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Indian Express
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Order was pan-Himachal': HC frowns upon selective clearing of illegal apple orchards
Pulling up the Himachal Pradesh government over its 'selective' clearing of apple orchards on encroached forest land, the high court has asked why drive was not being carried out across the state, as was ordered. A division bench of Justices Vivek Singh Thakur and Bipin Singh Negi directed the state government to clarify 'why the eviction operations were being carried out only in select regions such as Chaithla village, Rohru and Kotgarh, while similar action was conspicuously absent in other parts of the state'. The bench issued the directions Tuesday. A copy of the order was made available Wednesday. Hearing a set of Public Interest Litigations (PILs) filed on rampant encroachment on forest land across the state, particularly for commercial horticultural use, the bench expressed concern over the absence of a 'pan-Himachal' approach, despite earlier judicial orders and clear directions from the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF) to initiate uniform eviction of illegal orchards. Meanwhile, in compliance with previous orders, the Forest Department, through the office of Advocate General, submitted a status report stating that 'as many as 3,659 apple and other fruit-bearing trees had been felled on encroached forest land till July 15. Of these, 2,456 trees were aggregated from the encroached forest land in Chaithla village, 713 trees were removed from the Rohru Forest Division and 490 trees from Kotgarh. The bench, however, observed, 'There is no update on similar action being taken in other forest divisions, raising concerns over partial implementation of the eviction order.' The court again emphasised that 'encroachments and their removal cannot be limited to a few regions, and must be enforced uniformly' across Himachal. 'It has again been clarified, as also in earlier orders, that encroachment from government/forest land, including the removal of fruit-bearing trees, has to be undertaken pan-Himachal Pradesh and not limited only to the areas referred to in the instructions,' the bench said. 'It appears the action for removal of encroachment/orchards from the forest land is being undertaken only in the Rohru and the Kotgarh Forest Divisions, including Chaithla village, but in these instructions there is no information with respect to removal of encroachment/orchards in other areas of the State of Himachal,' it added. The bench granted the state one week to file a comprehensive status report detailing eviction and enforcement action across the state. The matter will next be heard on July 29. Meanwhile, the high court's January 8 judgment, particularly paragraph 35, also came under scrutiny. Amicus Curiae Senior Advocate Jiya Lal Bhardwaj pointed out that 'relevant compliance affidavits have not yet been filed by the authorities'. To this, the court directed that the affidavit(s) in compliance must be submitted before the next hearing, and any pending objections to filings must be resolved. Under paragraph 35 of the January 8 order, instruction was issued to forest/revenue/officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to not allow any further encroachment by the encroachers. The paragraph also asks to compile a record of fresh encroachments and the status of earlier encroachments. During the hearing, replies from several individuals named in the case — Sohan Lal, Madan Lal, Dinesh Tajta, Kamla Devi, Lila Tajta, Sheela, Daya Chauhan, Mira, Rita, Sanjay, Sandeep, Vikrant, and Raj Kumar — were recorded, while a request for ten days for Mast Ram's reply was granted due to his medical condition. Senior Advocate VS Chauhan, appearing for one of the petitioners, informed the court, 'Sohan Lal, aged 78, is suffering from multiple age-related ailments and sought exemption from personal appearance in future hearings.' The bench accepted the request, exempting him from appearing in court unless specifically directed. Meanwhile, in a separate application, the court allowed an exemption to Mast Ram, who is undergoing cancer treatment, from attending the proceedings on medical grounds. The PILs at the centre of the case have been ongoing since 2014 and 2015, reflecting the long-drawn legal battle over the politically sensitive issue of forest land encroachment, especially for apple cultivation, a key economic driver in many parts of the hill state. Despite multiple orders from the HC, enforcement has often been sporadic, delayed or met with local resistance, given the livelihoods tied to these orchards.


Hans India
12-07-2025
- Health
- Hans India
K'taka tigers death case: Use of odourless pesticide Carbofuran confirmed, says CCF
Chamarajanagar: Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) T. Hiralal has stated that laboratory reports have confirmed the use of the pesticide Carbofuran in the killing of five tigers in the Male Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary in Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Hiralal. M, who is also a member of the high-level investigation committee, said that the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and the Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals (IAH-&VB) have confirmed the use of Carbofuran in the tiger death case. He stated that Carbofuran was sprayed on the carcass of a cow that had been preyed upon by a tigress and her four cubs. The motive behind the killing was revenge for the cow's death. The tigers died after consuming the poisoned meat of the cow, he stated. Carbofuran, an odourless pesticide, was specifically applied to the fat-rich hind portion of the cow, he added. Sources said that forest authorities had sent samples from the carcasses of the deceased tigers and the cow to confirm the use of poison. Carbofuran is a systemic insecticide, acaricide, and nematicide. It is a carbamate pesticide that inhibits the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, leading to disruption of the nervous system in target pests. Although once widely used, Carbofuran is now banned in several countries due to its high toxicity to humans, animals, and the environment. This pesticide is prohibited in the United States and Europe. Unlike most pesticides, Carbofuran does not have a strong odour, making it difficult for wild animals — despite their strong sense of smell — to detect it, sources stated. A high-level committee was formed to probe the deaths of the tigress and her four cubs due to suspected poisoning. Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre had ordered the inquiry, and the committee is likely to submit its report to the government within two days, according to sources. The committee was expected to submit its final report by July 10. More details are likely to emerge after the report is submitted. The carcasses of the tigress and her four cubs were discovered in the Meenyam forest area, within the Hoogyam range of the sanctuary, on June 26. According to sources, the tigress had killed a cow and dragged it into the forest. She and her cubs partially consumed the meat. When they returned to the carcass later, they reportedly died after consuming the poisoned meat. Authorities have cracked the case and arrested three individuals in connection with the incident. Sources said the arrested individuals confessed to poisoning the meat to kill the tigers, claiming it was an act of revenge for the death of their cow. According to the accused, the tigress had killed a cow named 'Kenchi'. The cow's owner, Maduraju, enraged over the loss, discussed the matter with another accused, Nagaraju. The duo then decided to take revenge by killing the tigress and her cubs. They procured the pesticide, entered the forest, found the cow's carcass, and laced it with poison. The next day, the tigress and her cubs consumed the poisoned meat and died. Maduraju is said to have expressed joy over the deaths and even celebrated. In response to the shocking deaths, the Karnataka government suspended the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) and two other officers.


Hans India
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Five tigers found dead in M M Hills sanctuary, poisoning suspected
Chamarajanagar/Bengaluru: In a deeply disturbing incident, a tigress and her four cubs were found dead under suspicious circumstances in the MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary's Hugyam range in Karnataka. The carcasses, discovered on Wednesday in the Meenyam beat of the forest, have raised serious concerns about the safety of endangered wildlife in the state. According to preliminary reports from forest officials, the mother and her cubs are suspected to have died due to poisoning. A cow carcass was also found in proximity to the site, further fuelling speculation that the tigers may have consumed poisoned bait. The unnatural deaths have prompted swift action from the state government. Karnataka's Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre expressed deep concern over the incident and has ordered a high-level investigation led by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF). In a statement issued to the media, Minister Khandre said, 'The government views this as a very serious matter. The deaths of five tigers, especially in a state known for its commitment to tiger conservation, is a grave loss.' He also directed the forest department to submit a detailed report within three days. The government has instructed the investigating team to thoroughly examine the area, determine the cause of death through post-mortem examinations, and take criminal action if negligence or foul play—including poisoning or electrocution—is confirmed. Department sources added that disciplinary action would also be taken against any forest staff found to be negligent. Karnataka is home to 563 tigers, the second-highest tiger population in India, and has long been seen as a model state for conservation under the National Tiger Conservation Authority's Project Tiger initiative. 'The loss of five tigers in a single day in a state famed for its tiger protection efforts is a tragedy,' said Khandre, recalling the legacy of the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who had initiated Project Tiger in 1973 to safeguard the species from activists and environmentalists have also called for stricter surveillance in sensitive tiger habitats and prompt legal action to deter future results are awaited to confirm the exact cause of death.


Hans India
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Five Tigers Found Dead in Karnataka Sanctuary, Poisoning Suspected
Chamarajanagar/Bengaluru: In a deeply disturbing incident, a tigress and her four cubs were found dead under suspicious circumstances in the MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary's Hugyam range in Karnataka. The carcasses, discovered on Wednesday in the Meenyam beat of the forest, have raised serious concerns about the safety of endangered wildlife in the state. According to preliminary reports from forest officials, the mother and her cubs are suspected to have died due to poisoning. A cow carcass was also found in proximity to the site, further fuelling speculation that the tigers may have consumed poisoned bait. The unnatural deaths have prompted swift action from the state government. Karnataka's Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre expressed deep concern over the incident and has ordered a high-level investigation led by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF). In a statement issued to the media, Minister Khandre said, 'The government views this as a very serious matter. The deaths of five tigers, especially in a state known for its commitment to tiger conservation, is a grave loss.' He also directed the forest department to submit a detailed report within three days. The government has instructed the investigating team to thoroughly examine the area, determine the cause of death through post-mortem examinations, and take criminal action if negligence or foul play—including poisoning or electrocution—is confirmed. Department sources added that disciplinary action would also be taken against any forest staff found to be negligent. Karnataka is home to 563 tigers, the second-highest tiger population in India, and has long been seen as a model state for conservation under the National Tiger Conservation Authority's Project Tiger initiative. 'The loss of five tigers in a single day in a state famed for its tiger protection efforts is a tragedy,' said Khandre, recalling the legacy of the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who had initiated Project Tiger in 1973 to safeguard the species from extinction. Wildlife activists and environmentalists have also called for stricter surveillance in sensitive tiger habitats and prompt legal action to deter future incidents. Post-mortem results are awaited to confirm the exact cause of death.


Indian Express
26-06-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Jharkhand: Tiger gets trapped in farmer's house, rescued by forest officers
An adult Royal Bengal Tiger on Wednesday got trapped after entering a farmer's house in a village in Jharkhand's Ranchi district, triggering panic in the area, but it was later rescued by forest officers. The incident took place in Mardu village in Silli block, close to the inter-state border with West Bengal, under the jurisdiction of Muri police outpost, around 65 km from the state capital Ranchi. 'The tiger entered the house of one Purandar Mahto around 5 am when he stepped outside after opening the door of the house,' Ranchi Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Srikant Verma told PTI. As he saw the animal entering a room of the house, he locked the door from outside, Verma added. Two girls aged around eight years were also inside the house when the tiger entered but they managed to exit safely, he said. A rescue team from the Palamau Tiger Reserve (PTR) reached the location, and conducted a rescue operation, successfully trapping and caging the animal, the officer said. 'It was tranquilised after being caged. It was loaded on a vehicle and will be taken to Ranchi's Birsa zoo where it will be kept under observation,' he said. Verma said if the animal was found healthy, it would be released to a safer place, most probably Palamau Tiger Reserve. 'However, the decision on freeing the animal will be taken later,' he said. A team from Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park, also known as Birsa zoo, in Ranchi's Ormanjhi also went to the spot, a zoo official said. 'A veterinarian, compounder and a biologist were sent to the site to provide their expertise,' Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) at Birsa zoo, Ashok Kumar Singh said. Birsa zoo veterinarian O P Sahu told PTI, 'The tiger was rescued successfully and its health condition appears to be good. A thorough examination of the animal will be done.' Prohibitory orders were imposed within 200 metres of Mahto's house in a bid to ensure a smooth rescue operation, Verma said. 'We suspect that the tiger has come from adjoining West Bengal. The village is very close to the inter-state border and there is a large forest in Purulia district,' he added. Mahto, the house owner, said two children, including his daughter, were sleeping inside the room. 'I woke up around 4.30 am and asked my daughter to take the cattle out of the shed. Suddenly, a big animal entered the house. It was roaring and I understood it was a tiger. I safely took another girl, one of my relative's daughters who was sleeping, out of the house and locked the room,' Mahto said. Mahto added he called one of his relatives and told him about the situation and he informed the officials concerned