Latest news with #Karnataka-based
India Today
2 days ago
- Health
- India Today
In tiger territory, LPG and toilet emerge as big lifesavers
"I feel much safer now. Because of an LPG connection and a toilet at home, we aren't encountering tigers or other wild animals these days in the jungle," says Pavithra S of Asthuru village in Karnataka's Chamarajanagar from Soolekobe village says an LPG connection has reduced her trips to the forest for firewood and, thereby, risks of encounters with wild animals. "Earlier, I made 10 trips a month to the forest for firewood. Now it's just one or two trips," the 30-year-old villager and Sooleke are villages inside the Malai Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary. Both Pavithra and Govindamma have benefited from the LPG connection provided by Holematthi Nature Foundation, a Karnataka-based Maharashtra's Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, toilets under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural) have helped bring down incidents of man-animal conflict and casualties, say experts. Experts believe the same is unfolding in Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, Uttarakhand's Corbett Tiger Reserve and other wildlife forest officials, conservationists and wildlife experts tell India Today Digital how an LPG connection and a toilet at home have helped bring down deaths in attacks by wild animals, even as the overall toll of tiger attacks has increased in India, corresponding with the rising tiger population in the country. Under the Ujjwala scheme, the government provides free connection and subsidised LPG they narrate is how two centrally sponsored schemes – the LPG-providing Ujjwala Yojana and the toilet-building Swachh Bharat Mission – are scripting a success story in faraway forest there is a lack of government data, say experts, there is anecdotal evidence in government, acknowledging the impact, has ordered the construction of toilets on priority in villages within eco-sensitive zones in was after a request from wildlife biologist and conservationist Sanjay Gubbi, whose Holematthi Nature Foundation has over the years witnessed how LPG connections and toilets have helped save focus on toilets and LPG to dissuade villagers from venturing into secluded areas of forests is nothing new for foresters, and there have been state-specific projects as well. However, the Ujjwala and Swachh Bharat schemes seem to be turning out to be pan-India is indeed a silver has seen a spurt in deaths due to tiger attacks, especially since has been an alarming spike in May with 24 people dying in tiger attacks, against 16 lives lost in the same period in IN TIGERS AND TIGER-HUMAN CONFLICTS IN INDIAIndia has 3,682 tigers in the wild, which is 70% of the world's wild tiger population, according to the tiger estimation of 2022. The country has added 1,456 tigers since in itself is a turnaround poaching and habitat loss left tigers on the brink of extinction in India, which led Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to launch Project Tiger in 1973. India had just 1,800 tigers Tiger became a roaring on that, India, in 2010, set a target of doubling its tiger population by 2022, which it achieved by 2018 – with 4 years to the tiger population has increased, jungles have forest cover in India reduced by 92,989 sq km between 2011 and 2021, of which 46,707.11 sq km was lost inside Reserve Forest Areas, according to the Forest Survey of India. Between 2014 and 2024, tiger attacks in India resulted in 621 human deaths, with Maharashtra accounting for the majority of these fatalities. (Image: Getty) With the carrying capacity of forests exceeded, and human activities extending deep inside jungles, the incidents of human-tiger conflicts have seen a big rise. What has made matters worse is the condition of corridors, which connect wildlife habitats and have turned reserves into tiger high tiger density in these fragmented spaces could also be leading to fights among the animals over territory and prey base, forcing out some big cats into fringe areas that see more human to central government data, more than 600 people were killed in tiger attacks in the country between 2014 and 2024, an average of 60 deaths annually. Deaths increased after 2022, correlating with a growing tiger TOILETS ARE SAVING LIVES FROM TIGERS IN TADOBA, CORBETT AND PILIBHITShalik Jogwe, a conservationist and tour operator, from Maharashtra's Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, says that tiger attacks on people, especially women, have gone down since 2015 after the Swachh Bharat toilet scheme was implemented."Women in forest villages used to choose secluded spots to relieve themselves, which saw early morning attacks by tigers," says attacks can be prevented if tigers stay inside jungles and people can be kept away from tiger territory. That is what mitigation efforts are directed Tadoba-based conservationist counts four main reasons behind human-wildlife conflict in forest areas — farming, cattle grazing, minor forest produce (MFP) collection and open defecation."In Tadoba, entire villages would go to relieve themselves in the open earlier. Now, all houses have toilets," says non-timber forest produce collection for sale is a seasonal affair, venturing inside the jungle for firewood and open defecation was a year-round problem, he and ecotourism expert Imran Khan says that both toilets and LPG connections are likely to have helped reduce man-wildlife conflicts in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh by reducing the movement of locals into tiger habitats."Ninety-five percent of the conflicts take place within tiger habitats, which extend all the way into the periphery of the villages. Movement of villagers into high-tiger-density habitats either in Corbett Tiger Reserve or Pilibhit Tiger Reserve is the major cause of man-animal conflict," says Khan. A resident of a village inside MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka's Chamarajanagar district with her free LPG hotplate and cylinder. A resident of one such village said the LPG connection had reduced the number of trips she had to make deep inside the forest for firewood. (Credit: Holematthi Nature Foundation) advertisementDECADES-OLD KNOWLEDGE IMPLEMENTED NOWThat toilets and alternatives to firewood can help reduce human-wildlife conflict isn't a recent Bhartari, a veteran wildlife expert and former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests of Uttarakhand, says, "Toilets have been a priority for interventions since Uttarakhand's statehood."He says the allocation of four percent of the budget in the community tourism plan for Agora village in Uttarkashi district in 2005 emerged as the most beneficial investment a decade later."Toilets play a crucial role in addressing human-wildlife conflicts in specific locations. However, they are just one component of a broader strategy," says strategies, the expert says, include regularly clearing bushes along pathways, eliminating invasive species in village areas, ensuring adequate outdoor lighting, and proper disposal of food a state with high tiger numbers and tiger-attack deaths, has worked for a decade to reduce forest dependency in villages within and around protected areas. Jitendra Ramgaonkar, the Chief Conservator of Forests (wildlife) of Chandrapur, where the Tadoba Tiger Reserve is located, cites Maharashtra's Shyamaprasad Mukherji Jan Van Yojana, which offers Rs 25 lakh grants to forest villages to reduce reliance on forests for livelihood, firewood, or defecation."There has been a big reduction in incidents and deaths where people going to collect firewood or to defecate were attacked by tigers and leopards since the scheme was started in 2015. This is despite a three-time increase in tiger numbers," Ramgaonkar tells India Today HAVE BROUGHT BEHAVIOURAL CHANGES AMONG TRIBALSDoddathayamma, a 40-year-old from Jayammanadoddi village in Chamarajnagar district, says earlier she would frequently hear of fatal attacks by animals, especially by elephants. Such news, she says, has become rare since villagers got LPG connections and Sanjay Gubbi of NGO Holematthi, which works with villagers like Doddathayamma, says there is a lack of nationwide data on these issues."However, at the sites where we work, we have scientifically documented an 85% decrease in per capita firewood usage after alternative energy sources were provided," Gubbi tells India Today forester Jitendra Ramgaonkar says toilets and the safety attached to them have brought about a behavioural change in people."Tribal people who earlier used to go to forests to defecate despite having toilets at home are now using the toilets after seeing that it is safer and protects them from being attacked by tigers and leopards," he might be crucial in preventing attacks by leopards in Uttarakhand's hill districts like Pauri Garhwal and Singh Bargali, Deputy Director, The Corbett Foundation, says leopards are often drawn to human settlements in search of small livestock and occasionally attack children."Providing proper toilet facilities can play a crucial role in reducing human-leopard conflicts in Uttarakhand," he says. Govindamma (L) of Soolekobe village, who received an LPG connection, and Pavithra S of Asthuru village, who got both an LPG connection and a toilet, say their lives are safer now, after the Karnataka-based NGO helped them. (Images: Holematthi Nature Foundation) WHY VILLAGERS STILL VENTURE DEEP INTO FORESTSIf villagers like Govindamma receive LPG cylinders, why do they still need to go into forests and risk encounters with wild animals?Both Jogwe and Khan, the conservationists from Tadoba and Corbett, say that though LPG connections have helped, the villagers aren't getting the number of refills as there is the question of livelihood through the sale of non-timber forest products like honey and tendu leaves. At times, villagers also collect firewood to sell in the expert Bhartari shares an incident from a meeting in Sankar village of Almora district to explain that there is no magic bullet for the issue of human-animal village meeting was held to extend support to Kamla Devi, who had survived a tiger attack in the neighbouring Jameriya village. Both the villages are in the buffer zone of Corbett Tiger women from the Rachnatmak Mahila Manch stated, "Hum jangle jana chhod denge; hum jangle se ghas lana chhod denge; par ye jo hamari dahleej par guldar aur baagh aa rahe hain, unka hum kya karein?"The villagers said they were willing to stop venturing into the forest, but what do they do about the leopards and tigers that are reaching their doorsteps?"There is no one or simple answer to their question. A greater understanding of the conflict through research, detailed planning, and site-specific actions is necessary to effectively address such situations," says conflict is a species-specific issue in sanctuaries that are all unique in their own way, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Small steps like providing toilets and LPG cylinders help in a big way, but they will need to be supplemented with site-specific action."Tigers have adapted to living with human beings and now, it is high time that humans too learn to live with tigers," says Corbett-based Watch
News18
3 days ago
- Sport
- News18
IPL 2025 Qualifier 1, PBKS Vs RCB: Head-To-Head, Probable XIs, Weather Forecast
Last Updated: PBKS Vs RCB, IPL 2025 Qualifier 1: Check out all the details of the first qualifier of IPL 2025 between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, slated to be held on Thursday. Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, IPL 2025 Qualifier 1: Punjab Kings will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 1st Playoff fixture of the Indian Premier League 2025 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, on Thursday. PBKS and RCB finished 1st and 2nd in the IPL league stage and earned the right to contest the 1st qualifier for a berth in the final of the money-rich T20 franchise league tournament. Both sides are chasing an elusive maiden IPL title and they could hand themselves a huge boost in their quest with a win on Thursday with the victor assured a slot in the summit clash, while the loser of the game will take on the winner of the eliminator match between Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians, who finished 3rd and 4th in the league, for another shot at the summit clash. PBKS vs RCB Head-to-head: Matches: 35 PBKS Wins: 18 RCB Wins: 17 No Result: 0 Mullanpur Weather Report: The Mullanpur wicket, which could prove to be unpredictable, does favour high-run scoring games, while also providing some support to the seamers ad spinners. The ground has witnessed multiple totals in surplus of the two-hundred run mark, while also having helped bowlers, notably during Punjab's defence of 111 runs against KKR in the league phase. Players to watch: Virat Kohli: The RCB talisman, who has been part of the franchise since the inception of the tournament, has led the Karnataka-based side from the front with his astounding batsmanship, which has stood the test of time. The former Indian skipper has managed to tally 602 runs in the ongoing edition of the tournament and would look to add more to his kitty in the remainder of the event. Shreyas Iyer: The Punjab captain, who managed to clinch the IPL title with KKR in the previous campaign, looks to make it two on the bounce, albeit in different colours this time. The stylish batter has notched up 514 runs in the season and will look to supplement his leadership skills with runs off his willow. PBKS Vs RCB Probable Playing XI: Punjab Kings Probable XI: Priyansh Arya, Josh Inglis (Wk), Shreyas Iyer (C), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Kyle Jamieson, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh PBKS' Impact Subs: Prabhsimran Singh Royal Challengers Bengaluru Probable XI: Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarwal, Rajat Patidar (C), Jitesh Sharma (Wk), Liam Livingstone, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal First Published: May 28, 2025, 17:32 IST
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Power denied to 5,500 Karnataka units over OC rules
Occupancy Certificate Commencement Certificate KJ George We understand difficulties housing and industrial sectors face due to mandatory OC for electricity connections, seeking a practical solution –Energy Minister KJ George While neighbouring states like Andhra Pradesh are rolling out red carpets to attract Karnataka-based industries, the Karnataka government has denied electricity connections to nearly 5,500 small-scale industries, citing the lack of(OC) and(CC). This move has triggered widespread concern and backlash from the state's industrial a new regulation effective April 4, the state has made it mandatory for industrial units and sheds similar to residential andcommercial properties—to obtain OC and CC before securing electricity connections. However, small and medium entrepreneurs argue that the rule is arbitrary and has disrupted operations across the to the Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA), several units despite completing internal wiring and paying necessary fees—have been denied power solely because they are situated on B Khata or revenue land and lack the required certificates. Many of these entrepreneurs have invested crores in setting up manufacturing units, poultry farms, and dairy operations, only to face critical delays due to power denial.'We fully understand the difficulties that housing and industrial sectors are facing due to the mandatory Occupancy Certificate requirement for electricity connections,' said Energy Minister, addressing growing unrest among industrialists. 'The Chief Minister has already directed the Chief Secretary to study the issue and submit a detailed report. This matter is being taken seriously and is under active consideration in the Cabinet.'George added that while the state is bound by a Supreme Court directive mandating OCs for utility connections, the government is working on a practical solution. 'We are exploring a by-law amendment to mitigate the impact. Once the Chief Secretary's report is submitted, the Cabinet will take a decision that balances legal compliance with public interest,' he government is citing a 2020 Supreme Court ruling (2.170/2020), which instructed authorities not to provide utilities such as water and electricity to buildings without sanctioned plans or those violating building norms. Based on this, the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) issued a directive on March 13, instructing all ESCOMs to deny power without industry bodies have pushed back, saying the government is misinterpreting the order. They question why Karnataka is enforcing the rule so stringently while other states continue to encourage industrial activity. Only 6% of industries in the state are located on approved KIADB or KSSIDC plots. The remaining 94% operate from B Khata or revenue lands, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas.
Business Standard
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Sandur Manganese slumps as Q4 PAT slides 5% YoY to Rs 156 cr
Sandur Manganese & Iron Ores tanked 10.20% to Rs 501.65 after the company's consolidated net profit fell 4.52% to Rs 156.21 crore, despite a 139.46% surge in revenue from operations to Rs 1,321.27 crore in Q4 March 2025 over Q4 March 2024. Profit before tax (PBT) stood at Rs 204.46 crore in Q4 FY25, down 6.83% year-on-year but up 13.32% quarter-on-quarter. Total expenses fell 17.08% to Rs 47.36 crore in Q4 FY25 over Q4 FY24. During the quarter, the cost of materials consumed stood at Rs 515.44 crore (up 689.70% YoY), while employee benefits expense was at Rs 68.64 crore (up 42.73% YoY). On segmental front, revenue from mining stood at Rs 526.64 crore (up 19.91% YoY), ferroalloys income stood at Rs 16.58 crore (down 83.28% YoY) and coke & energy revenue was at Rs 57.08 crore (up 47.56% YoY). On a full year basis, the companys consolidated net profit jumped 96.34% to Rs 470.17 crore on 150.37% surge in revenue from operations to Rs 3,135.06 crore in FY25 over FY24. Meanwhile, the company has recommended a final dividend of Rs 1.25 per equity share for the financial year ended 31 March 2025, subject to shareholders approval at the ensuing annual general meeting. Sandur Manganese & Iron Ores is the flagship company of the Karnataka-based Sandur Group. It is involved in the mining of low-phosphorous manganese and iron ore in the Hosapete-Ballari region of Karnataka.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Time of India
IPL online betting: Six arrested in Indore, devices seized
Indore: Six persons allegedly operating an online betting ring from a flat in Indore were arrested, the police said on Monday. Acting on a tip-off, police searched the premises, confiscating 35 mobile phones, six tablets and betting records worth lakhs of rupees. SI Sanjay Bishnoi led the team that identified the arrested accused as Arpit Keshwani, Rahul Rajak, Shubham Jaiswal, Aniket Patel, Ajay Jaiswal and Amit Gautam. The police investigations revealed that the accused were running the online betting operation through a Karnataka-based betting application called 'Ready Anna'. They used the app to book bets based on customers' wins and losses. Upon sensing police action, the accused immediately blocked their IDs on the app. Police also discovered that all the mobile SIM cards used by the accused were issued under fake names. Authorities also found the account details that are believed to be linked to transactions within the betting racket. Preliminary investigations suggest that Amit was the mastermind behind the operation and responsible for recruiting the other accused. Lasudia police are currently questioning him. Further probe is ongoing, senior officials said.
