Humiliated, many victims refuse to pick up the cheques. Fazilka: Believe it or not, the Punjab Government has issued cheques for as little as paise 53, Rs 10.67, Rs 12.58, Rs 18, Rs 38, Rs 41.74 and Rs 51 as compensation to flood-hit victims. Shocked “beneficiaries” said even beggars did not accept 50 paise in alms. While Chiman Singh of Tahliwala Bodla village has been awarded paise 53, Shanti Devi, wife of Kottu Ram, has been given Rs 10. 67.

A notification issued by the Government of India banning the use of bulls as performing animals has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the adrenaline pumping bullock cart races at the 76th Kila Raipur Games that are slated to kick off at Kila Raipur village in Ludhiana tomorrow. Animal Welfare Board of India, (AWBI), Ministry of Environment and Forests, has written to Subodh Chandra Agrawal, Chief Secretary, Government of Punjab, asking him to ensure bullock cart races are not organised at the Kila Raipur games, also known as mini rural Olympics.

The country recorded a decrease of 367 square km in forest cover last year, compared with 2009, according to India State of Forest Report 2011, released here on Tuesday.

The forest and tree cover of the country stands at 78.29 million hectare, which is 23.81 per cent of the country's geographical area, said the report. “Compared with the 2009 assessment, after taking into account the interpretational changes, there is a decrease of 367 square km in the country's forest cover,” the report said.

New Delhi India’s forest cover has shrunk marginally, says the latest government report. The reduction of 367 sq km (about the size of the Ranthambore National Park) means that the total forested land in the country is 23.81% of the geographical area.

The reduction implies the ministry of environment and forests will be even more uncomfortable with industrial projects in green areas. The ‘India State of Forest Report, 2011’ shows that while 12 states registered a fall in forest and tree cover, 15 states — led by Punjab – showed an increase.

India's forest cover shrank by 367sq km with the maximum 80 per cent loss recorded in Andhra Pradesh mainly due to Naxals felling trees in Warangal and Khammam districts, according to a new survey released on Tuesday.

Forest and tree cover of the country as per the biennial assessment report released by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) is 78.29 million hectares, which is 23.81 per cent of the geographical area. This includes 2.76 per cent tree cover.

Farmers in Punjab and officials related to the agriculture sector have expressed a serious concern over the proposed suggestion by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MPNG) to the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) to cut off the supply of domestic natural gas to fertiliser units producing phosphorous and potash. Highly placed sources said if the decision was implemented, the cost of these fertilisers would go up and the farmers would resort to using nitrogen-based fertilisers like urea that would increase soil acidity and in turn, reduce productivity.

In order to make Chandigarh a slum-free city, the Chandigarh Administration has proposed to make it “mandatory for all private houses and industrial plots of one kanal and above, who engage servants or labour to make available suitable accommodation for them within their premises”. This has been stated by the Chandigarh Administration in its voluminous report submitted to the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

King Abdullah's Relief Campaign for Pakistani People will provide funds amounting to US $120,000 to Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD) with the purpose to install water pumps and filtration plants in the flood-ravaged areas of Punjab and Sindh.

In this connection, KARCPP signed a Memorandum of Understanding with HHRD, here on Friday, under which the latter would install water pumps and filtration plants in the flood-affected areas, especially hospitals and mosques, aimed at providing safe and clean drinking water to the community.

Muktsar: Despite the fact that at least 1,100 persons have died of cancer in Muktsar district alone in the past 10 years and the disease is spreading its tentacles at an alarming pace, the health authorities have not planned any awareness camps for the World Cancer Day tomorrow. The poor and rich both have been afflicted by the deadly disease. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal lost his wife Surinder Kaur to cancer last year. Former CM Harcharan Singh Brar’s son Kanwarjit Singh Brar “Sunny”, MLA Muktsar, is also reportedly suffering from the disease.

PAU scientists warn that climatic changes may take a toll on various crops grown in the state. What is worrying Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, is that the rise in the average minimum night temperature and the humidity level may not only harm agriculture, but also the ecosystem in the state. Senior officials today made a presentation in this regard before the university board comprising senior officials of the state agriculture, horticulture and other departments. Financial Commissioner (Development) Navreet Singh Kang was also present at the presentation.