IFS officer red-flags ‘country's costliest' Miyawaki project
Dehradun: A proposal by Dehradun forest division to implement a Miyawaki plantation at an estimated cost of Rs 52 lakh per hectare raised serious concerns, prompting whistleblower Indian Forest Service (IFoS) officer Sanjiv Chaturvedi to call for an immediate probe into the unusually high expenditure.
In a letter sent in April 2025 to the head of forest force Dhananjai Mohan, Chaturvedi, currently chief conservator of forests (research wing), termed the cost "potentially the highest in the country for such a project". He flagged a proposed 18,333 sapling purchase cost of Rs 100 each for three years, compared to the forest department's research wing's standard rate of Rs 10 for saplings grown in nurseries.
Chaturvedi Miyawaki initiative in Kalsi, Dehradun, received praise from the former director general of forests of the ministry of environment, forest and climate change, CP Goyal, in 2023.
As part of that project, which addressed soil erosion issues, 9,000 saplings of 70 native species were grown on over one hectare at a cost of around Rs 14 lakh. He also flagged a similar proposal in the Mussoorie forest division, where the plan included planting 7-8 ft tall saplings worth Rs 100-400 each.
That project, pegged at Rs 4.25 crore over five years, was deemed "scientifically flawed and financially excessive".
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Calcula cuánto podrías ganar invirtiendo en CFD de AES
ofertas especiales
Registrarse
Undo
Chaturvedi recommended limiting it to 2 hectares and suggested six alternative sites of 1 hectare each in Mussoorie.
In response, Uttarakhand forest minister Subodh Uniyal assigned senior officer Kapil Lal to investigate the matter. "In Dehradun, preliminary work like pit digging and manure application was done. In Mussoorie, funds were surrendered on March 31 and saplings were not purchased. An inquiry is underway," Uniyal said on Thursday.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
16 minutes ago
- Time of India
Look beyond Maharashtra Kesari, aim for Olympic medals: CM Fadnavis to state wrestlers
1 2 3 4 Nagpur: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis wanted the Maharashtra Kesari wrestlers to aim higher and bring the glory of legendary Khashaba Jadhav back to the state by winning a medal in the next Olympic Games. Fadnavis was speaking during the inauguration of the Chief Minister's Cup U-15 National Wrestling Championship, which began at the indoor stadium of Divisional Sports Complex in Mankapur on Saturday. On a query raised by Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Sanjay Kumar Singh regarding the performance of senior Maharashtra grapplers compared to their junior counterparts, Fadnavis said that state wrestlers get satisfied after becoming Maharashtra Kesari. Fadnavis wanted the state wrestlers to change that mindset and remained hopeful that in the next Olympic Games, Maharashtra grapplers will win medals for the country. He said that the state govt is committed to bringing international coaches for excellent training and updating necessary infrastructure to fully support the wrestlers. Fadnavis said, "Efforts will be made to involve institutions, foundations, and the corporate sector to make wrestling more professional and glamorous in Maharashtra. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Like kabaddi, wrestling is played across all the small regions of Maharashtra, and it is time to show the world our true value." Speaking further, he emphasised the govt's focus on wrestling competitions and highlighted the importance of sports and participation. Fadnavis said Maharashtra's young sportspersons were performing well at the National Games and Khelo India. As far as wrestling is concerned, the junior wrestlers are doing well. But the senior wrestlers are not getting recognition at the international level. Fadnavis wanted the state wrestling association to look into the matter and take all the necessary help from the Maharashtra govt. In his introductory remark, President of the Organising Committee and MLC Sandip Joshi said, "Looking at the success of Nagpur's first national championship, the city is all set and ready to host international wrestling competition." Joshi also asked the CM's approval to build a small multi-sport stadium on the municipal corporation land near Manish Nagar. President of Maharashtra Wrestling Association Ramdas Tadas said that in 2026, Wardha will host the senior national wrestling championship. Minister of state for finance and planning Ashish Jaiswal, President of WFI Sanjay Kumar Singh, former MP Tadas, MLC Kripal Tumare, Working President Sandip Bhondwe, state minister Pankaj Bhoyar, President of Vidarbha Wrestling Association Sanjay Tirathkar, Hindkesri Yogesh Dhoke, Municipal Commissioner Dr Abhijit Choudhary, and others shared the dais. Earlier the members of Amit Yoga Group won the hearts of the audience by presenting thrilling yoga demonstrations. Fadnavis appreciated the performance on the occasion of International Yoga Day.
Time of India
20 minutes ago
- Time of India
BJP has hijacked JDU, Nitish Kumar won't be chief minister after elections: Tejashwi Yadav
"...Everyone in Bihar knows that Nitish Kumar will not be the chief minister after the elections. Amit Shah has clarified this multiple times... The BJP has hijacked the JDU. Sanjay Jha is an RSS person. He is in JDU from Arun Jaitley quota. JDU ticket distribution will also be done by Amit Shah, not Nitish Kumar..." the RJD leader told ANI. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Patna (Bihar) [India], June 21 (ANI): Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Saturday alleged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has taken control of the Janata Dal (United), claiming that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will not retain his post after the upcoming Bihar Assembly reiterated his claims that the BJP will have a decisive say in distribution of assembly tickets by the regional party."...Everyone in Bihar knows that Nitish Kumar will not be the chief minister after the elections. Amit Shah has clarified this multiple times... The BJP has hijacked the JDU. Sanjay Jha is an RSS person. He is in JDU from Arun Jaitley quota. JDU ticket distribution will also be done by Amit Shah, not Nitish Kumar..." the RJD leader told today, Tejashwi Yadav launched a scathing attack on the Janata Dal (United) in poll-bound Bihar, alleging that BJP will have a decisive say in distribution of assembly tickets by the regional a press conference, Yadav also attacked the coalition government over its governance record, asking if it had set up IT parks, SEZ (Special Economic Zone), industrial clusters, semiconductor factories, food processing units or educational hubs in the state. JD(U) and BJP are the leading parties in the ruling coalition in parties in Bihar have talked about "health condition" of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Tejashwi Yadav also took potshots during his presser."Nitish Kumar's unconscious state is a blessing for them. The JDU tickets will also be distributed by Amit Shah... This is confirmed. Sanjay Jha is a BJP-RSS person. He is in JD(U) from the Arun Jaitley quota," Yadav RJD leader accused the Nitish Kumar government of lacking a vision."We will force the government to speak on IT parks, SEZ (Special Economic Zone), industrial clusters, industrial parks, semiconductor factories, food processing units, textile hubs, educational hubs and health cities. This is our vision: all-around development. The government will be forced to pay attention to these topics," he said."Nitish Kumar was there for 20 years, and PM Modi has been there for the last 11 years. Why were the things mentioned above not established? But when Tejashwi comes, he will complete all these works," he Nitish Kumar on Saturday announced that widowed women, senior citizens, and differently abled people covered under Bihar government's Social Security Pension Schemes will now be receiving Rs 1,100 pension per month."I am happy to inform you that under the Social Security Pension Scheme, widowed women, elderly and disabled people will now get a pension of Rs. 1,100 instead of Rs. 400 every month," Nitish Kumar posted on X."All beneficiaries will get a pension at the increased rate from July. It will be ensured that this amount is sent to the account of all beneficiaries on the 10th of the month. This will help one crore nine lakh sixty nine thousand and two hundred and fifty five beneficiaries a lot. The elderly are a precious part of society, and ensuring their dignified living is our top priority. The state government will continue to make efforts in this direction," the post will face assembly polls later this year.
Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Time of India
Dept speeds up appointment of guest teachers in Chamarajanagar
Mysuru: To address the shortage of teaching staff in govt primary and high schools, the department of school education and literacy expedited the appointment of 765 guest teachers across Chamarajanagar. The move aims to ensure the smooth functioning of the schools during the academic year. The process will help the department conduct classes hassle-free without any disturbance to students related to teaching aspects. The district bagged the 27th rank in the SSLC results. This year, the department had made all plans to improve the SSLC results and focus on public exams for 8th class students by giving special attention to guest teacher recruitment. As many as 178 guest teacher posts were vacant in high schools in 2025-26, including 664 in primary schools. The state govt permitted guest teachers for high schools on priority as teachers must prepare their students for public exams. Against the 664 pending in primary schools, state govt permitted only the filling of 583 guest teachers from primary schools. The state govt increased the monthly remuneration to Rs 12,000 for guest teachers of primary schools from Rs 10,000. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo It increased to Rs 12,500 for guest teachers at high schools from Rs 10,500 this year. Speaking to TOI, deputy director of public Instruction Ramachandra Raje Urs said that he gave directions to all block education officers to speed up the recruitment of guest teachers. The department also continued the services of most of the guest teachers from the previous year after considering their performance subject-wise. The process is completed in most schools. A clear direction was given to reject candidates bringing recommendation letters, he said. "As govt started the process of appointment of guest teachers to primary and high schools early, it will help students prepare for exams," said Revanna, a retired teacher of Chilakwadi village.
