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Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Central Empowered Committee to inspect Mohali villages over forest, wildlife violations
Acting on a complaint regarding violation of forest and wildlife laws in villages, such as Karoran, Nada, Masol, and adjoining areas in Mohali district, the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), constituted by the Supreme Court, is scheduled to visit the region on Monday at 9 am. The CEC will assess the extent of damage caused to forest land, wildlife and the local environment. It will also evaluate the timely action taken by government departments, and based on its findings, will recommend appropriate measures. The said villages under scrutiny fall within areas governed by the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), 1900. These areas are also protected under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, and the Supreme Court's orders. Even during the process of delisting certain areas from protected status, the court had explicitly banned any commercial activity without prior approval from the Government of India. Despite these restrictions, large-scale violations—particularly illegal hill-cutting—have allegedly continued unabated for several years. These activities have led to the degradation of ecologically sensitive and biodiversity-rich areas in the Shivalik Hills. Environmentalists and local residents have accused the forest department, district administration and urban agencies like Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), along with panchayati raj institutions, of failing to prevent these encroachments, raising concerns over the alleged influence of the land mafia in the region. The Shivalik forests are known for their ecological significance, and are home to many endangered plant and animal species, several of which are listed as threatened under the (International Union for Conservation of Nature) IUCN Red List. The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) was constituted by the Supreme Court of India in 2002 (and reconstituted in 2008) to assist in matters related to forest, wildlife conservation and flag cases of official non-compliance with its orders related to conservation. It reports to the Union environment ministry. The committee came into existence after a landmark Supreme Court judgment, dated December 12, 1996, in a 1995 case. The apex court ruled that the term 'forest' should be interpreted in its dictionary sense, regardless of land ownership. This means any land that is forest in character on the ground must be treated as such and cannot be used for non-forest activities without prior approval from the Government of India, in accordance with the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, and other applicable laws.
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Protecting Shivalik ecosystem: SC-constituted committee to probe forest law violations in Mohali
1 2 Mohali: The Central Empowered Committee (CEC), constituted by the Supreme Court , is set to investigate alleged violations of forest and wildlife laws that have recently come to light in the forest areas of Mohali, with a focus on protecting the fragile Shivalik ecosystem. Sources said the CEC will visit Karoran, Nada, Masol, and adjoining villages in Mohali district on Monday. The visit follows a formal complaint highlighting widespread irregularities in forest management and potential breaches of environmental regulations in the region. The sources said the committee will assess the extent of ecological damage, particularly to forest land and wildlife habitats, and evaluate the actions taken by government departments in response to the alleged violations. Based on its findings, the CEC is expected to recommend corrective measures to ensure enforcement of conservation laws. The villages under scrutiny fall within areas protected under the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), 1900, and the Forest Conservation Act, 1980. Despite restrictions, reports of illegal hill-cutting and encroachments have allegedly persisted for years, leading to the degradation of ecologically sensitive zones in the Shivalik hills. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Soluções de energia de confiança para Data Centers de IA Siemens Energy Learn More Undo Environmental activists and residents allege that the forest department, district administration, the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (Gmada), and panchayati raj institutions failed to curb these violations. Many have pointed to the alleged involvement of an influential land mafia operating with impunity in the region. The Shivalik forests, part of the outer Himalayas, are known for their rich biodiversity and are home to several endangered species listed in the IUCN Red List. The ecological value of this landscape has been extensively documented, including in the publication Biodiversity in Shivaliks by Neelima Jairath of the Punjab State Council for Science & Technology. Adding context to the gravity of the issue, sources recall that a few years ago, when government officials attempted to reclaim encroached land using state machinery, they reportedly became targets of vigilance inquiries, allegedly influenced by those with vested interests in the land deals. The CEC, originally formed in 2002 (and reconstituted in 2008), functions under the SC's directives to monitor violations of forest and wildlife laws and report to the ministry of environment, forest and climate change. The committee traces its origins to a landmark SC judgment delivered on Dec 12, 1996, which broadened the definition of 'forest' to include any land exhibiting forest-like characteristics, irrespective of ownership.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Tamil Nadu arts colleges get 15K more seats, but only 252 additional guest lecturers
CHENNAI: Fulfilling its promise made in this year's budget that 15,000 more seats will be created in government arts and science colleges, the Tamil Nadu government's Higher Education (HE) department issued an order last week to introduce 252 new courses in 100 colleges across TN. However, the department has asked the Collegiate Education Commissioner (CEC) to engage only temporary guest lecturers (GLs) to cater to the increased number of courses and students. Moreover, it has sanctioned less than 50% of the number of GLs sought by the CEC. As per the order, the proposal sent by the CEC to the government said that 558 GLs will be required to teach these 252 courses for the first-year students who join these courses in both first and second shifts in colleges. Consequently, the CEC has sought Rs 13.95 crore for the 2025-26 academic year to pay salaries to these GLs at the rate of Rs 25,000 per month. (GLs are not paid salaries during the two-month vacation period). However, without explicitly mentioning any reason, the order sanctioned approval for engaging 252 GLs and allotted Rs 6.3 crore for their salaries. 'CEC had asked for money for the total number of staff needed, but the department has allocated lesser funds because they want to manage gap with the available staff. This is unfair and it will affect the quality of teaching also,' said V Thangaraj, president, All Government UGC Qualified Guest Lecturers Association, which has been demanding to increase salary of GLs for long. Of the 15,354 seats added in total, 2,008 have been added by incremental increase of seats in 173 existing courses in 29 government colleges.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
SC panel seeks chief secy response on green zone norms ‘flout' in Satkosia
1 2 3 Bhubaneswar: The central empowered committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court has sought a response from Odisha chief secretary Manoj Ahuja regarding alleged violations of the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) in the draft proposal of the wildlife wing to carry out tourism activities in Satkosia Tiger Reserve. Satkosia Abhayaranya and Praja Surakshya Samiti (SAPSS), which filed the petition in SC, stated that Satkosia is a Ramsar Convention site and the forest department is attempting to modify the 2011 ESZ norms to allow the tourism department to undertake massive projects in the reserve. In the new draft proposal, the ESZ has been reduced to almost zero in the Baliput and Badmul areas, enabling the tourism department to proceed with construction, it claimed. The petition cited a 2022 SC judgment stating that if tourism inside a tiger reserve is to be promoted, it must be eco-tourism. While seeking response from Ahuja, CEC chairman Siddhant Das on May 16 wrote, "I am forwarding herewith a soft copy of the complaint on May 9 from Satkosia Abhayaranya and Praja Surakshya Samiti on the subject mentioned above. It is requested that the detailed response/comments of the state of Odisha may please be sent to the CEC at the earliest." "Satkosia authorities have plans to dilute the borders of the reserve to favour the tourism department. Promoting commercial tourism in the core area goes against the spirit and concept of eco-tourism, which is developed in buffer areas. Without approval from the State Board for Wildlife and National Board for Wildlife, Satkosia authorities have allowed construction by Odisha Bridge and Construction Corporation Ltd. The department also plans to reconstruct the Gharial Research and Conservation Unit (Gracu) at Tikarpada," said Naba Kishor Bisoyi, president of the samiti, quoting the petition he sent to the Chief Justice of India. Bisoyi also drew the attention of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), additional director general (wildlife), ministry of environment, forests and climate change, and deputy director general of forests, regional office. "The 2011 norms allows for a 10-km ESZ from the Satkosia boundary. We filed the draft proposal to demarcate the ESZ afresh, which was done in consultation with people," said Saroj Panda, divisional forest officer, Satkosia. Prasanna Behera, a local wildlife activist, said the way the draft plan has been drawn, the reserve will be almost devoid of the ESZ in its core area close to the Mahanadi gorge. "It is appalling that the wildlife wing was so lenient in redrawing the ESZ to suit tourism needs. Apart from compromising tiger conservation, it will severely affect the conservation of crocodiles and gharials," Behera said.
Hans India
3 days ago
- General
- Hans India
VIP Felicitates Rural Girl Toppers, Awards Scholarships for Academic Excellence
Mahabubnagar: In a heartening initiative to promote girl child education, Villages In Partnership (VIP) organised a felicitation ceremony at its office premises in Mahabubnagar today. The event honoured seven girl students from government schools across Mahabubnagar, Narayanpet, and Wanaparthy districts who excelled in their Intermediate first-year examinations. These students, all of whom had earlier been recognised as Mandal Toppers for their outstanding performance in Class 10 Telugu Medium government schools, have now repeated their success at the Intermediate level, becoming toppers in their respective streams. As a mark of encouragement, VIP awarded each of these toppers a cash prize of ₹1,116 and a deposit of ₹5,000. The event was presided over by VIP Executive Secretary Sri TKS Sarma, who handed over the certificates, while Executive Director Dr T. Nagender Swamy addressed the gathering online via Zoom, applauding the students and parents for their hard work and dedication. The list of toppers included: M. Gouri (Addakal, Mahabubnagar) – MLT, 485/500 S. Anusha (Gandeed, Mahabubnagar) – MPC, 451/470 K. Raghavi (Jadcherla, Mahabubnagar) – BPC, 408/440 G. Swapna (Mahabubnagar) – CEC, 469/500 G. Kurumamma (Makthal, Narayanpet) – CEC, 479/500 K. Gouthami (Narayanpet) – MPC, 456/470 M. Pallavi (Gopalpet, Wanaparthy) – MPC, 467/470 The program was attended by the students' parents and VIP service partners, who appreciated the girls' achievements. VIP's initiative aims to inspire more rural girls to pursue higher education and achieve academic excellence. Ends.
