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India Today
3 days ago
- India Today
Tourists banned in Sundarbans during monsoon to safeguard breeding wildlife
West Bengal's top tourist hotspot, Sundarbans, has been closed to tourists during the entire monsoon season. The Forest Department has announced a complete ban on tourists in the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve from June 15 to September 15, 2025. This annual conservation effort aims to protect the region's wildlife during their breeding months of June, July and August mark the peak mating and nesting period for many species and the closure will provide a disturbance-free environment, boosting reproductive initiative is part of the Integrated Resources Management Plan (IRMP), promoting sustainable and long-term conservation strategies for the area. The seasonal closure will allow the forest to experience a quiet period, essential for ecological recovery. "It's a rule for all core forests in West Bengal and India during this time of the year. We always maintain this rule to provide a disturbance-free environment and boost reproductive success for animals and birds. That's why we have stopped tourists there. The initiative is part of the Integrated Resources Management Plan (IRMP), promoting sustainable and long-term conservation strategies for the area," West Bengal Forest Minister Birbaha Hansda told India Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to the Royal Bengal Tiger, estuarine crocodiles, spotted deer and over 290 species of birds. The park also boasts 219 aquatic species and 344 different kinds of plants. This is the third consecutive year of the monsoon-season ban, but with a notable update: the restriction now begins a month earlier than addition to its terrestrial inhabitants, the park is also a haven for aquatic life, with 219 species calling it home. The region's flora is equally impressive, with 344 different kinds of plants thriving in this unique protect this delicate balance, the Sundarbans have implemented a monsoon-season ban for the third consecutive year, starting a month earlier than before to align with the natural rhythms of the forest's Watch
India Today
31-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
After Rajasthan cleric, his brother too arrested for 'spying' for Pak
The brother of Qasim, the Rajasthan-based cleric who was arrested by the Delhi Police on charges of spying for Pakistan, has also been arrested, sources in the Delhi Police told India brother had long been under the scanner of Indian intelligence agencies for his suspicious cross-border connections, sources to sources, Qasim's brother frequently visited Pakistan under the pretext of meeting relatives. However, during these visits, he allegedly came in contact with individuals suspected to be part of espionage networks. His interactions with these individuals triggered concerns, leading to his detention and arrest on suspicion of These links are now part of a larger ongoing investigation into possible spy activities facilitated through familial and religious networks, after the dastardly April 22 Pahalgam terror his brother's passport expired, Qasim was allegedly asked to maintain the communication chain with Pakistani contacts or help facilitate further exchanges. This development reportedly raised red flags amongst intelligence and security agencies and is believed to have intensified surveillance on Qasim in the weeks leading to his said that while sections of the Official Secrets Act (OSA) have not yet been invoked in the case, they are likely to be added at the chargesheet stage, depending on the outcome of the ongoing probe. "The nature of the contacts and the money trail are currently being examined," a source who was arrested by the Delhi Police Special Cell from Rajasthan, is believed to have received training in Pakistan and allegedly travelled to the country just days before the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. Police sources claim he was paid around 2 lakh Pakistani Rupees (around Rs 61,000) in instalments in exchange for passing sensitive interrogation, Qasim reportedly admitted to deleting all data from his mobile phone following the recent arrest of several suspected spies in connection with the Pahalgam attack. His phone is currently undergoing forensic examination, and authorities are working to recover any potentially incriminating digital Qasim has a previous kidnapping case registered against him in Delhi, sources confirmed he was acquitted in that investigation remains ongoing as officials continue to probe a possible larger espionage network operating across the border and using religious and familial ties for intelligence InMust Watch
India Today
30-04-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Mughal tombs to 1857 cemetery: 7 ASI-protected Delhi monuments under encroachment
Seven national monuments in Delhi, protected under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), are experiencing unlawful encroachments, according to a Right to Information (RTI) response received by India monuments include Ataga Khan's tomb in Nizamuddin village, Begumpur Masjid in Begunmpur Village, Feroz Shah Kotla Fort at Delhi Gate, Tughlaqabad Fort Complex among others.1. Ataga Khan's tomb in Nizamuddin village: Several mausoleums and gardens were constructed around the Nizamuddin Dargah during Akbar's rule, to the east of which this tomb of Shams-ud-Din Atgah Khan, a well-known Mughal leader and Akbar's foster father, was constructed in red sandstone and white marble between 1566 and 2. Begumpur Masjid in Begunmpur Village: A mosque with distinctive architectural elements from the Tughlaq era in the 14th century. It was constructed in Jahanpanah during the rule of Muhammad Shah Tughluq and his successor Feroz Shah.3. Rajpur (Mutiny Cemetery) in Maurice Nagar: This cemetery contains the greatest number of British graves from the 1857 rebellion.4. D'Eremao Cemetery near Kishanganj Railway Station: Beginning at least 1781, this cemetery in Old Delhi is thought to be the first European burial ground in the city and reflects strong Indo-European links from the Mughal age.5. Feroz Shah Kotla Fort at Delhi Gate: One of the oldest buildings in Delhi, it was constructed in 1354 by Sultan Feroz Shah Tughlaq when the capital moved from Tughlaqabad to Ferozabad, on the banks of the Yamuna. The fort is famous for having a 13-meter-tall Ashokan Pillar that was transported from Kashmiri Gate (City Wall) near ISBT Kashmere Gate: Designed to serve as Shahjahanabad's northern entrance, Kashmere Gate marked the path to Kashmir and was essential to the uprising in 1857.7. Tughlaqabad Fort Complex in South-East Delhi district: Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq constructed the Tughlaqabad Fort in 1321 with the intention of creating a magnificent, independent capital with tall walls and secret response of ASI on India Today's RTI acknowledges the existence of encroachments at the designated sites, but it does not address certain important questions such as those including the nature and character of the response does not clarify whether the encroachments comprise commercial buildings, homes, or other illegal ASI refers to Section 19(1) and 19(2) of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act,1958, which forbids building, mining, excavation, or similar activity in protected areas without permission from the Central the response does not state the precise actions taken over the past five years against these illegal 1958 law empowers the government to order the removal of illegal structures, with the cost recoverable from the of the monuments in question date back to the 14th century and these monuments significantly contribute to ASI's revenue.
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Pahalgam attack: 'Go tell this to Modi' terrorists told survivor after killing her husband
What happened during the Pahalgam attack What the terrorists' said Live Events — ANI (@ANI) Prime Minister Modi's condemnation Help and Support (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel A woman survivor of the recent Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir has recounted the horrifying moments she witnessed when gunmen opened fire on tourists. The attack, which took place on Tuesday in the Pahalgam area of Anantnag district, resulted in the deaths of 26 people, many of whom were tourists, and left over 20 others injured. Among the victims was Pallavi's husband, Manjunath Rao , who was killed during the who had travelled to Kashmir with her husband and their son, recalled how her husband was shot and killed in front of her. "Three of us – me, my husband, and our son – had gone to Kashmir. It happened around 1:30 pm, I think. We were at Pahalgam. He died on the spot, in front of my eyes. It still feels like a bad dream," she said in a heart-wrenching interview with India attackers reportedly targeted predominantly male victims, leaving women and children unharmed in many cases. Pallavi described the terrifying moment when she and her son confronted one of the attackers, pleading to be killed alongside Manjunath. She recalled, "I told them – kill me too, you've already killed my husband. One of them said, I won't kill you. Go tell this to Modi."According to Pallavi, there were three to four attackers, and after her husband was killed, she faced one of them directly. "You've killed my husband, kill me too," she said, urging the attacker to take her life. However, the terrorist responded coldly, "Nahin marenge. Tum Modi ko jaake bolo" ("I won't kill you. Go and tell Modi"). This chilling statement seemed to send a message to Prime Minister Narendra added that many local civilians rushed to the scene, using their ponies to help transport the injured to safety before authorities began formal rescue operations. Despite the chaos, Pallavi expressed gratitude for the help of locals. "Three others, who kept saying 'Bismillah', helped us get to safety," she Minister Narendra Modi swiftly condemned the attack, expressing his condolences to the families of the victims. "I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected," Modi wrote on social media. He vowed that those responsible for the attack would be brought to justice, stating, "Those behind this heinous act will be brought to will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed."Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in New Delhi in morning today after cutting short his Saudi Arabia visit. Immediately on his arrival, PM Modi took a briefing meeting at the Delhi airport with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to discuss the situation.A meeting of Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) is scheduled to be held at 11 am today, as reported by some news grief is palpable as she described the trauma of witnessing her husband's death. "I want to return to my hometown, Shivamogga, but not alone. I will return only with my husband's body. All three of us must come back together," she said. The family had been on holiday in Kashmir since April 19, and they were scheduled to return on April 24. Pallavi has requested the authorities to make the necessary arrangements for Manjunath's body to be airlifted so that she can return home with her son and husband's Manjunath's family in Shivamogga remains in shock. His mother, still unaware of her son's death, has been informed that Manjunath is injured and will return home soon. The family is left reeling from the loss of a man who was a realtor by terror attack on Pahalgam took place on April 22, 2025, when gunmen targeted tourists in the region. The violence has sparked outrage across India, with political leaders from various parties condemning the attack. Many of the victims were newlywed couples, and Pallavi mentioned that Hindus appeared to have been targeted specifically. About 500 tourists were present in the area at the time of the attack occurred after the tourists had arrived on horseback, with Pallavi recalling that her son had not eaten since the morning. Manjunath had gone to get him some bread when the shooting began. Initially, the sound of gunfire was mistaken for a military shot, but soon chaos unfolded as people fled for their lives. Pallavi described the traumatic scene of her husband lying lifeless in a pool of blood. "He had been shot in the head. I sat beside his body, unable to react," she those seeking assistance or information regarding the Pahalgam terror attack, the following helplines have been provided by local authorities:Emergency Control Room – Srinagar: 0194-2457543, 0194-2483651Adil Fareed, ADC Srinagar: 7006058623Police Control Room, Anantnag: 9596777669, 01932-225870WhatsApp: 9419051940Jammu and Kashmir Tourist Department helplines: 8899931010, 8899941009, 9066638688 (Nissar, Asst. Director Tourism)
