Latest news with #Pongamia
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Min orders stricter rules for biodiesel manufacturing in Raj
Jaipur: The rural development minister, Kirori Lal Meena, instructed the Biofuel Authority to amend the Rajasthan Biofuel Rules-2019 to include provisions for punitive action against manufacturers and retailers of adulterated biodiesel (B-100) in the state. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The rural development department is looking at options to revise the existing rules and introduce legislation to curb biofuel adulteration in the state, according to a senior official of the rural development department. The minister directed the officials to formulate effective rules at a competent level. Meena gave these directions during a meeting to discuss the works conducted by Mission Green Rajasthan, Biofuel Authority, Barren Land and Pasture Development Board, and Aravali (Association for Rural Advancement through Voluntary Action and Local Involvement). Additionally, Meena directed the preparation of district-wise action plans to make barren lands green and increase the income of rural communities by planting non-edible oil plants like Jatropha and Pongamia. He emphasised organising a meeting of Biofuel Authority and Barren Land and Pasture Development Board to determine future action plans. He said that under the tree plantation mega campaign in Rajasthan, the target is to plant 10 crore trees across the state by 2025-26, with the rural development department, Panchayati Raj department, and watershed development and soil conservation department jointly allocated a target of planting 2 crore trees. So far, 1.9 crore trees were planted by over 50 departments, with Mahatma Gandhi NREGA, rural development, and Panchayati Raj department leading by planting approximately 70 lakh trees.
The Hindu
01-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Over 30% of the trees lining the elevated corridor stretches marked for felling
A large number of trees are set to be felled and translocated for the six-lane elevated corridors on the National Highway 44 between Paradise Junction and Dairy Farm Road and on the State Highway 1, between Paradise Junction and ORR near Shamirpet, to be built by Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority. Felling permission has been given by the Tree Protection Committee under the Forest department for a total 3,298 trees, HMDA Director, Urban Forestry, K. Srinivas informed. These constitute more than 30% of the total number of trees on both the stretches, estimated by the Tree Protection Committee to be 10,593. Translocation has been advised for 4,230 trees and 3,095 trees are to be retained. Two locations have been identified for translocation of the identified trees — Nehru Zoological Park and the Telangana Sports School at Hakimpet. Majority of the trees, 9,100 belonging to 90 different species, have been enumerated on the Shamirpet stretch and the Dairy Farm stretch housed 1,493 trees. While the Shamirpet stretch is predominantly lined by Subabul (2,244), Gulmohar (1184) and Eucalyptus (333), a sizeable number were also species such as Neem (675), Pongamia (321), and Ashoka (321). Peltrophorum, Sissoo and others too were in good numbers. 'Tree Protection Committee members inspected all the trees, taken note of the height, girth and the status of the tree, before deciding which tree to retain and which to fell,' the official informed.
Hindustan Times
29-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Delhi Police transfers 24 IPS, 14 DANIPS officers
A humble Pongamia tree with imperfect leaves teaches a profound lesson about beauty, diversity, and acceptance. Its delicate flowers symbolize grace, resilience, and the art of finding perfection in imperfection, reminding us to embrace life's subtle complexities.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Centre rejects proposal to divert forest land for RTO in Karnataka forest minister Eshwar Khandre's home turf Bidar
Bengaluru: Contrary to forest minister Eshwar Khandre's steadfast belief in conservation, Bidar forest officials and Karnataka forest department had recommended diversion of 1.76 acres of reserve forest near Bidar for setting up a road transport office. However, citing availability of an already existing alternative road, the ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MOEFCC) rejected the forest diversion proposal Thursday. The forest officials' move to divert fauna-rich forest land in the forest minister's home district has evoked a bitter response among conservation activists. As per the documents available with TOI, the state forest department in June 2024 had recommended diversion of 0.7133 hectares (1.76 acres) of forest land at Chitta village for the construction of an approach road to facilitate the movement of heavy vehicles for fitness certification (FC) and to establish a test drive range for driving licenses. "As the site is intended for significant daily vehicle traffic (expected to cross 200 vehicles per day), there is a potential risk to wildlife, including species such as black buck and wild boar. It is imperative to build a tall compound wall, at least 8 to 10 feet high along the proposed boundary line to prevent accidents involving wildlife," the (DCF), Bidar suggested in the report. The principal chief conservator of forests (forest conservation) said in the report, "There are 84 trees of varying girth size on the proposed site, including Azadirachta indica (neem), eucalyptus, Hardwickia binata (Indian Blackwood), Pongamia, Tectona grandis (teak), etc. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like One of the Most Successful Investors of All Time, Warren Buffett, Recommends: 5 Books for Turning... Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Click Here Undo The forest land proposed for diversion does not form part of any national park, sanctuary, tiger reserve, or elephant corridor. Also, there are no endangered flora and fauna on the forest land, and the forest area proposed for diversion is bare minimum and unavoidable. " Reviewing the proposal, the MOEFCC said in their order, "There is already availability of an alternative approach road through non-forest land. Under these circumstances, the construction of another road by diverting the forest land, involving felling of 84 trees, does not find any clear merit. Hence, we are conveying the rejection of the above proposal in the interest of forest conservation." Meanwhile, the move by forest department has drawn flak from conservationists. "The minister initiated action even for axing a couple of trees and responded to activists' calls and stopped the diversion of forests when there is availability of non-forest land. How could he allow this in his home district? He should order an inquiry into this and initiate action against officials," said a conservationist from Shivamogga. "This is a govt project, and permission was sought to take only a small extent of the land. Our (govt) view is that both forest conservation and development must happen in a sustainable way. In this case, I was not aware of the availability of alternative non-forest land. I will verify with our officials about the latest development and comment on it after getting the report."
