IN NEWS

Kuno Palpur to get cheetah, not lions

Himanshu Kaushik, TNN, Dec 7, 2010, 05.12am IST

AHMEDABAD: Madhya Pradesh has agreed in principle to accommodate African cheetah in Kuno Palpur. This could mean that the neighbouring state, which is famous for its tigers, is off Gujarat's back as far as the Asiatic lion is concerned.
The MP government had been trying to get wild Asiatic lions from its only habitat in the world in Gir, but Gujarat had refused to part with its pride. Finally, the Centre had proposed that MP settle for zoo-bred Asiatic lions for Kuno Palpur. However, after a presentation by the Wildlife Institute of India and the Wildlife Trust of India over reintroducing cheetah at Kuno Palpur, it looks like the controversy could be drawing to a close, as …………………………………….

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Kuno-Palpur-to-get-cheetah-not-lions/articleshow/7056853.cms

Is MoU for power plant a death warrant for Konkan belt?

Published on Tue, Dec 07, 2010 at 09:05   | 

French energy giant AREVA and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to build a nuclear power plant at Jaitapur which is in coastal Maharashtra. The plant received conditional approval from the environment ministry, but there is still widespread concern about this plant and the other power plants that have been planned in the region and what impact they can have on the regions eco-system in the Konkan belt in Maharashtra, an eco-system that is acknowledged to be rich, diverse and fragile. Professor Madhav Gadgil, a member of the national advisory council, and an expert …………................

http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/is-mou-for-power-plantdeath-warrant-for-konkan-belt_503629.html

Banning wildlife tourism in India is not the solution

BY HECTOR DSOUZA, ETN | DEC 06, 2010

INDIA (eTN) - Resort owners and tour operators in wildlife reserves are up against a PIL (Public Interest Litigation) filed in the Jabalpur High Court seeking to ban tourists and visitors from entering the core areas of forest reserves. The respondents to the PIL are National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Madhya Pradesh forest department. Since resort owners and tour operators are going to be directly affected, they too will have a say in the response. Are we going to be so doomsday or will we be given a realistic opportunity of making a new beginning? The case comes for a hearing on December 6, 2010 The problems of dwindling natural reserves inside the forest are being attributed to the disturbances tourists and visitors create inside the core areas while on a jeep/elephant safari. Simple rules of  ………...........

http://www.eturbonews.com/19922/banning-wildlife-tourism-india-not-solution

China, India, Brazil Push U.S. for Deeper Greenhouse Gas Cuts

By Kim Chipman and Mathew Carr - Dec 7, 2010 11:05 AM GMT+0530

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-07/u-s-pressed-for-deeper-greenhouse-gas-reductions-by-china-india-brazil.html

India’s forest protection laws start getting teeth

Monday, December 6, 2010, 20:58

This news item was posted in Top Stories category and has 0 Comments so far.

New Delhi – India’s forests, spread over an estimated 70 million hectares at the latest count, have long been at the centre of a development-versus-conservation debate in the rising Asian power. The forests are home not only to more than 100,000 species of flora and fauna, many of them rare, but provide livelihoods for 200 million largely tribal people. India’s forests also contain some of the country’s richest mineral deposits, specifically iron ore and bauxite. In confrontations with mining corporations aligned with the state, the conservationists and tribal forest dwellers …………………………..

http://www.all24news.com/indias-forest-protection-laws-start-getting-teeth-feature.html

Keoladeo gets Asian Wetland Centre award

TNN, Dec 7, 2010, 05.12am IST
JAIPUR: After arrival of water, followed by winged guests, there are some more good news for the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. The Salim Ali Visitor Interpretation Centre at Keoladeo National Park has been conferred with the Best Asian Wetland Centre Award 2010 by Wetlands Links International (WLI), a global network of wetland education centres. A team from World Wide Fund for Nature-India along with the state forest department is running the centre since 2006, which received the award at the Wetland Link InterNational Symposium held in Malaysia last month. ……………………
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Keoladeo-gets-Asian-Wetland-Centre-award/articleshow/7055968.cms

Forest minister to reform dept

TNN, Dec 6, 2010, 09.37pm IST

MANGALORE: Most recommendations given by the sub-committee for revenue and forest on a host of issues related to forest in the state including planting of avenue trees, in 1995-96, 1996-97 is gathering dust. Seeking to wipe the dust of these recommendations a good 15 years later, and bring clarity to the state forest policy is none other than minister for forest C H Vijayshankar, who interestingly made these recommendations. Vijayshankar, who nearly a month ago entrusted his senior department officials with the specific task of going in to various aspects of the forest policy and ………………………

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangalore/Forest-minister-to-reform-dept/articleshow/7055210.cms

PEBBLE CREEK MINING LTD. OBTAINS LAST REMAINING PERMIT (FOREST CLEARANCE) REQUIRED FOR A 30-YEAR MINING LEASE

Canada NewsWire

VANCOUVER AND NEW DELHI, India, Dec. 6 /CNW/ - Pebble Creek Mining Ltd. (the "Company" or "Pebble Creek") is pleased to announce that the government's Advisory Group on Forests has recommended final approval of "Forest Clearance" for a pre-approved 30-year Mining Lease on the Company's Askot deposit in Uttarakhand, India. India's Ministry of Environment and Forests convened a hearing on December 3, 2010 in the Uttarakhand state capital of Dehradun with all concerned State officials present. Pebble Creek's…………….
Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/177423#ixzz17Rm1XQkH

IN NEWS

6 DEC, 2010, 06.41AM IST, SUBHASH NARAYAN,ET BUREAU 

For coal, we have to enter forests: Jaiswal

he coal sector has played a key role in India’s emergence as a global economic power. Minister of state for coal Sriprakash Jaiswal , who also handles the ministry of statistics and programme implementation, fully understands the weight of expectations and the challenges faced by the coal sector. He has managed to interlink his two portfolios in a way that success in one reflects in the performance of the other. The minister talks about the future of coal as an energy source and his ministry’s ongoing battle with the environment ministry in an interview with ET bureau ………

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinion/interviews/For-coal-we-have-to-enter-forests-Jaiswal/articleshow/7050964.cms

Cancun summit must address the empowerment of women

By WANGARI MAATHAI

Published: Monday, Dec. 6, 2010 - 5:17 am

At the climate summit in Cancun, women's rights must be on the agenda. As global temperatures rise, so do the challenges for the world's poorest citizens, who are primarily women in developing countries. Because of their role as providers for their families, women are keenly aware of the food shortages and forest degradation around them. They understand that the impacts of climate change threaten to further jeopardize their lives. Even as they are on the frontlines of climate change, women are also helping to develop some of the solutions that can save our world from the impacts of global warming. …………………………..
http://www.sacbee.com/2010/12/06/3236310/cancun-summit-must-address-the.html#ixzz17LZ0wPeS

“No REDD – A Reader” new publication from Carbon Trade Watch and Indigenous Environmental Network

By Chris Lang, 6th December 2010

“No REDD – A Reader is a must read for all who seek to know the truth about this mercantilist tool. It is also highly recommended for those who believe that policies to fight the current climate chaos must see the people and Mother Earth and not merely see trees as commodities for cash and carbon speculation,” – Nnimmo Bassey, Chair of Friends of the Earth International and Executive Director of Environmental Rights Action in Nigeria. The report can be downloaded from noredd.makenoise.org in Spanish and English. Edited by Joanna Cabello and Tamra Gilbertson of Carbon Trade Watch, it features articles by Global Justice Ecology Project, Censat Agua Viva, Amazon Watch, Acción Ecológica, COECOCEIBA, OFRANEH, World Rainforest Movement, Carbon Trade Watch, RisingTide, ETC Group, Indigenous Environmental Network and REDD-Monitor. There will be a press conference to launch the book in Cancún on Monday, 6 December 2010 at 9am in the Moon Palace (Azteca- Luna Room 2). ……………………

http://www.redd-monitor.org/2010/12/06/no-redd-a-reader-new-publication-from-carbon-trade-watch-and-indigenous-environmental-network/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:+Redd-monitor+(REDD-Monitor)

9850 acres forest land diverted for 10 major industries

BS Reporter / Kolkata/ Bhubaneswar December 07, 2010, 0:56 IST

The Union ministry of environment & forests (MoEF) has approved the diversion of 3986.58 hectares (9850.70 acres) of forest land for ten major industrial projects in the state. Out of these 10 industrial projects, forest land has been acquired and handed over to all industries except Posco India where the diverted forest land of 1253.22 hectares (3096.66 acres) has not been handed over to the steel maker due to the stop work order of the MoEF. ………………………..

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/9850-acres-forest-land-diverted-for-10-major-industries/417301/

NRC DIRECTOR LOWMAN INVITED TO PROMOTE FOREST ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION IN INDIA

RALEIGH — Dr. Margaret Lowman, Director of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences’ Nature Research Center, has been awarded a Fulbright Senior Specialist award to travel to India in January 2011. The Indian government requested Lowman’s expertise to help design important forest conservation programs in India and to lead science education outreach events during her visit. Lowman pioneered the science of canopy ecology, earning her the nickname “Canopy Meg.” For 30 years, Lowman has designed hot-air balloons and walkways for treetop exploration to solve mysteries in the world’s forests, which are among the most species-rich yet most highly threatened terrestrial habitats. “Through the Fulbright pathway,” Lowman says, “I hope to communicate effectively to global audiences about forest stewardship and conservation, using canopy research as a ‘hook’ to engage scientists, citizens, policy makers and communities as stakeholders of healthy forests.” The Indian government invited Lowman to help foster and promote India’s emerging global leadership in canopy science — a result of hosting the 5th International Canopy Conference ………….

http://naturalsciences.org/about-us/news/?select=1585

Chocolates' sal connection

Author(s): Richard Mahapatra

Issue: Dec 6, 2010

Richard Mahapatra reveals how a chocolate supports people in forests

http://www.downtoearth.org.in/node/2370

Training Course on “Forest Certification” for the Indian Forest Service Officers inaugurated at Amity University

Release Date: 2010-12-06

The one-week long Training Course on “Forest Certification” for the Indian Forest Service Officers organized by Amity School of Natural Resources and Sustainable Development at Amity University, Noida, Sector – 125 was inaugurated today by Dr. J.C. Kala, Ex-Director General (Forests) & Hony. Director General, AIGWES, Dr. Sunil Saran, Vice Chairman, Amity Science Technology and Innovation Foundation and Maj. Gen. R.K. Dhawan, Senior Vice President RBEF & Director International Affairs Division, Amity University Dr. J.C. Kala, Director General, AIGWES gave a general over view of the week long training programme. In his inaugural speech, he said that the objective of the programme is to make the participants aware of what the governments of the various countries are doing for the conservation of the precious natural resources which are depleting with time. The aim is to work on the cross-fertilization of ideas and its implementation in the training programme. Dr. Kala informed the participants that the certified forest has better market value domestically as well as globally. So “Certification” is the buzzword and “Sustainable Development” is the keyword in the world of forestry and natural resources. …………………………………………………….

http://www.prurgent.com/2010-12-06/pressrelease135958.htm

IN NEWS

REDD at Cancún Causes Angst in India

CANCÚN, Mexico -- Forest rights advocates and indigenous community organisations from India are adding their voices to what promises to become the newest division in the climate talks here: the inclusion of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation + in developing countries, or REDD+, as an agreement.
By Keya Acharya*, IPS/TierraViva

http://www.galdu.org/web/?odas=4978&giella1=eng

Coal India may lose Rs19,000 cr by March 2012

Press Trust of India / New Delhi December 5, 2010, 11:56 IST

Delays in environment clearances to Coal India projects may result in loss of about 190 million tonnes  output valued at about Rs 18,800 crore, to the country's largest miner by March 2012.

Coal India, which through its initial share sale's resounding success raised a record Rs 15,200 crore, making the IPO the biggest in India so far, faces delays in environment clearances ………...............

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/coal-india-may-lose-rs19000-cr-by-march-2012/118271/on

Bodies condemn killing
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 04 2010: Singsit Organisation North East India has strongly condemned the abduction of Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Dr S Singsit from Keithelmanbi on November 30.It urged all the organisations not to repeat such act in future. It also thanked the concerned for rescuing him. Kuki Women Union Manipur has also strongly condemned the abduction of Dr S Singsit on his mother's funeral day. Lauding NSCN (IM) for rescuing him the Kuki body wished Dr Singsit for good health.

http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=Snipp4..051210.dec10

IN NEWS

 Sariska tiger died of poisoning: Minister

2010-12-04 11:40:00

Jaipur, Dec 4 (IANS) A tiger that was found dead in Sariska Tiger Reserve last month had been poisoned, Rajasthan Forest Minister Ram Lal Jaat said here Saturday. The male translocated tiger, ST-1, was poisoned with organophosphorus insecticide, the minister said. The forensic report has confirmed poison in the tiger's body. 'Scientists at the Forensic Science Laboratory found organophosphorus insecticide in the viscera sample of the tiger,' Jaat told IANS. The report was submitted to the government Thursday. ……….

http://sify.com/news/sariska-tiger-died-of-poisoning-minister-news-national-kmelEtjffaa.html

China's climate change battle

ANANTH KRISHNAN

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/article927872.ece

Kerala Social forestry gets UN recognition

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 4 (PTI)

A host of afforestation programmes taken up by the Kerala government in the last four years has received United Nations'recognition. The programmes, implemented by the state Forest Department, like'Ente Maram Padhathi'(My Tree Scheme),'Haritha Keralam'(Greening Kerala),'Haritha Theeram'(Greening the Coast Programme),'Vazhiyorathanal Thanal'(Road-Side Planting of Shade Trees) have been widely appreciated for its effective implementation by the international agency. As part of the programmes, a total of 1.87 crore saplings have been distributed ………………………………………………

http://www.indiareport.com/India-usa-uk-news/latest-news/953754/National/1/20/1

Forest & Biodiversity Rights of the Nagas

morungexpress

Encroachment over the Rights of the Nagas by enacting and extending the application of Forest Conservation, Act 1980 and Bio-diversity Act, 2002: a Critical analysis and Appraisal

Since time immemorial, the socio-economic and cultural life of the Naga has revolved around the forest and its resources. In fact, it is because of this reason that Article 371A has been incorporated in the Constitution of India so as to protect the socio-economic and cultural rights and interest of the Nagas.  Nagaland has diverse culture……………………………

http://www.morungexpress.com/express_review/58600.html

CLIMATE CHANGE
REDD at Cancún Causes Angst in India
By Keya Acharya*
CANCÚN, Mexico, Dec 4, 2010 (IPS/TerraViva) - Forest rights advocates and indigenous community organisations from India are adding their voices to what promises to become the newest division in the climate talks here: the inclusion of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation + in developing countries, or REDD+, as an agreement. ..................................

http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=53773

REDD in India: Hopes and Qualms

Friday, December 03, 2010 

By Ghasiram Panda

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 16th Conference of the Parties (COP 16) will be convened in Cancun, Mexico from 29th of Nov. to 10th of Dec. 2010. Many are waiting eagerly to see the response of the different countries on Reduction of Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) which is presently consider as one of the smarty and cost effective way to reduce global warming and climate change because of green house gases emission. The previous conference at Copenhagen was not so effective. Thus, there is a lot of ……………….

http://www.orissadiary.com/ShowOriyaColumn.asp?id=22813

Thol birds’ plight gets national attention

Published: Saturday, Dec 4, 2010, 14:42 IST
By DNA Correspondent | Place: Ahmedabad

The plight of birds troubled by fishing nets in Thol Lake has caught the attention of a member of the National Wildlife Board in India. After reading the story reported byDNA on Thursday about how ten cormorants were rescued after being trapped in a net, a senior member of the NBWLI Prerna Bindra expressed shock over the forest department's apathy in a letter to the principal chief conservator of forest Pradeep Khanna. "I was shocked to read the plight of the birds in a story in DNA  …………………………..

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_thol-birds-plight-gets-national-attention_1476420

Gharial death remains a mystery

TNN, Dec 3, 2010, 10.29pm IST
KANPUR: The recovery of a dead gharial on November 22 in the upstream of Chambal river in Etawah district has left perturbed the UP forest department officials. The dead gharial, which had attained 3-4 years of age, was about 5 ft in size, was found at Chambal Nada near Mitati village of Chakkarnagar Sahson area of Etawah district. ………
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/Gharial-death-remains-a-mystery/articleshow/7037332.cms

Four killed in elephant rampage in India

Published: Dec. 3, 2010 at 5:22 PM

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2010/12/03/Four-killed-in-elephant-rampage-in-India/UPI-91581291414931/

India's forest, tree covers increasing

The country's forest and tree covers have increased — by 728 and 1,106 sq km respectively

Published on 11/29/2010 - 12:15:42 PM

New Delhi: The country's forest and tree cover has increased — by 728 and 1,106 sq km respectively, Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh said in the Rajya Sabha on Monday. Quoting the 'India State of Forest Report 2009', Ramesh said in a written reply to the house: "There is no policy or scheme for giving carbon credit norms to states for increasing forest cover." However, under the award of 13th Finance Commission, a grant of Rs 5,000 crore has been allocated as "Forest Grants" to the states on the basis of their forest cover in relation to the national average and the quality of the forests in each state as measured by density, Ramesh added, reports IANS. There has been a net increase in mangrove forest cover on the east coast of India. The mangrove cover which was 4,581 sq km in 2005, increased to 4,639 sq km in 2007.

http://igovernment.in/site/indias-forest-tree-covers-increasing-38842

India's Forest and Tree Cover

http://2dix.com/pdf-2010/forest-cover-in-india-pdf.php

A Journalist in India Ends Up in the Headlines

By LYDIA POLGREEN

Published: December 3, 2010

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/04/world/asia/04india.html?_r=1

IN NEWS

Swaminathan favours more fertiliser trees for Green India

NEW DELHI: Agriculture scientist Mr M S Swaminathan on Friday said that the government should encourage planting of more fertiliser trees in its mission for a ‘Green India’ to reap various benefits, including better soil health. “The Government has initiated Greening of India programme with the aim of planting more trees. My view is that instead of planting any trees, plant fertiliser trees,” said Mr Swaminathan at a seminar on nitrogen. Under the National Action Plan on Climate Change, the government had mooted a “National Mission for a Green India” as one of the eight missions. Under the programme, 12.86 lakh hectares (LH) comprising of 7.22 LH of degraded forest land and 5.64 LH of no n—forest land were identified for raising compensatory afforestation in lieu of diversion of 11.10 LH forest land for non—forest purposes. ……..……..

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/businessline/blnus/14031533.htm

Indian wetlands centre judged best in class

Posted on 03 December 2010

Keoladeo National Park, India: The Salim Ali Visitor Interpretation Centre in Keoladeo National Park in Rhajasthan, India has been judged Asia’s best wetland centre. The award, conferred by Wetlands Link International at its third international conference in Malaysia, recognized the range of programs and the depth of community involvement in the four year old centre. “Salim Ali Visitor Interpretation Centre has been awarded the award due to its great range of work, from education sessions with schools, to outreach work to local communities excluded from the park, and even working with local people working in the park itself,” said Wetlands Link International head Chris Rostron in giving the award. The centre in central northern India a partnership between WWF-India, ………………………………..

http://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?197559/Indian-wetlands-centre-is-best-in-class

India supports regional water management protocol

Updated on Friday, December 03, 2010, 19:30

Singapore: India on Thursday supported a regional protocol comprising a dispute resolution mechanism for water management in the Himalayan River Basin countries, amid concerns over China's dam-building activities in Tibet. India's views were presented by Congress MP Vijay Darda, its delegate at a workshop here on the 'Benefit of Cooperation in the Himalayan River Basin Countries of Bangladesh, China, India and Nepal'. ...........

http://www.zeenews.com/news672192.html

Whose steel? Who’s stealing?

The Rs. 52,000 crore POSCO project has the figures to dazzle, but who’s going to profit from it? TUSHA MITTAL finds it is not going to be Odisha’s villagers

http://www.tehelka.com/story_main48.asp?filename=Ne111210whose_steel.asp

Mayawati's NOIDA park-cum-memorial project gets Supreme Court nod

Published: Friday, Dec 3, 2010, 21:07 IST
Place: New Delhi | Agency: PTI

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_mayawati-s-noida-park-cum-memorial-project-gets-supreme-court-nod_1476158

EU money to protect mangrove forests in Bangladesh

By Mizan Rahman
Dhaka

The European Union (EU) has provided Bangladesh with about 900mn taka ($10.25mn) as grant for protection and efficient management of the Sundarbans Reserve Forest (SRF), the world’s single largest mangrove forest. The Forest Department of the Ministry of Environment and Forests will be the agency to implement the five-year project designed for better protecting people and nature in the Sundarbans………………

http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=402386&version=1&template_id=44&parent_id=24

IN NEWS

India Envoy Says Climate Talks' Success `Remote' If Kyoto's Not Extended

By Natalie Obiko Pearson and Abhijit Roy Chowdhury - Dec 2, 2010 7:33 PM GMT+0530

India said the success of global climate talks in Mexico would be “remote” unless countries agree to extend the Kyoto Protocol beyond 2012.“If the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol is not there, then I’m afraid the prospects for any positive outcome at Cancun are very remote,” Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said today in an interview at his office in New Delhi. …………..

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-02/india-envoy-says-climate-talks-success-remote-if-kyoto-s-not-extended.html

Hydel projects taking toll on forest 
Rakesh Lohumi/TNS

Shimla, November 29
The recent move of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests to stall forest clearance to projects involving significant destruction of forests has come rather late for the hill state which has already sacrificed a vast expanse of precious green cover to pave way for hydroelectric projects and roads.

Latest data reveals that 9,131 hectares forest land has been diverted for non-forestry purpose from 1980, when the Forest Conservation Act came into force, till October 31, 2010, and another 900 hectares is in the pipeline. Hydroelectric projects have devoured maximum green cover with a diversion of 3,929 hectares, followed by transmission lines (2,226 hectares), roads (1,691 hectares) and mining (819 hectares). Out of this 2,065 hectares, over 22 per cent of the total land, has been diverted over the past three years. Over 11 lakh trees have been axed for hydroelectric projects and transmission lines over the years. ……………

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20101130/himachal.htm#6

NTCA meet on NH6 inconclusive

Vijay Pinjarkar, Dec 2, 2010, 01.16am IST
NAGPUR: The meeting called by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), on Tuesday, to look into the violations in four-laning of national highway No 6 in the 85-km patch between Deori and Lakhni in Gondia and Bhandara districts remained inconclusive. This was for the first time in the past two years that the NTCA called a meeting in Delhi. It was attended by joint director SP Yadav, chief conservator of forest (CCF) Nagpur Wildlife Circle, AK Saxena, National Highway Authority of India's (NHAI) VK Sharma, assistant inspector general of forests (IGF) Umakant and manager of Wildlife Trust of India…………………….
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/NTCA-meet-on-NH6-inconclusive/articleshow/7025527.cms

HC bans shooting at botanical garden

OUR LEGAL REPORTER

The high court on Wednesday directed the Indian Botanic Garden in Shibpur not to allow any social gathering or commercial activity, including film shooting, on the premises. “The garden authorities will have to ensure that nothing, other than botanical activity, is allowed on the premises,” the division bench of Justice A. Kabir and Justice Shukla Kabir (Sinha) ruled. ……………………

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1101202/jsp/frontpage/story_13245819.jsp

Politician as an activist
December 02, 2010   9:50:20 PM
Gautam Mukherjee
Jairam Ramesh has re-invented himself as St George the dragon-slayer, taking on all and sundry in his crusade. But it's obstructionism by another name

The true geopolitics-altering crusading spirit probably died with the medieval Crusades and good riddance too. It would be much too much Bushism for today’s multi-polar world. Which is not to say it didn’t generate quite a contest between the Jews, Muslims, sundry Slavs, other inconveniences to the Pope on one side, and the Roman Catholic Christians from the 11th , 12th and 13th centuries, on the other. But though the Crusades lasted some 200 years (1095-1291), they ended, for the most part, with inconclusive results that persist to this day. The term ‘crusading’, however, entered the lexico ………………………….

http://www.dailypioneer.com/300610/Politician-as-an-activist.html

19 approved mining leases yet to be executed

BS Reporter / Kolkata/ Bhubaneswar December 02, 2010, 0:15 IST

As many as 19 mining leases approved by the Government of India are yet to be executed in the state mainly due to want of forest clearance and non-submission of Mining Plan. "The execution order of 19 mining leases approved by the Government of India is pending with the state government for various reasons”, Raghunath Mohanty, the state minister for industries and steel & mines said in response to a query in the state assembly. ……………………

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/19-approved-mining-leases-yet-to-be-executed/416848/

Joint Forest Management and Resource Sharing: Lessons from India for Zimbabwe

Calvin Nhira, Frank Matose

IIED code:7520IIED 

Published:1996 - IIED 

Areas:Zimbabwe, India 

Topics:Forestry, Natural Resource Management 

Series:Forestry Participation Series 5 

ISBN/ISSN:ISBN 978-1-84369-109-9, ISSN 10266887 

Details:20 pages (Book/Report) 

Language:English 

Develops an analysis of the Joint Forest Management approach in India in relation to current and potential "resource sharing" initiatives in forest reserves in Zimbabwe. Whilst noting major differences in forestry context between the two countries, there are a number of lessons for Zimbabwe which have been learnt the hard way in India. The authors discuss the influence of policy, the roles of local institutions and mediating NGOs, and the incentives for local involvement. The paper concludes that a re-orientation is required in the resource sharing scheme, from forest protection towards greater community control through negotiation of rights and responsibilities of communities, the state and local institutions.

http://pubs.iied.org/7520IIED.html

IN NEWS

Scientists’ letter to Norway and Indonesia: “Natural forests, even when not in their primary state, may have high conservation value”

By Chris Lang, 1st December 2010

http://www.redd-monitor.org/2010/12/01/scientists-letter-to-norway-and-indonesia-natural-forests-even-when-not-in-their-primary-state-may-have-high-conservation-value/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:+Redd-monitor+(REDD-Monitor)

“Forests in exhaustion” – An ECA guide for the perplexed

By Chris Lang, 1st December 2010

http://www.redd-monitor.org/2010/12/01/%E2%80%9Cforests-in-exhaustion%E2%80%9D-an-eca-guide-for-the-perplexed/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:+Redd-monitor+(REDD-Monitor)

REDD alert for India's forest-dwellers

Chetan Chauhan, Hindustan Times
Email Author New Delhi, November 30, 2010

The agreement over Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) — a global regime to protect forests —  likely at the climate summit in Cancun may create livelihood issues for Indian tribals and forest-dwellers, experts have warned. The feared alienation has started in Indonesia, where oil companies have taken over forestland to neutralise emissions from their plants in Russia. "The project is expecting to prevent 75m tonnes of carbon being emitted over 30 years, which could earn the firms $750m at a carbon price of $10 a tonne," a report by NGO Friends of Earth (FOE), released before the summit, said. The REDD scheme is central to slowing or halting deforestation and is likely to be approved at Cancun. But critics say that the scheme amounts to privatisation of natural resources. "The REDD is in conflict with the Forest Rights Act (FRA)," said Shankar Gopalakrishnan of NGO Campaign For Survival and Dignity, which has been fighting for rights of tribals. ……………………….

http://www.hindustantimes.com/REDD-alert-for-India-s-forest-dwellers/Article1-632874.aspx

  

UGANDA
Carbon Finance May Not Benefit Forest Communities
By Rosebell Kagumire*
KAMPALA, Nov 30, 2010 (IPS) - Uganda has lost more than two million hectares of forest since 1990, mostly converted to farmland by a growing population of smallholders. Carbon finance through the REDD programme is often presented as one way to arrest this destruction, but only if the benefits clearly translate to the grassroots. Almost a fifth of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide comes from the destruction of forests - second only to the energy sector. The idea behind REDD - reduced ……………………..

http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=53719

Act before vicious cycle sets in

Issue: Dec 15, 2010

Without a grazing policy the goat economy can go bust

Goat rearing is the poor’s survival response to an ecological crisis. It has turned out to be an economic success. But the goat economy has the potential to precipitate an ecological crisis if grazing is not ensured. Options before India are very few: shrinking grazing ground, restricted forest land and stall feeding. India has to respond quickly to protect both poor people’s livelihood and ecology. How can it achieve that? To begin with, the ministries concerned have to turn attention to grazing. At present, no ministry is concerned with grazing. The animal husbandry department’s mandate is to popularise goats, the agriculture ministry is limited to crops, the rural development ministry merely factors in goat rearing in its programmes and the environment and forests ministry just opposes grazing inside forests. If natural resources ………………………………

http://www.downtoearth.org.in/node/2334

Launch of VrukshSharad+ (VS+) at "Parvotsav - Passing the Legacy"

First time in India, software to measure "Carbon Absorption and Sequestration"

Mumbai, Maharashtra, November 30, 2010 /India PRwire/ -- Climate change and the environment have become critical issues for governments, corporate organisations, academicians and common people. Logic and intuition tells us the value of trees as a means to combat the many ills that are prevalent in our ecology. However solutions that are based on hard facts have the best chances of success. Technology has always been one way to ensure documented data that allows for vital decision making especially in the complex field of carbon sequestration. Carbon sequestration is a process by which trees store carbon as a final product. The ability of carbon sequestration by different species plays a very critical role in managing the carbon influx in the environment thus it is very important to study carbon sequestration process and capacity of trees in an ecosystem. Vrukshsharad+ (VS+), a proprietary software on tree inventory management and carbon sequestration has been a flagship project of Terracon Ecotech Pvt. Ltd. that provides critical tools to calculate carbon absorption and sequestration ………………………….

http://www.indiaprwire.com/pressrelease/environmental-services/2010113070051.htm

Greens sceptical of Vijay Mallya’s espousal of tribal cause

Published: Wednesday, Dec 1, 2010, 10:27 IST
By Bosky Khanna | Place: Bangalore | Agency: DNA

The liquor baron and Rajya Sabha member from the state, Vijay Mallya, on Tuesday came out in support of tribals in Biligiri Ranga Hills who are in danger of being displaced due to the plan to declare the area as a tiger reserve. Speaking on the sidelines of the International Film Festival of India, in Panaji, he said that the tribals were guarding the tigers from poaching and other dangers. “If they are displaced, there will be no protection for them (tigers),” he said. …………………..

http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_greens-sceptical-of-vijay-mallya-s-espousal-of-tribal-cause_1474805

Experts from Pakistan, India call for implementing Bali Declaration

NEW DELHI, Dec 1 (APP): Experts and journalists from Pakistan, India and other regional countries have underlined the need for implementation of Bali Declaration to save the earth from environmental hazards.During a two-day media briefing organized by Centre for Science and Environment here, the experts  said in the next few years there was an apprehension of fast changes in the world environment which could cause immense damage.The experts urged the United States and other world powers to fulfill their responsibilities in making the world environment free of pollution. They completely opposed the Copenhagen meeting by saying that “it was only a political agreement.” Speaking at the briefing, India’s Minister for Environment and Forest Jairam Ramesh said that the United States was not following ………………

http://app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=123346&Itemid=2

Rs 1-lakh for Orang guard family

A STAFF REPORTER

Guwahati, Nov. 30: Assam forest minister Rockybul Hussain today handed over a cheque for Rs 1 lakh to the family of a forest guard of Orang National Park who died fighting rhino poachers in June. The amount is part of the Wildlife Trust of India’s Van Rakshak Project that provides an umbrella insurance scheme for frontline forest staff across the country. Mohd Hasen Ali, employed as forest guard at Panchnoi Camp no. 1, was shot during a …………………….

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1101201/jsp/northeast/story_13240814.jsp

Small and medium forest enterprise - India: A discussion paper

Sushil Saigal, Sharmistha Bose

IIED code: 9536IIED 

Published: May 2005 - IIED  Area: India 

Topics: Forestry, Local Organisations, Markets 

Series: Small and Medium Forestry Enterprise 04 

ISBN/ISSN: ISBN 978-1-84369-552-3 

Details: 65 pages (Book/Report) Language: English 

Small and Medium Forest Enterprises (SMFEs) carry out most of India’s forest-based production and processing. While the government owns most forests, the bulk of SMFEs are in the private sector, These SMFEs generate significant employment in India with tens of millions of people working in diverse timber and non-timber forest product sectors. Many products such as medicinal plants also earn valuable foreign exchange. The policy environment in India has historically favoured SMFEs through direct protection and concessions – but this is changing. Simultaneously, access to forests and forest resources has become increasingly difficult. But new opportunities are emerging for household and community level enterprises. The contribution of SMFEs to rural livelihoods merits greater attention – collating scattered information, identifying major constraints and improving the policy environment.

http://pubs.iied.org/9536IIED.html

Too much fertiliser use has ruined soil health: study

Published: Wednesday, Dec 1, 2010, 2:30 IST
By Vineeta Pandey | Place: New Delhi | Agency: DNA

http://www.dnaindia.com/scitech/report_too-much-fertiliser-use-has-ruined-soil-health-study_1474713

  

Arundhati Roy's Pachmarhi house declared illegal

Milind Ghatwai

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/arundhati-roys-pachmarhi-house-declared-illegal/718384/