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Time of India
29-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
From crisis to conservation: The inspiring revival of Manas National Park
1 2 Guwahati: Manas National Park, a Unesco World Heritage Site, stands as a shining beacon of what can be achieved through dedicated, science-driven, and community-focused conservation efforts. Once teetering on the edge of wildlife collapse, this park has transformed into a thriving habitat for tigers, serving as a global symbol of hope, resilience, and the responsible care of our natural world. Nestled in the Chirang and Baksa districts of western Assam, Manas shares its borders with Bhutan. Back in 1972, the park boasted a robust tiger population of around 82. However, the park faced severe challenges due to militancy, poaching, forest encroachment, and habitat loss, which led to a dramatic decline in wildlife numbers. By 2010, the tiger population had dwindled to a mere eight, sparking fears of local extinction. In response to these ongoing threats, Unesco, which had recognized Manas as a World Heritage Site in 1985 for its extraordinary biodiversity and natural beauty, placed it on the List of World Heritage in Danger. This was a wake-up call, highlighting the risk of losing the very values that warranted its protection. By 2011, thanks to concerted efforts, Unesco removed Manas from the "in danger" list, applauding the park's remarkable recovery and the dedication invested in its restoration. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Newham: If You Were Born Between 1940-1975 You Could Be Eligible For This Life Cover Reassured Get Quote Undo C Ramesh, field director of the Tiger Project at Manas, expressed optimism about the park's journey, noting that it has become a national exemplar in tiger conservation. "From the top level in the govt, staff in the jungle to the community, it has been a collective effort over the decades for which Manas now has over 60 tigers," he said. Ramesh added that the key to this success lay in bolstering wildlife protection against poachers and encroachers, enhancing monitoring through both manual and technological means, and conducting regular surveys. The tiger conservation initiatives gained momentum following the Bodo Accord in Feb 2003, an agreement between the central and state governments and the Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) to address the Bodo people's autonomy demands. Senior conservation biologist Dipankar Lahkar, assistant director of wildlife conservation NGO Aaranyak, highlighted the organization's relentless collaboration with the forest department in tiger conservation at Manas since 2010. "Manas has set a global example in tiger conservation since the historic commitment made by the leaders of 13 tiger range countries at The Tiger Summit in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 2010," he said. Lahkar added that Aaranyak provided rigorous training to Manas's forest staff in equipment handling, camera trapping, map reading, and data analysis from 2010 to 2021, enabling them to independently manage these tasks. He also pointed out that Manas's proximity to Bhutan's Royal Manas National Park facilitates the natural movement of tigers between the two regions. "During our continuous monitoring and analysis from 2010 to 2021, 24 tigers were captured on camera traps in both Manas in Assam and Royal Manas in Bhutan," he added. Discussing the factors behind the success in tiger conservation, Lahkar mentioned that an 85% recapture probability (the same tiger being spotted in a camera trap each year) was observed from 2010 to 2021, which is crucial for the growth of the tiger population. "We refer to these as resident tigers. The presence of more resident tigers in a forest increases the likelihood of a growing tiger population," he explained. Beyond the cessation of political violence and poaching, Lahkar highlighted the shift in social behavior among the people in and around Manas, driven by awareness campaigns, as a significant factor in the tiger population's resurgence. Around 2005, local community organizations, supported by park managers and the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), were established to protect Manas's sanctity, yielding positive results over time.
New Indian Express
25-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
CBI books Chennai firm for cheating bank in Rs 7 crore fraud
CHENNAI: The CBI has registered a case against a Chennai-based company trading in coconut products for cheating Bank of Baroda of Rs 7.55 crore with regard to a loan given to them in 2021. The case was registered on June 17 after getting necessary permissions from the state government as Tamil Nadu had withdrawn general consent to the central agency in 2023. The CBI said it received a complaint from the bank's Chennai regional head that a partnership firm Monica Co Products, established in 2020 by K Pavalabalan and G Palanivel, had taken a loan of Rs 7.6 crore from the bank in September 2021. The firm had mortgaged 23 vacant plots in Adhanoor and Orathoor village as collateral for the loan. However, a preventive vigilance audit in December 2022 and zonal inter departmental audit in July 2023 found the firm had submitted fabricated title deeds and layout plans of all the properties in collusion with Malaivel Sugumaran, a panelled valuer, and C Ramesh, an empanelled advocate. The loan soon turned a non-performing asset in August 2023 due to non-payment of interest. This is when the bank conducted an investigation and declared the account as fraud after a forensic audit, and reported it to the RBI on November 7, 2023. Based on this, CBI registered an FIR under various sections of corruption, fraud, cheating and forgery against Pavalabalan, K Radha, Monica Co Products, Malaivel Sugumaran, C Ramesh and unknown civil servants.
New Indian Express
30-05-2025
- Automotive
- New Indian Express
Transport department tightens school bus fitness checks ahead of new academic year in Hyderabad
HYDERABAD: With the new academic year approaching, the Transport department has ramped up fitness inspections of school buses to ensure student safety. Joint Transport Commissioner C Ramesh stated that of the 1,257 school buses currently in operation, only 740, around 58%, have received fitness certificates since May 15. Inspections will continue until the academic term begins. Statewide, about 31,225 buses serve educational institutions. It is to be noted that annual fitness certification is mandatory for all such vehicles, evaluating their mechanical condition and safety features before they are cleared to transport students. Since certificates expire on May 15 each year, pre-academic inspections are crucial. As per the Motor Vehicles Act, bus drivers must have a valid heavy vehicle driving licence and be under 60 years of age. Additionally, an attendant must accompany students on every trip. Buses must be equipped with essential safety items such as a first-aid kit, fire extinguisher, and up-to-date documentation, including registration papers and a valid fitness certificate. Previous inspections uncovered serious violations, including faulty brake systems, worn-out tires, and blocked emergency exits. In response, the department has strengthened enforcement, deploying special teams across all zones to conduct rigorous checks and take action against violators. 'Educational institute vehicles without a valid fitness certificate will not be allowed to operate,' an RTA official warned.
