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The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Wild animal invasion: Farmers threaten to observe fast or hoist black flags on Independence Day
The agriculturists of Tenkasi district have warned the district administration that they would either observe hunger strike or hoist black flags on August 15 (Independence Day) if the forest department still refuses to take any effective step for checking the wild animal invasion into the farmlands. Raising this perennial issue in the farmers' grievances redress meeting held on Friday, the participants said the unabated invasion of wild animals like elephants, deer, wild boar and Indian gaur from the Western Ghats into the ranches was causing huge crop loss to the farmers during every season even as the agriculturists were spending a lot for the farming operations. Besides pledging their gold ornaments in the banks, the farmers have to borrow money from others to meet the agricultural expenses. 'While the farmers face a lot of challenges from the vagaries of nature to save the standing crops until the harvest, the invading wild animals destroy our plants between dusk and dawn. So, the growers, who are already in neck-deep debt, suffer more loss and the wild animals push the farmers into debt trap further. However, the forest department neither save us from these invaders by putting up effective measures in place nor give us any compensation for the crop loss caused by the wild animals. Hence, we've decided to observe either hunger strike or hoist black flags on August 15 to register our protest,' the farmers said. The farmers also complained that the wild animals, especially the wild boar herds, could be seen even in the ranches 25 km away from the Western Ghats to cause extensive destruction in the fields. 'Since the government has permitted the forest department to shoot down the wild boars entering the fields, the officials concerned to execute this order,' the farmers said. Pacifying the agitated farmers, District Collector A.K. Kamal Kishore assured them that he would initiate effective steps to check the wild animal invasion into their ranches and appealed to the agriculturists not to stage any agitation on Independence Day. While a section of the farmers heeded to the Collector's appeal, some of the farmers were keen on translating their plan into action so as to teach a 'fitting lesson' to the Department of Forest. Farmers involved in sericulture complained that the pupae supplied to them were of inferior quality. 'We've to spend more than ₹30,000 for growing 100 silkworms. However, there is no insurance scheme for us to protect the farmers during this fiscal as the old insurance scheme had lapsed in the last year itself,' the farmers said. The Collector instructed the sericulture department officials to look into this complaint.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Forest personnel to be trained in handling firearms to hunt down crop-raiding wild boars, says Minister
The Department of Forest will soon provide firearms to the forest personnel after properly training them in handling the weapons to hunt down the wild boars entering the ranches and cause serious crop destruction, Minister for Forest R.S. Rajakannappan has said. Speaking to reporters after inspecting the Kalakkad Thalaiyanai and adjoining areas of Kalakkad – Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) on Friday, he said the Department of Forest was taking every possible step to avert wild animal invasion into the ranches either by digging trenches or erecting solar electric fences along the forest boundary being largely used by the wild animals. As places like Veppanahalli in Krishnagiri districts were witnessing frequent entry of wild elephants into the habitations close to the forest and the fields, electric fences were being put up in this place while forest personnel were working overtime to chase these animals back into the forest. The Forest Department was very much aware of the farmers' agonies due to the extensive crop damage being caused by the wild animals like elephant, deer, wild boars, bear and Indian gaur entering the fields from nearby forests. As the wild boars were being the wrecker in chief, firearms were to be given to the forest personnel after properly training them in handling these weapons. 'The well-trained forest personnel, as per the norms established by the forest department, will hunt down the wild boars entering the farms and destroy crops,' he said. The minister asserted that Tamil Nadu's forest cover, which stands at 21.76% now, would soon increase to 33%, thanks to the meticulous steps being taken by the department. The third wildlife biodiversity park of Tamil Nadu was coming-up near Tiruchi on 420 acres after Vandalur and Vellore parks. When asked about the possibility of establishing the second Forest College in Southern Tamil Nadu after the first one at Mettupalayam, he said he would discuss it with the Chief Minister. He denied the allegation that the Department of Forest was not regularising at regular intervals the services of the anti-poaching watchers with 10 years of service. 'They are being made permanent employees of Department of Forest on the completion of 10 years of service while other posts are being filled-up through Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission,' Mr. Rajakannappan replied. On his inspection today, the minister said several development works were going on in Kalakkad, Thirukkurunkudi and Upper Gothaiyar ranges of KMTR and hence he visited this region to check the progress. Deputy Director of KMTR's Kalakkad Division Rameswaran, Kalakkad municipality chairperson Shanthi, vice-chairman P.C. Rajan, Kalakkad Forest Range Officer Prabhakaran and Thirukkurunkudi Forest Range Officer Yogeswaran were present.
The Hindu
19-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Mass clean-up drive organised in Courtallam and adjoining forest areas
The Department of Forest organised a mass cleaning programme in Courtallam on Saturday ahead of the 'Saaral Thirvizhaa' to commence on Sunday (July 20). In a recent communique, Secretary, Department of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Supriya Sahu had instructed the District Forest Officers to organise massive clean-up programmes to remove plastics strewn around in the forest areas as the discarded plastic products have profound destructive impact on the pristine ecosystems. Besides educating the public on the impact of plastic products on environment, they should be encouraged to avoid single-use plastics and promote the use of sustainable alternatives, she had said. 'Hence, the Department of Forest, with community participation, should organise massive clean-up programmes every month to remove the plastics from forest areas,' the letter said. Subsequently, the mass cleaning programme for removing plastics from the forest and the adjoining areas was organised of Courtallam on Saturday in which NGOs, volunteers, students and local body workers participated. District Collector A.K. Kamal Kishore, District Forest Officer Akhil Thampi, Assistant Conservator of Forest Nellai Nayagam, Forest Range Officer Chelladurai, students of Sri Parasakthi College for Women, Courtallam and the volunteers participated in the drive. 'We appeal to the tourists visiting Courtallam to avoid use-and-throw plastics here to conserve nature,' Mr. Kamal Kishore said.
The Hindu
18-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Fiat to devotees visiting Sorimuthu Ayyanar Temple for ‘Adi amavasai' celebrations
To ensure the safety of devotees during the 'Adi amavasai' celebration of Sorimuthu Ayyanar Temple located inside Kalakkad – Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, the district administration has laid down a few restrictions. In a statement, District Collector R. Sukumar said the district administration and the Department of Forest had evolved a few norms to ensuring orderliness during the celebrations to be held inside the Kalakkad – Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) where the shrine is located to protect the sanctuary and the Tamirabharani River, the lifeline of the southern districts. The restrictions are imposed with the objective of ensuring the safety of the devotees visiting Sorimuthu Ayyanar Temple and averting fire accidents, drowning in the river and stampede-like situation while allowing the visitors to offer prayers smoothly. Since the preparations for the celebrations will be done in and around the temple between July 19 and 21, no vehicle including government buses will be allowed beyond the Papanasam check-post during these days. The public will be allowed to take their belongings in private vehicles to the temple between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. of July 22. After dropping the devotees, the private vehicles should come down to the base and the devotees will be allowed to stay in Sorimuthu Ayyanar Temple and in permitted areas from July 23 and 25. The devotees can reach the temple only in government buses after parking their vehicles at Agasthiyarpatti. Private vehicles will be allowed beyond the Papanasam check-post between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. on July 26 to bring down their belongings after the celebrations while a small number of government buses will be operated for the benefit of the devotees to leave the shrine. Vehicles will not be allowed beyond the check-post on July 27 and 28 in view of the mass cleaning activity to be conducted around the temple and the forest area and the devotees can go to the temple as usual from July 29 onwards. Use-and-throw plastic products, soaps, shampoo, kerosene, generator etc. will not be allowed. Besides seizing liquor and banned tobacco products at the check-post, cases will be registered against the individuals. Moreover, their vehicles will also be seized. Bathing in deeper parts of the river and loitering inside the forest will not be allowed. The devotees should stay only in the tents to be pitched by the temple administration and use the 200 temporary toilets created on the temple premises. Since most of the areas around the temple are now dry due to poor monsoon, the devotees should cooperate with the officials to avert fire accidents, he said.
New Indian Express
05-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
L-G VK Saxena permits felling 27 trees to make way for flyover
NEW DELHI: L-G VK Saxena on Wednesday permitted cutting or transplanting 27 trees in a 2.16-hectare area coming in way of a flyover project in Nand Nagri in the city's northeast. The construction of a 1.5-km flyover between Mandoli prison and the Gagan Cinema intersection has been underway since 2023. 'In a major decision that would help clear the last hurdle in the way of infrastructure development in Northeast Delhi, L-G VK Saxena has granted approval for the exemption of a 2.16-hectare area for transplantation/cutting of 27 trees for a flyover project at the Nand Nagri-Gagan cinema junction,' a PWD statement said. The flyover was supposed to be completed last year, but the project hit a roadblock because of trees in the way, PWD said. The agency said the tree cutting permission was granted under Section 29 of the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994, and after consultation with the Department of Forest. According to forest officials, PWD had submitted a formal request to it seeking permission to transplant trees for the construction of the project. The PWD said the proposal has already been cleared by the environment department, the chief secretary, the environment minister, and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. 'This flyover project will address the long-pending issue of traffic jams and commuting in the area,' it added.
