Latest news with #SOU
Time of India
4 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Narmada calling: 135-km trail for eco-explorers
Gandhinagar: The Gujarat govt is stepping up its ecotourism game with a 135-km ultra-marathon nature trail along the banks of the Narmada. The trail, stretching from Hafeshwar Mahadev Temple to Kevadiya — home to the world's largest statue, the (SOU) — will cater to both serious athletes and laid-back walkers seeking a natural escape. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The route will meander through the scenic back country and include support utilities every few kilometres. Officials are banking on the Statue of Unity's popularity to give this ambitious project a global spotlight. According to officials in the state environment and forest department, the trail will wind through a striking landscape of ravines, hills, and riverine plains. "It will be built along natural contour lines and will include basic infrastructure like cross-drainage structures, rest points, and utility setups," said an official. The initial 48-km stretch will run through the Kwant (21km) and Naswadi (27km) talukas of Chhota Udepur district. " The trail will evolve organically as more people begin to use it. It is not a rigid path, but one shaped by natural usage. Once stabilized, the route will support a variety of nature-based adventure activities — from hiking to ultra-distance trail running," a senior official said, adding that the trail will offer breathtaking views of the Narmada on one side and hills with dense tree cover on the other side. "The forest department also plans to train local youth as trail guides to enhance the visitor experience with stories about the local ecosystem, flora and fauna, and tribal traditions, said an official involved with the conceptualisation of the project. The forest department has begun the process of developing basic utilities every few kilometres for nature lovers, hikers, and trail runners. "We are also trying to identify local homestays and other facilities to support trekkers and tourists," said an official. Officials believe this initiative could transform the route into a new eco-tourism circuit, extending the tourism footprint of the Statue of Unity region.
BBC News
21-03-2025
- BBC News
Lincolnshire men sentenced after 'cockerels trained on treadmill'
Two men who were involved in illegal cockfighting, in which cockerels were being trained on treadmills, have been Steele, 53, and Douglas Price, 34, both of Poplar Meadow, Sleaford Road, Beckingham, Lincolnshire, were found by officers to have dozens of cockerels, hens and chicks in enclosures along with cockfighting items during a search of their premises in May 2024. The RSPCA said its investigation also found two dead chicks at the site and there was "little or no food or water" for the remaining animals, which were "kept in dark, cramped and dirty pens".Both men were handed ten-week jail terms suspended by 12 months at Lincoln Magistrates' Court. The RSPCA's Special Operations Unit (SOU) also dismantled two fighting pits and seized several the raid, investigators had found a "cockerel treadmill", a spokesperson said. "This was cylindrical and in the shape of a ferris wheel," said one unnamed officer."It is an item I recognise [that was] used to condition and train cockerels to increase their fitness and stamina." Steele admitted three offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 including being present at a cock fight, failing to get veterinary treatment for a bird's wounds and failing to treat several others for admitted two offences under the same act which were keeping cockerels for the purpose of fighting and failing to provide adequate food for birds or investigate their poor men were also ordered to each pay £1,000 costs and carry out 150 hours unpaid work when they were sentenced on 11 was banned from keeping chickens, cockerels and wild birds for life and Price was disqualified from keeping them for a minimum of one year. However, he can apply to terminate the order in 12 month's time. A spokesperson for the SOU said: "All of these birds suffered because of the unsuitable conditions they were kept in and the purpose they were being kept for."It is a relief we were able to take them away from that and get them the kind of care, medical treatment, food and water they should have been provided James Knychala, rural, wildlife and heritage crime officer for Lincolnshire Police, said: "Ultimately, the result means serious disruption to the underworld of cock fighting which we believe will be felt across the country."It's illegal and barbaric and has no place in our society." Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
