Latest news with #FDCM
Time of India
18 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
Gorewada herbivores get maize bonanza from its in-house farm
Nagpur: Lush green maize fields sway in the pre-monsoon winds on the land owned by the Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM), part of a unique experiment to provide herbivores at Gorewada Zoo with nutritious and varied food. Started last year, these in-house farms at Gorewada are meeting part of the herbivores' daily food requirements. Sarika Khot, an ACF-rank official who is currently posted as assistant manager of Gorewada Zoo, said, "Animals are similar to humans when it comes to food; they love variety. And we wanted to not only add to their already varied food but also introduce new items." To revamp the menu for herbivores, officials at Gorewada Zoo took up planting crops on a patch of land adjacent to the zoo's entrance. The current crop, maize, is something that herbivores are relishing. Khot said, "Every morning, a vehicle comes here to harvest fresh maize. Immediately afterwards, it's taken to the herbivore enclosure for feeding. The moment the herbivores see this, they chomp down on it. Whatever we put there is consumed instantly." The current land is being harvested in phases. Khot said, "It's a rotational-based system. You have plantation being done on one patch, then at the next, you will see saplings growing bigger, and finally, the next patch has fully grown crops which are ready for harvest." The fenced-off farm has been made herbivore-proof. Khot said, "Since we have forests all around, deer move around in this range, and they were jumping over six-foot fences. So we dug up a moat-like hole around the fence so that they don't get the platform to propel their jump." Similarly, the base of the fence was reinforced with sand/mud/clay-filled bags as wild boars were breaking in. With all systems in place, the crops are in full bloom. After the success of their unique experiment, Gorewada Zoo officials are set to expand the crop base. Khot said, "The adjoining fields are almost ready, and soon we will begin plantation with new crops."
Time of India
7 days ago
- Time of India
Elephant kills elderly farmer in Sindewahi
1 2 3 Chandrapur: A 60-year-old farmer from Jatlapur village in Sindewahi tehsil was killed in an elephant attack early Sunday morning, triggering panic across nearby villages. This is the first human fatality caused by a pair of wild elephants that have been roaming the Gadchiroli-Chandrapur forest belt for the past several weeks. This is the 26 human casualty in wild animal attacks in Chandrapur district this year. Previously all the victims were killed by tigers. The deceased, identified as Maroti Kawadu Masram, a resident of Jatlapur, was killed in a forest patch under compartment no. 168 of the FDCM Sindewahi forest range around 6.30 am. Deputy conservator of forests (DCF) Rakesh Sepat, Brahmapuri Forest Division, said, "The victim was attending nature's call when the elephants encountered him. One of the elephants lifted him and threw him, resulting in his death. There were no signs of trampling, to suggest the hostile behaviour of elephants. " A few farmers heading to their fields for paddy sowing reportedly saw the elephants emerging from the forest soon after. Villagers rushed to the spot and alerted local authorities. Police personnel from Sindewahi police station and forest officials from FDCM sent the body for post-mortem. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Škoda: Tu coche al mejor precio Škoda Canarias Más información Undo Following the attack, forest department officials launched efforts to trace and monitor the elephants. DCF Sepat said that villagers in surrounding areas have been warned to stay away from the forest and take necessary precautions to avoid encounters with the tuskers. Other forest officials confirmed that the victim's family has been given ex-gratia aid of Rs25,000. Sources said that by Sunday afternoon, the elephants movement were traced to be heading towards Brahmapuri. The tuskers had re-entered the Saoli forest range from Gadchiroli district on Friday and then moved into Sindewahi forests under the Bramhapuri forest division. This is the second time in 15 days that the same elephants have crossed into Chandrapur. In late May, the duo entered the Saoli forest range after crossing the Wainganga river and even reached the core area of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve before returning to Gadchiroli. These elephants had originally travelled from Odisha through the forests of Chhattisgarh in the second week of May. Notably, the same pair was seen roaming on the streets of Gadchiroli city on the night of May 24. The incident has sparked outrage and fear among local residents. Villagers have demanded immediate action from the forest department to capture or control the elephants and prevent further loss of human life.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Rs286 crore tiger safari project in Chandrapur gets Maha govt nod
Chandrapur: In what could transform Chandrapur as a key wildlife tourism hub, the Maharashtra government has approved a Rs286 crore tiger safari project spread over 171ha. The project has been entrusted to Maharashtra Forest Development Corporation (FDCM) Gorewada Zoo Limited. The proposed tiger safari will feature three distinct thematic zones — Australian Trail, South American Trail, and Indian Trail — each spread over 5ha. These trails will allow tourists to explore on foot, offering an immersive experience of exotic and native wildlife in naturalistic habitats. Notably, 44ha has been earmarked for vehicle-based safaris, providing visitors with an up-close view of animals in a secure environment. A 20-acre children's park and other tourist-friendly amenities will be developed on the safari premises. The project is expected to serve as a major tourism draw, while also contributing significantly to the local economy. Foreign species will be a highlight of the safari. The Australian Trail will feature kangaroos, cassowaries, wallabies, laughing kookaburras, and colourful birds. The South American Trail includes jaguars, capuchin monkeys, spider monkeys, capybaras, and vibrant blue and red macaws. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Вот что поза во сне говорит о вашем характере! Удивительные Новости Undo Beyond tourism, the safari is projected to generate substantial employment opportunities. Local youth may find work as guides, safari drivers, zoo staff, and security personnel. Ancillary businesses such as homestays, hotels, eateries, and souvenir shops are also expected to benefit, giving a much-needed boost to Chandrapur's economy. Chandrapur MLA Kishore Jorgewar reviewed the tiger safari project with officials of FDCM Gorewada Zoo Limited at a meeting in Nagpur on Friday. The meeting was attended by acting CEO Shatnik Bhagwat and other senior officials. The team presented a detailed plan and progress report of the Rs 286 crore project.
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Time of India
Tiger remains found buried in Kuhi
Nagpur: Remains of a tiger were found buried under Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM) in Kuhi. This discovery happened on May 9, completely by chance when some forest labourers were returning after finishing their work. They saw something which resembled a bone and near it was a spot of mud piled up. Upon digging they found some more parts of an animal. Authorities were informed but since it was already sunset, and National Tiger Conservation Authority 's standard operating procedures (SOPs) do not allow any work to continue, further action was deferred till Saturday, forest officials found tiger skin and it was beyond doubt that the remains were of a tiger. Further investigation is going on. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
FDCM's teak dreams shrink as forest area expands
Nagpur: In the last 25 years, almost one lakh hectares of land under Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra ( FDCM ) has been diverted for expansion of forest reserves. Of this, almost 70,000 hectares has been handed over in the last 13 years. FDCM, a profitable state-owned company with revenue over Rs 200 crores, has been forced to make do with less and less land for growing the highly priced is a teak deficient country, with annual imports estimated at 90,000 cubic meters (TOI report-Sept 9, 2020).FDCM a professionally managed company, which pays steady dividend to Maharashtra govt out of its profits, is potentially losing out on revenue generation opportunities because of land diversion for forest Nagpur-headquartered company scientifically plants teakwood in such a manner that every year the harvest continues, with cycles ranging from 20-30 years. Operation Sindoor PM Modi meets NSA, chiefs of armed forces amid spike in tensions with Pak India's air defence systems shoot down Pak drones in J&K, Punjab & Rajasthan Several airports in India to be closed till May 15 - check list The timber is transported to its depots from where it is auctioned massive teakwood imported by India is an opportunity gap which FDCM is fully poised to capture, but the loss of its single biggest resource – land – is diminishing those the number of tigers in Maharashtra keeps on increasing sharply, the conflict with human habitat also increases. The state govt's easy quick-fix solution has always been to expand the forest area. This can be done either by acquiring private land (villages on periphery) or transferring own land from one department to the such cases, FDCM's land becomes the prime target because of the habitat its professionals cultivate. Unlike the thick vegetation in forest reserves, FDCM regularly 'cleans' its plantation sites to ensure that trees have the best environment to reach their optimum growth. This creates gap between trees and grass grows, which leads to an influx of deers and other herbivores. With such a verdant prey base, the tigers follow. And once tigers settle, the prime revenue generating land becomes a potential candidate to land in the forest department's In the last 25 years, almost one lakh hectares of land under Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM) has been diverted for expansion of forest reserves. Of this, almost 70,000 hectares has been handed over in the last 13 years. FDCM, a profitable state-owned company with revenue over Rs 200 crores, has been forced to make do with less and less land for growing the highly priced is a teak deficient country, with annual imports estimated at 90,000 cubic meters (TOI report-Sept 9, 2020).FDCM a professionally managed company, which pays steady dividend to Maharashtra govt out of its profits, is potentially losing out on revenue generation opportunities because of land diversion for forest Nagpur-headquartered company scientifically plants teakwood in such a manner that every year the harvest continues, with cycles ranging from 20-30 years. The timber is transported to its depots from where it is auctioned massive teakwood imported by India is an opportunity gap which FDCM is fully poised to capture, but the loss of its single biggest resource – land – is diminishing those the number of tigers in Maharashtra keeps on increasing sharply, the conflict with human habitat also increases. The state govt's easy quick-fix solution has always been to expand the forest area. This can be done either by acquiring private land (villages on periphery) or transferring own land from one department to the such cases, FDCM's land becomes the prime target because of the habitat its professionals cultivate. Unlike the thick vegetation in forest reserves, FDCM regularly 'cleans' its plantation sites to ensure that trees have the best environment to reach their optimum growth. This creates gap between trees and grass grows, which leads to an influx of deers and other herbivores. With such a verdant prey base, the tigers follow. And once tigers settle, the prime revenue generating land becomes a potential candidate to land in the forest department's kitty.
