Latest news with #485
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Wildlife deaths in Telangana highlight data gaps, enforcement challenges
Hyderabad: An RTI application filed by activist Robin Zaccheus has revealed that Telangana recorded 135 wildlife crime cases between 2014 and 2024, a small fraction of the 6,877 cases reported nationwide during the same period. Uttar Pradesh topped the national chart with 817 cases, followed by West Bengal (785), Tamil Nadu, and decade-long data, provided by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), highlights a troubling trend in Telangana. In 2023 alone, the state recorded 52 wildlife deaths—the highest in the past ten years. The number dropped to 23 in 2024, while poaching cases stood at four in 2023 and one in wildlife deaths in Telangana also included train collisions, with three reported in 2023 and one so far in 2024. Over the decade, 12 wildlife deaths due to other types of accidents were documented in the state, contributing to the nationwide total of 485. Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh accounted for the highest number of such of transparency Reacting to the data, Zaccheus expressed concern over the WCCB's limited disclosures and lack of concrete action. He criticised the agency for repeatedly dismissing queries related to electrocution, habitat loss, and whistleblower complaints, either claiming the issues were 'not pertaining to WCCB' or rejecting the requests under section 8(1)(j) of the RTI alarming trends, including 461 elephant electrocutions nationwide between 2009 and 2017, and 49 elephants killed in train accidents between 2016 and 2018—activists say there has been no major policy shift or investment in preventive infrastructure. Zaccheus also raised concern over the persistently low conviction rate, reportedly hovering around 2% between 2012 and 2018 for wildlife for urgent intervention, he demanded the creation of a public database of all wildlife deaths, stronger enforcement mechanisms, and increased accountability in infrastructure development that affects wildlife habitats and respondTelangana chief wildlife warden Elusin Meru acknowledged the challenges, especially in Kagaznagar, a key tiger corridor where multiple species cross railway lines."There are currently two railway lines, and a third one is under construction. Earlier, there were no proper underpasses. Now, we are insisting on building underpasses to ensure safe passage for animals. The third broad gauge line is under assessment, and the National Tiger Conservation Authority along with the Wildlife Institute of India is expected to visit and evaluate the situation," he the issue of poaching, Meru added: "We are strengthening intelligence and surveillance systems. Camera traps are being used to monitor movement related to poaching. While the anti-poaching squad is based in Hyderabad, we also have operational squads in Nirmal and Amrabad, along with flying squad teams to respond to emerging threats."
Miami Herald
09-04-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Judge: Jaden Rashada's lawsuit vs. Florida coach Billy Napier can proceed
Former Florida recruit Jaden Rashada's lawsuit against Gators football coach Billy Napier and a prominent booster over a $13.85 million name, image and likeness (NIL) deal that went awry can continue to discovery, a federal judge ruled Tuesday. Though three of the counts were dismissed in the 40-page order out of the U.S. District Court's Northern District of Florida, the judge allowed three fraud-related accounts and another count of conspiracy to commit fraud to proceed. M. Casey Rodgers said the suit's allegations "advance a compelling narrative that the Defendants were all marching to the beat of the same drum throughout Rashada's failed recruitment to UF, each taking interwoven and often overlapping steps designed to lure Rashada away from Miami all while knowing they would never make good on the NIL promises made and leading Rashada on until his other NIL offers dried up." The lawsuit filed in May 2024 alleges that Napier and prominent Gators booster Hugh Hathcock made "false and fraudulent promises" to induce Rashada to sign with the program in 2022. Rashada initially committed to the University of Miami, where he reportedly had a $9.5 million NIL deal on the table. He flipped to Florida after agreeing to a $13.85 million deal with the now-defunct Gator Collective. "(It) doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand how a purportedly fraudulent NIL deal initially valued north of $13 million could induce a teenager to choose a university he otherwise would not have," Rodgers wrote in Tuesday's order. The lawsuit claims that Napier promised a $1 million "partial payment" to Rashada's father when the quarterback prospect signed his national letter of intent, but that the payment never was received. Hathcock and a former Florida staffer, Marcus Castro-Walker, are named in the lawsuit along with Napier. "Once Jaden committed to UF, rather than make Jaden 'rich' as promised, these people -- with Hathcock leading the charge -- changed their tune and went back on their word. The amount of UF-affiliated NIL money available for Jaden decreased drastically," the lawsuit states. Rashada ended up withdrawing his letter of intent with Florida and enrolled at Arizona State. He appeared in three games for the Sun Devils as a freshman in 2023, passing for 485 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. He transferred from Arizona State to Georgia for the 2024 season but did not play in any games. He entered the transfer portal in January. "We appreciate the thorough and thoughtful opinion," Rashada's attorney, Rusty Hardin, said in a statement Wednesday. "It will serve as a North Star for other athletes seeking justice after being done wrong on the NIL front by coaches and boosters. We look forward to discovery fully exposing the defendants' conduct for all to see." There has been no date set for the next court appearance. --Field Level Media Field Level Media 2025 - All Rights Reserved
