Latest news with #Sahu
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
How is Tamil Nadu Pioneering Tiger Conservation Beyond Reserve Boundaries?
Tamil Nadu's tigers are on the move, and the govt is helping them by pushing boundaries. The state is pushing tiger conservation beyond reserve boundaries. In 2022, the forest department acquired 38.5 acres of private land near Megamalai to create a corridor linking it to the Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve (SMTR). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Other strategies include acquiring more land with consent, extending M-Stripe monitoring to spillover and human-inhabited areas, removing invasives, involving local communities, tapping eco-development funds and recruiting more than 1,900 forest staff. In a first for south India, Tamil Nadu's forest department acquired 38.5 acres of patta land within a potential tiger corridor in Megamalai Reserve Forest in Theni district, says Supriya Sahu, additional chief secretary, environment, climate change, and forests. 'It involved acquiring land in a potential tiger corridor within a tiger reserve.' The land, owned by several farmers, was annexed under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Act, 2013, through private negotiations in 2022 and the process was completed by March 2024 with a sanctioned amount of Rs 2.3cr. 'Such patta lands, from small plots to large estates, are difficult for farmers to manage due to labour shortages, poor access, wildlife threats and encroachment,' says Sahu. 'This landmark acquisition has urged more landowners to come forward. About 60 farmers have come forward to give 848 acres in the Megamalai region. Those are under consideration.' The Megamalai region has a unique land tenure system, says S Anand, field director of SMTR. 'A significant portion of the tiger reserve was once the core of various zamindari systems. About 13,000 acres within the reserve are owned by different people. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Also, some of these remote areas were historically hotspots for ganja cultivation, though this has declined. It makes monitoring complex.' The land acquisition is vital for tiger and elephant migration, says Anand. 'Reducing human presence in these corridors ensures safer wildlife movement. If acquisitions are expedited, more landowners may step forward and this will help build undisturbed habitats and manage the reserve in a more holistic way, from wildlife conservation to water resource protection.' One recent application, he adds, involves more than 270 acres, the largest yet. Rakesh Kumar Dogra, principal chief conservator of forests and chief wildlife warden, calls it 'positive success story', and adds that there are more strategies in place. Wildlife conflicts have reduced due to community support, he says. 'But tiger numbers have slightly increased across reserves and are now spilling into the Nilgiris, Coimbatore and Erode divisions, raising future conflict concerns.' Dogra says that in Tamil Nadu there are no conflicts with tigers but the department is planning strategies beyond designated reserves, including acquiring corridor lands with consent and extending M-Stripe monitoring to spillover and human-adjacent areas. 'Corridors allow sub-adult tigers to find and establish territory within a reserve. Tigers with stronger genes often succeed in displacing older ones or claiming new areas. The displaced older tigers, along with younger ones still searching, use these corridors to move into adjacent forest reserves. In the wild, it's survival of the fittest.' The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) too is focusing on monitoring tigers outside of designated tiger reserves (TOTR), particularly in areas beyond protected zones. 'Strengthening anti-depredation efforts in spillover regions will help prevent conflict and protect tigers outside reserves from poaching. Since Tiger Foundation coverage is limited, eco-tourism funds will support conservation,' say officials. 'We've also extended M-Stripe's digital patrol monitoring beyond tiger reserves.' Patrolling teams now use mobile devices to digitally log their routes and report wildlife kills, ensuring vulnerable zones are covered and data is relayed in real time to control rooms. 'Buffer areas help promote coexistence. Beyond these buffer areas, there are critical tiger corridors that connect different habitats, and their integrity must be maintained. In buffer areas, activities such as tourism and eco-tourism are permissible, along with eco-development. A landscape approach is more important than focusing on a single tiger reserve,' says Dogra. Most tiger-populated areas in Tamil Nadu are already part of reserves, with all five reserve boundaries now digitised. To restore natural vegetation and support prey species, the forest department is now removing invasives such as Lantana, Senna spectabilis, and Prosopis juliflora. 'We hope to eliminate Senna from forests by Oct,' says Dogra, adding that efforts outside forests will involve local communities to reduce human-animal conflict. Lantana is being repurposed into marketable products. 'But restoration is a long-term process. The department has also recruited 1,947 people ranging from forest watchers to foresters.' July 29, International Tiger Day Core to corridor *Tamil Nadu is home to 331 tigers *An adult tiger needs at least 50 large kills (sambar or gaur) in a year *The core area of a tiger reserve is always inviolate *The buffer zone is critical to the core area *Tiger corridors are critical in connecting different habitats for the exchange of genes Tiger count Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve: 5 Anaimalai Tiger Reserve: 16 Mudumalai Tiger Reserve: 165 Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve: 33 Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve: 112 Nepal tried a safe zone too Extending tiger habitats will increase human-tiger encounters and territorial fights in the short term, says K Ramesh, scientist at the Wildlife Institute of India. 'Long term, a shift from reserve-based to landscape-level conservation is essential. We see more conflict in India because we have 70% of the global population of tigers, and the largest population in the Nilgiris-Eastern Ghats complex.' He adds that Nepal faced similar issues and used social forestry to reconnect fragmented habitats. 'It was successful to some extent. But with increasing tiger populations, the big cats are seen at higher altitudes, in the Himalayas too.'
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
From guns to gills: Modi hails Gumla's Blue Revolution started by ‘rebel'
Gumla: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday named Gumla's Om Prakash Sahu for "leaving illegal revolution and taking the country's 'Blue Revolution' to new heights". Interestingly, Prakash took to "revolution" as a member of the outlawed PLFI, a breakaway faction of CPI(Maoist), but over a decade and a half later, he has become the poster boy for the silent Blue Revolution in Gumla and the country. In 2008, Basia Block's Sahu was one of the local Gumla youths who took to arms when extremism was at its peak here. On Sunday, PM Modi in his monthly 'Maan ki Baat' talk show, cited how many people like Sahu have shunned the path of violence and are playing a big role in fish farming. Opening his talk show, Modi said, "Sometimes the most radiant light emerges from where darkness dwells the most. One such example is the Gumla district of Jharkhand. There was a time when this area was known for Maoist violence. The villages of the Basia block were getting deserted. People lived in the shadow of fear. There was no possibility of employment, lands were lying vacant, and the youths were migrating… but then, a change began quietly. A young man named Om Prakash Sahu ji left the path of violence. He started fish farming. Then he inspired many friends like himself to do the same." He added, "His efforts had an immense impact. Those who were taking to guns have now taken up fishing nets. "Friends, Om Prakash Sahu ji's beginning was not easy. There were protests and threats, but his courage did not wane. When the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana was launched, he gained new strength. He received training from the govt…and help in making ponds… and within no time, the fishery revolution started in Gumla. " He added, "Today, more than 150 families of Basia block have joined fish farming. Many people were once Naxalites, but they are now living a life of respect in their villages and even providing employment to others. This journey of Gumla teaches us – if the path is right and there is trust in the mind, the lamp of development can be lit even in the most difficult circumstances."
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
From guns to gills: PM hails transformation of ex-Naxalites into fish farmers in Jharkhand
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday praised the remarkable transformation of former Naxalites in Jharkhand's Gumla district who have traded violence for fish farming, calling it proof that "the lamp of development can be lit even in the most difficult circumstances". The prime minister referenced the PTI story "From guns to gills: How fish farming is transforming former Naxalites in Jharkhand" published on June 27, 2025. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Design Thinking Digital Marketing Cybersecurity Data Science healthcare others Leadership MBA Data Analytics Technology Product Management PGDM Operations Management Others Project Management Public Policy MCA Finance Healthcare CXO Degree Data Science Artificial Intelligence Management Skills you'll gain: Duration: 25 Weeks IIM Kozhikode CERT-IIMK PCP DTIM Async India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 22 Weeks IIM Indore CERT-IIMI DTAI Async India Starts on undefined Get Details In his 124th edition of monthly Mann Ki Baat radio programme, Modi narrated the inspiring story of Om Prakash Sahu, a former Naxalite who abandoned the path of violence to become a successful fish farmer and catalyst for change in the once-terror-struck Basia block. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like War Thunder - Register now for free and play against over 75 Million real Players War Thunder Play Now Undo "Sometimes the most radiant light emerges from where darkness dwells the most," Modi said during the 124th edition of his radio address. The Prime Minister noted that the Basia block in Gumla was once known for Maoist violence, with villages getting deserted and people living in fear. Youth were migrating due to lack of employment opportunities and vacant lands. Live Events Modi said the change began when Sahu decided to abandon violence and start fish farming. "Those who were earlier holding guns, have now taken up fishing nets," he observed. Despite facing initial protests and threats, Sahu's determination remained firm. The launch of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) provided him with new strength, government training and assistance in pond construction, Modi said. The initiative has led to a fisheries revolution in Gumla, with more than 150 families of Basia block now engaged in fish farming. Many former Naxalite organisation members are living respectfully in villages and providing employment to others, the PM noted. "This journey of Gumla teaches us -- if the path is right and there is trust in the mind, the lamp of development can be lit even in the most difficult circumstances," Modi added. The prime minister referenced the PTI story that explored how aquaculture initiatives are creating new pathways for rehabilitation and economic empowerment in Jharkhand. Apart from Sahu, the PTI story highlighted transformative stories of former Naxalites Jyothi Lakra and Ishwar Gop. Jyothi Lakra, 41, abandoned Left-wing insurgency in 2002 and runs a fish feed mill that earned Rs 8,00,000 net profit last year under the PMMSY scheme. "Villagers had to travel 150 km to buy fish feed," said Lakra, who received Rs 18 lakh to set up his mill in Basia block. "So I decided to establish one locally." His mill now serves the entire community. Ishwar Gop, 42, a former Naxalite who later joined the anti-Maoist Shanti Sena group, harvests eight quintals of fish annually worth Rs 2,50,000 from a government pond leased for Rs 1,100 per three years. "I make a profit of Rs 1,20,000 after expenses," said Gop, who found fish farming more profitable than farming his 25 acres. His transformation represents the complete ideological shift from insurgency to counter-insurgency to peaceful livelihood. Gumla district was removed from the Union Home Ministry's list of Naxalite-affected areas in May 2025, alongside Ranchi district, marking a significant decline in Left-wing extremism in the region.
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Transport dept asks BMC to remove obstructions around BPIA flight path
1 2 Bhubaneswar: After authorities of Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) sent consecutive letters flagging concerns about various obstructions along the approach path of flights and urged their removal, the transport department has taken the issue up with the civic body. "As per the requirement of the ministry of civil aviation, it is necessary to remove or trim trees, street lights, poles, and buildings on the approach path of runway 14 and 32 at BPIA for the safe operation of flights, as per height restrictions under the safeguarding of Airport Operations Rules, 2015," read the transport department's letter to the BMC commissioner on July 21. A copy of the letter was also marked to BPIA. The letter also mentioned a joint inspection conducted by BMC and others to identify obstructions and take steps to remove them. The letter mentioned the decision to reduce the height of a high-mast light as a result of the joint inspection. On July 7, BPIA wrote to the civic body flagging concerns about the high-mast light in Jagamara area. The airport authorities stated that no one from BMC obtained the no-objection certificate before installing the high-mast light. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Interested in Investing? Cyprus Offers Many Options Cyprus Invest | Search ads Undo The letter stated, "There are some street electric poles (used and unused) and a high-mast light along runway 14 (Baramunda side) that need to be shortened by at least 5 metres to clear the obstruction. " The light pole is 12m high, equivalent to a four-storey building. BPIA has requested a reduction in its height by 5m. After the Ahmedabad air crash, BPIA has been addressing the obstruction issue to ensure the safety of aircraft. BMC additional commissioner Suvendu Sahu said the area where the trees are located belongs to the general administration (GA) department. "We have fixed a meeting with GA officials to decide on the removal of obstructions. Regarding the street light, we will take it up with the electrical wing," said Sahu.
Scroll.in
7 days ago
- Politics
- Scroll.in
Yet again, Odisha student's death by suicide shows how India is still failing women
Predictable, knee-jerk reactions and promises of harsh punishment followed the death by suicide of a 20-year-old woman from Odisha on July 14 after she was sexually harassed by a college faculty member. The incident underscored how India's reactive and punishment-focused response to violence against women is fundamentally inadequate. The 20-year-old BEd student at Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore had set herself ablaze outside the principal's office on July 12. Two days later, she succumbed to 95% burn injuries at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Bhubaneswar The student's testimonials and letters being circulated by the media show that she was harassed for months by the head of department Samir Kumar Sahu, who allegedly demanded sexual favours to clear her attendance backlogs. Sahu was arrested on July 12 and college principal Dilip Ghosh soon after. The student had met Balasore MP Pratap Sarangi to report the harassment. She had also posted about the harassment on her X account tagging the Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, the state's higher education minister and Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan, who is a Member of Parliament from Odisha. But her pleas went unheard. The immediate aftermath followed a familiar script, with Majhi promising 'strictest punishment under law'. The state government hastily directed higher education institutions to constitute Internal Complaints Committees under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, as if the absence of such mechanisms had been a sudden revelation rather than a longstanding oversight. It shows that even basic legal mandates under the act are unaddressed in Odisha. The opposition Biju Janata Dal and Congress held protests in Odisha demanding political accountability. But systemic accountability will not result solely from resorting to criminal law and punishing offenders. The systemic failures that enable such violence must be addressed. However, since the 2012 Delhi gangrape, India has repeatedly turned to punitive legislation to address sexual violence. The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013, and the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018, introduced harsher penalties for sexual offences. After the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the state-run RG Kar Hospital in August last year, West Bengal enacted the Aparajita Woman and Child Act, 2024. But less than a year later, in July, Kolkata witnessed another violent crime: a law student was gangraped in an alleged act of revenge by a former classmate after she refused to marry one of them. The persistence of such crimes despite severe laws underlines the futility of seeking deterrence through retributive punishment alone. Friends of the Odisha student say her ordeal was not confined to sexual harassment by Sahu but also included verbal abuse and harassment that she endured for months. Sexual slurs and rumours of her being of 'loose' character were circulated on college WhatsApp groups. Demeaning language by her peers led to her being ostracised, possibly creating an environment of isolation and despair. The college Internal Complaints Committee had found Sahu guilty and recommended his transfer but the directive was not implemented. These failings show that it was not just a case of individual misconduct, but a comprehensive institutional failure that pushed a young woman to the brink. This occured despite the fact that the prevention of workplace sexual harassment law, which has mechanisms to check such incidents, includes educational institutions under its purview. Section 19 of the act mandates employers to organise workshops and awareness programmess on sexual harassment and conspicuously display the consequences of sexual harassment as well as the manner of reporting to the internal complaints committee. Merely focusing on punishing Sahu and the principal shifts focus away from the government's shortcomings in implementing the safeguards already in place. However, days after the incident, the Odisha government on July 19 announced the Shaktishree programme for women's safety. Its main features include a mobile app to report complaints, an empowerment cell of female faculty and students, a code of conduct, online training on the prevention of sexual harassment at the workplace act and increased camera surveillance. #Odisha takes a bold step with the #Shaktishree Initiative to ensure safer campuses for women. — CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) July 19, 2025 The state government's technocratic approach ignores ground realities such as the fact that women, especially those from marginalised groups, have low access to smartphones and the internet. Similarly, the reliance on student-led cells, training modules and periodic visits by mentors treats sexual harassment as coordination problem rather than one requiring fundamental cultural change. The Balasore student had already reported her harassment through existing channels to the college internal complaints committee. More reporting mechanisms would not have protected her when the system failed to act on her complaints. Majhi, while announcing the Shaktishree programme, did not say whether the government has the capacity to deliver these measures, and in what timeframe. It also is not clear how everyday incidents will be prevented while this new initiative is put into place. Women as citizens Implementing both, the prevention of sexual harassment at the workplace act and the Shaktishree initiative requires political will grounded in the recognition of women's rights as citizens, not daughters, sisters or mothers. This is difficult in Indian society where close-knit family relations and caste and religion markers determine the worth of women, creating a pervasive rape culture. In another incident in Odisha earlier in July, BJP legislator Santosh Khatua used sexual slurs against Lekhashree Samantasinghar, a senior leader of the opposition Biju Janata Dal. After Samantasinghar's complaint, the police filed a case against Khatua. But the ruling BJP did not admonish its legislator or criticise his behaviour. In March, after the Congress alleged that crimes against women in the state had increased, the state government refused to constitute a house committee to consider this phenomenon. This political apathy creates an enabling environment in which violent crimes against women flourish with impunity, provoking public outrage only when they breach the narrow boundaries of respectability. In the case of the Balasore student, this culture of impunity proved fatal, as political leaders turned a blind even as the student pleaded with them to intervene. The path forward demands the strict implementation of the orders of the internal complaints committee, mandatory gender sensitisation programmes, regular institutional audits, robust grievance redressal mechanisms, psychosocial support and a cultural transformation that challenges deep-rooted social prejudices. Unless these are addressed, preventable tragedies such as the death of the young woman in Balasore will continue.
