New Delhi: The Government of Orissa has notified three Elephant Reserves namely Mayurbhanj, Mahanadi and Sambalpur. Permission for notification of South Orissa Elephant Reserve and Baitarani Elephant Reserve (which includes Keonjhar Forests) has been accorded by the Ministry in the year 2005. The State Government has yet to notify these two Elephant Reserves. Under the [...]

Kalpana Palkhiwala writes: Certain species are very hard to find like the snow leopard and the red panda that live in the high reaches of the Himalayan Mountains and  in the rain forests. But, this is not so with the Caracal because it resides in the easily approachable main lands of India, some are also the main tourism hubs of Indiasuch as Ranthambhore and Sariska. Yet, [...]

By Abdul Hadi Aurangabad (ANI): An ageing lioness is battling for its life after getting injured while being shifted for treatment in Maharashtra. The 21-year-old animal, which belongs to the Aurangabad Zoo, was suffering from renal problems. The big cat has a huge wound on her back and has been put on intravenous fluids and [...]

Nahan: Despite the intervention of the Prime Minister Office (PMO) the Himachal Pradesh Power corporation is yet to get the forest clearance for construction of 40 MW Renuka dam from minister of environment and forest. It is learnt that the power corporation had obtained the environment clearance about one year back. The Renuka Dam project, [...]

By Prashant Sharma Alwar (Rajashthan) (ANI): A genetically compatible tigress from the Ranthambore Tiger reserve has been relocated to the Sariska Tiger reserve in Rajasthan, to revive hopes for tiger breeding. The tigress, T-44, was freed in the reserve at around 11.30 a.m. after being brought by helicopter. “The operation that we carried out today [...]

Kalpana Palkhiwala writes:  The Pangolin or scaly ant eaters are curious animals.  Two types of pangolins are found in the country, Indian and Chinese. The latter is more common in the North East. There are seven species of Pangolins around the world. But there is no available data on the number of Chinese Pangolins found in the [...]

Launching the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission on 11th January, 2010, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh set out a vision for building a Solar India. Now efforts are on to giving wings to his dream. An important step in this direction is the recent announcement of a set of guidelines or ground rules for off-grid or decentralized applications.                                                    The [...]

Kalpana Palkhiwala writes: Noise pollution or environmental noise is displeasing to human beings and animals. Unwanted sound can damage physiological and psychological health of humans. It can cause hypertension, high stress levels, tinnitus which leads to forgetfulness, severe depression and at times panic attacks, hearing loss, sleep disturbances, and other harmful effects. Noise also has a [...]

(CNS): Second-hand tobacco smoke is dangerous to health. It causes cancer, heart disease and many other serious life-threatening diseases in adults. “Almost half of the world’s children breathe air polluted by tobacco smoke, which worsens their asthma conditions and causes dangerous diseases. At least 2 lakhs workers die every year due to exposure to second-hand [...]

Kalpana Palkhiwala writes: Environmental pollution remains a serious issue in the developing world, affecting the lives of billion people, reducing their life expectancy, and damaging children’s growth and development. The Government has recently revised the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and limits for 12 pollutants have been notified. Area classification based on land –use [...]

Junagarh (Gujarat): Gujarat’s famous Gir sanctuary is facing acute water scarcity due to rising temperatures. Most of the sanctuary’s natural water resources have dried up. Over 600 artificial water points have been created to provide drinking water for animals. The wildlife division is sending water tankers to replenish existing water holes, said Sandeep Kumar, Deputy Conservator. [...]

Ahmedabad (Gujarat), May 22 (ANI): Veterinarians and volunteers in Gujarat are taking special care of the animals and birds to safeguard them from the intense heat wave that has gripped the country. The sun has affected the highflying birds in particular. “Mostly kites, eagles, pigeons, parrot. They are suffering from heat stroke, sunstroke or dehydration. [...]

Udham Singh Nagar (Uttarakhand): The police arrested two persons near Corbett sanctuary in Uttarakhand”s Udham Singh Nagar District for possessing leopard skin. Police said the duo was coming from Champawat district and going to Uttar Pradesh”s Moradabad district to sell it off. “When we were checking some suspected vehicles at the intersection, our informers told [...]

Dirong Kothalguri (Assam): Kameshwar Rabha, a farmer in the Dirong Kothalguri Goalpara region of Assam, has proved himself to be a worthy ornithologist. He has endeavoured to provide an apt natural home to nearly 12,000 birds, mostly egrets and thus lend a fillip to conservation of these rare winged beauties. ”Bogoli” (egret) is a bird [...]