Latest news with #Forestdepartment
Time of India
an hour ago
- Health
- Time of India
Street play sheds light on plastic pollution
Dibrugarh: To mark World Environment Day, a powerful street play titled 'The River's Illness' ('Nodir Akhukh' in Assamese) was performed near the Chowkidinghee playground gate in Dibrugarh on Thursday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The play, centred around on the theme "Ending Global Plastic Pollution" aimed to raise awareness about the devastating impact of plastic waste on rivers and ecosystem. Organised by the cultural affairs department in collaboration with the environment and forest department, the event saw enthusiastic participation from locals, students and officials. The street play was staged in the presence of Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation mayor Saikat Patra and Assistant Commissioner Juri Doley, who emphasised the urgent need for environmental conservation. The play depicted how plastic pollution is choking rivers, harming aquatic life, and ultimately affecting human health. Through emotive performances, the actors portrayed the suffering of a river poisoned by plastic waste, delivering a strong message on the need for immediate action. Mayor Saikat Patra, addressing the gathering, said, "Plastic pollution is not just an environmental issue—it is a public health crisis. Our rivers are dying, and if we don't act now, future generations will pay the price. Initiatives like this street play are crucial in spreading awareness and inspiring behavioural change." Assistant Commissioner Juri Doley added, "The government is taking steps, but real change begins with individual actions. Reducing plastic use, proper waste disposal, and tree plantation are small steps that can lead to big impacts." Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Following the street play, attendees took a collective pledge to protect the environment. The oath included commitments to reduce resource consumption, reuse materials whenever possible, avoid single-use plastics, maintain cleanliness and hygiene, plant trees and conserve water and energy. As part of the programme, the Forest department distributed saplings of various native tree species to the public, encouraging afforestation and biodiversity conservation. "Planting trees is one of the most effective ways to combat pollution and climate change. We urge every citizen to grow at least one tree and nurture it. Each person's actions matter when it comes to protecting our planet," a forest official said participating in the event.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Forest dept. takes up mangrove plantations in two coastal villages in Pudukottai district
The Forest department has carried out mangrove plantations in two coastal villages in Pudukottai district to create bio-shields in order to protect the villages from natural calamities. The task was carried out with support from the local community in 2024-25 at Muthukuda which is blessed with thick mangrove forest close to the shore. The mangrove plantation work had been carried out in 20 hectares at Muthukuda close to the estuary of the Pambar under the Rehabilitation of Coastal Habitats through Formation of Bio-Shields with funds provided under the Green Tamil Nadu Mission. Quality mangrove seeds were collected from Pichavaram, Muthupet, and S.P. Pattinam and placed in holes through dibbling process along the distribution canals and feeder canals which were dug specifically for this purpose at Muthukuda with the aim of creating a mangrove bio-shield to protect the coastal village from natural calamities such as floods and tsunami besides to revitalise the local marine ecosystem, said a Forest department official. The task involving the local community was completed in about three or four months, the official further added that the growth of mangroves was being monitored continuously. The mangrove plantations were carried out in 20 hectares at Mumpalai coastal village in Manamelkudi block in the district during the 2023-2024 financial year. The mangrove plantations had shown good growth at Mumpalai, the official said. The key objective of this scheme was to mitigate the impact of natural disasters such as cyclones and tsunamis by erecting biological barriers to protect the villages, the official said. The Forest department's Policy Note states that mangrove is the littoral forest ecosystem in the intertidal region. They are salt-tolerant plants and rich in biodiversity besides being a storehouse for blue carbon. Mangroves being a nature-based solution can capture and store carbon making this ecosystem extremely valuable in fighting climate change. The department had carried out casuarina plantations at Muthukuda on 25 acres of land under the Rehabilitation of Coastal through Formation of Bio-Shields in 2024-25.
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
NTCA seeks reply from Forest department on tourism projects in Satkosia TR
BHUBANESWAR: The state government's move to set up tourism establishments in Satkosia has come under National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) scanner with the apex tiger conservation body seeking a response from the Forest department over alleged violation of eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) norms to allow projects in the tiger reserve. Sources said, the NTCA has sought a clarification from the Forest department on the basis of a petition filed by the 'Satkosia Abhayaranya O Praja Suraksha Samiti'. The field director of Satkosia tiger reserve has been instructed to submit the response to the PCCF (wildlife)-cum-chief wildlife warden for moving it to the NTCA. The petition was filed citing The New Indian Express' reports on how two critical points of Satkosia - Athamallik NAC segment and Baliput-Orasingha segment - have been left with zero eco-sensitive zone in the draft ESZ plan of the reserve, leaving the tiger habitat vulnerable to unrestrained development activities on its immediate boundary. It had also published a report on the Forest department's direction to its Tourism counterpart to rework the Rs 174 crore development plan of Satkosia under SACCI in which the latter had proposed tourist facilities in three zones - Pampasar-Tikarpada hub, Baliput-Badmul hub and Kusanga-Sitalpani hub - of the tiger reserve.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Forest officials flayed for registering trespass case against Church authorities
The Kothamangalam diocese under the Syro-Malabar Church criticised the Forest department and the Forest Minister after another case was registered against the Church authorities. According to officials, on April 12 the Forest department removed a cross erected the previous day by St. Thomas Church, Thommankuth, under the Syro-Malabar Church, on a property beside the Neyyassery-Thokkumban Road at Naranganam. The department also booked a case against the parish priest for erecting the cross on forestland. On April 19, the church organised a Way of the Cross procession to the location from where the Forest department had removed the cross. But the Church authorities alleged that the Forest department booked another case against Kothamangalam diocese general Vincent Nedungattu, Chancellor Fr. Jose Kulathur and parish priest Fr. James Ikaramattom on the charges of trespassing. Fr. Jacob Rathappallil, Director of the Commission for Social Harmony and Vigilance of the Kothamangalam diocese, said that the church erected the cross on land under its possession. 'The Forest department illegally demolished the cross and did not withdraw the cases though the parish authorities submitted relevant documents. In addition, the Forest department is trying to slap more charges on the local people and the Church authorities. Fr. Rathappallil stated that the Chief Minister and the Forest Minister should intervene in this issue and take steps to prevent the Forest department officials from engaging in such actions. A senior Forest department official said that the department only booked a trespass case against the Church authorities for illegally entering forestland. 'The Forest department only issued a notice for the incident and didn't arrest any people over the issue,' said the official. Last week, the district administration decided to conduct a Revenue, Forest, and Police department-level joint verification in the area at Naranganam, near Thommankuth, from where the cross was removed. According to sources, a recent report by the Thodupuzha tahsildar said that the area was revenue land and part of human settlement.
Hans India
25-05-2025
- Hans India
Forester killed by poachers
Bhubaneswar: A forester was killed allegedly by poachers near Kai reserve forest in the early hours of Saturday, officials said. Acting on a tip-off, an eight-member team of the Forest department went to Tantichira village around 3.30 am when they came face to face with the poachers. Soon, the poachers opened fire, and Prahallad Pradhan, the in-charge forester of Hindol range, was shot in the stomach, officials said. He was rushed to a nearby health facility, from where he was taken to Angul district headquarters hospital. There, he was declared dead. Dhenkanal Divisional Forest Officer Sumit Kar said four poachers were arrested and a gun was seized. Expressing grief over the death of the forester, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced a compensation of Rs 30 lakh for his family. The Chief Minister directed the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Prem Kumar Jha to visit the spot and investigate the incident. In a post on X, Jha said, 'In this sad moment, I, on behalf of the Forest and Wildlife department family, wish the departed soul peace and extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved family.' Following the incident, Forest Employees' Association secretary (Dhenkanal) Birendra Dehuri said forest guards should be adequately equipped to deal with armed poachers. Forest guards in the State are not provided with firearms, except those in Similipal Tiger Reserve. They patrol the forests with sticks, he said.
