Latest news with #Forests
Borneo Post
13-06-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Sandakan to set record with first tree trail
Kugan (seventh from left), Lai (sixth from right) and others during the courtesy call. Dr Chung is sixth from left. SANDAKAN (June 13): A tree tagging system is developed with the assistance of Sabah Forestry Department to mark the upcoming Malaysia Book of Records, the First Historical Tree Trail In Malaysia on June 28. It will be officiated by Sandakan Municipal Council president Walter Kenson. This was revealed during a courtesy call to Datuk Frederick Kagan, the Chief Conservator Forests at his office by Lai King Hang, founder and chairman of Sandakan Heritage Trail yesterday. More than 200 participants from all walks of life are expected to follow the trail starting from Masjid Jamik, pausing at Agnes Keith's House for the official presentation of Malaysia Book of Records Certificate. Forty-two prominent trees within the Sandakan Heritage Trail have been identified, QR coded and tagged for visitors to enjoy the heritage sites and trees too. This significant milestone for Sandakan is organised by Sandakan Heritage Trail Committee and Sandakan Tourism Association STAN with full support from the Sandakan Municipal Council and other voluntary organisations. Present at the courtesy call were Dr Arthur Chung, Deputy Chief Conservator Forests who is also a senior team member of Sandakan Heritage Trail, senior officers of Sabah Forestry Department, representatives from STAN and Sabah Society Sandakan.
Hans India
06-06-2025
- General
- Hans India
Protect saplings to benefit future generations
Rajamahendravaram: As part of World Environment Day celebrations, a major initiative to plant 4 lakh saplings across the district has been launched, district collector P Prasanthi announced on Thursday. She called on everyone to protect these saplings for the benefit of future generations. The main event was held at the Government Arts College campus in Rajahmundry under the aegis of the Forest Department, where the district collector participated as the chief guest. Chief Conservator of Forests BNN Murthy and other senior officials were also present. Speaking on the occasion, collector Prasanthi said the critical impact of climate change, stating that even a two-degree rise in global temperatures could severely disrupt human life. ' The saplings we plant today will grow into mighty trees in 20 years and benefit future generations,' she said. She also urged the public to reduce plastic usage, citing its harmful effects on the environment. MLA Adireddy Srinivas, addressing the gathering, said the coalition government has set a goal of planting one crore saplings across the state to enhance green cover and fight climate change. Municipal Commissioner Ketan Garg warned about the severe environmental damage caused by single-use plastics. He informed that five special enforcement teams consisting entirely of women have been deployed to inspect various warehouses and localities in the city. These teams will seize 10,000 metric tonnes of single-use plastic, he added. Chief Conservator of Forests BNN Murthy noted that the increasing use of plastic is causing drastic changes in the environment. He said that microplastics are entering the human bloodstream through widespread plastic consumption. DFO Srinivas, District School Education Officer K Vasudeva Rao, District Agriculture Officer S Madhava Rao, and District Tribal Welfare Officer KN Jyothi participated in this meeting.
The Hindu
05-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Stalin hands over appointment orders to 1,304 forest staff
As many as 1,304 newly recruited frontline forest personnel were given appointment orders by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin during the World Environment Day event held by the Departments of Environment, Climate Change, and Forests, in Chennai on Thursday. A total of 1,411 recruits were selected through the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission's exams conducted in June 2024. They included 515 forest guards, 192 forest guards with driving licence, and 684 forest watchers. While a total of 1,358 recruits have already reported to their respective divisions, 1,238 were present at the function to formally receive their appointment orders. An additional 66 recruits selected for the Tamil Nadu Forest Plantation Corporation (TAFCORN), also participated in the event. This recruitment is the first large-scale induction into the department since the previous round held between 2019 and 2021, which saw the appointment of only 372 personnel. The Chief Minister also laid the foundation for the Research and Development Centre of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), to be constructed in Guindy at an estimated cost of ₹44 crore. It will house facilities for ambient air quality monitoring, emissions and wastewater monitoring, biomedical and hazardous waste surveillance, and will also feature an integrated environmental laboratory and monitoring unit. Fishnet recovery Mr. Stalin also inaugurated 14 Fishnet Recovery Centres set up in Tamil Nadu's coastal districts as part of the Tamil Nadu Sustainable Habitat for Ocean and Resources Enhancement initiative. These centres, established at a cost of ₹1.75 crore, aim to retrieve abandoned fishing nets from the sea, which pose a serious threat to marine ecosystems. Fishermen involved in collecting these discarded nets are compensated between ₹40 and ₹46 per kg, including a ₹4-₹6 incentive. As of now, over 17,044 kg of fishing nets and plastic waste have been retrieved, with 10,700 kg already recycled, an official release said. To honour exceptional contributions to environmental protection, Mr. Stalin presented awards to top-performing Collectors and District Forest Officers. As many as 38 individuals received the Chief Minister's Waterbody Conservator Award along with ₹1 lakh cash prize. Five industries were recognised with Voluntary Green Rating Certificate for eco-friendly operations and social responsibility. Finance and Environment Minister Thangam Thennarasu, MSME Minister T.M. Anbarasan, Forests Minister R.S. Rajakannappan, Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary to Departments of Environment, Climate Change, and Forests, and diplomats from various countries, including Deputy High Commissioner of the U.K. Halima Holland, were present.
The Hindu
05-06-2025
- The Hindu
Tamil Nadu notifies Greater Flamingo Sanctuary at Dhanushkodi
The Tamil Nadu government has officially declared a Greater Flamingo sanctuary at Dhanushkodi in Ramanathapuram district. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated the sanctuary via video conferencing on the occasion of the World Environment Day event organised by the Departments of Environment, Climate Change and Forests in Chennai on Thursday (June 5, 2025). Thangam Thenarasu, holding additional charge as Minister for Environment, R.S. Rajakannapan, Minister for Forests, and Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary to Departments of Environment, Climate Change, and Forests, participated in the event. The move aims to preserve a critical stopover point along the Central Asian Flyway for thousands of migratory wetland birds. The sanctuary spans 524.7 hectares and encompasses both revenue and forest lands within Rameshwaram taluk. The designated area, part of the ecologically sensitive Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, is home to a variety of ecosystems, including mangroves, sand dunes, mudflats, and marshes. These unique features support a rich biodiversity, from migratory birds and marine life to nesting sea turtles. A Government Order (G.O.) issued on June 4, 2025, by Ms. Sahu, noted that according to the recent 2023-2024 wetland bird survey, the Dhanushkodi region recorded over 10,700 wetland birds, representing 128 species including herons, egrets, sandpipers, and both Greater and Lesser Flamingos. Mangrove species such as Avicennia and Rhizophora dominate the Dhanushkodi lagoon, providing essential breeding grounds and natural defenses against coastal erosion. The sanctuary status is expected to encourage responsible ecotourism, generate local employment, and raise public awareness about wetland conservation, the G.O. said. T.M. Anbarasan, Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Srinivas Reddy, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force), Rakesh Kumar Dogra, Chief Wildlife Warden, also participated.
Indian Express
04-06-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Maharashtra's Chandrapur grapples with surge in tiger attacks: 11 killed in May, 22 deaths reported so far this year
As Maharashtra's Chandrapur district continues to witness a rise in tiger population amid an intense dependency on forests among residents, the region is grappling with an alarming surge in human-wildlife conflict. In the month of May alone, 11 people were killed in tiger attacks. Recent data from forest authorities reveals that between 2021 and May 2025, 173 people have lost their lives in wildlife encounters in the district, a vast majority of which (150) were attributed to tiger attacks. According to official figures, the tiger population in Chandrapur district surged from 34 in 2006 to 223 in 2021, parallel to a broader state-level increase from 103 in 2006 to 444 in 2022. However, this success in conservation has come with significant challenges. Human deaths peaked in 2022 with 53 fatalities, while 2025 has already recorded 22 deaths as of May 31. The bulk of these wildlife encounters in the last five years – 110 of the total 173 – occurred 'within forested zones'. In addition to fatalities, human injuries due to wildlife attacks have also steadily risen, from 76 in 2021 to 314 in 2024, and 129 cases already reported in 2025. Livestock losses are also mounting, with over 10,900 animals killed between 2021 and 2025. Compensation payments to affected individuals for livestock losses have exceeded Rs 122 crore during the same period, with the 2024–25 financial year alone seeing payouts of Rs 31.39 crore. Speaking to The Indian Express, Dr Jitendra Ramgaonkar, Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF), Chandrapur, said, 'This particular period coincides with the collection of tendu leaves, and during May, around 50,000-60,000 people go into the forest, which has more than 150 tigers. That increases the chances of encounter.' He added, 'In this case, the incidents can be avoided if people follow forest advisories, but people don't give importance to these advisories. Even if the department stops them physically, they find another way to enter the forest as it is not walled.' The leaves of the tendu tree are used to make traditional Indian cigarettes or beedis. The tree is also an important source of timber, which is used in construction and furniture making. Dr Ramgaonkar said the entire forest area of the district (excluding wildlife sanctuaries and national parks), is divided into several tendu leaf collection units which are auctioned annually. These units may be purchased by the same or different contractors each year. However, most of the recent wildlife attacks have occurred deep within the forest. He further noted that tenders are floated every year for these units. In certain regions where community forest rights have been officially recognised, the gram sabha acts as both the seller and the decision-making body for choosing the purchaser. Dr Ramgaonkar said the department carried out an exercise where high, moderate, and less sensitive areas of the district were mapped for tiger movement. 'We monitor these movements using the camera traps installed. We deploy our teams where necessary. But if you notice carefully, almost 95 per cent of the incidents are happening in the forest area. Tigers are not coming out and killing people, people are going inside the tiger's area. We need to focus on the fact that if not in the forest, then where should the tigers live?' The department has also observed that in many such incidents, people sleep inside the forest, out in the open. 'These are the things that are difficult to comprehend, and it has become difficult to understand the behaviour of the people. Hence, we need to be very strict about the entry of people into the forest, but unfortunately, we are not able to do that.' Dr Ramgaonkar added, 'There are no tigers lurking around Chandrapur city.' 'We have a large number of Primary Response Teams (PRT) formed with the involvement of the villagers themselves. We have such teams in around 200 villages. Every team has five members. They are trained and provided with security kits. They work as first responders. In case of animal movements, we provide them with the necessary information. They then reach the location and alert the villagers.' Talking about an AI-powered early warning system, he said, 'It has been implemented in 20 villages and it is working. But we can put that system in the interface of the forest and villages, wherever the animal comes from the forest and tries to go into the village. But if people are going deep inside the forest, no system can work there.' Chandrapur district is known for its rich forest cover spread across 4,845.31 sq km. This includes territorial (2,759.74 sq km) forests, Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) (1,321.90 sq km), Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM)-managed (759.65 sq km) and revenue (4.02 sq. km) forests. Administratively, the Chandrapur Forest Circle is divided into three divisions, Chandrapur, Brahmapuri, and Central Chanda, which together comprise 19 forest ranges, 69 forest blocks, and 275 designated forest areas. To address the human-wildlife conflicts, authorities have ramped up response mechanisms. Since July 2023, 22 tigers and leopards have been tranquilised and relocated to safe enclosures, including Kanhargaon Sanctuary, Gorewada Zoo in Nagpur, and the Transit Treatment Centre in Chandrapur. A network of 181 primary and rapid response teams, comprising 917 members, has been deployed across the district's forest divisions to manage emergencies and mitigate threats. Camera traps, now numbering 928 across 275 forest beats, are being used to monitor animal movement, while an advanced wildlife control room operating out of Rambag Colony coordinates real-time responses via the toll-free number 1800 3033. Despite these measures, forest dependency remains a key challenge.
