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The Hindu
16-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
State to produce antivenom locally, says Saseendran
Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran has announced that the State will soon launch a project in collaboration with the Health Department to produce snake antivenom locally. Inaugurating the World Snake Day observance here on Wednesday, he said the antivenom at present used in Kerala was sourced from Tamil Nadu. 'Studies have shown that the potency of snake venom can vary from region to region due to atmospheric differences. As a result, antivenoms may not neutralise the venom of the same species found in different regions. Hence, locally produced antivenom is essential for effective treatment,' he said, emphasising the importance of region-specific antivenom. Pointing out that between 82,000 and 1.35 lakh people die from snakebites globally every year, the Minister said nearly half of those deaths occurred in India. 'Kerala has historically reported high snakebite fatality rates.' 'However, efforts by the Forest department and the introduction of the SARPA (Snake Awareness, Rescue and Protection App) mobile application have significantly brought down the number of deaths. From 119 reported deaths in 2019, the figure dropped to 30 in 2024. The State aims to achieve zero deaths due to snakebites by 2030 as part of the Snake Envenomation Zero Mortality Kerala project,' Mr. Saseendran stated. Head of Forest Force Rajesh Ravindran presided over the programme. Chief Wildlife Warden Pramod G. Krishnan also spoke on the occasion.
The Hindu
29-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Tamil Nadu government decides not to extend Rosewood Conservation Act
Tamil Nadu will no longer have specific legislation to regulate rosewood exploitation, as the State government has decided not to renew the Tamil Nadu Rosewood Trees (Conservation) Act, 1994, allowing the legislation to lapse after its extended term ended in February 2025. A recent Government Order (G.O.) issued by Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forests, said the legislation was enacted in 1995 to protect Dalbergia latifolia, commonly known as rosewood — a rare and valuable tree species whose numbers were declining due to illegal felling and trade. Initially passed for 15 years, the legislation was renewed in 2010 for another 15 years. However, the government has decided that continuing the Act is no longer necessary. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force) noted that prolonged restrictions on felling rosewood trees on patta lands have discouraged farmers from cultivating the species, despite its high market value. 'If the restrictions are lifted, farmers will be greatly benefited by getting competitive and remunerative prices for the rosewood trees grown on their patta lands. This will motivate farmers to take up planting of rosewood trees in large numbers on their patta lands,' the G.O. noted. The Tamil Nadu government is currently pursuing the objective of bringing 33% of its total land area under green cover, in line with the National Forest Policy. According to the G.O., incentivising rosewood cultivation on private lands aligns with this goal. Srinivas R. Reddy, PCCF (Head of Forest Force), said existing environmental laws, such as the Tamil Nadu Preservation of Private Forests Act, 1949, and the Tamil Nadu Hill Areas (Preservation of Trees) Act, 1955, were sufficient to regulate the removal of rosewood from areas outside forest limits. Mr. Reddy stated that a separate rosewood-specific Act was no longer relevant or required, and that the legislation had proven counterproductive by preventing farmers from cultivating rosewood trees. Experts, however, say the Tamil Nadu Preservation of Private Forests Act, 1949 and the Tamil Nadu Hill Areas (Preservation of Trees) Act, 1955 are not designed to address the conservation of individual species, like rosewood, in a targeted manner and the Acts do not offer specific incentives to private landowners to conserve rosewood, unlike the Rosewood Conservation Act, which explicitly regulated and penalised rosewood exploitation. Ecologist Naveen Babu noted the species faced significant exploitation during both the colonial and post-colonial periods, and cautioned that repealing the specific Act could have adverse consequences. Asked whether a mapping of rosewood trees on private lands had been carried out, the PCCF responded in the negative, stating the species is found primarily in estate areas within the Western Ghats, with some presence in forested regions of the Eastern Ghats. Notably, Dalbergia latifolia is listed as a 'vulnerable' species in the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species and in Appendix II of the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) list. While the G.O. states farmers will benefit from cultivating rosewood, experts say that these trees take around 30 years to reach a substantial size. D. Narasimhan, former professor of botany at Madras Christian College, said that rosewood is a slow-growing tree that typically takes around 30 years to reach harvestable size, but it commands a high market value due to its quality and demand. Moreover, mature rosewood trees are important genetic resources for plant breeding, and their continued depletion could seriously impact the species' gene pool. As large trees have already been heavily harvested for commercial use and are now rare in the wild, experts stress the need for a comprehensive inventory to assess the current population, including size classes, both in forests and on private lands.
New Indian Express
05-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Greener side of Bastar as forest cover increases
RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh's Bastar region, in recent years, has been making headlines for Maoist-related campaigns involving security forces. At the same time, the extensive area has also witnessed the Chhattisgarh forest department's diligent engagement in achieving a remarkable feat of improving the forest cover density, reinforcing the region's reputation as a thriving green landscape. The India State of Forest Report (ISFR), published by the Forest Survey of India in Dehradun, reflects the results of these consistent efforts, including the utilisation of a satellite-based sensor with a spatial resolution of 23.5 metres. The report highlighted a significant enhancement in forest cover across multiple regions of the Bastar zone—an area larger than the state of Kerala and boasting several tourist attractions and sightseeing spots. With the acknowledged commitment to sustainable forest management and associated conservation initiatives in recent years, the forest department has undertaken various measures to enhance forest cover, thereby strengthening the green footprint. The progress in forest cover density is attributed to multiple factors, including continuous monitoring by the forest department, an effective soil and water conservation programme, removal of invasive weed species and community-led afforestation initiatives, as well as the deep-rooted environmental ethos of Bastar's tribal communities. 'The inspired vision of the Chhattisgarh government gave a boost to the state forest department's proactive and scientific approach that yielded impressive conservation results. The ISFR 2023 data reaffirms the state's commitment to sustainable forest where strategic interventions and active community participation has yielded a major boost on augmenting the forest cover', V Sreenivasa Rao, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, told this newspaper. Several areas in Bastar have shown an upward transition in forest classification. Notable improvements are seen in Jagdalpur Circle — covering forest divisions of Bastar, Bijapur, Sukma and Dantewada and Kanker Circle that includes Keshkal, Bhanupratapur, south Kondagaon and Narayanpur forest divisions', a senior officer elucidated quoting the ISFR report. The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analysis confirmed that approximately 152 sq km of forest area have transitioned from Moderate Dense Forest to Very Dense Forest. Additionally, 93 sq km of land have improved from non-forest to open forest, while 156 sq km have progressed from open forest to moderate dense forest.
Indian Express
21-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Asiatic lion population in Gujarat goes up from 674 to 891 in 5 years: CM Patel shares census details
The population of Asiatic lions in Gujarat has increased to 891 from 674 in 2020 according to the census conducted this month. The figures of the 16th Lion Population Estimation were released by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, on Wednesday, in presence of Forest Minister Mulu Bera, Minister of State Mukesh Patel and other top state government officials. Recording an increase of 217 lions, around 32% compared to the 15th lion census, the tally this time includes 196 males, 330 females, 140 sub-adults and 225 cubs. The 16th Lion Estimation Document released by CM Patel shared information about multiple trends witnessed during the exercise. Even as the total population of lions has increased by 217 (32.2%), the number of adult females has increased from 260 to 330 (26.92%), reinforcing the population's reproductive capacity, it states. The Asiatic lions are found in Gir National Park & Gir and Pania Wildlife Sanctuary and adjoining areas as the source (core) population. From this source, lions have dispersed and established distinct satellite populations in spatially separated areas, according to the information. 'During previous population estimations, seven of these satellite populations — Mitiyala Wildlife Sanctuary, Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary, the southwestern and southeastern coastal regions, Savarkundla-Liliya and its adjoining areas in Amreli, Bhavnagar Mainland and Bhavnagar Coast – were recorded,' the document shared by the CM said. In the 16th estimation, three new satellite populations have been documented. 'Among these, Barda Wildlife Sanctuary (near Porbandar) is a newly-established population. It is noteworthy to mention that the lions in Bards Wildlife Sanctuary were established after 1879 (the last known record). Therefore, the concept of a second home for the lions within the Gujarat state has been materialised, which will be helpful for the long-term conservation of the species,' the document further reads. The estimation has recorded 17 lions in Barda Wildlife Sanctuary. Another newly documented satellite population of lions recorded during the 2025 census includes lions from areas around Jetpur and Babra-Jasdan. The third newly recorded satellite population has been marked as 'Population in Corridors'. This is the population, the document reads, '…which lives in corridors and is a floating kind of population with significant potential for the future.' So, in all, 384 lions have been recorded in the core/source area of Gir National Park & Gir Wildlife Sanctuary and its adjoining areas and Pania Wildlife Sanctuary and its adjoining areas. At least 507 were found from outside of this core area. Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Head of the Forest Force (PCCF & HoFF) A P Singh said, 'The carrying capacity of Gir Sanctuary and National Park (or the core area) is around 300-350. Here, the population of lions has increased to 384. What is important is that the expansion of lions outside protected areas has gradually increased…The population of such lions has reached 507.' In this context, Principal Secretary (Forest and Environment) Sanjeev Kumar said, 'The holding capacity of national park and sanctuaries will be increased by intervention and habitat improvement. There is still scope of increasing the holding capacity and the forest and environment department is working in that direction.' Steady increase in trend The distribution of lions is showing a steady increasing trend over the years, according to the document. In 1995, the distribution was over 10000 sq km. The range gradually increased over the years and in 2020 it was extended to 30000 sq km. In 2025, it has further extended to 35000 sq km. 'This progressive expansion demonstrates consistent range growth supported by conservation efforts and natural lion dispersal,' the estimation doc says. As per the estimation, total seven districts of Gujarat have recorded lion population; Junagadh, Gir-Somnath, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Porbandar, Rajkot, and Devbhumi-Dwarka. Amreli district holds the highest population of lions (339) in the Asiatic Lion Landscape followed by Gir-Somnath (222), Junagadh (191) and Bhavnagar (116). Porbadar, Rajkot and Devbhumi Dwarka districts have recorded 16, six and one lion (s) respectively, according to the document. 'No (lion) population has been recorded in Ahmedabad, Botad, Jamnagar and Surendranagar districts during the estimation,' said the document. The estimation has also provided distribution of lion locations across different land-use categories; forested areas and non-forested areas. It states, 'During the 16th lion population estimation, 891 lions were recorded at a total of 358 locations. Of these, 55.78% were found in forested areas, while the remaining 44.22% were located in non-forested areas. These non-forested areas include wasteland (27.61%), agriculture (9.88%), riverine areas (5.16%), agricultural plantations (9.88%) and areas adjacent to human habitation (0.34%).' PCCF & HoFF Singh said that farmers are very happy because of the increasing population of lions as it helps them control the menace of blue bulls and wild boars. 'The lion movement is recorded at places where there is (population of) blue bull and wild boars in agriculture areas, which was a difficulty for farmers. If you ask the farmers, they are very happy. Wherever the lion is going, their agriculture is protected. For lions, the prey base is more important than water and shelter. Accordingly, the movement (of lion) is taking place,' Singh said. The census was conducted between May 10 and 13 using the Direct Beat Verification method. To ensure systematic sampling and data collection, the Asiatic Lion Landscape was divided into eight regions, 32 zones, 112 sub-zones and 735 sampling units. Each sampling unit was teamed up with an enumerator and two assistant enumerators, ensuring thorough survey and data collection. Each team was equipped with essential field gear, including a wireless walkie-talkie, binoculars, torchlights, GPS instruments, digital cameras and other gadgets. To enhance transparency and credibility, experts from various fields, members of the state board for wildlife, and individuals experienced in group dynamics and pride behaviour were invited as independent observers. People from different fields and NGOs were also included as volunteers. In all, the estimation exercise involved 3,254 people. Sarpanches of different concerned villages were also part of the exercise. A statement from the state government on the results of the estimation said, 'This population estimation exercise and the results are very encouraging and reflects the state government's commitment to the conservation and scientific management of Asiatic lions.'
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Business Standard
29-04-2025
- Business Standard
MP first state to launch AI-based real-time forest alert system: Officials
Madhya Pradesh has become the first state to implement an AI-based real-time alert system on a pilot basis for active forest management using satellite images, mobile feedback, and machine learning, an official said on Tuesday. The Artificial Intelligence system will enable the forest department to detect land encroachment, land use change, and forest degradation. "Madhya Pradesh has become the first state in the country to implement an AI-based real-time forest alert system. This historic step has been taken towards active forest management in the state. This system works with the help of satellite images, mobile feedback and machine learning," the official said. This system is being implemented as a pilot project in five sensitive forest divisions including Shivpuri, Guna, Vidisha, Burhanpur and Khandwa, which have reported several encroachment and tree felling incidents. It will be implemented at the state level, the official added. He said that based on Google Earth Engine, the AI alert system analyses multi-temporal satellite data and identifies land use changes using a custom AI model. Every possible change is sent to the field staff through a mobile app so that they can confirm it by visiting the site. Guna Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Akshay Rathore, who conceptualised the AI system for forest management, said this is the first time the forest department has combined satellite, AI, and field feedback in a continuous cycle, which improves itself over time. The system is implemented under the leadership and institutional support of the Head of Forest Force (HoFF), Aseem Shrivastava, and Additional Principal Chief Forest Conservator of IT B.S. Annigeri. "This system empowers forest staff to monitor and take immediate action. Alert generation and feedback process includes initial alert generation using Google Earth Engine to compare satellite images of three dates, identify changes in crops, wasteland, construction etc," Rathore said. An official stated that each alert includes over 20 features, such as polygon alerts triggered by notable pixel changes, field verification for mobile app alerts, and uploads by field staff, including GPS-tagged photos, voice notes, and comments. It also involves data enrichment with indexes like NDVI, SAVI, EVI, and SAR attributes. The new process involves live monitoring on the Divisional Forest Officer's dashboard, showing real-time alerts categorised by beat and field posts, with filters for date, density, and area. Alerts will be sent to a mobile app for field staff to take on-site action. The app will enable submission of survey data, including images, GPS, and voice recordings, and incorporate features like geo-fencing and distance measurement, the official said.
