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Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
No trees cut outside permitted right of way for Kanwar Marg, UP govt tells NGT
Rejecting allegations made by a Forest Survey of India (FSI) officer in a report, the Uttar Pradesh government has submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that it found no evidence of tree felling outside the permitted 20-m right of way for Kanwar Marg, being built between Murad Nagar and Purkaji near Uttarakhand. The NGT's principal bench is suo motu examining the case of alleged large-scale tree felling for the 111-km-long Kanwar Marg. In February, it ordered the UP chief secretary to ascertain if the FSI joint director's allegations, submitted to the tribunal, were true. The UP government filed its affidavit on May 21. 'Based on the on-site physical inspection, old satellite Google images, and the cross-section provided by the public works department, a thorough investigation was conducted at a total of 13 points. Based on available evidence, it can be stated that no evidence of tree felling outside the proposed 20-metre right of way was found at any of the inspected locations,' the UP government's affidavit stated. A site inspection report attached with the affidavit stated that the FSI joint director, Meera Iyer, had made an error in measuring the 20-m width. 'While measuring the width on the basis of Google Earth data by the Joint Director of Forest Survey of India, it appears that the minimum 7.5 meters of land left from the toe of the irrigation department's dole has also been included in the width measurement,' the report said. A dole or dowel is built along canals for safety, usually between the service road and the edge of the canal, creating a raised barrier. Lalit Kumar Verma, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Lucknow, inspected the road construction site along the Ganga canal in April along with officials from the UP public works department and irrigation department. NGT's joint committee probe The NGT earlier constituted a joint committee to inquire into, among other things, whether trees were felled beyond the 20-m stretch, as permitted in the in-principle approval granted for Kanwar Marg. Meera Iyer, who was part of the committee, filed a separate response in February, stating that the FSI had identified several locations where tree felling had exceeded 20 m. The FSI officer also attached photographs to indicate the difference in stretches between 2022 and 2024, using satellite images, and submitted that trees were cut beyond 20 m. The proposed 111-km-long road is being built along the right branch of the Upper Ganga canal from Murad Nagar to Purkaji near Uttarakhand. The UP government is building the road on the grounds that it will not only facilitate the movement of Kanwar pilgrims but also vehicular movement. A stretch of 62 km has already been constructed and 17,607 trees have been axed for the stretch, as per the UP government's submissions. An award-winning journalist with 14 years of experience, Nikhil Ghanekar is an Assistant Editor with the National Bureau [Government] of The Indian Express in New Delhi. He primarily covers environmental policy matters which involve tracking key decisions and inner workings of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. He also covers the functioning of the National Green Tribunal and writes on the impact of environmental policies on wildlife conservation, forestry issues and climate change. Nikhil joined The Indian Express in 2024. Originally from Mumbai, he has worked in publications such as Tehelka, Hindustan Times, DNA Newspaper, News18 and Indiaspend. In the past 14 years, he has written on a range of subjects such as sports, current affairs, civic issues, city centric environment news, central government policies and politics. ... Read More
Middle East Eye
2 days ago
- Middle East Eye
Israeli arms giant Rafael features Gaza strike in promotional video for kamikaze drone
Israeli weapons company Rafael has released a promotional video showing its drone system, Firefly, killing a person in Gaza. The video shows the Firefly kamikaze drone hovering over a neighbourhood, identifying a person walking down the street alone before targeting him. "We mark two years since SPIKE FIREFLY was first operationally deployed-ushering in a new era of precision for the tactical fighting forces," the Rafael said in a post on X. Open-source analyst Anno Nemo geolocated the footage to the Al-Tawam area of northern Gaza. "Based on 2 Google Earth satellite images the video appears to have been taken between 4 June 2024 and 1 December 2024," Anno Nemo said, adding that possible changes are visible in the area on Sentinel satellite imagery from November 2024.
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Busy Dublin road set to close this weekend due to ‘gas works' with diversions in place
A BUSY road in the capital is set to close this weekend due to "gas works" with diversions in place. Dublin City Council has alerted about the temporary closure on their website. Advertisement 1 A major road in Dublin is set to close all weekend Credit: Google Earth Windsor Terrace in The closure is taking place from 8am to 8pm between Saturday, July 12 and Sunday, July 13. And The council stated: 'Windsor Terrace (from Bloomfield Avenue to Longwood Avenue), Dublin 8. Advertisement READ MORE IN MOTORS 'Date – Saturday 12th July 2025 to Sunday 13th July 2025.' Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the duration of the closure, and local access to and from Longwood Avenue will be facilitated at all times. Traffic marshals will be on-site at closure points to assist with traffic management and ensure access where needed. For Advertisement Most read in Motors This includes those at the junction with Longwood Avenue, directing vehicles via South Circular Road, Bloomfield Avenue and onto Portobello Road. Clear signage will be installed to direct motorists and road users are advised to plan ahead and allow extra travel time during this period. TEST CHECK I'm an Irish driving instructor and here's exactly what your tester is looking for on the day The council added: 'Pedestrian access will be facilitated at all times.' Meanwhile, a busy Dublin street is set to close to traffic in days as a new rule change comes in. Advertisement It is believed that up to 23,000 people pass through the street on a daily basis. ROAD TRANSFORMATION This new measure will permanently close the space to It will also provide green and public seating. Advertisement The council said: "This space will provide an attractive north-south pedestrian and It will link with Capel Street as well as between the east and west areas of Temple Bar. In May 2025, 90 per cent of respondents to a survey said they were in favour of enhancing public space and enabling two-way cycle lanes. The presentation to the South East Area committee showed a positive reaction, as the majority said they had a desire for fewer Advertisement People referenced the success of Capel Street as an example, citing the increased vibrancy, improved atmosphere and greater foot traffic as positives for local businesses. SAFER AREA They mentioned that the proposed measures would make the area safer and more pleasant to walk and cycle through. It would also encourage families and
New York Post
4 days ago
- New York Post
Missing Australian teen found alive on remote island after vanishing while surfing
A teenager who seemingly vanished after going for a surf off a northern NSW beach has been found alive on a remote island miles offshore. Darcy Deefholts, 19, did not return after going surfing at One Tree, Wooli, on the state's North Coast on Wednesday afternoon. Advertisement His father, Terry Deefholts, a real estate agent from Grafton, raised the alarm with a frantic call on social media, saying he was 'fearing the worst.' Deefholts issued an emotional plea to the community on Wednesday night following his son's disappearance. 4 Darcy Deefholt has been found alive on a remote island miles offshore. Terry Deefholt / Facebook 'HELP – I NEED BOATS, BEACH WALKERS, DRONES AND 4WDs and PLANES AT FIRST LIGHT,' his post read. Advertisement 'My boy Darcy is still missing. Marine Rescue searched tonight from Bare Point to Pebbly Beach at sea. They have been stood down for the night but expect they will be back early to resume the search. 'I am asking anyone with a seaworthy vessel to please meet me at the main Wooli boat ramp and take me to sea to help with the search.' Deefholts said at the time the family were 'fearing the worst' but urged readers of the post to 'please save comments for those wishing to help with the search'. Advertisement In an incredible development, the teen was found on Thursday morning, almost 13km out to sea on North Solitary Island off Wooli. 4 The 19-year-old did not return after going surfing at One Tree, Wooli, on the state's North Coast on Wednesday afternoon. Marine Rescue NSW Deefholts described the story of survival as a 'one-in-a-million miracle.' 'I haven't had the chance to talk to him yet, I'm just so over the moon,' he told The Daily Telegraph. Advertisement He said Darcy was receiving medical treatment and he 'could not fathom' how the teen survived being swept miles out to sea. 'I'm still just processing everything. We've had no sleep and it has been a lot to deal with,' Deefholts said. Only hours earlier, Deefholts had issued a desperate plea to search nearby islands. 4 In an incredible development, the teen was found on Thursday morning, almost 8 miles out to sea on North Solitary Island off Wooli. Google Earth 'Boats – need one to go straight to North West Solitary Island,' he said in an update online. 'That's where they found a person last year that got washed up.' Deefholts's Facebook post now has more than 1100 shares, with members of the community flocking to offer assistance and well wishes. 'We are overwhelmed by the community efforts in the search so far. There is only one thing we want now – our beloved boy to be found safe currently,' he wrote at the time. Advertisement In a statement on Thursday morning, NSW Police said Darcy left his home in Wooli on a bicycle about 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday and headed towards Wooli Beach. 4 Deefholts described the story of survival as a 'one-in-a-million miracle.' Google Earth 'When he failed to return home, concerned family members contacted officers from Coffs/Clarence Police District,' police said. 'Concerns are held for Darcy's welfare as his disappearance is out of character. Advertisement 'Darcy is described as being of caucasian appearance, of slim build, about 180cm tall, with black hair.' Marine Rescue NSW Inspector John Murray said Marine Rescue NSW vessel Wooli 30 was tasked just before 10 p.m. on Wednesday with the search-and-rescue mission. 'A volunteer crew was rapidly assembled and Wooli 30 deployed,' Inspector Murray said. Advertisement 'The crew searched waters from Bare Point in the north to Freshwater Beach in the south. Inspector Murray said Wooli 30 and Coffs Harbour 30 were back on the water at 8am on Thursday to continue the search. 'The volunteer crews will conduct search patterns under the direction of Marine Area Command,' he said.
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Busy Irish road closes for week with diversions in place and traffic marshals stationed
A BUSY road used by Dublin drivers has now been closed for a week, with diversions in place. Dublin City Council has alerted Advertisement 1 Clonliffe Avenue in Dublin 3 is now closed for a week Credit: Google Earth Clonliffe Avenue in The closure is taking place daily from 8am to 6pm between Tuesday, July 8 and Monday, July 15. Motorists are being warned that it affects the first phase of Clonliffe Avenue - specifically the 180m stretch from Ballybough Road to Clonliffe Avenue. Dublin City Council stated: 'Clonliffe Avenue – Phase 1 (from Ballybough to Clonliffe Avenue 180m), Dublin 3. Advertisement READ MORE IN MOTORS 'Date – Tuesday 8th July 2025 to Monday 15th July 2025.' Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the closure, and local access will be facilitated where possible from each closure point. For vehicles arriving from Ballybough Road, diversions will send traffic toward Clonliffe Road. Advertisement MOST READ IN MOTORS Those approaching from Clonliffe Road will instead be redirected to Ballybough Road. Clear signage will be in place to guide motorists, and drivers are advised to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys. I'm an Irish driving instructor and here are the five hardest questions you can be asked on the day of your test Dublin City Council added: 'Pedestrian access will be facilitated at all times.' MAJOR MOTORWAY CLOSED Meanwhile, a major Irish motorway has shut due to an incident as drivers are urged to use a "different route" for their journey. Advertisement The crash occurred on the M7/N7 westbound between Junction 22 (N62) and Junction 23 Moneygall this morning. All lanes have been affected. And traffic bosses posted an update on Posting on Advertisement "Road remains closed. Diversion in place via Old Roscrea Road." Drivers were told that "significant delays" to their journey will likely occur and that they should consider a different route. Elsewhere in the country, The M1 is a continuation of the busy Advertisement This morning, the thousands of commuters who use the Traffic bosses reported the crash between Junction 5 Balbriggan (South) and Junction4 Donabate (8 kilometres south of the Stamullen area).
