take a call on whether or not to allow the Girnar Ropeway project in Junagadh. Minister of state MoEF Jairam Ramesh is expected to visit Junagadh for a site visit to the Girnar Hill where a ropeway is slated to pass though to take thousands of pilgrims to Jain temples atop the hill. This was decided at the meeting of the National Board of Wildlife in India on Monday in New Delhi.


Ramesh's visit has been scheduled since a long time, but was being delayed. The project has been lying in limbo since over a decade after its inception. Wildlife activists are protesting against the project on the premise that the trees on the hill are home to 69 vultures - a highly endangered species on the verge of extinction.

The ropeway, they have contested, will disturb their nesting and they will perish. On this contention, the MoEF had earlier denied permission. But with the Gujarat government resending the proposal, Ramesh has decided to personally visit the site to decide whether wildlife will be hampered or not by the project.

Even though the Congress and BJP are united on bringing this project, sources have confided that a recently submitted report by the NBWLI is not much in favour of the project. "However, the minister will take the final call. He will meet the locals there, officials of the company that will implement the project and of course, the forest department officials and gauge the situation," a source said.

The ropeway project was given to Usha Breco, the company that operates the ropeway in Pavagadh, to be implemented at a cost of Rs89.31 crore. With 18 cabins, the ropeway will be able to transport 2,000 people in an hour. The ropeway is expected increase the tourist flow to the area substantially, which will directly benefit the local community, which explains the unanimous political support. "But the increased human activity will in fact not disturb the wildlife as they will be in the air.

Currently, pilgrims walk up the hill, disturbing the wildlife, with the ropeway, the disturbance on ground will stop," a senior forest official has said by way of explanation.

The other thing on agenda at the NBWLI meeting was the diversion of 0.43 ha of forest land in Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary for laying Optical Cable line by Reliance Communication Ltd, which was cleared.

Gujarat sets up special task force to check illegal mining

Ahmedabad, Jan 21 (PTI) The Gujarat government has informed the High court that it has formed a special task force (STF) and grievance redressal committees at state and district levels to check illegal mining.


Information regarding this was placed in form of an affidavit before the division bench of Chief Justice S J Mukhopadhaya and Justice Akil Kureshi, while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) against illegal mining in Gir forest region. The PIL was filed by RTI activist Amit Jethva a few days before he was shot dead.

The court in its order of December 21 had directed the Principal Secretary, Mines and Minerals Department, to remain present and had also ordered government to file an action taken report (ATR) with regard to the implementation of Gujarat Mineral (Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage) Rules, 2005.

Following the order, Principal Secretary Maheshwar Sahu remained present before the court and the government also filed an affidavit along with ATR.
According to the affidavit, government has formed a special task force and grievance redressal committee at state and district levels through a notification dated January 17.

The government further said it will hold police personnel, revenue staff and officers of Geology and Mining department of the concerned area accountable and liable for negligence, if there was detection of illegal mining activities in their area.

World losing biodiversity at unprecedented rate: UN

Chennai, Jan 7 (IANS) The extinction of biodiversity due to global warming is thousand times higher than natural extinction and irreparable degradation may take place if ecosystems are pushed beyond certain tipping point, a UN official said here Friday.Citing the third report on Global Biodiversity Outlook, Ahmed Djoghlaf, executive secretary of UN Convention on Biological Diversity, said that the state of main ecosystem is particularly worrying as increasing impacts of climate change and ocean acidification are becoming apparent.


“We are losing our biodiversity thousand times faster than natural extinction, leading to widespread and irreversible loss of natural ecosystem,” Djoghlaf said while addressing a session on Biodiversity-Focus on Fragile Coastal Ecosystem at the Indian Science Congress here.

He said that in October 2010, the international community had gathered at the convention’s 10th meeting of the Conference of Parties (CoP 10) at Nagoya, Japan, to adopt a new strategic plan for protecting the biodiversity during 2011-2020 period.

“Building on our success and failures to date, the new strategic plan incorporates a 2020 biodiversity target and sub-target, and contains a means of implementation as well as a monitoring and evaluation mechanism,” he said.

The UN official called for Indian research community becoming a leader in achieving Nagoya vision. India will host the next meeting on Conference of Parties (CoP 11) in 2012.

“The stakes could not be higher, what we do, or fail to do, over the next 10 years will influence the well-being and prosperity of billions of people for generation to come,” he added.

10 held for fishing near turtle nesting site

Bhubaneswar, Jan 8 (IANS) Ten fishermen were arrested for fishing near the prohibited area of the Gahirmatha turtle nesting site in Orissa’s Kendrapada district, an official said Saturday.The men were fishing using a mechanised trawler near the Gahirmatha marine sanctuary, about 175 km from here, Friday evening.


“Police and wildlife officials arrested them. The fishermen will be produced before a local court,” Divisional Forest Officer (wildlife) Manoj Mohapatra told IANS.

He said the trawler was seized.

Gahirmatha is one of the world’s largest turtle nesting sites, where 700,000-800,000 endangered Olive Ridley turtles arrive and congregate in the sea waters between October and November and nest between December and March.

Thousands of turtles get killed every year mostly by mechanized trawlers. The Orissa government has imposed a seven-month fishing ban along 120 km of the state’s 480 km coastline from Nov 1 to May 31.