Latest news with #ForestAct
Hindustan Times
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Make restoration plans for area ravaged by illegal mining at Nuh in Haryana: SC to CEC
New Delhi, The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the central empowered committee to make plans in consultation with the Haryana government to restore an area in Aravalli zone of Nuh district ravaged by illegal mining. Make restoration plans for area ravaged by illegal mining at Nuh in Haryana: SC to CEC A bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justices K Vinod Chandran and Joymalya Bagchi asked the state government to extend 'due cooperation" to the apex court-appointed CEC in formulating the restoration plans. The bench took note of the submissions of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the state government, and expressed satisfaction over steps taken so far to remedy the situation. Advocate Gaurav Bansal represented farmers affected by the illegal mining. The bench has posted the matter after 12 weeks. On May 29, the top court came down heavily on the Haryana government for not taking action against mining mafia and its errant officials accused of violating forest laws and facilitating illegal transportation of stones mined from the Aravallis in Nuh to Rajasthan. It was very critical of the 'evasive' affidavit filed by the chief secretary of Haryana in the matter. The bench was considering a plea related to construction of an unauthorised 1.5-kilometer road through the protected Aravalli forest land by mining mafia "in collusion with the state government officials" to facilitate illegal transportation of stones mined from the Aravallis in Nuh to Rajasthan. The CEC had filed a report to this effect. 'From the perusal of the affidavit it is not reflected as to what actions have been taken against the erring officials and the mining mafia who are dishonestly dismantling the hills,' the CJI then said. The bench subsequently directed the chief secretary to take action against all erring officials and file an affidavit by July 16. Any further laxity on the part of the government would invite punitive orders from it as permissible under the law, the bench added. The CEC report, submitted to the apex court on April 15, flagged serious breaches of the Forest Act, 1980, and the Punjab Land Preservation Act, 1900, citing environmental degradation, destruction of wildlife habitat, and administrative inaction. The road, according to the report, was built using heavy machinery without legal clearances, slicing through notified forest and agricultural land. The construction, which began in October 2024 and ended in April 2025, disrupted decades-old Aravalli plantations and wildlife corridors, particularly those vital for leopard movement, the report mentioned. The committee further noted a 'non-cooperative attitude' from senior revenue officials, some of whom allegedly skipped multiple meetings on the issue. The report hinted at a possible collusion with local "political actors" and mining mafias. The case stems from a petition filed by residents of Basai Meo village in November last year, alleging that a road illegally constructed through forest and agricultural land was facilitating the transportation of stones mined from the Aravallis in Nuh to Rajasthan via the border village of Biwan. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
New Indian Express
18-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Karnataka forest department to address cattle grazing in MM Hills with CSR funds
BENGALURU: To address the issue of cattle grazing inside forests, particularly in Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, the Karnataka Forest Department is taking the CSR fund route to empower farmers. As a pilot project, 10 families residing around MM Hills have been selected, and given hybrid cattle breeds like Jersey and Holstein Friesian for dairy activities. They have also been made to sign an undertaking that they will not take their cattle for grazing inside forests, and if found doing so, action will be initiated against them under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and the Forest Act. The families selected worked as labourers for Tamil Nadu cattle owners, who would take cattle for grazing inside the forest, said former deputy conservator of forests, MM Hills, G Santosh Kumar, who was posted in MM Hills when the project started. The pilot project has been a success so far. Other farmers are also showing interest, after seeing the chosen families earn around Rs 600 daily by selling milk and fodder. 'We are also working to stop the entire chain of breeding and rearing cattle in and around Karnataka forests and selling them at Erode cattle fair in Tamil Nadu and to Kerala's beef market. We are also working with farmer associations to adopt this proposal, where fodder is also being provided under the CSR initiative. Talks are under way with many other corporate firms to divert CSR funds to MM Hills,' a forest official said. The issue of cattle grazing inside MM Hills became a matter of concern after the recent death of a tigress and her four cubs due to poisoning. While the pilot was being done on the ground for a while, it was formally announced on July 16. It has been initiated at a time when the directives of Forest Minister Eshwar B Khandre to clear all cattle pens from inside the forest are yet to be fully implemented on the ground. Deputy Conservator of Forests, MM Hills, B Bhaskar said talks are on with various milk unions in Karnataka to create a milk route to help these farmers. The recent veterinary department survey showed that there are over 30,000 cattle and close to 1,500 families that work as labourers to Tamil Nadu cattle owners in and around MM Hills in Hannur taluk.
New Indian Express
15-07-2025
- New Indian Express
Villagers poison cow's carcass in bid to kill tiger in Telangana
KAMAREDDY: Forest officials detained four persons for allegedly spraying pesticide on a cow's carcass in Ramareddy mandal on Monday. Sources said the cow had been killed by a tiger two days ago. Believing that the tiger might come back to eat its prey, the owner sprayed pesticide on its carcass to kill the feline. Upon learning this, officials along with a veterinarian, arrived at the scene on Sunday and examined the carcass. They suspected that some form of pesticide had been applied to it. Forest officials then returned to the area and questioned villagers as to who had sprayed the chemical on the cow's body. Four villagers confessed to committing the crime. In accordance with the Forest Act, the suspects were detained and shifted to the district headquarters for further interrogation. Meanwhile, three search teams were deployed to monitor the tiger's movements, assess its condition, and prevent any attacks from villagers. Forest Divisional Officer PV Ramakrishna stated that the search teams will continue their efforts until the tiger's location is determined. He mentioned that they will utilise drones to assist in the search and are working to raise awareness among the public about the need to avoid harming the tiger.
The Hindu
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Small part of Ridge notified as Reserved Forest despite 2021 NGT order
An amicus curiae (advocate appointed to assist the court) has told the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that despite its 2021 order to the Delhi government to declare parts of the Ridge area as reserved forest under the Indian Forest Act, 1927, only a small portion has been notified so far. The amicus curiae told the court that the matter is being 'unnecessarily delayed' by the authorities as per an NGT order dated July 4. 'We find that no timeline for issuing the final notification under Section 20 of the Indian Forest Act has been disclosed therein,' the NGT said. It directed the authorities to file affidavits with timelines within two weeks. In 2021, the Principal Bench of the NGT, comprising Chairperson Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A. Senthil Vel, gave the order to notify the Ridge as a reserved forest. . 'There is urgent need to protect the Ridge by taking necessary steps to finalise the notification under section 20 of the Forest Act ,' the NGT had said.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Time of India
Forest staff attacked by land encroachers in Daltonganj during eviction drive, 2 hurt
D Tired of too many ads? go ad free now altonganj: Encroachers of forest areas at Bansi Khurd on Wednesday night attacked forest personnel. A forest office driver, Deo Sharan Mahto, was hurt in the head and lower jaw. Civil surgeon Dr Anil Kumar Srivastav said, "The injured forest driver is admitted at the MMCH in Daltonganj. His condition is stable." Another forest staff, who sustained injuries, was discharged after first aid. Divisional forest officer of Medininagar forest division, Satyam Kumar, said, "The forest land encroachers have prevented govt personnel from discharging duties and harmed them. We have drawn a case of severe offence against the attackers under our Forest Act." Sources said with the help of the tractor, the encroachers were tilling the jungle land for the rainy season crop cultivation. The incident took place late in the evening on Wednesday. About two months ago, at least five forest personnel were attacked and injured by a mob of people who were lured to attack the forest team by the network of the illegal stone quarries and crushing plants' owners under the Chhaterpur police station limits. Sources said during the time of the DFO, Satyam Kumar, forest teams have stepped up their drive against the abuse of forest land and illegal stone mining. Sources said the forest department is conducting drives against illegal stone mining which had led to depletion of the underground water table besides destruction of forests. Officer in charge of the Manatu police station, Nirmal Oraon, said one forest guard, Sanjay Lakra, lodged the FIR against 15 named accused. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A sub-inspector of police of Manatu police station, Anish Raj, said out of the 15 named accused, around half a dozen of them are women. The encroachers used the women as a human shield. Police have drawn a dozen sections of the BNS along with section 33 of the forest act. Sources said when the forest team was under attack, the Manatu police rushed to the team and brought them back without more adverse effects. Police officer Nirmal Oraon said if the forest team had informed us in advance about their late evening raid on the encroachers of the forest land, this incident could have been averted.
