Latest news with #RamsarConvention
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
SC panel seeks chief secy response on green zone norms ‘flout' in Satkosia
1 2 3 Bhubaneswar: The central empowered committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court has sought a response from Odisha chief secretary Manoj Ahuja regarding alleged violations of the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) in the draft proposal of the wildlife wing to carry out tourism activities in Satkosia Tiger Reserve. Satkosia Abhayaranya and Praja Surakshya Samiti (SAPSS), which filed the petition in SC, stated that Satkosia is a Ramsar Convention site and the forest department is attempting to modify the 2011 ESZ norms to allow the tourism department to undertake massive projects in the reserve. In the new draft proposal, the ESZ has been reduced to almost zero in the Baliput and Badmul areas, enabling the tourism department to proceed with construction, it claimed. The petition cited a 2022 SC judgment stating that if tourism inside a tiger reserve is to be promoted, it must be eco-tourism. While seeking response from Ahuja, CEC chairman Siddhant Das on May 16 wrote, "I am forwarding herewith a soft copy of the complaint on May 9 from Satkosia Abhayaranya and Praja Surakshya Samiti on the subject mentioned above. It is requested that the detailed response/comments of the state of Odisha may please be sent to the CEC at the earliest." "Satkosia authorities have plans to dilute the borders of the reserve to favour the tourism department. Promoting commercial tourism in the core area goes against the spirit and concept of eco-tourism, which is developed in buffer areas. Without approval from the State Board for Wildlife and National Board for Wildlife, Satkosia authorities have allowed construction by Odisha Bridge and Construction Corporation Ltd. The department also plans to reconstruct the Gharial Research and Conservation Unit (Gracu) at Tikarpada," said Naba Kishor Bisoyi, president of the samiti, quoting the petition he sent to the Chief Justice of India. Bisoyi also drew the attention of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), additional director general (wildlife), ministry of environment, forests and climate change, and deputy director general of forests, regional office. "The 2011 norms allows for a 10-km ESZ from the Satkosia boundary. We filed the draft proposal to demarcate the ESZ afresh, which was done in consultation with people," said Saroj Panda, divisional forest officer, Satkosia. Prasanna Behera, a local wildlife activist, said the way the draft plan has been drawn, the reserve will be almost devoid of the ESZ in its core area close to the Mahanadi gorge. "It is appalling that the wildlife wing was so lenient in redrawing the ESZ to suit tourism needs. Apart from compromising tiger conservation, it will severely affect the conservation of crocodiles and gharials," Behera said.
India.com
3 days ago
- India.com
Enjoy Best Saltwater Lakes Near Coimbatore For Amazing Birdwatching Experience
Coimbatore exists in the foothills of Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu where it maintains recognition for industrial success along with beautiful natural landscapes and vibrant biodiversity. Various saltwater lakes located near Coimbatore provide essential dwelling places for migratory as well as native birds. The lakes provide exceptional locations for birdwatchers to conduct observations of scarce and remarkable bird species in their natural environment. The following inquiry investigates seven major saltwater lakes situated near Coimbatore which establish perfect birdwatching platforms. 1. Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary The Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary ranks as one of the major wetlands of Tamil Nadu positioned about 100 kilometers from Coimbatore. The 450-hectares of freshwater-to-brackish lake draws many bird species to its expanse. BirdLife International has declared this site as an Important Bird Area. Throughout the winter many species of birds from flamingos to pelicans to herons choose to stop at this sanctuary. Several native bird species such as the Indian moorhen, purple swamphen and cormorants live at this location. Birdwatchers from both professional and amateur levels find a perfect paradise within the sanctuary because of its varied ecosystems. 2. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary Located at 160 kilometers distance from Coimbatore yet earning global acclaim for being one of India's oldest bird sanctuaries is Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary. The brackish waterbody at Vedanthangal established in 1798 draws thousands of migratory birds each year who are seen with species such as pintails and garganeys and grey herons. Waterfowl use the shallow waters as their perfect breeding environment. The visitors who come to observe birds at Vedanthangal can delight in pleasing aerial events and the colorful appearance of migratory flocks. 3. Oussudu Lake The Puducherry district contains Oussudu Lake which lies about 180 kilometers southeast of Coimbatore as an essential sanctuary for migrating birds. The 350 hectares of brackish lagoon environment hosts a population of spot-billed ducks and northern shovelers as well as black-winged stilts. The saline mix of freshwater and saltwater environments enables Oussudu Lake to become a habitat that hosts plenty of bird species. The Ramsar Convention has added the site to its prestigious list because of its vital ecological role. 4. Calimere Wildlife The Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary exists about 200 kilometers due south of Coimbatore near the town of Nagapattinam. The sanctuary keeps natural fame from its mangrove forests and sea inhabitants yet presents vast coastal wetlands and saline areas which draw diverse bird species. During winter months numerous migratory birds such as greater flamingos, Eurasian spoonbills, painted storks gather at this location. Bird enthusiasts should include this wildlife sanctuary as a necessary stop due to its exceptional position near the Bay of Bengal. 5. Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary Discovering abundant bird species in Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary remains one of the many bird sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu located about 150 kilometers east of Coimbatore. Waterbirds from different species find their home in this brackish water body which reaches only 48 hectares in size. The sanctuary draws attention for its main population of painted storks and Asian openbill. Located within a restricted area Chitrangudi provides visitors plenty of opportunities to experience nature up close. 6. Samanar Hills Salt Pans In the vicinity of Coimbatore numerous small salt pans have emerged from natural mineral deposits at Samanar Hills. The unofficial bird sanctuaries at these pans provide both habitat and temporary homes for local bird species and some migrating species. Watching waders including sandpipers and plovers and raptors including kestrels and harriers is common at this location. Birdwatchers who want a solitary experience during their activities will find satisfaction at this challenging destination spread across rough land that features minimal human presence. 7. Periyanaickenpalayam Lake Positioned within easy traveling distance from Coimbatore city's boundaries lies Periyanaickenpalayam Lake which serves as an unknown yet birds-watching friendly habitat. Seasonal variations in this mainly freshwater lake bring about minor saltwater increases that trigger the appearance of uncommon bird species needing brackish water environments. Several people who visited this location have seen both kingfishers and bee-eaters together with occasional osprey sightings. People who want to enjoy nature can easily reach this lake through its convenient location. Conclusion Visitors can experience the blend of natural beauty, calm and diverse wild species found at the saltwater lakes that surround Coimbatore for exceptional birdwatching. Both experienced ornithologists together with casual nature enthusiasts can look forward to riveting birdwatching moments in these venues. Your visit allows you to increase knowledge about the importance of protecting these vulnerable ecosystems. Make preparations for your gear and visit these incredible wetlands to witness incredible bird species in their natural habitat.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Tree census ordered after allegations that hundreds were cut down for cricket stadium in Madhya Pradesh
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) in Bhopal has directed forest authorities in Madhya Pradesh to carry out a state-wide tree census and implement geo-tagging of trees, following a plea alleging that 700 trees were illegally felled in an ecologically sensitive area to make way for a cricket stadium and a road. A bench comprising judicial member Sheo Kumar Singh and technical member Afroz Ahmad ordered that the census be conducted city-wise and district-wise across the state. 'There should be a tree census within the state, city-wise and district-wise to be monitored by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest or an official nominated by the PCCF,' the tribunal said. The NGT also directed a joint committee to submit a report on the tree-felling allegations. This committee will include representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change's integrated office in Bhopal, the Central Pollution Control Board (Bhopal), the Additional Chief Conservator of Forest (Bhopal), and the State Pollution Control Board. The NGT said it would take between 70 and 100 years to regenerate the green cover provided by 700 trees. '…thus the destruction of so many trees adversely affects the environment and lives of several human beings. Accordingly, the compensation of compensatory afforestation should be in ratio to that period and ratio to the oxygen generated by the plant during the lifetime of the trees,' the tribunal said. The order came in response to a plea filed by Nitin Saxena, who alleged that 700 trees were illegally cut down in violation of the state's tree conservation law — Madhya Pradesh Vrikshon Ka Parirakshan (Nagariya Kshetra) Adhiniyam, 2001. The trees were allegedly felled to facilitate construction within the catchment area of the Bhoj Wetland, near the Neelbad-Barkheda Nathu area in Bhopal. Saxena emphasised the ecological significance of the Bhoj Wetland, a designated Ramsar site — a site that is designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. The NGT also directed the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Divisional Forest Officers to ensure that geo-tagging of all trees be made mandatory, so that accurate records of their location, species, and number can be maintained. The geo-tagging data must be published and reported to the Chief Conservator of Forests, the tribunal added.
Hans India
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
SC to examine plea against encroachment of Andhra's Kolleru Lake
The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to examine a plea raising concerns about the destruction and encroachment of the Kolleru Lake in Andhra Pradesh, one of the largest freshwater lakes in India. A bench of CJI B.R. Gavai and Justice A.G. Masih issued notice in the matter and sought responses from the Centre, National Wetlands Authority, Andhra Pradesh government, and other authorities arrayed as respondents in the petition. Kolleru Lake, a Ramsar site located in Andhra Pradesh, was declared a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention in 2002. As per the petition, encroachments and illegal constructions have posed a significant threat to the ecological balance of Kolleru Lake, a vital habitat for numerous migratory bird species. The plea, filed through advocate Neha Rai, sought the top court's intervention against the proposed Andhra Pradesh's 'unauthorised and environmentally detrimental' project to mitigate salinity in the ecologically sensitive Kolleru Lake, which was initiated without obtaining mandatory environmental clearances or conducting any scientific study. Earlier, the appellant, Dr Patanjali Sastry, an eminent environmental and social activist with a distinguished record of public service in ecological conservation, had moved the National Green Tribunal (NGT) seeking a declaration that the proposed project was violative of environmental statutes, and sought formation of an independent expert committee to assess the ecological impact and identify encroachments. He had also sought directions for the removal of encroachments and restoration of the lake to its original status, and imposition of exemplary penalties on violators. In his appeal filed before the Supreme Court, the appellant said that while NGT issued directions in respect of compliance with environmental laws, it failed to pass any orders on other substantive and critical prayers, thereby rendering its decision non-speaking, incomplete, and legally unsustainable. The green tribunal egregiously failed to adjudicate upon the other substantive prayers, despite being presented with compelling documentary evidence, including government reports, photographs, and official correspondence confirming the widespread encroachment and ecological degradation of Kolleru lake, contended the appeal. 'Such failure amounts to non-application of mind and dereliction of the statutory duty vested in the Tribunal under Sections 14 and 15 of the NGT Act, 2010,' the appeal added.
Budapest Times
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Budapest Times
Finding delight in the ordinary
It seems like an easy thing, to find beauty in everyday life. Yet for many of us, including myself, it requires a conscious effort, particularly when we're fighting the tide of madness and mayhem that is engulfing our world. Each new day is a new news day, bringing with it accounts of something that pushes the boundaries of morality and attempts to erode our sense of goodness. Finding delight in the ordinary is an effort worth making. Finding delight in the ordinary and in doing so making it extraordinary, that's quite something. Enter István Eiter. No matter how bad my humour, how despondent my mood, how hopeless I feel about our collective tomorrow, Eiter's work gives me pause. Each day he publishes a new photo is a good day. For me. Born in Pécs, Eiter first majored in ceramics, then studied woodcarving. Two years of military service prefaced several years working at the town's Bóbita Puppet Theater. As a puppeteer and set designer, he discovered how objects come to life, how they become characters, and heroes of a story. Talking to him in his home in Balatonmagyaród in southwest Hungary, where he lives with his wife, Maya, Eiter embodies the natural bonhomie of a good storyteller. His innate likeability draws the listener in. His quiet certitude adds a layer of assurance that what he has to say is worth listening to. Here's a man who quietly wrings every last moment of joy from life. The couple (his wife is a ceramicist) originally moved to the village when commissioned by a production cooperative to make ceramic stove stiles and unique wooden furniture. They'd sold their apartment in Pécs and when the coop wound down, they decided to stay. Moving his planing bench from room to room as they renovated their village home, Eiter began making signs, sculptures, and furniture. He now works out of the workshop he built on their property. The work came pouring in as news of his abilities spread. He employed other carpenters and students and began to take on more serious work, all of which he documented himself. In photos. While I've a fondness for intricate carvings and practically salivate over photos of some of the woodwork he's done, it's not Eiter's mastery of wood I find restorative, it's what he captures with his camera. As a child, he'd watch his father develop film in the bathroom of the family apartment in Pécs. Enthralled by how the stories slowly appeared on paper, gradually coming into focus, his love of photography blossomed. His property in Balatonmagaryód backs onto the Kis-Balaton, a huge wetland habitat home to more than 250 species of birds and listed as a UNESCO Wetlands of International Importance as Waterfowl Habitat as part of the Ramsar Convention of 1971. [For some sense of how this used to be, watch this wonderful short video by British Pathé from 1930 showing the Kis-Balaton in all its glory.] With Kányavári Sziget literally in his backyard, it didn't take Eiter long to forge a lasting relationship with the inhabitants of the wetlands. He is, you could say, their press photographer, their publicist. It's the early bird that catches the worm, as the idiom goes. So, too, with nature photography. Eiter is up and about when the rest of us are turning over for a second sleep. This is when the light is at its most beautiful. With so many birds and so much wildlife to choose from, you'd think it would be simply a matter of point and click. It isn't. Looking at the photographs Eiter published in May alone, each has a story there. The deer swimming across the lake – they could be going or coming, leaving something behind, or moving towards something new. The Eurasian Hoopoe ( Búbos banka ) on a twig – it might be addressing the nation, singing a song, or saying its prayers. The Cormorant family reunion – or a council of war, a family holiday, a community meeting? Each photo has a story. Many stories. 'A photo is ready in a matter of seconds, but to make a good photo, a good camera is not enough; the circumstances, the subject, and the thought I want to convey are important. The sum of these is what makes a picture really good,' Eiter explains. I savour each image, taking a few minutes to quietly contemplate the magic that is nature, appreciate the patience and artistry behind each shot, and celebrate the joy that comes with finding the extraordinary in the ordinary. Contemplate. Appreciate. Celebrate. It's a lovely way to start my day. 'From the embers, to leave a few sparks as a memory like tiny stars, I would like to do this with my photos and my woodwork,' Eiter says. Job done, I say. Job done. Photo prints can be ordered in the size and materials you need by emailing István Eiter at eiti12enator@ See his work on his Facebook page, and if your Hungarian is up to it, check out this video bio. Better still, get thee out of the city and into the beautiful Hungarian countryside. Visit the Eiters at their weekend café in Balatonmagyaród and see the magic for yourself. Mary Murphy is a freelance writer, copyeditor, blogger, and communications trainer. Read more at | |
