Latest news with #Halarnkar
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Goa set to deploy drones to swoop down on illegal fishing methods, out-of-state anglers
Panaji: Following the successful completion of a two-month trial, the Goa fisheries department is set to procure drones to monitor illegal fishing activities in the state's waters, for the upcoming fishing season, starting Aug 1. 'Goa's coastline is smaller than that of other states. So, we can have this new technology,' fisheries minister Nilkanth Halarnkar told TOI . The trial run was conducted in April and May at the Panaji jetty by the fisheries department's head office. The department plans to expand drone surveillance to crack down on fishing using LED lights, bull trawling, and 'cross border' fishing. 'Now that we have seen the drones operate on a trial basis, we are trying to see how we can utilise them,' Halarnkar said. 'A proposal has to be made to govt following which a tender will be floated to procure them.' But challenges come with innovation. Drones have a flight capability of only a few hours due to battery life. Coastal weather also needs to be factored in while flying them. 'Fishing jetties can also have CCTVs that are able to capture images from long distances and detect such illegalities 24x7,' said a fisherman who has been protesting against LED fishing over the years. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo He added, 'The Coast Guard can coordinate with fisherfolk to impound vessels of the violators.' Fishing using LED lights attracts fish in large numbers, including non-target species, leading to bycatch and the capture of vulnerable marine species. Bull trawling — used to boost the volume of catch — involves dragging heavy nets along the seabed, physically disrupting and damaging benthic habitats, including corals, sponges, and other marine life. 'Cross-border' fishing occurs when fisherfolk from other states fish within the 12 nautical mile zone of Goa's territorial waters. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
3rd in 5 months: BITS Goa student dies by suicide on campus
Vasco/Margao: A 20-year-old student of BITS Pilani's Goa campus was found dead in his hostel room on Thursday morning, in the third suicide case at the institute in five months. Krishna Kasera from Lucknow, a second-year student pursuing a dual degree in MSc chemistry and BE electrical and instrumentation, was discovered hanging from a window grill in his single-occupancy room on the institute's Zuarinagar campus. The death came to light around 9am when Kasera failed to respond to calls and knocking on the door. The campus doctor pronounced him dead at the scene. The Verna police station has registered a case of unnatural death, and the body has been sent to South Goa District Hospital, Margao, for a postmortem examination. Kasera's family members, who arrived in Goa, have refused to accept the body, alleging foul play and negligence by the college administration. 'There appears to be no CCTV surveillance at the hostel. We requested CCTV footage, but the administration has not provided it,' said Kasera's father. 'This pattern of students ending their life before exams is concerning.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like [Click Here] - 2025 Top Trending Search - Local network access Esseps Learn More Undo In the first case, Om Priyan Singh, 21, a second-year BE computer science and MSc chemistry student from Uttar Pradesh, died by suicide in Dec 2024. Then in March 2025, Atharv Desai, 20, a third-year dual degree student, also ended his life in his hostel room. According to Kasera's mother, she last spoke to him two days ago, and he mentioned that he was feeling unwell. Subsequent attempts to contact him were unsuccessful, she said. 'It was only when we called the hostel warden to inquire about him on Thursday after all calls to him went unanswered did we get to know he was no more,' a family source said. The family has threatened legal action if their concerns are not addressed by the institute. The public relations officer of BITS Pilani's Goa campus, Arjun Halarnkar, refuted all allegations, adding that BITS Pilani was conducting an internal inquiry into the matter. He said a CCTV camera has been installed at the hostel entrance, and the work of installing more cameras inside the hostel — stalled following students' privacy concerns — would be taken up soon. 'The institute is trying its best to ensure that students are safe and secure,' Halarnkar said. 'Recently, a group of faculty members have undergone Young Mental Health First-Aiders certification programme.' He added, 'These faculty members reach out to students providing them a safe space to open up about themselves. The counselling centre on the campus offers sessions and access to a 24x7 helpline.' On the series of suicides by students in the hostel blocks, Halarnkar said, 'It is very hard to accept the deaths of students. It is an irreparable and permanent loss to their family members.' As for the victims being dual degree students, he said, 'This could be because of the stress or some family matters which made the students take such drastic steps.' He, however, said no suicide note was found in the hostel blocks in all three cases. 'All three students have died by suicide during examinations,' he said.
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Time of India
Goa targets 100% sterilisation of strays: Halarnkar
Panaji: In the wake of two recent and alarming stray dog attacks in the state, both involving children, Nilkanth Halarnkar , the minister for animal husbandry and veterinary services, has assured that govt is 'working on a war footing' to tackle the issue. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'We are targeting 100% sterilisation of the stray dogs in the state,' Halarnkar told TOI . He outlined the ongoing efforts to sterilise stray dogs, stating that a dedicated team is actively working in different parts of the state to control the stray dog population. The state has roughly 56,000 stray dogs. 'We already covered Bardez and Margao, and for the past 10 to 15 days, the team focused on the coastal belt,' he said. He also highlighted some of the challenges faced in addressing the stray dog population. 'We cannot change the location of stray dogs because they are territorial. Additionally, we are not allowed to keep them in common shelter homes or cages,' he said. Halarnkar also acknowledged the role of local NGOs in supporting sterilisation efforts but stressed the need for greater public cooperation. 'The NGOs are doing their best along with Mission Rabies, but we now need the support of the public. The dog feeders need to be more responsible, and I am advising them against feeding stray dogs anywhere,' he said. He also called on pet dog owners to notify the animal husbandry department about their pets so govt can maintain a proper register of all dogs in the state. Halarnkar's remarks come after two incidents that raised concerns over public safety. Last week, a toddler was mauled by stray dogs in Ponda who succumbed to her injuries, and earlier this week, a Russian child was attacked by stray dogs at Betalbatim beach.
