IN NEWS

Green mission draft focuses on enhancing forest quality

Tue, Oct 12 07:43 PM

New Delhi, Oct 12 (PTI) Reducing carbon emission by enhancing forest quality with the help of local people is the main highlight of the final draft of the National Mission for a Green India (GIM) which awaits clearance from Prime Minister''s Council on Climate Change. The draft of the GIM, which is one of the eight missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change, aims at an ambitious target of 20 million hectares of forest cover by 2020 and was recently submitted by the Environment Ministry to the Council headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh."This document lays out the approach we wish to pursue in our efforts in the forestry sector. The overarching objective is to increase forest cover in 5 million hectares and improve the quality of forest cover in an area of corresponding size," Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said.The mission will help in improving forest…………………..

http://in.news.yahoo.com/20/20101012/1416/tnl-green-mission-draft-focuses-on-enhan_1.html

Green India Mission document submitted to PM council

Tue, Oct 12 2010 18:33 IST | New Delhi, Oct 12

The environment ministry has submitted the final draft of the National Mission for a Green India (GIM), part of the countrys plan to fight climate change, to the Prime Ministers Council on Climate Change, officials said Tuesday.

The mission, one of the eight under the National Action Plan on Climate Change, aims at increasing the capacity of Indias forests to absorb green house gases to 6.35 percent of the countrys total emissions by 2020.

The draft of the Mission projects an ambitious target of 20 million hectares of forest cover by 2020, at a cost of Rs.46,000 crore (Rs.460 billion).

According to Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh, the overarching objective is to increase forest cover in 5 million hectares and improve the quality of forest cover in an area of corresponding size…………….

http://www.prokerala.com/news/articles/a174206.html

Arunachal Panel Complains Against Ramesh to Krishna

ITANAGAR | OCT 12, 2010

A delegation from Arunachal Pradesh today took up with External Affairs Minister S M Krishna about his cabinet colleague Jairam Ramesh pitching for a moratorium on clearance for hydel projects in the state.
The delegation led by Lok Sabha member Takam Sanjoy called on Krishna in New Delhi and sought his intervention, official sources here said.
Ramesh, the Union Environment and Forest minister, had recently taken up with the Prime Minister demands for review of all hydro projects in the Northeast and a moratorium on further clearances for hydel projects in Arunachal Pradesh saying these were bound to be the subject of agitation in Assam.
The delegation apprised Krishna about the impact on Arunachal Pradesh if development and exploitation of its natural resources was halted  …………………………

http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?697000

Four elephants die of suspected poising in north-eastern India

Oct 12, 2010, 13:19 GMT

New Delhi - Four wild elephants have died of suspected poisoning near the Kaziranga national park in north-eastern India over the past week, news reports said Tuesday.The carcasses of two female elephants were recovered Monday and those of two calves were found ……………………………..

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/southasia/news/article_1590827.php/Four-elephants-die-of-suspected-poising-in-north-eastern-India

NGOs in India,Rajasthan Forest Produce Collectors and Processors Group Support Society.

By: Samarthak Samiti    12/10/2010

a) Women’s empowerment.

b) Social mobilization

c) Bio Diversity

d) Strengthening the civil society organization

e) Establishing micro enterprise based on NTFPs.

f) Rights based activity

Activities: In order to achieve above objectives SS carry out following activities

Taking care of the collection and processing of MFPs and Agricultural products.

Raising public awareness through training, workshops and educational tours

Promote plantation of the MFPs produce plants to get better income from the plants and cultivation, tree based wadi, of the various threaten spices

To provide support to them to make bargaining power to get fare price of the products

Encouraging the Tendupatta and other MFPs cooperatives and groups societies and capacity building of the staff of such peoples organizations

Encouraging advocacy and centralized lobbies to manage problems and regularize the trade,

Support to studies, researches and workshops to build a common understanding of the issue…………..

http://www.hotfrog.in/Companies/Samarthak-Samiti/NGOs-in-India-Rajasthan-Forest-Produce-Collectors-and-Processors-Group-Support-Society-184713

Priorities for Forestry and Agroforestry Policy Research

 by H. M. Gregersen, Peter Oram, John Spears, Hans Gregersen, Peter Oram

Published: Intl Food Policy Research Inst

Language: English

ISBN: 0896293238

ISBN-13: 9780896293236

Format: Paperback

Price : Rs. 312

http://www.indiaplaza.in/priorities-for-forestry-agroforestry-policy-research-gregersen-h-m-edt-oram-peter-spears-john-edt-gregersen-hans-oram-peter-edt/books/0896293238.htm

Megadiversity Conservation Flora, Fauna and Medicinal P

AUTHOR: A.B. Chaudhuri& D.D. Sarkar
PUBLISHER: Daya Publishing House
ISBN: 9788170353010
YEAR: 2003
PAGES: 300
SIZE: 14.5 x 22 x 2 cm.
BINDING: Hard
LANGUAGE: English

ABOUT THE BOOK: Megadiversity is a much less discussed subject than biodiversity of the present day in India in the fields of flora and fauna. This term and another term 'Hot Spots' have recently been used by World Bank and other World bodies for species diversity and endemism in the World's selected few rich floral and faunal zones. Two spots identified as 'Megadiversity' and 'Hot Spots' in India are North-eastern Himalayas and Western Ghat. But India as whole has been marked a megadiversity area. 11 other megadiversity zones are Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Equador, Brazil, Zaire, Madagascar, China, Indonesia, Australia and Malaysia. Indian people of today are not yet very much conscious and concerned about biodiversity loss and degradation of entire ecosystem. The authors have brought into the sphere of discussions the correlation of the terms megadiversity (biodiversity) with conservation, sustainability ecodevelopment and 'Protected Areas' concerning the north-eastern Indian States.They have also collated various definitions, concepts and values of Megadiversity (biodiversity) and presented them in charts and critical notes to make the subject perceptible to common readers. To highlight the megadiversity (biodiversity) rich resources and loss due to biotic impacts the authors have chosen the floral groups, medicinal plants and faunal groups of birds, fish, mammals, reptiles, lizards and amphibia for analysis on a broad base. In support to their findings they have adequate data, charts to nullify the much bloated conceptions that India is rich in medicinal plants and other floral and faunal resources. As the conservation need is urgent in the face of depletion India needs a well designed strategy to protect these resources. During the exercise the authors have referred to the Herculian efforts of the Government of India how on war footing they have been trying to save these resources from depletion. Hope this work will open up new vista on the status of our resources of flora and fauna, their present threats and action plan for conservation.

http://cgi.ebay.in/Megadiversity-Conservation-Flora-Fauna-and-Medicinal-P-/320601663598

IN NEWS

Global forest resources assessment 2010

The most comprehensive assessment of the state of the world's forests published at the start of the latest biennial meeting of the FAO' Committee on Forestry and World Forest Week, in Rome. It examines the current status and recent trends for about 90 variables covering the extent, condition, uses and values of forests and other wooded land, with the aim of assessing all benefits from forest resources. 

The Global Forest Resources Assessment 2010 (FRA 2010) is the most comprehensive assessment of the world’s forests ever. It covers 233 countries and areas for the period 1990 to 2010. This publication, the main report of FRA 2010, contains country data, contributed by national correspondents and reviewed and collated by FAO, for more than 90 key variables related to the extent, condition, uses and values of forests. Seven core chapters evaluate the status and trends for key aspects of sustainable forest management: extent of forest resources; forest biological diversity; forest health and vitality; productive functions of forest resources; protective functions of forest resources; socio-economic functions of forests; and the legal, policy and institutional framework guiding the conservation, management and use of the world’s forests. Based on these results, the report analyses progress being made towards sustainable forest management over the past 20 years, with a series of “traffic lights” indicating where there is cause for optimism and where there is cause for alarm. This report is an essential reference for anyone interested in the status of the world’s forests and will support policies, decisions and negotiations in all matters where forests and forestry play a part.

Date: Oct 2010

Source: FAO

Attachments: FRA2010_Report.pdf

http://indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/content/global-forest-resources-assessment-2010

Move to collect toll slammed

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN, Oct 11, 2010, 06.49am IST

NAGPUR: The Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) has opposed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) move to begin collection of toll for four-laning of National Highway 6 from Sakoli to Deori, the stretch where work has not been completed. The ministry of road, transport and highways on September 28 issued a notification to allow toll collection by Ashoka Highways (Bhandara) Ltd from October 18. Ashoka is engaged in four-laning of the highway from Deori to Wainganga bridge section in Gondia and Bhandara districts respectively.
The concessionaire has already set up a toll plaza post near Shendurwafa (Sakoli).
The WTI has moved the Centrally Empowered Committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court against the NHAI over the four-laning work that cuts tiger corridor between Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary and Navegaon National Park and Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR). The corridor has importance as it connects nine tiger reserves and many protected areas…………….

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Move-to-collect-toll-slammed/articleshow/6727194.cms

Jharkhand's no to Railways project

The project was also being eyed by CCL and other companies for coal transportation from North Karnpura reserve

Published on 10/11/2010 - 10:48:22 AM

By Chandrabindu

Ranchi: The Indian Railways bid to lay broad gauge (BG) rail link between Tori and Hazaribagh via Shivpur suffered a serious setback after the state government turned down forest clearance to the project.Apart from the general commuters, who want to cut down the distance between Ranchi and Patna, the 96-kilemetre stretch of rail link was being desperately awaited by various coal companies and industrial houses which were eying it as seamless way of coal evacuation from the North Karnapura coalfields.Over a dozen companies, including the Central Coalfields (CCL), a subsidiary……………………..

http://www.igovernment.in/site/jharkhands-no-railways-project-38567

Canary Hill tiger safari project gets state nod

TNN, Oct 10, 2010, 12.31am IST

HAZARIBAG: People will soon enjoy tiger safari at Canary Hill zone reserve forest on the outskirts of the Hazaribag town. The decision which state forest department officials term "historic" was taken by the State Wildlife Advisory Board at its meeting headed by chief minister Arjun Munda on October 7. With this project, Canary Hill will be one of the most sought-after tourist spots in the state, said local MLA Sourav Narayan Singh, who is also a member of the State Wildlife Advisory Board.
RCCF (Hazaribag) B R Ralhan and PCCF (wildlife) C R Sahay also participated at the meeting. The project was mooted about 10 years ago on receipt of a Rs 6-crore fund provided by the Indian Railways for beautification of Hazaribag. It was sent to the Central Zoo Authority of India for clearance …………………

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/Canary-Hill-tiger-safari-project-gets-state-nod/articleshow/6721259.cms

"Jhurjhura tigress" dies revealing government apathy

by  Proloy Bagchi    October 11, 2010

An NGO, “Udai”, led by Shehla Masood, a wildlife activist has been seeking action against those who were responsible for the death of a tigress in the famed Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in the central Indian province of Madhya Pradesh (MP). She handed over a memorandum to the chief minister on the International Tiger Day for action against those responsible for the death of the tigress. The memorandum had more than 36000 signatures on it. The tigress died on 19th may, 2010 after having been hit by a vehicle the night before when some so-far-unidentified important visitors entered the Reserve for an allegedly unauthorised and illegal night-drive. It died in the Jhurjhura area of the Reserve and, hence, has since come to be known as the “Jhurjhura tigress”. The killing caused a furore in India and abroad. According to the member-secretary of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), enough evidence was available to indicate that two vehicles were involved in the accident. The vehicles entered the Reserve after the closing time at 9.30 PM and, unofficial reports indicate, carried sons of two state ministers who are one-time princelings. …………………………………

http://www.groundreport.com/World/Jhurjhura-tigress-dies-revealing-government-apathy/2929855

Pride of India's wildlife faces extinction | The

Posted in Uncategorized by WorldWright on 2010/10/11

Ayesha Sitara

Project Tiger was launched with much fanfare by the government of India in 1973 with one of the objectives being to reduce the dependency of local communities on tiger reserve resources and conserve a dying tiger population. 

Initially nine tiger reserves were set up that grew to 27 in less than 30 years. But something was amiss as tiger populations showed a dramatic decline in the early 21st century. With less than a 1000 tigers left in the wild in India, extinction is on the horizon. India has to make dramatic conservation efforts to help save the noble big cat. 

When Project Tiger was launched, 2000 tigers were left in the wild, according to figures released by the Ministry of Forests and Environment. By 2000, the Ministry showed a healthy population of 4000 across India. …………….

http://worldwright.wordpress.com/2010/10/11/pride-of-indias-wildlife-faces-extinction-the/

PM convenes meet on NE dams
Hindustan Times
October 8, 2010

NEW DELHI, Oct. 8 -- Following the heat generated over the mega dam issue, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has convened a meeting of all ministries concerned on October 13 to ascertain the status of the hydroelectric projects in the North-east.The meeting that was earlier scheduled on October 30, was postponed because of the Ayodhya judgement that was delivered on the same day. The inter-ministerial meeting is likely to be attended by representatives of Ministries of Power, Water Resources, Environment and Forest among others, official sources confirmed.The proposed meeting has evoked much interest because of a letter purportedly written by Union Minister of State for Environment and Forest, Jairam Ramesh to the Prime Minister, virtually endorsing the stand taken by those agitating against the 'mega dam' in Arunachal Pradesh.A national newspaper on Friday reported the contents of the letter, which question  ……………………………………..

http://www.hydroworld.com/index/display/news_display.1278835740.html

http://www.scribd.com/doc/38980482/A-Guide-Book-to-Everything-You-Wanted-to-Know-About-Forestry-and-Climate-Change

IN NEWS

Orissa awaits environment panel report on Posco project

Press Trust of India / Bhubaneswar October 08, 2010, 20:23 ISTThe Orissa government today said that it is eagerly waiting for the submission of report by an Environment Ministry set-up committee, looking into the forest and environmental issues of Rs 54,000 crore Posco project, on October 18."We are waiting the report of the Meena Gupta Committee," Chief Secretary B K Patnaik, who met a delegation of Posco-India here told reporters.Stating that the government had stopped all activities at the Posco-India's plant site in the state on the direction of the environment ministry, Patnaik said………………

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/orissa-awaits-environment-panel-reportposco-project/111570/on

Arunachal to constitute special tiger protection force

PTI, Oct 8, 2010, 03.47pm IST

ITANAGAR: The Arunachal Pradesh government has proposed to set up a 112-member special tiger protection force (TPF) for Pakke Tiger Reserve (PTR) to protect the big cat's declining population. "The TPF would immensely help in protecting the big cats and containing poaching," conservator of forest (wildlife and biodiversity) M K Palit said. The declining tiger population of 14 in 2006 against 61 as shown by the 2001-02 census was disputed as the census carried out by the Wildlife Institute of India was done in selected areas of the tiger reserve, he said. The next census is due this month, he added. The Pakke Tiger Reserve………………

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/-Arunachal-to-constitute-special-tiger-protection-force/articleshow/6713183.cms

Total immersion: KU students spend summer in Indian forests as part of study abroad

By Sarah Henning

October 7, 2010

Total immersion is often the hallmark of a college study abroad experience. Usually, that means students live and learn in another country and another language to gain a unique and intense educational experience.But for 11 Kansas University students this summer, total immersion meant something even more extreme.The 11 were environmental studies students chosen to spend six weeks in the forests of India, where they were constantly in the classroom, even if that meant the tent in the middle of the jungle………………

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2010/oct/07/total-immersion-ku-students-spend-summer-indian-fo/

FORESTRY IN INDIA (2 VOLUMES SET):RESEARCH, EXTENSION, TRAINING AND EDUCATION

By: S.S. Negi

Publisher:

Pub. Date: 1997

Print ISBN-13: 8175330473

Subject: FORESTRY

This is 2 Vols. Set. Vol. 1 : Research, Extension, Training and Education & Vol.2 : Administration, organization, Policy and legislation. It also outlines the history and status of forestry research, extension, training and education in India. Its role in socil-economic development; forestry administration in states and union territories; central and state forestry organizations; wildlife administration; forest corporations; Indian forest service; State Forest Service; Forest Policies and legislation

http://mdppl.com/node/416

IN NEWS

Gangetic dolphin most endangered species

Binay Singh, TNN, Oct 6, 2010, 11.07pm IST

Tags:wildlife leak|the ganga river dolphin

VARANASI: The wildlife week is being celebrated across the country from October 1 to 7 to create awareness about protection and conservation of wild animals. However, a vital link between fresh water and people-- the Ganga river dolphin-- is still being neglected.
The state on neglect of this national aquatic animal of India can be understood by the fact that the forest department does not have any specific idea about the population of the Gangetic dolphin in Varanasi region. "We do not have any data of the dolphin population in the Ganga in Varanasi," admitted……………….

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/Gangetic-dolphin-most-endangered-species/articleshow/6701523.cms

Green bench orders inquiry into violation of Forest Conservation Act

HimVani

Mandi (Oct 7): In a landmark judgment, the Himachal Pradesh High Court while disposing of a contempt petition in a case pertaining to blatant violation of Forest (conservation) Act, 1980 in construction of 116 roads on forest land without seeking permission under the aforesaid Act, has taken a serious view of granting NOCs by unauthorized persons like patwaris, range officers, BDOs, etc and directed the additional chief secretary (forests) to take stern action by chargesheeting and launching prosecution against the erring persons within a period of six weeks and completing the inquiry within one year.According to sources, it was alleged that while the PWD chargesheeted 137 persons guilty of violating the (Forest) Conservation Act, 1980, the undertaking given by the additional chief secretary (forests) in the two affidavits is yet to be complied with. The additional chief secretary (forests) when contacted said he did not remember anything about it……………..

http://www.himvani.com/news/2010/10/07/green-bench-orders-inquiry-into-violation-of-forest-conservation-act/7897/

India - Environment Impact Assessment

By Supratim-Sanyal on 06 October 2010

By Kalpana Palkhiwala
Deputy Director, Press Information Bureau, New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 6, 2010 (Washington Bangla Radio / PIB India) The National Environment Policy, 2006 recognisesenvironmental protection as an integral part of the development process and mainstreams environmental concerns in all developmental activities. The dominant theme of this policy is that while conservation of environmental resources is necessary to secure livelihoods and well being of all, the most secure basis for conservation is to ensure that people dependent on particular resources obtain better livelihoods from conservation rather than from degradation of resources. The policy seeks to stimulate partnership of different stakeholders in harnessing their respective resources and strength for environmental management.

The Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 requires developmental projects, activities, processes, listed therein to obtain prior environmental clearance under the provisions……………
http://www.washingtonbanglaradio.com/content/101222210-india-environment-impact-assessment

Undocumented language found hidden in India

By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID (AP) – 1 day ago

WASHINGTON — A "hidden" language spoken by only about 1,000 people has been discovered in the remote northeast corner of India by researchers who at first thought they were documenting a dialect of the Aka culture, a tribal community in the foothills of the Himalayas.

They found an entirely different vocabulary and linguistic structure.

Even the speakers of the tongue, called Koro, did not realize they had a distinct language, linguist K. David Harrison said Tuesday.Culturally, the Koro speakers are part of the Aka community in India's Arunachal Pradesh state,…………………………..

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gAVRFv2Nlq-79gPEL5azCPNS4PkgD9IM5S682?docId=D9IM5S682

Mapping Change

The Woods Hole Research Center was like a miniature United Nations last month, as scholars from Africa, South America, and Asia took part in a two-week workshop at the Woods Hole Road campus.They came to learn advanced satellite imaging techniques, and left at the end of September with maps that will help their countries manage their forests and take part in a potential global carbon credit trading system.

The pan-(bio)mass challenge

The WHRC is leading an effort to create the first pan-tropical biomass map that will demonstrate the future effects of deforestation and land use change across the globe. This information is key in developing the

………………………

http://capenews.net/blogs/under_the_lens/2010/10/06/mapping-change/

Forest Laws and Policies in India

Edited by A. K. Poddar, Swayambhu Mukherjee and Debosmita Nandy, Regal Pub, 2011, xiv, 482 p, ISBN : 978-81-8484-095-7, Rs. 1,850.00

Contents: 1. Introduction/Arup K. Poddar. 2. Historical Background of the Making of Forest Laws in India/Sayak Chaudhury. 3. Acquisition of Land for Reserved Forests/ Saptak Sanyal and Ushashi Khan. 4. Protected Forests/Swayambhu Mukherjee. 5. Village Forests under the Indian Law/Debosmita Nandy. 6. State Monopoly and the Degradation of India’s Forests/Debosmita Nandy. 7. Problems in Conservation of Forests/Swayambhu Mukherjee. 8. Forest Offences/Swayambhu Mukherjee. 9. Afforestation Programmes of the Central and State Governments/Shubho Roay. 10. People’s Participation in Forest Management Across the Globe/Swayambhu Mukherjee. 11. Implementing the Concept of sustainable Development in Forestry and Agriculture in India/Arjya B. Majumdar. 12. Rural Banking and Rural Credit in India/ Swayambhu Mukherjee. 13. The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Bill, 2008/Sukanya Bhaumik. Appendices. Index.

http://www.vedamsbooks.in/no88660.htm

IN NEWS

Indian tradition and culture help us conserve wildlife

Dr HS Singh Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Despite high human population - about one sixth humans of the world packed in an area which is one third of China or America - Indians have unique position in the world in the field of wildlife conservation.In Asia, no country is near India in richness of wildlife and its preservation, although they were equally rich in wildlife before the Second World War.Status of wild mega mammals is indicator of degree of wildlife management. At present, out of 48,000 Asiatic elephant in Asia, 28,000-30,000 elephants are in the Indian forests; of 20,000 leopards in Asia, 13,000-14,000 leopards are in India; despite present crisis of tiger, about half of the total tigers are in Indian forests. Similar stories can be mentioned for other species also…………..

http://www.dnaindia.com/opinion/comment_indian-tradition-and-culture-help-us-conserve-wildlife_1447834

Earth Observation key to tackle climate change

BIBEK BHANDARI

KATHMANDU, Oct 5: Participants at a symposium Monday aired the view that Earth Observation was one of the keys to improving scientific knowledge and understanding of the climate change phenomena in the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region.
Some 250 participants from 24 countries, who gathered here for a three-day international symposium that kicked off Monday, articulated this view. Inaugurating the symposium, Chairman of the Constituent Assembly Subas Chandra Nembang acknowledged that the Earth Observation provides “unique opportunities for assessing key variables [of climate change]”. “The country should promote its use for improved scientific knowledge and assessing climate change in the region.” Earth Observation is the spatial visualization of maps ……………… …………..

http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=24018

PETA moots speed guns against trains that kill tuskers

2010-10-05 14:30:00

New Delhi, Oct 5 (IANS) Animal welfare NGO PETA has urged Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh and Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee for use of speed-detection guns to catch train drivers who exceed the speed limit and end up mowing down elephants in the country's reserves.The press statement by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) came days after seven elephants were killed by a speeding train in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district.'PETA has imported a speed-detection gun from the US and has offered to meet with officials from both ministries to demonstrate ………………………

http://sify.com/news/peta-moots-speed-guns-against-trains-that-kill-tuskers-news-national-kkfo4ciajhh.html

India to Launch Satellite to Monitor Deforestation/Afforestation in Real Time

by Mridul Chadha on October 4, 2010

The Indian space agency plans to launch a satellites dedicated to monitor deforestation activities and afforestation efforts in 2013.The minister of Environment and Forests, Mr. Jairam Ramesh, had earlier announced the plans of launching a satellite which would measure India's greenhouse gas and aerosol emissions. This satellite is scheduled for launch in 2012. Both the satellites would help India achieve important international and domestic goals.India has its own climate change study forum known as the Indian Network for Climate Change Assessment (INCCA) which comprises………………………

http://ecopolitology.org/2010/05/26/india-aims-to-double-its-forest-cover-by-2020/the-western-ghats-india/

Jairam Ministry’s move on no-go forest areas illegal: Law to PMO

Maneesh Chhibber

Posted: Oct 03, 2010 at 0508 hrs IST

New Delhi Union Minister of Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh’s decision to unilaterally categorise certain forest lands no-go areas has hit a legal hurdle, with the Union Law Ministry ruling that the move is illegal.The Law Ministry has conveyed its legal opinion to the Prime Minister’s Office which inquired whether the decision was in conformity with statutes and settled law, including Supreme Court judgments.Sources said the direction to seek legal opinion came after the Union Ministries of Power and Coal sought the intervention of the Prime Minister. The two Ministries are opposing the MoEF decision to categorise forest and other land into no-go/Category A and go/Category B lands…………………

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Jairam-Ministry-s-move-on-no-go-forest-areas-illegal--Law-to-PMO/691723/

CDM forestry rules need reform

Monday, 4 October 2010

The CDM’s forest carbon rules surrounding eligibility of both land and activity type need to be reformed if the forest sector is going to make its contribution to the climate change mitigation effort, argues Dr Promode Kant of India’s Institute of Green Economy:
Until today forestry projects form a bare 0.53 per cent of all registered CDM projects because it is almost impossible to find eligible lands for CDM forestry projects that are also biologically suitable for raising trees. The lands most suitable for capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, without compromising food security, are the degraded forest lands that extend over 280 million hectares (Mha) worldwide. But most of these lands do not qualify as CDM rules permit only forestation over non forest lands even though under Article 3.4 of the ……

 http://www.carbonpositive.net/viewarticle.aspx?articleID=2127        

Summary Report On The Forest Rights Act 

Summary Recommendations on Issues of Forest Rights 

These recommendations propose a set of actions that can be taken at the Central level to remedy the failures that have taken place in implementation. 

It should first be noted in this context that:

The Ministry enjoys sweeping powers under section 12 of the Act to issue binding directions to any authority. These directions should therefore be issued under section 12.

All directions should be issued to the Chief Secretary of the State concerned for action. The Chief Secretary should ensure that the State Level Monitoring Committee (SLMC) reports, every six months, on the implementation of the law, including the directions given by the Ministry (such as those suggested here). The SLMCs have 

http://indigenouspeoplesissues.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6924:summary-report-on-the-forest-rights-act&catid=63:central-asia-indigenous-peoples&Itemid=85

ABSU march demanding implemenation of Forest Dwellers' Act

Tezpur (Assam), Oct 4 (PTI) The All Bodo Students'Union (ABSU) today took out a march demanding implementation of Forest Dwellers'Act, 2006 here in Assam's Sonitpur district.More than 20,000 people participated …………………………..

http://www.indiareport.com/India-usa-uk-news/latest-news/910668/National/1/20/1

Environment min rule for port study to hit imported coal UMPPs

Press Trust of India / New Delhi October 05, 2010, 17:37 IST

In a setback to the development of 4,000 MW capacity ultra mega power projects (UMPPs), based on imported coal, the environment ministry has mandated companies to undertake port studies for one year, up from three months earlier, for getting its clearance.The new rule will delay the bidding process of Cheyyur UMPP in Tamil Nadu, as it is based on imported coal.The port study for Cheyyur, which is to be conducted by the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) or the shell company formed by the Power Finance Corporation (PFC), the nodal agency for UMPPs in India, would only be completed by March 2011, a power ministry official said.
     He said Coastal Tamil Nadu Power Ltd (CTNPL), the SPV set up for Cheyyr UMPP, will be able to initiate the bidding process only …………………

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/environment-min-rule-for-port-study-to-hit-imported-coal-umpps/111150/on

India may cancel coal allocations of Gondwana Ispat

Monday, 04 Oct 2010

BS reported that in 2003, Gondwana Ispat was allotted the Majra block in Maharashtra for meeting the coal requirement of 480,000 tonnes per annum for its proposed sponge iron plant. Seven years after the allocation, the union coal ministry has issued a showcause notice to the company as important milestones including forest clearance mining lease and land acquisition are still pending.Through the notice, the ministry has given the company time till October 28th to explain why the delay in the development of coal block should not be held as a violation of the terms and conditions of the allotment failing which it would be presumed…………….

http://www.steelguru.com/raw_material_news/India_may_cancel_coal_allocations_of_Gondwana_Ispat/168378.html

IN NEWS

''Threat' of critical wildlife habitat worries Cotigao

TNN, Oct 2, 2010, 11.49pm IST

Cotigao villagers were among the few human settlements in India on September 30, 2010 who had a more pressing issue at hand than the verdict on the Ayodhya title suit to be pronounced at 3.30pm that day. The wildlife sanctuary is to be accorded the status of a critical wildlife habitat (CWH) and fears are rife over the repercussions this will have on the residents.
Despite the unusually humid weather, from which even the lush green of the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary could not provide relief, around 300 villagers huddled in groups under whatever shelter was available around the Cotigao panchayat. It was 10am, an hour-and-a-half before the state-level expert committee which is to carry out hearings on the proposed CWH status to the sanctuary was scheduled to arrive…………….

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Threat-of-critical-wildlife-habitat-worries-Cotigao/articleshow/6674132.cms

India: Anthropologist Ambika And Arunachal's Wildlife

By SOP newswire2

Taflagam, Arunachal Pradesh (Women`s Feature Service) - As she trekked to Taflagam, the last village on the Indo-China border in eastern Arunachal Pradesh, in February 2006, anthropologist Ambika Aiyadurai was in for a shock. This is a terrain probably never visited by a city dweller so far.Accompanied by her guide and interpreter, Lobinso, a young man from the indigenous Mishmi tribe, she passed by rows of curious, 1.5 metre-tall bamboo huts on stilts (to keep flood waters as well as wild animalsout), before climbing up a carved wooden log - that served as steps - leading into one of the homes. The reason for her visit: A local religious ceremony. She recalls, "It took a while for my eyes to get adjusted to the darkness inside the hut. A strong smell of rice beer, meat and opium hung in the air. The walls behind the men had rows of tar-black objects." A villager casually explained to her that they were animal heads…………

http://thesop.org/story/20101002/india-anthropologist-ambika-and-arunachals-wildlife.html

Forestry students have no jobs

Jayashree Nandi, TNN, Oct 3, 2010, 12.06am IST

BANGALORE: If this had been an engineering or medical college, the cry would have reached far and loud, but not with students pursuing forestry. Nearly 400 students at the two forestry colleges -- Government Forestry College in Ponnampet (Kodagu) and in Sirsi -- have stopped attending classes, protesting against a recruitment policy of the forest department that gives more opportunities to general graduates than forestry graduates. According to the policy, only 50% of the forestry graduates are recruited to the posts of range forest officer (RFO) or assistant conservator of forests (ACF). The remaining 50% are usually recruited from general streams or are even engineers. This has led to a huge number of forestry studentsnot getting recruited to the forest department, despite having a specialized knowledge of the field.
RTI REVELATION
According to an RTI filed by an MSc forestry student, Harsha K G, in the past 10 years only 138 forestry students were recruited to the positions of RFO and ACF…………

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Forestry-students-have-no-jobs/articleshow/6674250.cms

Anti-Veerappan force chief is new CRPF boss

Published: Sunday, Oct 3, 2010, 1:06 IST
By Mayank Aggarwal | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA

In what seems to be the fallout of the Dantewada massacre in Chhatisgarh earlier this year where 75 personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed by Maoists, the union government on Saturday transferred CRPF’s director general Vikram Srivastava………………

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_anti-veerappan-force-chief-is-new-crpf-boss_1446781

IN NEWS

Ramesh concerned over lack of forest guards

Jalpaiguri, (West Bengal): Environment minister Jairam Ramesh visited Banarhat in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal where seven elephants were killed by a speeding goods train recently.

He termed the killing of seven elephants as a ghastly incident and expressed concern over the lack of recruitment of forest rangers.

"Well I have discussed this with forest officials. One of the problems has been the lack of recruitment at the local level at the forest guard level, forest ranger level. I am pleased to say that I have just been informed that fresh recruitment is going to be started this year in Bengal," said Ramesh……………………

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/ramesh-concerned-over-lack-of-forest-guards/132185-3.html

'Sundarbans tigers may be the smallest'

Sat, Oct 2nd, 2010 8:31 pm BdST

Dhaka, Oct 2 (bdnews24.com) – The Sundarbans tigers may be the smallest in the world, due mainly to the small size of deer and other prey available, a new study says.
Wild Life Trust of Bangladesh (WTB) in a press release on Saturday said the Royal Bengal Tigers of the mangrove forest Sundarbans, one of the nine sub-species of the world's tigers, weigh an average of 76.7 kg, nearly half the weight of other wild Bengal tigers which average at 138.2 kg.This is also less than the average weight of tigers from any of the other eight sub-species, making the Sundarbans tiger probably the smallest in the world.
"The reasons for small size of Sundarbans tigers are not known, but the authors of the study suggest this could be related to the small size of deer available to tigers in the Sundarbans, compared to the larger deer and other prey available to tigers in other parts of the world." WTB says. Previously it was believed that the Sumatran tiger was the smallest, with an average weight of 86.7 kg. ……

http://www.bdnews24.com/details.php?id=175028&cid=2

Making CDM Forestry Projects Attractive for Communities 

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Around the time Kyoto Protocol was being negotiated in 1997 there was a huge opposition, led by Greenpeace, against using the forest based carbon sequestration route to lower the carbon dioxide build up in the atmosphere for fears that raising forests for capturing carbon in developing countries would be so cheap most Annex I countries would not bother reducing greenhouse emissions from fossil fuel use. It ultimately did make it to the Protocol but with such hobbled feet that it has become nearly impossible to initiate a CDM forestry project. Today forestry projects form a bare 0.53% of the total projects registered by the CDM Executive Board with not a single temporary Certificates of Emission Reduction (CER) from any of these projects issued so far. And, to compound the matter still further, there is no demand for these temporary CERs in the forward markets. Which is not surprising because, of the two potential purchasers, Japan is more interested in the cheaper and permanent “hot air” credits from the former Communist bloc, and the European Union, under the influence of Greenpeace with its active, though minor, ............................................ http://igrec.in/making_cdm_forestry_projects_attractive_for_communties.html

1st regional NTCA office gets nod

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN, Oct 1, 2010, 07.07am IST

NAGPUR: The Centre on Tuesday finally cleared the setting up of India's first regional office of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in Nagpur.
The proposal was cleared on Tuesday, and an official communication issued by Rajesh Gopal, NTCA member-secretary, to this effect was received by PCCF (wildlife) on Wednesday. NTCA is the statutory body under the ministry of environment & forests (MoEF) monitoring all tiger reserves in India. The NTCA has stated that the office at Nagpur will closely monitor all tiger reserves in Central India. There are 12 tigers reserves in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh…………………………………

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/1st-regional-NTCA-office-gets-nod/articleshow/6662332.cms

When will the railways stop killing its mascot?

PRERNA SINGH BINDRA
Award-winning Conservation Journalist

SEVEN ELEPHANTS were brutally mowed down by a speeding train on 22 September when trying to save two of their young trapped on the Siliguri-Alipurduar track in North Bengal. Five died, mercifully, on the spot. For two others — one, perhaps the matriarch, who charged at the train in pain and anger — it was a slow, agonising end.Like in other such tragedies, including the one in June this year that killed a female, this time too, the railways shrugged off the blame by saying, “The accident occurred between two tea gardens, which is not a protected zone. There are no forests in the vicinity.”

Forget that this stretch of line cuts through the tropical forests of the eastern Himalayas, with tracts of protected areas fragmented by tea gardens. Or even about how the driver failed to see, and react, to the herd ahead in a flat expanse of land on a moonlit night. Let’s look at the larger picture instead.Consider the magnitude of the problem: Railways are among the top slayers of the elephant, with no less than 150 crushed by trains in India since 1987…………………………

http://www.tehelka.com/story_main47.asp?filename=Ne091010Proscons.asp

The role of non-timber forest products in poverty reduction in India: prospects and problems 

Authors: Golam Rasul; Madhav Karki; Ram P. Sah

Abstract

The vast natural resources of India's forests, including non-timber forest products (NTFPs), such as medicinal and aromatic plants, leaves, fruits, seeds, resins, gums, bamboos, and canes, offer employment that provides up to half the income of about 25 per cent of the country's rural labour force. However, poor harvesting practices and over-exploitation in the face of increasing market demand are threatening the sustainability of these resources, and thus the livelihoods of forest-dependent tribal communities. This article analyses the role of NTFPs in livelihoods-improvement initiatives and considers recent initiatives intended to enhance their conservation and sustainable management. It recommends policies to optimise the potential of NTFPs, both to support rural livelihoods and to contribute to India's social, economic, and environmental well-being

Keywords: Policy; Institutions; Environment; Labour and livelihoods; South Asia

http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~db=all~content=a904517955~frm=titlelink

Tanzania Project First To Earn VCS Forest Credits

Date: 24-Sep-10  Country: SINGAPORE
Author: David Fogarty

A Tanzanian reforestation project has become the first forestry investment to be issued carbon offsets under an industry-backed standard that assures investors the emission reductions are credible and long-term.The Voluntary Carbon Standard said on Thursday the first batch of credits had been issued this week and placed in the VCS registry.

London-based The CarbonNeutral Company, which helps firms cut their carbon emissions, is marketing the credits.The project in the southern highlands of Tanzania involves converting degraded grassland into sustainably harvested eucalypt and pine forests that soak up carbon dioxide from the air as they grow, earning CO2 offsets.The forests cover 7,250 hectares (18,125 acres) in Uchindile district and 3,560 hectares at Mapanda district, the VCS and The CarbonNeutral Company said in a statement……………………………

http://planetark.org/enviro-news/item/59641

‘Sukhna’s catchment not within purview of Punjab Forest dept’

Express News Service

Posted: Sep 28, 2010 at 0253 hrs IST
Chandigarh The Punjab government in response to an ongoing public interest litigation (PIL) demanding protection of Sukhna Lake from deterioration today submitted that “the Sukhna Lake and its catchment area including the area of Kansal does not fall under the purview of the Punjab Forest Department”.The reply has been filed by R C Nayyar, Principal Secretary, Forest and Wildlife Preservation, Punjab, Chandigarh. The state has further submitted that “the area mentioned in the petition is neither managed nor controlled by the Forest Department, Punjab. The Chief Conservator Soils, Punjab, has reported that the details of the catchment of Sukhna Lake mentioned in the petition does not pertain to the State of Punjab”. The PIL is a suo motu notice taken by the High Court pained over the deplorable condition of the lake…….

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/sukhnas-catchment-not-within-purview-of-punjab-forest-dept/689233/