Latest news with #ForestDepartment
The Hindu
7 hours ago
- General
- The Hindu
Farmers call for coordinated action by Central and State governments for mitigation of human-wildlife conflict
Conveying their concern over the persistence of wildlife-human conflict, farmers' associations in Coimbatore and Tiruppur districts have urged the Central and State governments to get their acts together to mitigate the problem. While the Union government must launch a centralised helpline, the State government has to equip the forest personnel with walkie-talkies and other paraphernalia to address the issue, the Tamil Nadu Farmers' Protection Association has emphasised. Citing the recurring instances of human deaths due to attack by elephants in recent months, Eesan Murugasamy, Founder, Tamil Nadu Farmers' Protection Association, said the victims mainly constitute farmers and agricultural workers. The helpline will enable farmers to alert the Forest Department about presence of wild animals outside forest boundaries without loss of time, paving way for prompt action before damage is caused to humans and agricultural crops, Mr. Murugasamy said. Likewise, forest personnel at the field level must be equipped with wireless walkie-talkies for ease of communication with superior officers while patrolling in the forest areas. Farmers in Udumalpet in Tiruppur district and Mettupalayam-Karamadai belt of Coimbatore district who have been facing substantial losses due to damages caused to agricultural and horticultural crops by wild animals called for a decisive categorisation of wild pigs that venture out of the forest areas and destroy crops, and herds that move deep into human habitation and stays put in thickets, in management of human-wildlife conflict. The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, it is learnt, has initiated action for establishment of a Centre of Excellence for human-wildlife conflict management, to find amicable solutions through advanced technologies, including AI, for management of human-wildlife conflicts. Based on interactions with the stakeholders, the ministry has decided to develop appropriate strategies for plausible actions to mitigate human-wildlife conflict. An advisory to deal with human wildlife conflict issued by the ministry during 2021 recommends coordinated interdepartmental action, identification of conflict hotspots, adherence to standard operating procedures, establishment of rapid response teams, formation of State and district level committees to review the quantum of ex-gratia relief, issuing guidance and instructions for expedited payments, and provision of adequate funds for ex-gratia relief to be paid to the affected persons in the case of death and injury. Species-specific guidelines were issued during 2023 for mitigation of conflicts arising from various wild animals: elephant, gaur, leopard, snake, crocodile, Rhesus Macaque, wild pig, bear, blue bull and blackbuck.
New Indian Express
15 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Rare brown bear family spotted in Nelong stretch for first time, thrills wildlife enthusiasts
DEHRADUN: A rare sighting of a Himalayan brown bear, reportedly with its family, in the Nelong and Jadung Valleys has sparked excitement within Gangotri National Park. This significant event, the first observation by park staff in the Dumka area nestled between Nelang and Bhairon Ghati, is hailed as a positive indicator for the park's fragile Himalayan ecosystem and a potential expansion of their range. Forest Department sources indicate areas bordering China, including Gomukh, Tapovan, Kedartal, Nelang, and Jadung, are crucial rare wildlife habitats in Gangotri National Park. These high-altitude regions host elusive species such as snow leopards, brown bears, bharal (blue sheep), and red foxes. While snow leopards and bharal are frequently seen near Gangotri, Harsil, and Bhairon Ghati, brown bears typically prefer altitudes above 3,000 meters. Previously, park staff recorded six brown bears in Gomukh and three in Kedartal. However, the recent discovery during a routine patrol by park employees at Dumka marks the first observation of a brown bear in the stretch between Nelang and Bhairon Ghati. Forest Ranger Rajveer Rawat shed light on the significance of the sighting, stating, "While brown bears have been seen multiple times in Gomukh and Kedartal, their appearance towards Nelang and Jadung is a remarkable event after many years."
Hans India
a day ago
- General
- Hans India
Over 8.5 lakh registered for Mega Yogandhra
Rajamahendravaram: As part of the 'Yogandhra' programme, the main district-level event will be held near the Arts College on the Grand Trunk Road here on Friday, announced district collector P Prasanthi. She said that yoga sessions will be conducted at 14 different locations across the city under the supervision of various government departments. The Forest Department has made special arrangements for the Yogandhra programme in a large scale at Nagaravanam, located in the Diwancheruvu area. Highlighting the scale of participation, the collector informed that over 8.51 lakh people are expected to take part in the Yogandhra programme across more than 5,500 locations in the district. District officials urged people to actively take part in the programme and make yoga a part of their daily routine for a healthier lifestyle. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, in a video conference held on Thursday, reviewed the progress of the ongoing 'Yogandhra' campaign with district collectors across the state. He emphasised that the month-long programme has now entered its final phase and stressed the need for effective coordination during the last two days to ensure maximum participation and impact. During the interaction, Collector Prasanthi informed the Chief Minister that the district had set a target of enrolling 7,71,000 participants, but exceeded expectations with 8,61,979 people registering for the programme.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
5 unique animals that came back from the brink of extinction
Several species, once on the brink of extinction, are making remarkable comebacks due to dedicated conservation efforts. India's Asiatic lion population has surged to 891, while gharial numbers are now between 2,000 and 2,500. The Iberian lynx has rebounded to over 2,400, and the Arabian oryx, once extinct in the wild, now exceeds 1,000. Living beings have been inhabiting the Earth for centuries. And each creature has been adapting and advancing according to the changes in the environment. While most of the creatures and their successors moved ahead with changing scenarios, not all of those animals were able to make it amid rising poaching numbers, habitat destruction or global warming. But nature is often full of surprises, and some creatures still managed to come back from the brink of extinction through persistent conservation efforts, some hope, and the resilience of nature itself. These comebacks did not happen overnight; behind each animal's return lies decades of hard work, led by scientists, governments, and local communities. Efforts like captive breeding, habitat restoration and strong legal protections, and public awareness campaigns played a necessary role in reviving public support and changing policies. However, challenges remain, and not every species is out of danger. Here are five wild animals that made a comeback from extinction Asiatic lion Found only in India, the Asiatic lion once roamed much of Asia but was nearly wiped out, with just 18 individuals recorded in 1893. Thankfully, because of the strict protection and conservation efforts in Gujarat's Gir Forest, their numbers are now estimated to be 891, from the previous 674, five years ago, according to the latest census conducted in May 2025 by the Gujarat Forest Department. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced the new figures in Gandhinagar on May 21. He also mentioned that lions are now being found far beyond the Gir National Park, their traditional home. "The increase of 217 lions is notable, but what is equally important is their expanded presence across 11 districts in the Saurashtra region, including coastal and non-forested areas," he said. Gharial By the 1970s, fewer than 300 gharials remained in India's rivers, resulting in the launch of dedicated breeding and release programmes. According to the ongoing conservation program in Kukrail Gharial Rehabilitation Centre, eggs collected from the Chambal River were reared at the centre, then released into the wild. The current official estimate of the Indian gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) population in the wild is between 2,000 and 2,500 individuals, as reported during the 50‑year celebration of gharial conservation efforts on World Crocodile Day by India's Forest Department and the Society for Conservation of Nature. Iberian lynx Once down to only 94 wild individuals in 2002, the Iberian lynx has made an amazing recovery. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), there were 648 mature individuals by 2022. By 2023, Spain and Portugal had a total of 2,021 lynxes, and the 2024 Spain census reported 2,407 total individuals, which marked a total of a 19% increase in one year. Though now listed as "Vulnerable" by IUCN, Spain still considers the lynx legally endangered due to ongoing threats like habitat loss and roadkill. Oryx The Arabian oryx was declared extinct in the wild by 1972, with fewer than 20 surviving in captivity. According to IUCN, the captive breeding and reintroduction of conservation efforts in Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have helped in increasing their numbers to over 1,000 in the wild today. This success marks the first time a species declared extinct in the wild has been reintroduced successfully. Siberian tiger By the 1940s, Siberian (Amur) tiger numbers had plummeted to just 20–30 in the wild, making them nearly extinct. Since then, strong conservation measures-- like anti-poaching efforts, habitat protection, and the 1992 'Operation Amba' campaign-- have helped in increasing their population. In Russia's Far East, recent censuses estimate around 550–600 wild tigers, while WWF reports approximately 508 Amur tigers country-wide. Image credits: Wikimedia commons, Canva
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Illegal forest land acquisition case: ED freezes assets worth Rs 44 crore in raids on properties of contractor JM Mhatre
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has frozen bank balances, fixed deposits and mutual funds to the tune of approximately Rs 44 crore and seized cash amounting to Rs 16.5 lakh after raiding the properties belonging to contractor J M Mhatre of J M Mhatre Infrastructure Private Limited in Dadar and Panvel on Tuesday in connection with the money laundering case linked to the alleged illegal acquisition of forest land in Navi Mumbai. Apart from this, a large number of incriminating documents have also been seized by ED, the central agency stated on Wednesday. The search operation was aimed at unearthing the land scam and tracing the proceeds of the crime, ED said. Mhatre, a long-time member of the Peasants and Workers Party (PWP), has previously served as the chairperson of the Panvel Municipal Council, prior to its upgrade to a municipal corporation. Having spent the majority of his political career with the PWP, Mhatre made a significant shift in May this year when he, along with his son, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in the presence of BJP working president Ravindra Chavan and Cabinet Minister Ashish Shelar. The central agency's case against Mhatre is based on the complaint filed by the range forest officer of the Forest Department in Uran under the Alibagh division in September 2024 at the Panvel Police Station. As per the Panvel police's FIR, the accused illegally acquired the government forest land by making a duplicate entry in the mutation in 2005. According to ED, the case against Mhatre and Saiyyed Mohammad Abdul Hamid Qadri pertains to the illegal acquisition of forest land and its subsequent illegal transfer to NHAI and the wrong claim of land compensation by the accused. The land in question is at Survey Numbers 427/1 (area 41.70 hectares) and 436/1 (area 110.60 hectares) of Mauje Vahal, Taluka Panvel, Dist-Raigad (subject land). ED stated in a release that their investigation has revealed that the said land was acquired by the Government of Maharashtra in 1975 under relevant provisions of the Maharashtra Private Forests (Acquisition) Act, 1975, and thereafter the name of the owner in the 7/12 extract was changed to the Forest Department, Government of Maharashtra. Subsequently, the mutation entry of the subject land has been tampered with, and the owner name, viz. Forest Department, Government of Maharashtra, was replaced with that of the accused illegally. Some parcels of land were illegally sold to NHAI, for which Mhatre received illegal compensation of Rs 42.4 crore and Qadri received illegal compensation of Rs 9.69 crore. This pertains to the alleged illegal acquisition of forest land and its subsequent illegal transfer to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the ED stated.
