Environmental Studies

The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) has rejected Vedanta Ltd.’s request for renewal of consent to operate the Sterlite Copper smelter at Thoothukudi. Citing an appeal filed by it and the State government in the Supreme Court on Wednesday against the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) order in the matter, …

At least 260 leopards were poached in the country between 2015 and 2018, with Uttarakhand accounting for 60 cases and Himachal Pradesh reporting another 49, according to information given to Parliament by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). Of this, 64 cases of leopard poaching were recorded …

According to the National Tiger Conservation Authority’s (NTCA) records till December 15, 2018, there were 95 cases of tiger deaths in the country. Of this, 41 cases of tiger deaths outside tiger reserves have been reported. Of them, 14 occurred in Maharashtra, which accounted for over 34% of all deaths …

The Andhra Pradesh Weather Forecasting and Early Warning Research Centre (AWARE), a division of the RTGS, on Sunday said cyclone Phethai might make landfall by the evening of Monday between Kakinada and Tuni. It would be accompanied by winds blowing at 80-100 kmph. The RTGS sounded high alert in East …

A translocated tiger, the carcass of which was found in an Odisha sanctuary on November 14, died after falling into a trap laid by poachers, says the report of a joint inspection team of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Wildlife Institute of India. The report is at …

Discharge of drug-containing effluents can cause drug resistance By studying nine different pharmaceutical active compounds in Yamuna river, researchers have now pointed out that it can “possibly cause chronic toxicity” to aquatic life and to humans who use this water for drinking purposes. As our body does not use the …

The Andaman Islands are well-known for stunning beaches and now, the Sentinelese. Less-known are the colourful sea snakes – banded sea kraits – that also share these beaches. Now, a four-year study has helped shed more light on the mysterious terrestrial life of these amphibious snakes. Banded sea kraits hunt …

Translocated hyena dies in Guwahati zoo A male hyena, which was recently translocated from Jharkhand to Assam State Zoo, died here following brief illness caused by stress and infection, an official said Friday. The hyena, which arrived on November 26 from Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park in Ranchi, slipped into coma …

As many as 384 tigers have been killed by poachers in India in the last 10 years, according to the reply to a question under the Right to Information Act. Between 2008 and 2018 (till November), 961 persons have been arrested for allegedly poaching tigers. The information was given by …

NTCA panel slams planning, operation The committee constituted by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to enquire into the death of tiger T-1 (the official name of the tigress known as Avni) in Pandharkawada on November 2, has concluded that the dart shot to immobilise the big cat had been …

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had suggested that efforts must first be made to clean the Ganga and then the question of ensuring environmental flows could be addressed, Nitin Gadkari, Union Water Resources Minister, said at the India Water Impact Summit here on Wednesday. This is a significant statement, as prioritising …

At a time when tiger deaths dominate national news, a new study offers hope for wild tiger populations across countries by showing that under optimal conditions, tiger numbers can triple in 18 sites across the world, including eight in India. These are Anamalai-Vazhachal (in Tamil Nadu-Kerala), Sathyamangalam (Tamil Nadu), Balaghat …

The Forest and Wildlife Department on Thursday conducted a State-wide census to enumerate the State’s captive elephant population. Over 520 elephants were counted. The final figures were yet to be ascertained. The survey was necessitated by an order issued by the Supreme Court that directed Chief Wildlife Wardens to identify …

A convoy of cars announced the entry of Congress State president Sachin Pilot at Ganeti, a Jat-dominated village, near Tonk, around 4 p.m. Crowds of supporters surrounded his car, and Mr. Pilot was escorted into the village by security men, with the crowd following him as he hurriedly walked down …

The recent notification issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate change allowing local bodies to stipulate environmental conditions while granting building permission will improve the launch pipeline and at the same time, help save time and cost for developers.As per the notification, municipalities, development authorities and district panchayats …

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday directed the State machinery to work on “mission mode” to solve the pending cases under the Forest Rights Act to extend justice to tribals and ensure farm land is given to them. The government has also agreed to review progress on these cases every …

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to consider declaring all elephant corridors in India as eco-sensitive zones. Following a plea that sought legal recognition for elephant reserves and corridors in the State of Assam, a Bench headed by NGT Chairperson …

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to consider declaring all elephant corridors in India as eco-sensitive zones. Following a plea that sought legal recognition for elephant reserves and corridors in the State of Assam, a Bench headed by NGT Chairperson …

Too young to fend for themselves, the year-old siblings will have to be captured and studied before a decision on their relocation is taken Maharashtra is faced with the question of how to rehabilitate the two year-old cubs of Avni, the alleged man-eating tigress of Pandharkwada, who was killed on …

The IWAI contended that clearance was not necessary, as the proposed terminal at Varanasi was not a “port” and that only “maintenance dredging” was required. This activity was required to make an existing channel suitable, and was not a greenfield, dredging effort. Therefore, as per the provisions of the Environment …