IN NEWS

Litmus test for govt as NAC gets specific on forest rights

Efforts To Streamline FRA Implementation Gain Steam

Nitin Sethi | TNN
    It has been the most contentious of UPA’s flagship schemes for the aam admi. The government has never been sure if it wants the Forest Rights Act to really work, and Congress can’t make up its mind on whether it will gain anything from the act meant to return forestlands taken away illegally from tribals and others by the government. It has been a handy tool to make some pro-tribal noise as in the case of Vedanta but the government remains careful of implementing it without exception – for instance, giving gram sabhas the right to decide on allowing industrialists to use forests for private projects.
    In this milieu of political ambiguity, the environment ministry set up a committee under N C Saxena to review the implementation of FRA and changes in the forestry sector. The committee was purportedly a joint one, with the tribal affairs ministry, but only so in name. The committee has recently submitted a report, which is representative of the confusion in the government over how far to go with the act. On the other hand, the National Advisory Council, headed by Sonia Gandhi, too is close to finalizing………………

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=CAP/2010/12/24&PageLabel=13&EntityId=Ar01300&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T

Environment ministry to decide Posco steel plant fate in a month 

25 December 2010

The fate of the $12-billion steel plant by South Korea's Posco, will be decided by Jairam Ramesh, the union minister of environment and forests by the third week of January.The controversial plant, first planned by the South Korean steel giant way back in 2005 – and which was ……………………………..

http://www.domain-b.com/companies/companies_p/posco/20101225_ministry.html

Coal India wants end to ecology bar on mining

Sudheer Pal Singh / New Delhi December 25, 2010, 0:33 IST

Says critical output targets being hit; Plan panel agrees. Government-owned Coal India would like an end to the policy of ‘no-go’ areas for mining, saying it was jeopardising its output targets. .....................

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/coal-india-wants-end-to-ecology-barmining/419545/

IN NEWS

Jairam Ramesh: Bringing discipline back to environment

Published on Fri, Dec 24, 2010 at 12:35   |  Updated at Fri, Dec 24, 2010 at 15:32  |  Source : Forbes India

By: Cuckoo Paul/ Forbes India

http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/features/jairam-ramesh-bringing-discipline-back-to-environment_508261.html

Let's debate Cancun in Parliament: Ramesh

In an exclusive interview, Minister for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh confronts many a vexing issue that he and his proactive ministry has been infamously involved with in recent times

BY Tuhin Dutta  Delhi

http://www.tehelka.com/story_main48.asp?filename=Ws241210environment.asp

24 DEC, 2010, 04.05AM IST,ET BUREAU 

Panel finds lacunae in implementation of FRA

NEW DELHI: A government committee has found the UPA government’s implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) to be dogged by “serious problems”. The draft report of the joint committee of the ministries of tribal affairs and environment found both ministries wanting in implementation and adherence to the law. Both ministries, according to the draft report, “have done little thinking” and issued no guidance to states ”on process needed after giving titles”.
The Forest Rights Act seeks to ensure individual and community rights for forest dwelling tribal and other traditional forest dwellers. The report will be submitted to the government on January 3. The 19-member committee was headed by National Advisory Council member NC Saxena, and Devendra Pandey, former director general, Forest Survey of India . The draft ……………

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/panel-finds-lacunae-in-implementation-of-fra/articleshow/7154158.cms

Forest dwellers get tough duty, but no right

C. K. Chandramohan

Corbett tiger protection force with 30% quota planned

DEHRA DUN: The Uttarakhand Government's decision to form a special Corbett tiger protection force with 30 per cent reservation for Van Gujjars and other forest dwellers has been described as a good step, but it violates the fundamental right to a full-time job and security to the “technically skilled” forest dwellers. They would be hired as casual workers and tasked …

http://www.hindu.com/2010/12/23/stories/2010122361070300.htm

IN NEWS

India to Establish More Tiger Reserves

NEW DELHI, India, December 21, 2010 (ENS) - India's National Tiger Conservation Authority has granted approval "in-principle" for four tiger reserves across the country and has requested proposals for four additional reserves to protect the endangered big cats. Jairam Ramesh, minister for environment and forests, confirmed the four reserves and the request for proposals in a written reply to a question in the upper house of Parliament last week………………

http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/dec2010/2010-12-21-02.html

CEC members inspect mining areas on Andhra border

TNN, Dec 22, 2010, 10.05pm IST

BELLARY: As per the directions of the Supreme Court, the members of Central Empowered Committee(CEC) inspected the mining areas of Obulapuram Mining Company owned by tourism minister G Janardhan Redddy, Ananthapur Mining Corporation, Bellary Iron Ore private Limited and Mahabaleshwarappa and Sons on Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka border on Wednesday. Officials from the forest department, revenue department, mines and geology department and Survey of India from both the states also took part in ………..

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/search?q=Obulapuram%20Mining%20Company

Camera-trapped snaps raise hopes for Manas

ROOPAK GOSWAMI

Guwahati, Dec. 22: Pictures don’t lie and Manas is definitely not lying.

As the first camera-trapped pictures of wildlife come out, the Manas National Park authorities want to send across the message that there is still hope for the numerous species in the park though the numbers may not be that big.  “These pictures at least demonstrate that there is still hope for Manas,” the field director of Manas tiger reserve, A. Swargowari, told The Telegraph. Camera trapping began in November when forest authorities of India a …………

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1101223/jsp/northeast/story_13334556.jsp

Jairam’s policy to hit India’s growth: Montek

Updated on Wednesday, December 22, 2010, 11:41

New Delhi: India’s infrastructure-led growth will be hit if coal-bearing areas remained out of bound for mining, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia has said, questioning the policies of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests. “I really do not understand the concept of ‘no-go’ areas. If you declare nearly 30 percent of coal-bearing areas as ‘no-go’, then does it mean that we should lower our growth projections?” Ahluwalia was ………............

http://biz.zeenews.com/news/news_content.aspx?newscatid=1&newsid=18511

Govt to discuss 'no-go' mining areas next week

Press Trust of India / New Delhi December 23, 2010, 16:54 IST

Amid Plan panel seeking 'sensible' definition of 'no-go' mining areas, Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal today said the issue will come up before the Cabinet next week to work out a solution. "We have circulated a cabinet note 15 days back. Hopefully, it will be taken up by the cabinet next week for discussion and some way out will be found," Jaiswal told reporters here on the sidelines of a meeting of Parliamentary Standing Committee on safety of mines. ……………

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/govt-to-discuss-/no-go/-mining-areas-next-week/120120/on

  

Govt worried over decreasing forest cover in state

Source: Bhaskar News   |   Last Updated 04:19(22/12/10)

Raipur: Worried over the fast reducing green cover in the region, the state government has decided to implement scientific methods to protect the jungles. The decreasing number of Sal trees also has the administration worried and it has sought a scientific research to know the reasons behind it. Speaking  after a presentation by the scientists of the Jabalpur based Tropical Forest Research Institute (TFRI), Forest Minister ………………

http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/govt-worried-over-decreasing-forest-cover-in-state-1678837.html

Straying Leopard Rescued in Northern India

2010-12-21 09:59

http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_bus/2010-12-21/441763700029.html

IN NEWS

Development work on the Chinese side near Ladakh area worries New Delhi

India to shore up border infrastructure

Deepak K Upreti New Delhi

The frenetic development of civilian and military infrastructure by China on its side of the Himalayan border has belatedly fired Indian authorities to initiate and speed up similar work on the rugged and inaccessible areas falling on their side.The ambitious projects may take five years and require boring five miles through the Pir Panjal range and other tunnels would allow all-weather access to Ladakh, sources told Deccan Herald. The tunnel roads are also to be constructed through Himachal Pradesh. The Union Home Ministry will take phase-wise construction of 27 roads totalling 804 km in the border areas along the India-China border in the states of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.The construction, once completed, would immediately facilitate defence and civilian ……………

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/122314/india-shore-up-border-infrastructure.html

Is Sukhna sanctuary in Chandigarh home to leopards?

IANS, Dec 21, 2010, 07.05pm IST

CHANDIGARH: Chandigarh houses over a million people and now it seems leopards too have found it suitable for a home! Substantial evidence on the presence of the big cats in the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary on the city outskirts has sent a ripple of excitement across wildlife activists and forest officials. "During the recently concluded wildlife census (Dec 9-11), we have got strong and adequate proof of the presence of leopards in the Sukhna Wildlife ………………

 http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Is-Sukhna-sanctuary-in-Chandigarh-home-to-leopards/articleshow/7140155.cms

Take on blue bulls to take-off night flights

Faiz Rahman Siddiqui, TNN, Dec 20, 2010, 10.03pm IST

KANPUR: The Chakeri airport authorities will soon have an answer to night landing of aircrafts, but they are still clueless on how to tackle the blue bull and peacock menace that has led to mishaps in the past.  The Instrument Landing System (ILS) will become operational at the Chakeri airport in a fortnight. It is sure to increase air-traffic. However, the airport authorities still have no foolproof plan to keep these birds and beasts from straying onto the runway. The forest cover surrounding the airport provides a safe harbour to the birds and the blue bulls but is a ……………….

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/search?q=Instrument%20Landing%20System

Two elephants found dead in forest in Orissa

Published: Friday, Dec 17, 2010, 22:45 IST
Place: Dhenkanal | Agency: PTI

Carcasses of two female elephants were found in Anantapur reserved forest, 55 kms from Dhenkanal, Orissatoday, forest officials said. The elephants aged about 20 years and 10 years, were found rapped in electric wire, an eyewitness said. …………….

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_two-elephants-found-dead-in-forest-in-orissa_1482609

IN NEWS

Naxal threat affects tigers too

IPSITA PATI

The national tiger reserve which is situated in this backward district has been affected by the activities of the Maoists. And now nobody knows whether there are any tigers left in the reserve.

Nationwide drive Established in 1973 and spread across 1,014 sq.km., the reserve had 22 tigers. In spite of a nationwide drive to conserve tigers, the big cat's population in this …………...............

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article963726.ece

Managing a problem of elephantine proportions

Arun Katiyar | Monday, December 20, 2010

We hold the notion that governance must come from those we elect. This, of course, is as expected and is the single biggest reason for going through the often-painful drama of elections. But the expectation results in an increasing alienation between those who govern and the governed (well, you and me). Let’s put it a little more simply: governance from above leads to development from above. The chances of this development reaching the lower sections of society are dangerously low. And if the bottom of  …………………………

http://www.dnaindia.com/opinion/comment_managing-a-problem-of-elephantine-proportions_1483600

'Tigers attack livestock due to poor prey base in Molem'

Paul Fernandes, Dec 20, 2010, 04.07am IST

PANAJI: Goa's wildlife sanctuaries, especially Molem and Mhadei, are part of a corridor for tigers, but a poor prey base makes it attack livestock, says A J T Johnsingh, wildlife advisor, wildlife institute of India (WII).  "They come here occassionally because there is good forest cover, but rampant poaching forces them to go for livestock, and people come to know about it," says Johnsingh, eminent wildlife biologist. Last week, a sambar was killed near Anjunem dam …………...............

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Tigers-attack-livestock-due-to-poor-prey-base-in-Molem/articleshow/7130218.cms

“No short cut route to save forest, environment”

Chandigarh Conservator of Forests -cum-Chief Wildlife Warden Santosh Kumar says there must be a participatory resource management to save them

Published on 12/20/2010 - 11:07:02 AM

With 38 per cent of its geographical area under green cover, Chandigarh has claimed the greenest city title in the country. In an interview with Hemant Singh,Chandigarh Conservator of Forests-cum-Chief Wildlife Warden Santosh Kumar explains how the Union Territory achieved the feat and set an example for others to follow…..

http://www.igovernment.in/site/%E2%80%9Cno-short-cut-route-save-forest-environment%E2%80%9D-38975

Tusker found dead in Pungiri forest area

Jhargram (WB), Dec 20 (PTI)

Carcass of a tusker was today found in Pungiri forest area under Nayagram police limit in West Midnapore district, forest officials said. The pachyderm can be a member of the 50-strong herd of elephants that entered the area from Dalma forest in Jharkhnad on November 29, Divisional Forest Officer …………….

http://www.indiareport.com/India-usa-uk-news/latest-news/962893/National/1/20/1

Coal shortage in India to beat mid term projections

Monday, 20 Dec 2010

Within six months of the Mid Term Review highlighting insufficient domestic coal production, current estimates have beaten the review’s coal shortage projections. The review’s assessment of coal production growth was already a downward revision from an initial estimate of 680 million tonnes by 2012. Coal is a critical input for fuelling growth of major infrastructure sectors like power, steel and cement. Any irreversible slump in coal production, thus, directly affects the country’s gross domestic product growth. Against the initial estimate of 680 million tonnes, the review document had pegged India’s annual coal production to reach only 630 million tonnes by the end of the current Plan ………................

http://www.steelguru.com/raw_material_news/Coal_shortage_in_India_to_beat_mid_term_projections/181769.html

Two years after nod, new IITs fail to take off

By   SiliconIndia

Monday, 20 December 2010, 07:54 IST

Bangalore: Two years after the cabinet gave approval for the set up for eight new Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), the institutes are still facing problems in putting the infrastructure together. From getting the land approved to the construction plans, the institutes are made to run from pillar to post. For instance, in Rajasthan, land for the permanent campus is yet to be handed over to the IIT while for IIT Bhubaneshwar, only around 517 acre have been given out of the 936 acre required. With regard to the IIT at Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, the case is in progress with animal husbandry land having been handed over to the institute while forest land of 330 acre is yet to be handed. ……………….........

http://www.siliconindia.com/shownews/Two_years_after_nod_new_IITs_fail_to_take_off-nid-75724.html/1/2?utm_source=clicktrack&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=mostcommented

Community Forestry

AUTHOR: G. P. D. Vyas
PUBLISHER: Agrobios (India)
ISBN: 9788177542929
YEAR: 2006
PAGES: 258
SIZE: 14 X 22 X 1.5 cm.
BINDING: Hard
LANGUAGE: English

http://cgi.ebay.in/Community-Forestry-/320632466207

IN NEWS

Sunday, 19 December 2010 13:35

India: MOEF-MOTA Joint Committee On Forest Rights Act Implementation And Future Forest Policy

The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, popularly known as the Forests Rights Act (FRA), was enacted in 2007 through the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to correct the ‘historic injustice done to forest-dwelling communities’. These communities were cultivating /occupying forest land and using forest produce since ages but had no tenurial security. Broadly speaking, this Act recognizes and vests individual forest-dwellers with forest rights to live in and cultivate forest land that was occupied before 13 Dec 2005 and grants community forest rights to manage, protect, regenerate the forest ……………..

http://indigenouspeoplesissues.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8121:india-moef-mota-joint-committee-on-forest-rights-act-implementation-and-future-forest-policy&catid=63:central-asia-indigenous-peoples&Itemid=85

First tag on biggest fish

- Scientists plant tube in whale shark in Arabian Sea

G.S. MUDUR

New Delhi, Dec. 18: A female whale shark caught in a fishing net in northern Arabian Sea near Verawal, Gujarat, has become the first to be tagged by Indian scientists for a study on the migration and genetics of the biggest known fish. Marine biologists alerted by fishermen implanted a tiny tube with a unique identity number near the dorsal fin of the whale shark and released the fish. The tube will serve as a visual tag to allow the whale shark’s movements to be tracked if it is ever …………….

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1101219/jsp/nation/story_13319916.jsp

19 DEC, 2010, 04.49PM IST,PTI 

MP forest dept wants to translocate antelopes to Palpur Kuno

BHOPAL: With a huge rise in endangered blackbuck population in Madhya Pradesh, the state forest department wants to translocate 1000 Indian antelopes to Palpur Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary, where its chief predator the Cheetah is proposed to be re-introduced in India.
"We have sent a proposal to the Centre seeking permission and funds to translocate 1000 blackbucks in Palpur Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary spread over an area of 300 sq km in Sheopur district where the Cheetahs are going to be re-introduced in India," Madhya Pradesh forest minister……………………………….

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/environment/flora--fauna/MP-forest-dept-wants-to-translocate-antelopes-to-Palpur-Kuno/articleshow/7128043.cms

Smuggling causing fast depletion of Shisham timber

TNN, Dec 18, 2010, 09.46pm IST

KARWAR: Indian Rosewood, known as black gold in international markets, is gradually disappearing from the forests of Uttara Kannada. The scientific name of the tree is Dalbergia Sissoo and it is commonly known as Shisham tree.  Continuous smuggling and destruction of the tree has become a cause of concern among forest lovers and officials. Rosewood, the brown and black tree, is very hard and is in great demand for manufacture of furniture in India and abroad. During the regular auctions held in Dandeli and Kiravatti forest depots, ……

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubli/Smuggling-causing-fast-depletion-of-Shisham-timber/articleshow/7119659.cms

Tusker terror on highway

TAPAS CHAKRABORTY

Lucknow, Dec. 18: The terror of an elephant has closed the Rishikesh-Dehra Dun highway to traffic after 4pm for the past six days. The male elephant has killed three persons, injured six and upturned vehicles travelling down the road that cuts through an elephant corridor in Rajaji National Park, prompting the Uttarakhand forest and wildlife department to turn to experts for advice on how to deal with the animal. In its report to the state government, the forest department has said the attacks ………………………

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1101219/jsp/nation/story_13319665.jsp

Tender

Forestry Sector Survey in India: Confirmation of Basic Information Gathering

Japan International Cooperation Agency

http://www.devex.com/en/projects/forestry-sector-survey-in-india-confirmation-of-basic-information-gathering

Perspective on European forest biomass

Johan Elvnert

http://ec.europa.eu/research/iscp/pdf/india-eu-conference-2010/elvnert_en.pdf

IN NEWS

18 DEC, 2010, 12.09PM IST,AGENCIES 

Sterlite Industries accused of unlawful deforestation in Chhattisgarh

NEW DELHI: A subsidiary of the Vedanta mining group in India has been accused of clearing forest land allegedly in violation of Supreme Court orders. According to the BBC, Sterlite Industries has been accused of cutting down trees while constructing a new power plant in Chhattisgarh. However, the company has denied that they have cleared forests unlawfully and claimed of cutting down trees only on privately owned land. Sterlite controls 51 percent of shares in the Bharat Aluminium Company (Balco) in …………………….

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News-News-By-Industry-Energy-Power/Sterlite-Industries-accused-of-unlawful-deforestation-in-Chhattisgarh/articleshow/7122162.cms

Now, hotels to ‘keep distance’ from forest reserves

Source: Bhaskar News   |   Last Updated 05:38(15/12/10)

Bhopal: In a bid to resolve the ever-escalating disputes between national park authorities and hotels, the state government has decided to formulate and effect a law which will prohibit the building of a tourist resort within 250 square feet of a reserved forested area. The rule will, however, not apply to hotels, restaurants ………

http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/now-hotels-to-%E2%80%98keep-distance-from-forest-reserves-1654159.html

Wildlife And Forest Tourism In India

Development and promotion of tourism including Wildlife and Forest Tourism, is primarily undertaken by the State Governments/UT Administrations. However, Ministry of Tourism extends Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations for development of tourism products ……

http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/wildlife-and-forest-tourism-in-india/

India And Malaysia Cooperate To Undertake Research Into Natural Herbs At Frim
Bernama
By V.Sankara SHAH ALAM, Dec 18 (Bernama) -- India is willing to cooperate with Malaysia to explore and tap the potentials of natural herbs in the Forest ..................

http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=550954

India open for mining business

The first-time mining trade mission to India will provide mining suppliers and investors networking opportunities

By: Adelle Larmour
Indian Minister of Mines B.K. Handique (left), and Minister of Northern Development of Mines and Forestry Michael Gravelle sign the Memorandum of Understanding on July 8, 2010. India has renewed its interest in developing its mining and mineral sector. Three visits from Indian government officials, the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ontario and a first-time provincial trade mission that ………

http://www.northernontariobusiness.com/Industry-News/mining/India-open-for-mining-business.aspx

Tourists spotted One Horned Rhino - India

The delegates of National Integration Camp,Nagaon enjoying the Indian One Horned Rhino while a forest guard tries to drive away the animal which stood on the forest road of Kaziranga National Park in Golaghat district of Assam, India. 17/12/2010 …………………………….

http://www.demotix.com/news/539441/tourists-spotted-one-horned-rhino-india