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Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Vermillion saplings to be planted Varanasi as tribute to Op Sindoor
Varanasi: As part of a special initiative by forest department, modelled as a tribute to Operation Sindoor , saplings of sindoor (vermillion) tree will be planted across Varanasi district this year. Ganga Task Force Varanasi is the nodal agency for this initiative, especially at the Shaurya Jungle site. The tree plantation mega campaign for 2025 in Varanasi will commence on Jul 1 and continue till Independence Day. A meeting was held on Monday at office of the forest department under the chairmanship of Ravi Kumar Singh, Varanasi Circle forest conservator, to review preparations for the campaign. The meeting was attended by divisional forest officer, Swati and representatives of social and non-governmental organisations. Singh said that in addition to the plantation campaign, World Yoga Day, World Nature Conservation Day, World Tiger Day and Jungle Festival would be celebrated with active participation from attendees, NGOs and public. He said as in previous years, this year too, forest department initiated a tree plantation project based on a special theme, which includes establishment of specific forests for protection of planted trees, such as Atal Van, Ekta Van, Eklavya Van, Oxy Van, Shaurya Van, Gopal Van, Triveni Van, Heritage Tree Garden, Sacred Stream Plantation Express, Sahjan Bhandara, Food Forest, as well as Gram Van, Mitra Van, Shakti Van, Yuva Van and Balvan. Under Sahjan Bhandara scheme, Varanasi forest department will this year provide free saplings for environmental conservation. The meeting was attended by members of Srijan Social Institution, Rotary Club, Wildlife Trust of India, Ganga Task Force, Indian Wildlife Institute, Young India CII, Lok Bharati, Cyan Foundation, Bheera Foundation, Brihaspati Foundation, FPO West India, Varun Seva Trust and Namami Gange Ganga Vichar Manch.
Time of India
01-06-2025
- Time of India
Three held smuggling parrots in bus
Varanasi: Forest officials busted a racket involved in the illegal trade of birds of endangered species on Sunday in Varanasi. Three smugglers were arrested with 28 live parrots packed in a carton box, smuggled from Jharkhand. Forest Conservator (Varanasi) Ravi Kumar Singh said that, after receiving a tip-off, a team of officials raided the Andharapul team, led by Regional Forest Officer Ravindra Yadav and Deputy Regional Forest Officer Rajkumar Gautam, recovered 28 live parrots in a carton from a bus. Bus driver Dhananjay Singh, conductor Abhay Singh alias Kanhaiya, and Md Arif were arrested and the bus was seized. On being questioned they revealed that the birds were transported from Garhwa, Jharkhand, by Md Arif of Varanasi. The recovered birds are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. Legal proceedings are underway under sections 9, 39, 48 (b) (I) & (II), 49 (b) (IV), 51, and 57 of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. Singh appealed to citizens to report any illegal trade involving these species to the office's phone numbers: 0542-2585444 and 0542-2585574.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
‘Turtles are key indicators of healthy environ, awareness must to save them'
1 2 Varanasi: To mark World Turtle Day, the forest department on Friday organised a seminar at Sarnath Zoo to raise awareness and sensitivity towards conservation of turtles. Every year on May 23, World Turtle Day is celebrated to raise awareness about the declining number of turtles globally, protect their habitats, arrange for their rehabilitation, and rescue them. Forest conservator of Varanasi Circle Ravi Kumar Singh said "Turtles are one of the oldest living species in the world, dating back about 200 million years, existing even before birds, snakes and lizards. Their presence in the ecosystem is crucial as they are considered indicators of a healthy environment. They play a significant role in the food chain, and their existence is vital for controlling several plant and fish species. " He said there are over 300 species of turtles worldwide, with around 130 declared endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In India, there are 29 species of turtles, including 24 species of tortoises (land turtles) and 5 species of sea turtles. Most of these turtles are protected under various schedules of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. According to him, India is home to five species of sea turtles, including Olive Ridley, Leatherback, Loggerhead, Green Turtle and Hawksbill. The first three are classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, the Green Turtle is Endangered, and the Hawksbill is Critically Endangered. Without conservation efforts, these species may soon become extinct. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
23-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Forest department hosts seminar at Varanasi's Sarnath Zoo on World Turtle Day
Representative Image VARANASI: The forest department organised a seminar at Sarnath Zoo on Friday to raise awareness and sensitivity towards turtle conservation on World Turtle Day. Every year on May 23, World Turtle Day is celebrated to raise awareness about the declining number of turtles globally, protect their habitats, arrange for their rehabilitation, and rescue them. Ravi Kumar Singh, Forest Conservator of Varanasi Circle, said that turtles are one of the oldest living species in the world, dating back about 200 million years, existing even before birds, snakes, and lizards. Their presence in the ecosystem is crucial as they are considered indicators of a healthy environment. They play a significant role in the food chain, and their existence is vital for controlling several plant and fish species. He said that today, there are over 300 species of turtles worldwide, with around 130 declared endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In India, there are 29 species of turtles, including 24 species of tortoises (land turtles) and 5 species of sea turtles. Most of these turtles are protected under various schedules of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. According to him, India is home to five species of sea turtles, including Olive Ridley , Leatherback, Loggerhead, Green Turtle, and Hawksbill. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Thousands Are Saving Money Using This Wall Plug elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Click Here Undo The first three are classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, the Green Turtle is Endangered, and the Hawksbill is Critically Endangered. Without conservation efforts, these species may soon become extinct. Dr Ravi Kumar Singh, Forest Conservator of Varanasi Circle, stated that on the occasion of World Turtle Day, a seminar on turtle conservation will be organised at Sarnath Zoo at 11:30 AM to raise awareness and sensitivity towards turtle conservation.
Hindustan Times
22-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
World Turtle Day today: Sarnath breeding centre boosting conservation efforts
The Sarnath Turtle Breeding and Rehabilitation Centre, which was renovated and redeveloped in 2017, has conserved 3,298 turtles from 2017 to 2025 and released them into the Ganga to keep the ecosystem of the river healthy in Varanasi. The Sarnath Turtle Breeding and Rehabilitation Centre, an important centre of aquatic biodiversity, has emerged as an example of success of conservation in the Ganga River Basin. The inclusion of the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre in Namami Gange since 2017 has also reduced smuggling of turtles. Chief forest conservator, Varanasi Division, Dr Ravi Kumar Singh, said that in the last eight years, 3,231 eggs were hatched at the Turtle Breeding and Rehabilitation Centre and were released in different rivers, including Ganga. He explained that the Centre was established in 1978 under the Ganga Action Plan and later the turtle sanctuary was declared in Varanasi in 1989. In the early 2000s, the centre faced several operational and infrastructure problems. But the change came in 2017 when the government included it in Component IV-Rescue and Rehabilitation of the Namami Gange programme, a joint effort of the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). The centre is currently playing a vital role in the conservation, rehabilitation and release of thousands of freshwater turtles. At the centre, since 2017, the turtle ponds were redesigned, advanced bio-filtration and aeration systems were installed. Natural materials like logs, aquatic vegetation, haul-out mats and sunbathing platforms were installed. Separate ponds were created for juvenile turtles, while larger turtles (up to 50 kg) were kept in newly renovated ponds, he added. Keeping in mind the turtle's preferred diet, the diet now includes live fish for carnivore turtles, plant material for herbivore turtles and a mixed diet for omnivores. Turtles are now released into the Ganga only after rigorous medical and behavioural evaluation, to ensure long-term survival and ecosystem integration. As a result, the Sarnath Turtle Breeding and Rehabilitation Centre is becoming a national model for turtle conservation and a centre that is playing a role in keeping the ecosystem of rivers healthy.
