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India Today
an hour ago
- General
- India Today
Garbage buried in Kasol forest after viral video of waste triggers outrage
The waste management crisis near the wildlife sanctuary area of Kasol in Himachal Pradesh sparked heated debate recently after a video of widespread litter went viral. Authorities responded by deploying JCBs and other machinery to clear the garbage. However, the waste was hastily buried by digging pits nearly 2 km inside the forest, an act that blatantly violates environmental laws and video showed garbage and waste from the past eight months -- originating from Kullu, Kasol, and nearby villages, including from hotels and residential areas -- lying openly dumped in the middle of the Parvati Valley forest, a popular international tourist response to the public outcry, the Special Area Development Authority (SADA), led by local Congress MLA Sunder Thakur, deployed tippers and JCB machines to the site. However, instead of treating the waste, it was removed from its original location and dumped deep within a demarcated wildlife sanctuary zone. India Today's ground report revealed a significant disconnect between official claims of cleanliness and the reality on the ground. The truck and JCB operators were seen fleeing the scene upon the arrival of camera crews, with one driver admitting to dumping waste on the instructions of 'Pradhan Tehal Singh' and covering it with Sood, a local activist and hotel owner, criticised the government's negligence, stating that despite SADA collecting Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 per month from every hotel owner for waste management, they have failed to provide a viable pointed out that dumping began even before an official site was established, and authorities waited for months for the waste to accumulate to this extent before resorting to burying it. "This is clear negligence by the government. There are 400-500 hotels in Kasol itself waste in nature, but treatment and a way out of it is what is required. Dumping started even before the official dumping site was established. This area falls under SADA, which collects Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 per month from every hotel owner for waste management. Despite collecting funds, they're only spreading pollution instead of managing it responsibly," Aman Sood leader Nirotam Thakur threatened to file a complaint with the National Green Tribunal (NGT), noting the irony of city waste being dumped in the forest, unlike the usual practice of bringing forest waste into urban areas."We will file a complaint with the NGT (National Green Tribunal). Locals had earlier approached the DC (District Commissioner), but they were dismissed. Usually, people bring forest waste into the city, here in Kasol, it's the opposite: city waste is being dumped in the heart of the forest," Thakur added. However, the Development Authority Chairman and local MLA Thakur, when contacted, attributed the delay to waiting for permission for a dumping site and claimed to have exchanged land with the Rural Development Department for this purpose."We got delayed because we were waiting for permission for a dumping site. We have exchanged land with the Rural Development Department, and now we will develop a dumping site there. We've also received MRF (Material Recovery Facility) approval to store the waste temporarily in the jungle," he said, also asking, 'Where else could we take our waste?"Despite SADA's responsibility for waste treatment and management, funded by a "green/SADA tax" of Rs 300 per vehicle entering Kasol and monthly fees from hotels and shops, it has failed to establish a proper dumping pointed out that the practice of openly accumulating waste for months and then burying it inside a wildlife sanctuary under public scrutiny is a clear violation of wildlife conservation, environmental protection, and waste management Watch
The Hindu
9 hours ago
- General
- The Hindu
Tree near Saidapet Metro subway crashes, traffic police personnel swing into action
Chennai City Traffic Police personnel were clearing a massive Sterculia tree near the Saidapet Metro Rail subway on Anna Salai on May 27, 2025. It was a major crash, the tree having fallen on a few bikes. Fortunately, no one was injured. To avoid a rush-hour logjam, the traffic police personnel waded into the scence close to 5 p.m. with chainsaws and started cutting the fallen tree into easily portable logs. They made the work easier for Corporation workers who arrived on the scene later, a JCB in tow. This incident highlights the need to check the strength of trees in public places to avoid untoward incidents.
Time of India
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Dilawar cracks down on illegal power connections
1 2 Kota: State's education and Panchayati Raj Minister Madan Dilawar organised neighbourhood meetings in Suket area of his constituency on Sunday. During a meeting held in Surliwal's alley, local residents complained about a person named Kallu providing illegal electricity connections. Residents reported that Kallu had laid pipes alongside the water pipeline to provide illegal electricity connections and was collecting Rs 500 per month from each household. Approximately 700 homes had illegal connections. Minister Dilawar immediately instructed the Superintendent Engineer of Electricity, Vishnu Dutt Lodha, to visit the site with a police team and take action. Following the instructions, the engineer and his team disconnected the illegal connections and seized the cables. Meanwhile, minister Dilawar himself arrived at the site. Residents showed him the illegal electricity connections running into homes through underground pipelines. The minister immediately summoned Suket Police Station Officer Chhotu Lal to file an FIR against the accused Kallu alias Jalaluddin and his accomplice. He ordered the recovery of dues from the accused, including interest, from the time electricity supply began in Suket. Afterward, minister Dilawar inspected Kumhar neighbourhood, where an encroachment issue on the old building of the Government Higher Secondary School Suket was found. The minister, along with Sub-Divisional Officer Neeta Vasita, Municipal Executive Officer Hemendra Sankhla, and Station Officer Chhotu Lal, visited the school to inspect the encroachment. Cattle were found tied in the staff room, and other rooms were locked. The minister instructed the Sub-Divisional Officer to clear the entire school building of encroachments, appoint a receiver, and prepare proposals for operating an Anganwadi centre. Seeing encroachment on the road with stones, Minister Dilawar got angry and immediately ordered the Municipal Executive Officer of Suket to remove the encroachment using a JCB. The Chief Executive Officer promptly arranged for a JCB to clear the encroachment.
Time of India
a day ago
- General
- Time of India
Tigers stray into human settlements near Rajasthan's Ranthambore National Park
JAIPUR: Tigers from Ranthambore National Park are increasingly straying into human settlements, forcing authorities to intervene with tranquilisation efforts. On Sunday morning, a team tranquilised a tigress named Arrowhead near the Sherpur helipad. The operation took about one to one-and-a-half hours of intense effort. After sedation, the tigress was released back into her territory near Shivraj Anicut. A forest staff member said, 'The tigress was moving near the helipad close to Sherpur village since Saturday night. Residents of the area informed the Forest Department, but due to darkness, the team could not tranquilise the tigress at night. On Sunday morning around 6:30 am, when the rescue team reached the spot, the tigress was found hiding in the bushes. This made the tranquilisation process quite challenging. ' A JCB machine was called in to assist with the operation. To keep the crowd at bay, which gathered at the location, forest and police personnel were deployed. Using the JCB, the team was able to spot and tranquilise the tigress. She was then taken in the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve's rescue vehicle and released into the forest. The entire operation lasted about one to one-and-a-half hours. 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 Read More Undo In the past one and a half months, the department tranquilised three tigers in these peripheral zones. Tigers were tranquilised near Hotel Sawai Vilas, Kutalpura Malyan, and now at the Sherpur helipad. The Forest Department also tranquilised a female cub named Kanakti, the offspring of tigress Arrowhead (T-84), and released her into a Bheed enclosure. Meanwhile, the movement of tigress Riddhi and her family is intermittently recorded inside the fort. Experts point to an increasing prey base inside the fort as a key factor attracting big cats. Over the years, small shops have sprung up inside the fort, and visitors often offer ritual food items like *chana*, *prasad*, and flour to wild animals or leave behind waste. These readily available food sources have attracted herbivores such as langurs and sambar, as well as omnivores like wild boars—creating a prey-rich environment that naturally draws tigers. 'One of the primary reasons the fort has become a hotspot for tigers is the increase in prey species attracted by leftover food and ritual offerings. The ready availability of these food sources is changing the natural habits of wildlife, encouraging them to gather in larger numbers and remain close to human activity. This shift not only disrupts the ecological balance but also increases the risk of human-wildlife conflicts. Therefore, a strict ban on feeding wild animals inside the fort is essential to preserve both visitor safety and animal welfare,' said an expert.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
MP urges Reeves to back upgrades to East-West route
A Staffordshire MP has urged Chancellor Rachel Reeves to back upgrades to a busy East to West Midlands route ahead of the government's spending review. Burton and Uttoxeter MP Jacob Collier said the A50 and A500 corridor between Stoke and Derby needed "urgent" investment to support the Midlands economy, and major employers like JCB, Toyota and Rolls-Royce. Collier stated that the road currently faced "severe congestion at key pinch points", particularly in Staffordshire and Uttoxeter, and decisions around upgrades were needed. "I will continue to push for these essential upgrades to be made," he said. "For our local economy, for local employment opportunities, and for the safety of Uttoxeter residents." Transport organisation Midlands Connect said that upgrades would enhance the current transport links and connectivity. Improvements could create around £12bn in economic growth over the next 60 years, according to its report with Fifty500 Midlands Growth Corridor Commission. "The potential here is vast: 39,000 new jobs, 67,000 homes, and a thriving hub for green transport technology," Collier said. He added that the A50 and A500 must become a "true catalyst" for economic growth. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. 'Clarity needed on HS2 transport investment' Motorists will now face fines for bus lane driving Plans to upgrade busy East-West route revealed Local Democracy Reporting Service Midlands Connect
