Latest news with #PCCF
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Bondla Zoo still shut 75 days on as final flu test results awaited
Panaji: Goa's only zoo, located within the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, has been closed to visitors for 2.5 months now. Hopes are high that it may soon reopen, pending the results of the final test conducted on the animals this month. The principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) Kamal Datta confirmed that the latest sample for testing was sent earlier this month to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal. 'We have sent the last sample and we are expecting a report shortly. If this report is negative, we will process the file to the state govt for approval of reopening the zoo,' he said. The Bondla Zoo has remained temporarily closed since April 1, following the deaths of five animals — three civet cats and two jungle cats — between March 6 and 9. The jungle cats tested positive for the avian influenza virus H5N1 in April, while the cause of death in the civet cats remains unknown. As per the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) protocols, the zoo can only reopen after receiving two consecutive negative test reports for the H5N1 virus, confirming that the premises and animals are safe. The NIHSAD, the designated nodal agency for avian flu confirmation in India, has been conducting the tests. While initial external swabs taken from animals — nasal, pharyngeal, and anal/fecal — tested negative, a blood plasma test conducted last month on the surviving pair of jungle cats had shown traces of the virus.
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Haryana aims to rejuvenate 37k hectares of its Aravali region
Gurgaon: Haryana unveiled a comprehensive forest landscape restoration (FLR) initiative on Tuesday to mark World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought. The four Aravali states participated in a workshop in Jodhpur to unveil this plan, which aimed to restore the degraded Aravalis. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This multi-faceted plan by Haryana aims to rejuvenate 37,017 hectares of its Aravali region, where 69.5% of the degraded area is classified as forest land, followed by 13.2% scrubland and 17.3% degraded agriculture land, according to the ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC). The core strategy involves the systematic uprooting of invasive species like Prosopis juliflora, followed by the mixed plantation of indigenous Aravali species. The initiative aims for the plantation of 1,000 plants per hectare, with three plants per trench. Plus, seeding in patches of Aravali species will be done in equal numbers, and bamboos will be planted in areas with good soil depth where continuous contour trenching is feasible. The restoration process includes "scattered pit plantation" or "contour trench plantation" on hilly terrains, and the model is based on natural processes, and rainwater will be conserved in situ with indigenous Aravalli and arid region species comprising 25% of the total plants. "The restoration efforts will be meticulously aligned with existing schemes from multiple ministries, operating under a convergent governance model. This will involve oversight by district collectors and coordination through inter-departmental committees, ensuring a holistic and integrated approach. We will be developing strategies for five Aravalis districts for year-long plans. The plan was discussed in Jodhpur today where the nodal officer for Haryana showcased the plan," Haryana's principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) Vineet Kumar Garg, told TOI. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Joint forest management committees (JFMCs), self-help groups (SHGs), and watershed committees will be a part of the plan with participatory rural appraisals (PRA), detailed mapping exercises, and micro-watershed delineation. Among the state's Aravali districts, Gurgaon has been worst affected by the environmental crisis, accounting for 13,935 hectares (78.6%) of degraded land, 2,322 hectares (13.1%) of scrub, and 1,464 hectares (8.3%) of degraded agricultural land.
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Week-long celebration in Odisha as crocodile conservation turns 50
KENDRAPARA: Come Tuesday, Odisha will commemorate 50 years of its pioneering crocodile conservation projects on World Crocodile Day. In 1975, three conservation projects were launched in the state for as many species - salt-water crocodiles in Bhitarkanika, gharials in Satkosia and muggar in Similipal. These initiatives have gone on to transform reptile conservation in the country. 'The main objective of the crocodile conservation project was to protect their natural habitats and rebuild the population quickly through captive breeding,' said Dr Sudhakar Kar, noted herpetologist and former wildlife researcher of the Forest department. Over five decades, these initiatives have become one of India's most successful wildlife conservation programmes. 'We are happy for the success for which Forest department has decided to celebrate 50th anniversary of Crocodile Conservation Project in the state on June 17 by organising week-long meetings, seminars, workshops, photo exhibitions, quiz and painting competitions,' said principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF), wildlife Prem Kumar Jha. Dr Kar began saltwater crocodile breeding and rearing work in Bhitarkanika in 1975 alongside noted Australian herpetologist Dr H R Bustard. He is continuing his pioneering work even 13 years after retirement. Expressing concern over the increasing human-crocodile conflict in Bhitarkanika, he said forest officials have warned riverside villagers not to venture into creeks and rivers and erected barricades at several ghats to prevent attacks. As per the latest census report, Satkosia gorge is home to 16 gharials, 1,826 salt-water crocodiles reside in Bhitarkanika National Park and around 300 muggers live in the rivers of the state.
Indian Express
13-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Hyderabad Zoo to set up Singapore-model tunnel-like aquarium
Hyderabad's Nehru Zoological Park, which boasts being the country's oldest and with the largest and most diverse animal collection, is gearing up for a new attraction – one of the largest aquariums akin to the famous one in Singapore. An underwater tunnel will take a visitor through the massive aquarium that will have the capacity to hold 3 million litres of water, showcasing diverse marine aquatic life, ranging from sharks to exotic fishes. Sources said the authorities are trying to reach out to marine aquarium specialist firms from Singapore and Australia for investment to build the grand, modern, and immersive tunnel-like aquarium on the one-acre land parcel identified behind the existing aquarium. The zoo authorities have received approval from the Zoo Board and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) for the Rs 50-crore project. 'We are preparing a proposal for approval from the Central Zoo Authority. It will be worked out in a public-private partnership as zoos cannot afford the investment. We have a land and since it(aquarium) has a high potential for visitors, we thought of inviting investors on a revenue-sharing model,' Sunil S Hiremath told It all started a month ago as part of the master plan revision, he added. The zoo authorities have envisaged the project in such a way as to make it an educational and interactive experience for visitors through advanced augmented reality or virtual reality equipment. Currently, officials have studied the Aquatic Gallery in Science City, Ahmedabad (Gujarat), one of the largest in the country, for inspiration. 'The cost of the aquarium would depend on the investor and vendor. We are estimating about Rs 50 crore and hope to operationalise the new aquarium by the end of 2026. We may not become the largest in the country but we wish to offer a world-class experience. The plans are in a very nascent stage,' Hiremath added. Authorities said the nature of the aquarium will be decided based on educational, awareness, and entertainment purposes. For instance, aquariums act as a powerful educational tool by raising awareness on the impacts of increasing carbon emissions, sea pollution, water pollution, and declining aquatic species. 'For Nehru Zoo, our preliminary study shows that the optimum-sized aquarium will be an important addition to the modernisation programme currently undertaken. The research shows that the recently built India's largest modern aquarium in Gujarat Science City is running very successfully and has attracted around 10,00,000 visitors annually,' said a source. A modern aquarium would ideally feature an underwater tunnel aquarium exhibit – exhibiting marine water large and medium-sized exotic species, marine water smaller exhibits of various sizes, fresh water and brackish water exhibits, he added. Located in the older part of Hyderabad, the Nehru Zoological Park houses nearly 2,300 animals, and 194 bird species.
Hans India
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Tribals up in arms against establishment of Tiger Zone
Asifabad: The tribals here are strongly opposing the government's declaration of Kumaram Bheem Asifabad district as a Tiger Zone in the name of Conservation of Forest. 113 blocks and 339 villages under the Asifabad, Sirpur Kagaznagar forest divisions of the district are coming under the Tiger Zone. The government issued GO 49 on the 30th of this month in the name of conservation forest, bringing about 16,000 hectares of land into this. Thus, the government's intention seems to be to protect tigers and wildlife, as well as to preserve the endangered forest wealth. The Tadoba and Tippeshwar sanctuaries in Maharashtra, which are neighboring the forest area of the district, are adjacent. From there, big tigers come and go to the district every season. They are trying to establish a habitat here. But due to various reasons, the tigers are returning. The tigers that have established a habitat are dying due to poachers. Keeping all this in mind, the Forest officials themselves say that the government has brought the forest area of the district along with the non-forest land under the tiger zone. But the people of the district are angry about this government decision. In particular, the tribals who rely on the forests are expressing the opinion that the establishment of the tiger zone has put their survival in question. The reserve forest regulations have already become an obstacle to the development of tribal areas, and now with the establishment of the tiger zone, conspiracies are being hatched to drive away the Giri sons, said the state president Kotnaka Vijay. He lashed out at the Central and state governments that the love for tigers does not belong to the tribals. He said that if the government's decision is to suspend house construction permits in villages, there will be a situation where bore wells will also be dug. He warned that the tribals' agitation will not stop until this GO is withdrawn. As part of this, a protest rally will be organized in the district center under the auspices of Tudum Deb on Saturday. On the other hand, political parties are also raising their voices against the Tiger Zone. Former Sirpur MLA Konappa submitted a petition to the Additional Collector demanding the withdrawal of 49 GO issued by the government in the name of Conservation Forest, while Asifabad MLA Kovalakshmi warned that they will embark on a hunger strike to death against the Tiger Zone. In this context, the Tiger Zone movement is likely to take a serious turn. Meanwhile, PCCF Suvarna, who visited the district two days ago, assured that the people will not face any problems due to the establishment of the Tiger Zone. He said that with the funds coming from the Central and state governments for the development of this area, employment opportunities will improve for the people. aid.
