Despite Criticism, Forest Conservation Amendment Bill Gets JPC Nod | The Wire
The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill clears all changes proposed to the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980 despite heavy criticism from scientists, conservationists, and activists. Its implementation will open large tracts of forest land to different kinds of land use changes, including developmental activities such as tourism, without the need for forest clearances.
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High Court directs Goa to notify Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and nearby areas as tiger reserve within three months | The Hindu
The Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court directed the Government of Goa to notify the 208 sq. km. Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and its surrounding areas as a tiger reserve within three months. The court's decision comes in response to the need for wildlife conservation and protection of the tiger population in the region. The court also directed the State government to determine and settle the rights and claims of the Scheduled Tribes and other forest dwellers.
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Great Indian Bustards may get a Karnataka nest | Deccan Herald
Siruguppa in Ballari district of Karnataka could soon become a breeding centre for the critically endangered Great Indian Bustards. Karnataka had a large population of these birds not so long ago, but their numbers were greatly impacted by the conversion of grasslands. The forest department is planning to purchase nearly 1,000 hectares of land directly from farmers under the compensatory afforestation (CA) scheme for the cause.
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Centre merges Project Tiger and Project Elephant ‘without any discussion’; experts demand PM intervention | The New Indian Express
The Project Tiger division has been merged with Project Elephant and a new division with the name ‘Project Tiger and Elephant Division’ has been created under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The move to combine these two critical wildlife conservation initiatives was reported to have been made without any discussion, raising concerns among environmentalists and experts.
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1st Sundarbans otter study finds 6 habitat hot spots | Times of India
The first otter study by the forest department in the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve found two species of otters: smooth-coated and small-clawed, two out of the three otter species in India. The study also highlighted 6 hotspots for otter habitat in the core area of the reserve.
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