Complaining about environmental pollution and difficulty faced due to the very dirty Chandrabhaga river, residents of Ranip area have moved Gujarat high court by filing a public interest litigation.
The PIL contends that solid waste is being dumped in the ravines of Chandrabhaga at Ranip and the river carries polluted water from upstream - from Tragad, Kaligam and Chainpur villages. The dumped waste and polluted stream have created a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.
The PIL contends that residents of Ninjaripunj Co-operative Housing Society have been suffering due to this environmental pollution for the last ten years and they have repeatedly made representations before various authorities. But the administration hasn't heeded to their requests.
The PIL has also highlighted that due to garbage dumping, the stream has been obstructed and with percolation of dirty water, the area now does not have potable drinking water. It further claims that the results of water quality assessment conducted by the civic body reflected that the water extracted from ground from nearby the stream was not potable.
The petitioners have also complained about the similar phenomenon at the Sabarmati river, of which the Chandrabhaga is a tributary. They have requested the court to direct authorities like the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, state government, health department, Gujarat Pollution Control Board and environment and forest department to take remedial measures to improve the situation.
The PIL is to come up for hearing on Friday.
Meanwhile, in connection with another PIL, the authorities have assured the high court that it would redress a similar issue near the Dandi bridge area over Chandrabhaga. The HC had taken suo motu cognizance of the issue after a fire damaged the historic structure last year. The civic body has placed its plan of laying down a drainage line and setting up two pumping stations in this area.
by : times of india
Friday, April 12, 2013
Rajasthan gets third tiger reserve
The Rajasthan government has notified the Mukundra hills sanctuary as the third tiger reserve in the state.The reserve area will be over 759 sq km spread between four districts of Kota, Bundi,Chittorgarh and Jhalawar near theRanthambore tiger reserve. "Nearly 417 sq km have been earmarked as the core tiger habitat, while 342.82 sq km has been notified as the buffer zone," senior a forest official. The other two tiger reserves of Ranthambore and Sariskahave a core area nearly thrice this size.
"With powers bestowed under Section 38 V of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, we have declared Mukundra hills national park as a tiger reserve. When the budget announcement was made last financial year, we had taken the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) into confidence. Now that we have declared it as a reserve, we will be forwarding the notification to them," said A S Brar, head of forest forces and chief wildlife warden, Rajasthan.
The Section 38V of the Wildlife Protection Act says that the state government shall, on the recommendation of the Tiger Conservation Authority, notify an area as a tiger reserve. The state government has received an in-principle nod from the NTCA.
According to Brar, a three-member expert committee had been constituted under the then chief wildlife warden A Choubey which included a member from the state wildlife board and the chief conservator of forests, Kota, which surveyed the area and consulted the gram sabha. Consultation with the gram sabha is necessary, as under the law, the core area of the reserve is to be an inviolate space and all villages have to be relocated. However, the law permits man and animal to co-exist with some restriction on commercial activities.
The core area of the Mukundra reserve currently has six villages, two of which are uninhabited. Eventually all these villages will have to be relocated funded by the NTCA. The sanctuary currently has wolves, sloth bear, chinkaras and leopards.
"After the declaration of the area as a tiger reserve, NTCA will also give funds for developing the forest area," said an official.
The Mukundra hill sanctuary was already declared as the satellite core area of Ranthambore reserve by the NTCA and Tigers often stray into the area. "The objective was always to link this to Ranthambore so as to let the tigers that stray from the park come and breed here. It was the next best forest after Ranthambore for rehabilitation of tigers. But we have went a step ahead and declared it as a reserve itself," said the official.
Officials added that at a later stage, tigers will be relocated from Ranthambore reserve so as to provide optimum space to the big cats. Before that the annual working plan for the development and management of the reserve will have to be approved by the NTCA.
105 whale sharks rescued in last two years along Gujarat coast
The forest department and the rescue teams along the Gujarat coast have rescued 105 whale sharks in the last two years.
Minister of state for forest and environment Govind Patel told the House in a written reply to Asarwa MLA Rajnikanth Patel's question that as on December 31, 2012, a compensation of Rs 7.60 lakh was paid to fishermen whose nets were damaged in shark rescue exercise.
The minister said that whale shark protection campaign was on in the state. An officer of the department said that Saurashtra coast was now globally known as breeding site of whale shark. Hunting of the whale shark was an important fishing activity in Saurashtra coast as it fetched substantial earning to the fishermen community.
The forest department and naturalists joined hands and hunting was banned in 2001, in Gujarat, after it became the first fish to be listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The state forest department, along with the Wildlife Trust of India, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, and other local NGOs and nature lovers launched a whale shark protection campaign in the state which turned as a role model for conservation.
Morari Bapu was roped in as an ambassador for the project. He went to Dwarka and blessed a whale shark. Although Rs 25,000 is paid for each rescue, the loss to the fishermen was higher.
by:times of india
Minister of state for forest and environment Govind Patel told the House in a written reply to Asarwa MLA Rajnikanth Patel's question that as on December 31, 2012, a compensation of Rs 7.60 lakh was paid to fishermen whose nets were damaged in shark rescue exercise.
The minister said that whale shark protection campaign was on in the state. An officer of the department said that Saurashtra coast was now globally known as breeding site of whale shark. Hunting of the whale shark was an important fishing activity in Saurashtra coast as it fetched substantial earning to the fishermen community.
The forest department and naturalists joined hands and hunting was banned in 2001, in Gujarat, after it became the first fish to be listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The state forest department, along with the Wildlife Trust of India, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, and other local NGOs and nature lovers launched a whale shark protection campaign in the state which turned as a role model for conservation.
Morari Bapu was roped in as an ambassador for the project. He went to Dwarka and blessed a whale shark. Although Rs 25,000 is paid for each rescue, the loss to the fishermen was higher.
by:times of india
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Railway police rescue around 115 turtles stuffed in jute bag from Doon Express
HOOGLY: The railway police in West Bengal has rescued nearly 115 turtles stuffed in five bags that were being allegedly smuggled on Friday at Hoogly station.
The turtles were being smuggled from Varanasi to Kolkata on Doon Express.
Officer in charge in Central Railway Police Force (CRPF), Amalendu Biswas said that the person carrying the turtles was detained.
"We had received information that some turtles were being brought in a train. So, we rescued them and detained the person carrying them. Once the procedures are over, we will hand over the turtles to the forest officials," said Biswas.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Water Conservation, it's needed
A step to conserve water is the step to secure the future. The most essential among all the natural resources on earth is water. A drop of water is worth more than a sack of gold for the thirsty man. If each one of us make efforts to save water today , it will save us later. Water conservation is the most effective and environmentally sound method to fight global warming. Water conservation is what that can reduce the scarcity of water. It aims to improve the efficiency of use of water, and reduce losses and waste.
Tips to save water :
Avoid leakage of water from the taps.
Turn the tap off when not in use especially when you brush your teeth or wash clothes.
Rainwater harvesting is the another method to conserve water.
The water supply should be limited in those areas which enjoys the unlimited water supplies.
Check the leakage of water in the toilets. Also get check the hidden water leaks.
Educate the mind of the people in the rural areas to save the water.
Promote the conservation of water through media and wall posters.
Never throw the water unnecessary on roads which can be used for gardening and cleaning.
Avoid unnecessary flushing the toilets. Dispose off the tissues, cigarettes and other waste into the bin instead of toilets.
Use minimum amount of water to bath.
Water Waste restrictions.
Improvement in the water distribution system.
Water your lawn only when it is needed.
Use a broom instead of hose to clean the sidewalks or to wash the car.
Capture the water that is leaking and repair it as soon as possible.
You can use washing machine to wash clothes that does not consume much water.
Donot leave the tap running while washing the dishes in the kitchen.
Install small shower heads to reduce the flow of water.
Benefits to Conserve water :
If you save water it can save your money bills.
Reduction in interior water use cuts waste water flows, especially overflowing of gutters which contaminates the environment.
Environment benefits include eco system and habitat protection.
Water conservation helps in improving the quality of your drinking water.
Technical methods to conserve water :
Rainwater Harvesting :
Rainwater harvesting is the gathering and collection of water from the rooftop. The traditional method of rain water harvesting is the most effective and simple way to conserve the water. It means utilization of rain water for the domestic as well as agricultural purposes. There are three technical methods of rain water harvesting such as Catchment, Conveyance and storage.
Historical Water Bodies :
There are many traditional water bodies which have been in disuse for the longer time. These bodies can be reused as the recharging points.
Ponds :
Steps should be taken to avoid dumping of sewage into the village ponds. Efforts need to be made to deepen these ponds with the dragline machines. Garbage and other waste sholud not be dumped into the ponds.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
NH-7 project upgrade to abide by wildlife protection norms....
NAGPUR: After recommending seven elevated structures on NH-6 that cuts through vital tiger populations of Central India, the Wildlife Institute of India
(WII), Dehradun, while reviewing NHAI's revised proposal for
four-laning of NH-7, has recommended additional structures with 7-metre
height.
The WII has also kept the option to use alternative Seoni-Chhindwara route with proper mitigation measures in three forest patches to retain connectivity to Satpuda-Bori-Pench tiger reserves.
On the direction of Supreme Court, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) submitted a modified proposal for diversion of forest land for proposed four-laning of NH-7 between Seoni in Madhya Pradesh and Mansar in Maharashtra.
The court had directed the government to approach the authorities under Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 to consider NHAI's revised proposal. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) discussed the proposal in a technical committee meeting on December 8, 2011, and gave it to the WII for review on NHAI's behalf. A two-member WII team had visited NH-6 and NH-7 from January 25 to February 7.
For four-laning NHAI needs forest land on around 55km patch in South Seoni Forest Division and periphery of Pench Tiger Reserve in MP (Seoni to Khawasa) and in 37km from Pench-Mansinghdeo sanctuary (Deolapar and Mansar). Of the total 89km road, around 60km touches dense forests that are also tiger corridors.
On MP side, NHAI had scaled down its demand for forest land from 71 hectares to 36 hectares. On Maharashtra side, the damage to wildlife and forests would be more severe despite NHAI revising proposal from acquiring 113 hectare to 51 hectare. The NHAI also reduced the right of way (ROW) from 60 metres to 30 metres.
However, WII has said reduction in ROW will increase the probability of animal fatality by vehicles. The reduction in ROW will reduce the number of trees cut without delivering positive impacts for wildlife using the road edge.
The NHAI suggested 39 structures (14 underpasses and 25 pipe/slab/box culverts) in 9km patch passing through Pench but WII recommended 11 underpasses with change in height for all the underpasses from 4 mt to 7 mt and change of width from 70 mt to 200 mt. Similarly, WII has recommended 22 structures for culverts.
The WII says the small structures suggested by NHAI were suitable for animals like amphibians, lizards, snakes and small mammals such as mongoose, civets, but not for big mammals like leopards, tigers and bisons.
Studies conducted by the environmental impact assessment cell (EIAC) of the WII concluded that there were well established crossing zones for wildlife animals on different locations in the section. The WII recommended 5 additional structures 600 to 800 metres in length and 7 metres in height on section passing through South Seoni Forest Division.
On Maharashtra side, NHAI suggested construct six underpasses - four of 7 by 3.5 metres and two of 12 by 5.5 metres, besides, 15 bridges of varied dimensions and 17 box and slab culverts.
The WII says height of these underpasses and bridges should not be less than 7 metres. Based on site inspection by its team, WII has recommended 10 additional structures ranging from 200 to 2,000 mt length and with 7 metres height.
The WII is also open to using alternative Seoni-Chhindwara route and retaining two-lane road along Pench.
The Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), which is fighting to protect the vital corridor, says the existing NH-7 can be used from Nagpur to Amdi and can be joined to NH-26B via Parsheoni-Khapa-Saoner.
The tract between Mansar and Seoni should be maintained under forest supervision and control. This road can be used for day traffic and only for locals and not for heavy vehicles. "Large construction work will disturb wildlife and also destroy ecology," WTI officials said.
However, NHAI the alignment via Chhindwara will increase length from 125km to 198km (73km) and involves realignment in 21km of ghat area of forest. Besides, 927 hectares of land, 480 hectares of fresh alignment, 163 hectares for forest alignment and 284 hectares of extra land for widening will be required and will involve felling of 81,500 trees.
WTI says NHAI has already started widening of Chhindwara road and has felled hundreds of trees.
Source by :Times of india
The WII has also kept the option to use alternative Seoni-Chhindwara route with proper mitigation measures in three forest patches to retain connectivity to Satpuda-Bori-Pench tiger reserves.
On the direction of Supreme Court, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) submitted a modified proposal for diversion of forest land for proposed four-laning of NH-7 between Seoni in Madhya Pradesh and Mansar in Maharashtra.
The court had directed the government to approach the authorities under Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 to consider NHAI's revised proposal. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) discussed the proposal in a technical committee meeting on December 8, 2011, and gave it to the WII for review on NHAI's behalf. A two-member WII team had visited NH-6 and NH-7 from January 25 to February 7.
For four-laning NHAI needs forest land on around 55km patch in South Seoni Forest Division and periphery of Pench Tiger Reserve in MP (Seoni to Khawasa) and in 37km from Pench-Mansinghdeo sanctuary (Deolapar and Mansar). Of the total 89km road, around 60km touches dense forests that are also tiger corridors.
On MP side, NHAI had scaled down its demand for forest land from 71 hectares to 36 hectares. On Maharashtra side, the damage to wildlife and forests would be more severe despite NHAI revising proposal from acquiring 113 hectare to 51 hectare. The NHAI also reduced the right of way (ROW) from 60 metres to 30 metres.
However, WII has said reduction in ROW will increase the probability of animal fatality by vehicles. The reduction in ROW will reduce the number of trees cut without delivering positive impacts for wildlife using the road edge.
The NHAI suggested 39 structures (14 underpasses and 25 pipe/slab/box culverts) in 9km patch passing through Pench but WII recommended 11 underpasses with change in height for all the underpasses from 4 mt to 7 mt and change of width from 70 mt to 200 mt. Similarly, WII has recommended 22 structures for culverts.
The WII says the small structures suggested by NHAI were suitable for animals like amphibians, lizards, snakes and small mammals such as mongoose, civets, but not for big mammals like leopards, tigers and bisons.
Studies conducted by the environmental impact assessment cell (EIAC) of the WII concluded that there were well established crossing zones for wildlife animals on different locations in the section. The WII recommended 5 additional structures 600 to 800 metres in length and 7 metres in height on section passing through South Seoni Forest Division.
On Maharashtra side, NHAI suggested construct six underpasses - four of 7 by 3.5 metres and two of 12 by 5.5 metres, besides, 15 bridges of varied dimensions and 17 box and slab culverts.
The WII says height of these underpasses and bridges should not be less than 7 metres. Based on site inspection by its team, WII has recommended 10 additional structures ranging from 200 to 2,000 mt length and with 7 metres height.
The WII is also open to using alternative Seoni-Chhindwara route and retaining two-lane road along Pench.
The Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), which is fighting to protect the vital corridor, says the existing NH-7 can be used from Nagpur to Amdi and can be joined to NH-26B via Parsheoni-Khapa-Saoner.
The tract between Mansar and Seoni should be maintained under forest supervision and control. This road can be used for day traffic and only for locals and not for heavy vehicles. "Large construction work will disturb wildlife and also destroy ecology," WTI officials said.
However, NHAI the alignment via Chhindwara will increase length from 125km to 198km (73km) and involves realignment in 21km of ghat area of forest. Besides, 927 hectares of land, 480 hectares of fresh alignment, 163 hectares for forest alignment and 284 hectares of extra land for widening will be required and will involve felling of 81,500 trees.
WTI says NHAI has already started widening of Chhindwara road and has felled hundreds of trees.
Source by :Times of india
Karnataka government flouts green laws in Bandipur, plans a building
Government-owned Jungle Lodges and Resorts (JLR), a unit involved in eco-tourism, is planning to raise permanent structures at its resort on the fringes of Bandipur Tiger Sanctuary in gross violation of norms pertaining to eco-sensitive zones.
As per the guidelines and rules worked out by the ministry of forest and environment and Project Tiger authorities, no commercial activity can be taken up in eco-sensitive zones. Even the raising of permanent structures related to commercial ventures is prohibited. If villagers or locals plan to build/ alter their houses/ bungalows, they have to seek permission of a committee constituted for the purpose.
But in violation of all such norms and guidelines, JLR authorities at Melkamanahalli unit are planning to build staff quarters and other structures to improve the facilities for tourists and resort employees. There are also plans to build a compound and parking unit for vehicles.
When contacted, Bandipur Tiger Sanctuary director Kumar Pushkar said according to a communication received by him, JLR authorities have decided to drop the construction of staff quarters with the plan going against the norms on eco-sensitive zones. "Earlier, they had decided to build the quarters and started related works. But they have stopped now," he said, adding that no commercial activity or work related to commercial ventures will be allowed in 3-6-km radius of the sanctuary.
However, JLR MD Anu Reddy tried to defend himself, saying that they are going ahead with work on the staff quarters. "Building staff quarters is not a commercial activity," he said, adding: "We have dropped the idea of building a compound wall. We have now decided to put chicken mesh around the resort and create parking space at a place adjoining the resort." He said Chamarajanagar district administration has allotted the land for the purpose. "We are not violating any rule related to eco-sensitive zones," he said.
Source By : Times of india
As per the guidelines and rules worked out by the ministry of forest and environment and Project Tiger authorities, no commercial activity can be taken up in eco-sensitive zones. Even the raising of permanent structures related to commercial ventures is prohibited. If villagers or locals plan to build/ alter their houses/ bungalows, they have to seek permission of a committee constituted for the purpose.
But in violation of all such norms and guidelines, JLR authorities at Melkamanahalli unit are planning to build staff quarters and other structures to improve the facilities for tourists and resort employees. There are also plans to build a compound and parking unit for vehicles.
When contacted, Bandipur Tiger Sanctuary director Kumar Pushkar said according to a communication received by him, JLR authorities have decided to drop the construction of staff quarters with the plan going against the norms on eco-sensitive zones. "Earlier, they had decided to build the quarters and started related works. But they have stopped now," he said, adding that no commercial activity or work related to commercial ventures will be allowed in 3-6-km radius of the sanctuary.
However, JLR MD Anu Reddy tried to defend himself, saying that they are going ahead with work on the staff quarters. "Building staff quarters is not a commercial activity," he said, adding: "We have dropped the idea of building a compound wall. We have now decided to put chicken mesh around the resort and create parking space at a place adjoining the resort." He said Chamarajanagar district administration has allotted the land for the purpose. "We are not violating any rule related to eco-sensitive zones," he said.
Source By : Times of india
2 dead leopards found in canal....
Two leopards were found dead in a canal of Surajwadi dam on the outskirts of Luvara village in Savarkundla taluka of Amreli district on Wednesday morning.
The incident came to light when resident of Luvara village Bhavesh Chandu spotted suspicious carcasses floating in the canal water. Chandu soon informed other villagers and forest department officials about the incident.
Savarkundla forest range officials reached the spot and fished out the leopards' carcasses from the water with the help of local villagers.
According to forest officials, both leopards were male and about an year-old. Primary investigation suggests they may have accidently fell into the water and drowned. However, we will be able to know the exact reason after the postmortem.
Forest officials said there are about eight leopards in the area. In fact, Luvara villagers informed the forest department officials about the presence of leopards around their village a few days ago.
Earlier, on Tuesday, two-year-old lioness was found dead in mysterious circumstances in Raydi-Pati village of Khambha taluka.
Source by : Times of india
The incident came to light when resident of Luvara village Bhavesh Chandu spotted suspicious carcasses floating in the canal water. Chandu soon informed other villagers and forest department officials about the incident.
Savarkundla forest range officials reached the spot and fished out the leopards' carcasses from the water with the help of local villagers.
According to forest officials, both leopards were male and about an year-old. Primary investigation suggests they may have accidently fell into the water and drowned. However, we will be able to know the exact reason after the postmortem.
Forest officials said there are about eight leopards in the area. In fact, Luvara villagers informed the forest department officials about the presence of leopards around their village a few days ago.
Earlier, on Tuesday, two-year-old lioness was found dead in mysterious circumstances in Raydi-Pati village of Khambha taluka.
Source by : Times of india
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