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Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Protecting Shivalik ecosystem: SC-constituted committee to probe forest law violations in Mohali
1 2 Mohali: The Central Empowered Committee (CEC), constituted by the Supreme Court , is set to investigate alleged violations of forest and wildlife laws that have recently come to light in the forest areas of Mohali, with a focus on protecting the fragile Shivalik ecosystem. Sources said the CEC will visit Karoran, Nada, Masol, and adjoining villages in Mohali district on Monday. The visit follows a formal complaint highlighting widespread irregularities in forest management and potential breaches of environmental regulations in the region. The sources said the committee will assess the extent of ecological damage, particularly to forest land and wildlife habitats, and evaluate the actions taken by government departments in response to the alleged violations. Based on its findings, the CEC is expected to recommend corrective measures to ensure enforcement of conservation laws. The villages under scrutiny fall within areas protected under the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), 1900, and the Forest Conservation Act, 1980. Despite restrictions, reports of illegal hill-cutting and encroachments have allegedly persisted for years, leading to the degradation of ecologically sensitive zones in the Shivalik hills. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Soluções de energia de confiança para Data Centers de IA Siemens Energy Learn More Undo Environmental activists and residents allege that the forest department, district administration, the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (Gmada), and panchayati raj institutions failed to curb these violations. Many have pointed to the alleged involvement of an influential land mafia operating with impunity in the region. The Shivalik forests, part of the outer Himalayas, are known for their rich biodiversity and are home to several endangered species listed in the IUCN Red List. The ecological value of this landscape has been extensively documented, including in the publication Biodiversity in Shivaliks by Neelima Jairath of the Punjab State Council for Science & Technology. Adding context to the gravity of the issue, sources recall that a few years ago, when government officials attempted to reclaim encroached land using state machinery, they reportedly became targets of vigilance inquiries, allegedly influenced by those with vested interests in the land deals. The CEC, originally formed in 2002 (and reconstituted in 2008), functions under the SC's directives to monitor violations of forest and wildlife laws and report to the ministry of environment, forest and climate change. The committee traces its origins to a landmark SC judgment delivered on Dec 12, 1996, which broadened the definition of 'forest' to include any land exhibiting forest-like characteristics, irrespective of ownership.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- The Hindu
12 pangolins released after rescue operations in T.N.
Two pangolins, including a baby, were recently rescued from wildlife traffickers near Chennai and released back into their natural habitat by the Tamil Nadu Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (TNWCCB). This action is part of the bureau's ongoing efforts to combat pangolin trafficking. Pangolin is an endangered species protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. As many as 50 individuals remanded in related operations over the past few months, Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary to Departments of Environment, Climate Change and Forests, wrote in a post on social media platform X. Twelve pangolins have been safely released following similar operations from across Tamil Nadu, Ms. Sahu said. As the world's most trafficked mammals, pangolins face severe threats from poaching for their scales and meat, pushing them towards extinction.
Edinburgh Reporter
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Oldest rockhopper in town
Keepers at Edinburgh Zoo recently celebrated their oldest penguin when Northern rockhopper Nestor turned 32 years old. The 20 inch tall penguin has been dubbed 'oldest rocker in town' — and he even has a mate exactly half his age. The oldest penguin of any kind at Edinburgh Zoo, he is also believed to be currently the third longest-lived rockhopper penguin in the world. Nestor celebrated his birthday chilling out in the shade in the attraction's Penguins Rock, with his long term mate, 16 year old Issy. Edinburgh Zoo animal keeper Katherine Burnet, said: 'Nestor is a really nice boy and our oldest penguin. 'At the ripe old age of 32 now, he can be a little slower than some of the other penguins in the colony, but he's lovely to work with. 'It's amazing to think he's the third oldest rockhopper in the world. He's already lived over twice the lifespan of a rockhopper in the wild.' Rockhoppers are among the smallest penguins, easily recognised by their bright yellow head plumage and red eyes. The species has declined by 90 per cent in the wild since the 1950s and is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. Nestor hatched in France in 1993 and also spent time in Belgium before coming to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) attraction in 2006. He can be identified among the other rockhoppers in his colony by the unique blue and pink coloured band on his right wing. Nestor can be found spending most of his time around the pool with long term partner Issy. They can be seen waddling around their enclosure or preening one another on their nesting ring in a shaded area to the rear of the colony. Katherine said: 'Nestor and Issy have been pair bonded for a few years now and he takes really good care of her. There may be a 16 year age gap but they make a really sweet couple. 'They tend to go around the enclosure together and wherever you see one you often find the other. They have certain spots they frequent. 'Nestor is quite a chilled out boy. He tends to avoid any drama going on in the colony, although he can be quite protective of Issy and he will tell the youngsters off if they come too close to his nest. 'He's also pretty smart so when it's sunny or hot you'll find him in the shade keeping cool.' Edinburgh Zoo is home to over 100 Gentoo, Northern rockhopper and King penguins. The attraction is famed for its Penguin Parade, which first took place in 1951 when a keeper accidentally left the gate open and a few curious penguins left the enclosure. The parade became a much-loved daily ritual until March 2020, when it was stopped to avoid people gathering in large crowds during Covid. The Zoo now hosts the 'Wee Waddle', a reimagined version, which is completely voluntary. Penguins are not coerced into taking part or leaving their enclosure. There is also a small, 'penguin-sized' fence separating the birds from visitors along the short route. Edinburgh was previously home to the world's oldest rockhopper penguin. Mrs Wolowitz was killed by a fox that broke into the enclosure in 2022, just months after she celebrated her 35th birthday. The world's oldest rockhopper is now thought to be 34-year-old JT in Moody Gardens, Texas, a year older than 33-year-old female Janet who lives at Montreal Biodome in Canada, and two years older than Edinburgh's Nestor. Edinburgh Zoo has the oldest Rockhopper 32 (Back and Right) and his partner Issy 16 Picture Alan Simpson Edinburgh Zoo has the oldest Rockhopper 32 (Back and Right) and his partner Issy 16 Picture Alan Simpson Edinburgh Zoo has the oldest Rockhopper 32 (Back and Right) and his partner Issy 16 Picture Alan Simpson Keeper Katherine Burnet PHOTO Alan Simpson The penguin enclosure at Edinburgh Zoo Picture Alan Simpson Like this: Like Related
The Star
4 days ago
- General
- The Star
Concerns over declining population of rare duck in Cambodia
This white-winged duck returned to its nest for two consecutive nights during a three-day research study. - Photo: Sam Veasna Company PHNOM PENH: Cambodia is home to fewer than 100 white-winged ducks, out of an estimated global population of just 800. A recent three-day field survey found only a single individual returning to its roost. Sam Veasna Conservation Tours, in collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), conducted a survey of the rare species in areas where they has been previously recorded. The research took place in the Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary in Preah Vihear Province from May 21 to 23, according to a statement released by Sam Veasna on Thursday (May 29). During the fieldwork, two teams — each consisting of five members — monitored the site. Over the course of the three-day observation, they recorded one duck returning to its roost tree for two consecutive nights. Unfortunately, it arrived after dark and departed before dawn, making it difficult to observe. Despite this, the mission confirmed that at least one white-winged duck (Anas scutulata) still returns to its traditional roosting site, underscoring the vital importance of large Chhertheal trees along riverbanks, home to this critically endangered bird. The ducks inhabit tropical forest areas with slow-flowing rivers and streams, preferring quiet, wetland zones such as seasonal pools and swampy grasslands for foraging. White-winged wild ducks nest in holes in tall trees in forests near streams, creeks an other bodies of water. - Photo: Environment ministry The statement explained that most of Cambodia's white-winged duck population is found in the north, especially in Preah Vihear. Their numbers are critically low due to human threats such as illegal hunting and trapping, habitat loss, agricultural and settlement expansion, and notably, very low breeding rates. Both organisations urged local residents in these regions to stop activities that harm the duck population, emphasising that fewer than 100 individuals remain in Cambodia. The species is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List. According to the Ministry of Environment, there are only about 800 individuals left worldwide, with viable populations and breeding activity confirmed in the Kulen Promtep sanctuary. This species is present year-round in Cambodia. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
Borneo Post
27-05-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Captive-bred green peafowls naturally reproduce in China
A captive-bred green peafowl is seen at the Weishan Qinghua green peafowl provincial nature reserve in the Bai Autonomous Prefecture of Dali, southwest China's Yunnan Province, May 20, 2025.(Xinhua/Hu Chao) KUNMING (May 28): Four green peafowl chicks were recently hatched naturally in a wild training base in southwest China's Yunnan Province, marking the first successful natural breeding of the captive-bred species in a simulated wild environment and major progress in the country's rewilding efforts for the rare birds. The young birds were discovered in mid-May via camera surveillance at the training base located at the Weishan Qinghua green peafowl provincial nature reserve in the Bai Autonomous Prefecture of Dali. The base was co-founded by the nature reserve, the Kunming Institute of Zoology (KIZ) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Yunnan Forest Nature Center (YFNC), with a focus on wild training of captive-bred green peafowls. Currently, 11 birds are receiving wild training at the base. May 22 marks International Day for Biological Diversity. Yang Jiawei, an official at the reserve, said captive-bred green peafowls are trained in simulated wild conditions to master survival skills like foraging, predator avoidance and reproduction before they are released into the wild. An aerial drone photo taken on May 20, 2025 shows the Weishan Qinghua green peafowl provincial nature reserve in the Bai Autonomous Prefecture of Dali, southwest China's Yunnan Province.(Xinhua/Hu Chao) 'Naturally hatched chicks adapt better in the wild, increasing the release success rates,' Yang said. He added that, in the next step, the base will assess the peafowls' survival skills and release those qualified into the wild with trackers for monitoring, providing technical support for China's conservation efforts. Lu Lin, who is in charge of wildlife rescue and breeding at the YFNC, said that in 2024, the center in the provincial capital Kunming successfully bred 48 chicks, with the hatching rate surging to 73.85 percent, up from 15 percent three years prior. As of May 22, 12 chicks have hatched from 68 eggs laid this year, with more expected soon. The entire hatching process will be completed within two months. The green peafowl, China's only native peafowl species, is classified as 'endangered' on the IUCN Red List, with a higher extinction risk than giant pandas. A captive-bred green peafowl is seen at the Weishan Qinghua green peafowl provincial nature reserve in the Bai Autonomous Prefecture of Dali, southwest China's Yunnan Province, May 20, 2025.(Xinhua/Hu Chao) With the continuous ecological conservation efforts in China, endangered wild animal species, including the green peafowl, have seen a rise in their populations. In Yunnan, multiple nature reserves have been established in green peafowl habitats, with 48.1 million yuan (about 6.7 million U.S. dollars) spent on conservation projects like population monitoring and habitat improvement as of 2024, said Li Peng, an official in charge of wildlife protection from the provincial forestry and grassland bureau. Thanks to these efforts, the population of wild green peafowls has risen from less than 500 in 2016 to about 850 today. – Xinhua Green peafowl chicks are seen at the Yunnan Forest Nature Center in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, May 19, 2025.(Xinhua/Hu Chao) animal species China fauna peafowl
