IN NEWS

The need for more proactive solutions

Pankaj Sekhsaria

First Published : 16 Oct 2010 11:42:00 PM IST

Last Updated : 15 Oct 2010 07:09:35 PM IST

A first of its kind satellite tracking project to monitor leopards in India recently released data of a young male leopard’s remarkable journey from the hinterland to the forests of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai. The leopard that was trapped in a well in the small town of Alephata, in Pune District was fitted with a satellite collar and released in the nearby forests of Malshej Ghat. In the 23 days that followed, the animal walked through agricultural lands, densely populated human habitations, across roads, a railway line and swam across a creek to cover a distance of 120 kms and reach the green oasis in the heart of India’s commercial capital. Wildlife biologist Vidya Athreya, who is lead researcher of Project Waghoba (www.projectwaghoba.in) that ………………………….

http://expressbuzz.com/magazine/the-need-for-more-proactive-solutions/214728.html

Biodiversity And Its Value – Smt Kalpana Palkhiwala

October 16, 2010 12:19 pm 

Biological diversity, encompasses all life forms on earth. Biodiversity maintains the ecological balance and continues evolutionary processes. The very survival of humankind depends on these core ecological functions. The indirect ecosystem services provided through biodiversity include: photosynthesis, pollination, transpiration, maintaining the balance of atmospheric gases, maintaining hydrological cycles, chemical cycling, nutrient cycling, pest control, etc. Biodiversity also has aesthetic and recreational value. Conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity is therefore fundamental to ecologically sustainable development. In fact the very survival of humankind depends upon biological diversity…………………………..

http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/biodiversity-and-its-value-smt-kalpana-palkhiwala/

Coal India gets assurance to fully exploit mines - report

Sat Oct 16, 2010 6:45am GMT

 MUMBAI Oct 16 (Reuters) - Coal India, whose $3.5 billion IPO opens on Monday, has received assurance from Indian prime minister's office that it could fully exploit its coal reserves, which were earlier constrained by the environment ministry, the Financial Express reported on Saturday.

The environment minister had issued a directive that designated about 40 percent of the company reserves as "no go areas" for mining, the paper said.

The environment minister proposed the prohibition to stop large-scale felling of forests. This could have impacted Coal India's production substantially, it said.

"The prime minister's office had intervened," a senior company official…………

http://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFSGE69F00M20101016

Fellowship available for reporting on Forest Rights Act in India

Posted on: 15/10/2010EnvironmentalDeadline: 31/10/2010Country: India

Journalists interested in exploring forest protection in India can apply for a fellowship. The deadline is October 31, and the program runs from December 15 to February 15.

The fellowship, sponsored by the Center for Science and Environment, gives journalists the opportunity to investigate communities affected by the 2006 Forest Rights Act. The legislation protects villages from displacement and gives communities legal rights over forest use.

Fellows will spend one month traveling for research, and the rest of the time writing and publishing material. Broadcast and print journalists are eligible to apply, but those entering in regional languages must have at least one article translated into English.

http://www.ijnet.org/ijnet/training_opportunities/fellowship_available_for_reporting_on_forest_rights_act_in_india