New Delhi: The Union ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) has sprung to the aid of villagers caught in a battle between hotel industry and wildlife groups, who are fighting for securing the Sigur elephant corridor that cradles between several wildlife sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu. In an affidavit filed before the SC, MoEF has opposed the Madras high court order asking everyone to hand over their land in the corridor in disregard to provisions of the Land Acquisition Act.

The Assam government has decided to go all out to protect the forest wealth of the State, a State minister said. The government has decided not only to arm forest guards with sophisticated weapons like AK-47 rifles and SLRs but also instructed all forest officials in each district to ensure immediate closure of all illegal saw mills. "We have done an amendment to the Forest Act. Through this amendment, the forest force is now recognized as a force like the police.

The High Court of Karnataka on Wednesday took the State government to task on its apathy in protecting the forest area in sensitive zones and ordered a stay on the construction of two mini hydel projects.

During the hearing of a petition filed by Prashanth Yavagal and Western Ghats Environment Forum, challenging the permission accorded to set up mini hydel projects in the Western ghats, the Division Bench headed by Justice D V Shylendra Kumar observed that the government was the number one enemy when it came to protection of forests.

After rejecting recommendations of the Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council (NAC) to strengthen Forest Rights Act, the Centre has decided to take all suggestions on board and introduce an amendment bill in the current Parliament session.

Tribal displacement, without rehabilitation, has led to growth of Naxalism: Tribal ministry

SHILLONG: Following CAG exposé on the failure of the state government to adhere to the Forest Conservation Act has compelled the Jaintia Youth Federation (JYF) central body to further pressurize the government to close down the cement factories operating in Jaintia Hills.

“This is a very serious matter indeed and the government’s failure has affected its exchequer to a large extent whereby it was mentioned that the state has lost revenue to the tune of Rs 43.45 crore due to its lack of will”, JYF president P Majaw told reporters here on Tuesday.

Ranchi, Feb. 28: Eighteen villages of Ranchi district will be the first to receive community rights over local natural resources under the forest act in Jharkhand by next month. Nine of these 18 lucky villages that will be empowered under the Scheduled Tribes & Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006 have already been been chosen.

These are: Buchaupa (Chanho block), Loyo (Mandar block), Chailgadha (Burmu), Lapra (Khelari), Sutiambe (Kanke), Kudagarha (Namkum), Jareya (Namkum), Hariharpur Jamtoli (Bero) and Pandra (Ratu).

‘Greed of a few people putting ecology in peril’

The Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) on Monday recommended cancellation of 49 mining leases in three districts of Karnataka, including some belonging to both BJP and Congress politicians.

The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) on Monday filed its final report on illegal mining in Bellary, Chitradurga and Tumkur districts of Karnataka recommending cancellation of 49 mining leases for “flagrant” violation of the Forest (Conservation) Act and other laws. The CEC has told the court that “these (49) leases should be directed to be cancelled on account of being found to be involved in substantially illegal mining”. PTI

New Delhi: Union environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan on Monday said, “I shall reject any project recommended for clearing without adhering to the Forest Rights Act (FRA) and the ministry’s order.” This was in response to a TOI story on the Forest Advisory Committee violating ministry directive while clearing projects.