Raipur, Jul 3 (PTI) Faced with mounting protests, the Chhattisgarh forest department on Thursday withdrew its directive that had effectively barred all other government departments, NGOs and private entities from undertaking any activity concerning Community Forest Resource Rights (CFRR). Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap has directed that the advisory be withdrawn, the department said in a statement. The directive was perceived by a section of soci
Bhubaneswar: Zeenat, the three-year-old tigress from Maharashtra brought to Odisha's Similipal last year under translocation project, is believed to be pregnant after mating with a melanistic male tiger named T-12 Mahabal in May this year. If her pregnancy is confirmed, Zeenat would deliver cubs around August or September this year, said Prem Kumar Jha, Odisha's Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife). Love blossomed after Zeenat was r
Ludhiana: As International Plastic Bag Free Day is observed on July 3, rising use of plastics, including plastic bags, are posing an unprecedented threat to bird population. Ornithologists and conservationists are sounding urgent alarms about the growing menace of plastic pollution -- that is choking habitats, contaminating food chains, and pushing several bird species to the brink of collapse.Plastic has turned into a long-lasting hazard in natu
Ramnagar: (Uttarakhand): The tiger population is rising consistently in the Corbett Tiger Reserve and the forest fringes around it. These days, many tigresses are sighted frequently with their cubs roaming in the forests. This is a big achievement for the forest department but poses a serious challenge, as well. Tigers increased in Corbett and Forest Division: There are more than 260 adult tigers in the Corbett Tiger Reserve at present. Cubs le
NBCC (India) Limited took a significant step in wildlife conservation and eco-tourism by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with FDCM Gorewada Zoo Limited (FGZL), a Government of Maharashtra initiative. This MoU focuses on developing the African Safari and Entrance Plaza at the Balasaheb Thackeray Gorewada International Zoological Park in Nagpur. The agreement was signed by Chandrasekharan Bala, CEO of FGZL, and Pravin Tukaram Doiphode,
NBCC (India) Limited moved to a transformative leap in wildlife conservation and Eco-tourism infrastructure by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with FDCM Gorewada Zoo Limited (FGZL), a Government of Maharashtra undertaking. The MoU pertains to the Development of African Safari and Entrance Plaza at the Balasaheb Thackeray Gorewada International Zoological Park, Nagpur. The MoU was signed by Shri Chandrasekharan Bala, CEO, FGZL and Shr
Indore, Jul 3 (PTI) Around 19 tonnes of soil containing residual toxic waste from the defunct Union Carbide factory in Bhopal has been incinerated and reduced to ashes at a disposal plant in Madhya Pradesh's Pithampur town, an official said on Thursday. Earlier, 337 tonnes of the waste from the factory premises had been incinerated in multiple phases at the same facility, located 30 km from here, he said. At least 5,479 people were killed and t
NEW DELHI: India's demographic health survey 2019-21 reveals that 13 percent of children were born prematurely, and 17 percent with a low weight at birth, with air pollution contributing to the adverse birth outcomes. Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, and institutes in the UK and Ireland looked at the National Family Health Survey-5 and remote sensing data to anal
New Delhi, Jul 3 (PTI) India's demographic health survey 2019-21 reveals that 13 per cent of children were born prematurely, and 17 per cent with a low weight at birth, with air pollution contributing to the adverse birth outcomes. Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, and institutes in the UK and Ireland looked at the National Family Health Survey-5 and remote sensin
VISAKHAPATNAM: In a first for any zoological park in Andhra Pradesh, the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP) in Visakhapatnam has successfully hatched 27 bird chicks through artificial incubation, while seven others were hatched naturally. The chicks belong to five bird species, including Blue Gold Macaw, Lutino Parakeet, Peach-Faced Lovebird, Red Junglefowl, and Indian Peafowl. The zoo's veterinary team, including one senior veterinarian, one
Seville & Bhubaneswar -- While droughts creep in stealthily, their impacts are often more devastating and far-reaching than any other disaster. Inter-community conflict, extremist violence, and violence and injustice against vulnerable girls and women happen at the intersection of climate-induced droughts and drought-impoverished communities. Five consecutive years of failed rain in Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya brought the worst drought in seven
MYSURU: Just a week after the poisoning deaths of five tigers, a mother and her cubs, in MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, over 20 monkeys (Bonnet Macaques) were found poisoned and dumped near Melkammanahalli, bordering Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Gundlupet taluk of Chamarajanagar district, on Wednesday. The monkeys were discovered stuffed into two bags and discarded along the Koandegala-Kodasoge Road around 6.30 am by passersby. Forest officials rushe
Mysuru: After the death of five tigers, including four cubs, at MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, forest officials are closely monitoring conflict zones near forest borders. Field officers have been instructed to intensify patrolling in the border areas.Foresters, however, admit there is a shortage of staff for patrolling in tiger reserves across Karnataka. PCCF (wildlife) and chief wildlife warden of Karnataka, Prabhash Chandra Ray, said he will revi
Bengaluru: Forest minister Eshwar Khandre's decision to initiate a departmental inquiry into the recent unnatural death of a leopard in the MM Hills wildlife sanctuary has triggered hopes among conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts about uncovering the truth behind such incidents.In the most recent case, the carcass of the big cat was found mutilated last month.Recollecting similar incidents in the past few years, the activists suspect an org
New Delhi: July 3 is International Plastic Bag Free Day. However, across Delhi, single-use plastic (SUP) bags, including those prohibited since 2018, are being used by shopkeepers and customers. Disposable cutlery and drinking straws made of plastic have also resurfaced in the marketplace.Despite restrictions imposed three years ago in July on single-use plastic, plastic items, particularly low-quality polythene bags below 50-micron thickness ban
Pune: Passengers on board a Goa to Pune SpiceJet flight (SG-1080) had a scare on Tuesday evening when a window panel was found dislodged while the plane was mid-air.The airline played down the incident, saying the window part that had come off was "a non-structural trim component, fitted onto the window for the purpose of shade".But a person on board the plane -- a Bombardier Q400 -- told TOI the incident triggered anxiety among the passengers. "
Bhubaneswar: With tigress Zeenat finding a mate in Similipal Tiger Reserve, and Yamuna also settling in the habitat, wildlife officials hope it will go a long way in bringing about genetic diversity in the big cat population."Both Zeenat and Yamuna almost getting settled in the reserve has marked the beginning of Similipal's journey to welcome genetic variation in big cats. Zeenat was released perfectly during her estrus cycle, during which she g
Shimla, July 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) Rescuers on Wednesday resumed the search operation in Himachal Pradesh on the second day to trace 34 people, who went missing after cloudbursts and heavy rain triggered massive landslides and flash floods. Sixteen cloudbursts and three flash floods on Tuesday in Mandi district washed away one bridge, 24 houses and one hydropower project, resulting in 10 deaths so far. The death toll could rise as the survival of
Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], July 2 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha participated in a special aarti at the Jammu Tawi riverfront. Sinha also visited the Amarnath Yatri Niwas base camp on Tuesday evening. After inspecting the Yatri Niwas base camp, Sinha stated that the security arrangements for the Yatra are more robust than ever before. 'I have witnessed the last four Yatras. The arrangements are better than eve
Bengaluru: Following the poisoning of five tigers at MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, forest minister Eshwar Khandre on Tuesday ordered an audit of tiger mortality in various tiger reserves (national parks) and wildlife sanctuaries of Karnataka. Delving into the activities of the wildlife wing, shortly after sending errant forest officials of MM Hills sanctuary on compulsory leave, the minister sought within 10 days a complete review of tiger deaths
JAMMU, July 02: With the annual ShriAmarnathJiYatra 2025 set to commence tomorrow, a vibrant spiritual atmosphere prevails at the YatriNiwas Base Camp in Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu, where around 3,500 pilgrims are ready to begin their sacred journey. "All arrangements have been made, and nearly 3,500 pilgrims are currently stationed at the Jammu Base Camp," said Rajesh Raina, a senior officer of the Tourism Department, speaking to Rising Kashmir. Re
New Delhi, Jul 1: A severe heatwave continues to affect large parts of Europe, bringing extreme temperatures and dangerous conditions. In Italy, two people have died due to the scorching heat, while parts of Spain and Portugal recorded their highest-ever June temperatures, with the mercury reaching 46°C, reports international media. In the UK, Kent experienced the hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures hitting 33.5°C. While southeast
Srinagar, Jul 1: Kashmir is grappling with an unrelenting heatwave, as Srinagar and Qazigund record some of their hottest Junes in decades as Meteorological data reveals that Srinagar experienced its hottest June since 1978, marking the second hottest June on record since systematic temperature observations began in 1892. The city recorded an average maximum temperature of 31.0∞C and a mean minimum of 18.2∞C, resulting in an overall average of 24
Srinagar: In past 47 years, Srinagar has recorded the hottest June month since 1978, which was the second hottest after 1892. An Independent Weather Forecaster, Faizan Arif Keng said that Srinagar just experienced its hottest June since 1978, making it the second hottest on record since observations began in 1892. He said, that the average maximum temperature for June 2025 stood at 31.0°C, while the mean minimum settled at 18.2°C, resulting in
Panaji: The high court of Bombay at Goa on Tuesday called for a response from central and state authorities in a petition challenging permissions, approvals, and work orders issued for the construction of a tourist resort on the Surla plateau in the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary, which is to be notified as a tiger reserve. In July 2023, the court directed state to notify the sanctuary and adjacent sanctuaries as a tiger reserve following recommendati
New Delhi: A day after cool and cloudy weather, the city faced a humid day under clear skies. The heat index, or "feels like" temperature, soared to 45.8 degrees Celsius at 4 pm. Despite the monsoon's arrival, the city has yet to receive substantial rainfall, with the IMD predicting only light showers for the rest of the week.On Tuesday, Delhi recorded patchy, very light rainfall. Safdarjung logged 0.3 mm till 5.30 pm. Other stations reported min
Shimla, July 1 (SocialNews.XYZ) Heavy and incessant rains in Himachal Pradesh over the past few days have resulted in multiple incidents of building collapse, landslides, as well as widespread road blockages at multiple locations. Mandi district, in particular, has been severely impacted due to cloudbursts and flash floods. Karsog and Dharampur - two municipal areas in Mandi have suffered widespread damages due to the fury of rain gods. In Kars
Also Read: Delhi Scraps Police Licensing for Hotels, Pools, and Discotheques in Major Business Reform While no weather alerts have been issued for Tuesday, residents of Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, and Faridabad should be prepared for intermittent light to moderate showers with occasional thunderstorms. On June 29, the IMD announced that the monsoon had fully advanced into Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, marking its complete covera
New Delhi: Most parts of India are likely to receive above-normal rainfall in July, the Weather department said on Monday, asking authorities and people in central India, Uttarakhand and Haryana to stay alert due to the risk of flooding even as some parts of the country are facing the fury of the monsoons. In rain-induced damages in parts of Himachal Pradesh, while buildings collapsed, landslides and road blockades added worries to the woes of t
Himachal Pradesh weather update: The impact of the heavy rainfall extends well beyond Mandi, with more than 129 roads across Himachal Pradesh blocked due to landslides and flooding. Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district remained the worst-affected on Tuesday as torrential overnight rains led to an overflowing Beas River, causing floods in Karsog, Dharampur, Pandoh, and Thunag areas. Villages and markets witnessed flood-like conditions as overflowing