Latest news with #ForestandWildlifeDepartment
Hans India
20-06-2025
- General
- Hans India
Two new rhino rehabilitation areas to be set up in Dudhwa
Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday said it has approved the establishment of two new Rhino Rehabilitation Areas (RRAs) in Dudhwa National Park in Lakhimpur. Under the Forest and Wildlife Department's ambitious plan, a budget of Rs 1.5 crore has been allocated for the project, the government said in a statement. 'This fund will be utilised for the long-term preservation of the natural habitats of rhinos and other endangered species, training personnel for wildlife monitoring, and procuring essential medicines and equipment,' the government said. 'Additionally, a portion of the funds will be dedicated to raising awareness among local communities about the importance of rhino and wildlife conservation,' it said. The Forest and Wildlife Department has launched this long-term conservation project focused on protecting the natural habitat of rhinos and other endangered species in the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh. The project will be implemented specifically in Dudhwa National Park, with the goal of ensuring sustainable measures for habitat protection. Dudhwa National Park's Deputy Director Rangaraju said Rs 1.5 crore has been sanctioned for the development of two new RRAs in the park. 'These new centres -- RRA-3 and RRA-4 -- will follow the earlier models of RRA-1 and RRA-2 and facilitate close monitoring of rhinos in semi-wild environments, enabling them to thrive naturally in their habitat. The initiative will also benefit other endangered species in the area,' he said. Rangaraju stated that the allocated funds will support various habitat conservation efforts. 'Of the total, Rs 1.27 crore will be used for the maintenance of natural habitats, water bodies, and favourable vegetation. An additional Rs 7 lakh has been set aside for wildlife medicines and chemicals, Rs 4.8 lakh for major construction work, and Rs 3 lakh for minor civil work,' he said. Moreover, Rs 7 lakh will be used for the procurement of monitoring devices, machinery, and other necessary equipment, he added. The project's overarching goal is not just to conserve rhino habitats, but also to strengthen surveillance systems to curb poaching and the illegal trade of rhino parts. Training programmes will also be organised to involve and sensitise local communities towards conservation efforts, according to the statement.
India Gazette
19-06-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
Uttar Pradesh: Forest and Wildlife Department launches plan to preserve natural habitats of Rhinos and other endangered wildlife species
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 19 (ANI): Under the guidance of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Forest and Wildlife Department of Uttar Pradesh has launched an ambitious plan aimed at preserving the natural habitats of rhinos and other endangered wildlife species, as per a release. As part of this initiative, two new Rhino Rehabilitation Centres (RRCs) will be developed in the Dudhwa National Park located in Lakhimpur. A total of Rs 1.5 crore has been allocated for this project. The funds will be used for long-term habitat conservation, staff training, procurement of medicines and equipment, and community awareness efforts regarding wildlife protection. Additionally, the Forest and Wildlife Department has undertaken a comprehensive conservation project in the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh with a focus on the long-term preservation of natural habitats for rhinos and other threatened wildlife. This project will be implemented specifically in Dudhwa National Park. The primary goal is to ensure sustainable measures for the protection of rhinos' natural habitats. According to Deputy Director of Dudhwa National Park, Rangaraju, Rs 1.5 crore has been sanctioned for the creation of two new natural enclosures - Rhino Rehabilitation Centres - within the park for the protection of rhinos and other endangered species. Previously, RRC-1 and RRC-2 were established in the national park. The upcoming centres, RRC-3 and RRC-4, will be modelled similarly and will provide open forest space under special monitoring to allow rhinos to thrive in a natural environment while maintaining their instinctive behaviours. These centres will also contribute to the conservation of other endangered species in the region. The Deputy Director stated that the allocated funds will be utilised across various conservation activities. Out of the total, Rs 1.27 crore will be used for maintaining the rhinos' natural habitat, including water bodies, suitable vegetation, and area upkeep. Approximately Rs 7 lakh has been earmarked for medicines and chemicals for wildlife, Rs 4.8 lakh for major construction activities, and Rs 3 lakh for minor infrastructure development. An additional Rs 7 lakh will be spent on monitoring equipment, machines, and necessary installations. The project also aims to strengthen anti-poaching surveillance and curb the illegal trade of rhino body parts. To achieve this, training programs will be organized to engage and educate the local communities about wildlife conservation. The Yogi government's initiative is expected to not only boost the population of rhinos in the state but also enhance the overall biodiversity of the Dudhwa region. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
UP govt to equip UP Forest Force with smart surveillance tools: Officials
Lucknow, The Uttar Pradesh Forest and Wildlife Department on Thursday said it has formulated an action plan to modernise the "UP Forest Force", according to a statement. According to officials from the department, the force will be upgraded using IT and AI technologies, sensor-enabled surveillance cameras, GPS tracking devices and other smart monitoring tools to strengthen forest protection, management, and prevention of wildlife crimes. "The initiative also includes the development of an Integrated Forest Management System and the establishment of a centralised command centre for real-time monitoring," the statement read. "The effort aims not only to enhance conservation and management but also to ensure data-driven decision-making and swift action in response to forest offences," it added. Uttar Pradesh, known for its rich biodiversity and forest resources, has long faced challenges such as illegal logging, wildlife trafficking, and human-wildlife conflict. To combat these issues, the Forest and Wildlife Department has, under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's leadership, developed a plan to make the UP Forest Force more vigilant and effective through the use of modern technologies. "As part of this plan, the department is developing an Integrated Forest Management System that will utilise advanced technologies like drones, satellite imagery, GIS mapping, and sensor-based surveillance. This system will allow for precise and efficient monitoring and forest conservation," it said. "It will also help track all activities within forest zones, aiding in the prevention of unexpected and unlawful incidents," it added. To facilitate real-time monitoring across forest regions, tiger reserves, safaris and national parks in the state, the department is establishing a centralised command centre. This digital control hub will monitor all key operations related to forest and wildlife management and collect relevant data, the statement said. The analysis of data at the command centre will provide immediate insights into forest crimes, fire incidents and wildlife movements, enabling prompt and effective response, it added. A senior Forest Department official stated that the goal is to make forest management and conservation more efficient and responsive through modern technology. "The department is also prioritising data-driven decision-making, which will enhance accuracy. In addition, the use of AI and machine learning will allow for better analysis of wildlife behaviour and environmental changes, helping to formulate long-term conservation strategies with greater ease," the official said.
NDTV
09-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Kerala Seeks To Amend Wildlife Act To Allow Killing Of Animals. Reasons Explained
Kerala, a state known for its lush forests and biodiversity, has been grappling with a surge in human-wildlife conflicts. These conflicts have led to the loss of human lives, injuries, crop destruction, and economic hardship for farmers. To address this crisis, the Kerala government has been pushing for amendments to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (WLPA), seeking legal provisions to allow the controlled killing or culling of certain wild animals that pose threats to human life and livelihoods. The Forest and Wildlife Department has been tasked with initiating the process to seek central government approval for culling wild animals, such as wild boars, that pose a threat to public safety and livelihoods. The Forest Secretary has been directed to draft a legislative proposal in consultation with the Law Secretary to facilitate the necessary legal provisions, as per a report by Matrubhumi. Here's why Kerala is advocating for these changes: Kerala's unique geography, with nearly 30% of its land covered by forests, places human settlements near wildlife habitats. Rapid urbanisation, habitat degradation, changes in agricultural practices, and regional fluctuations in wildlife populations have also intensified human-wildlife conflicts. From 2016-17 to January 2025, wildlife attacks in Kerala resulted in 919 deaths and 8,967 injuries, according to government data. The state has identified 273 out of 941 village local bodies as human-wildlife conflict hotspots. Human-wildlife conflict: Frequent encounters between humans and wild animals, such as elephants, tigers, wild boars, macaques, peafowl and bison, have resulted in loss of human life and property damage. Crop damage: Wild animals, like elephants and wild boars, cause significant damage to crops, affecting farmers' livelihoods. Public safety concerns: The presence of certain wild animals like monkeys and porcupines in human-dominated areas poses a risk to public safety. What Does the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, Currently Allow? The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, is India's cornerstone legislation for protecting wildlife, prohibiting hunting and ensuring conservation of species and their habitats. It also includes provisions for dealing with animals that pose threats. Despite these provisions, the process is slow and bureaucratic. Only the CWLW, a senior state-level official, can authorise killing, leading to delays in addressing urgent threats. Non-lethal measures (capture, tranquilization, relocation) are prioritised, but these are often impractical due to logistical challenges or lack of suitable relocation sites. Court orders and guidelines from bodies like the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Project Elephant Scheme further restrict lethal action. Why Kerala Finds the Current Law Inadequate? Kerala argues that the Wildlife (Protection) Act's stringent regulations and centralised decision-making hinder timely responses to human-wildlife conflicts. The exclusive authority of the Chief Wildlife Warden (CWLW) also creates bottlenecks. For instance, in remote areas like Wayanad, waiting for CWLW approval can delay action, endangering lives. In 2022, Kerala empowered local bodies to use licensed shooters to kill wild boars raiding crops. However, this measure failed due to a shortage of licensed shooters in rural areas and impractical guidelines, such as checking if a boar is pregnant before shooting. "Before shooting a wild boar, one has to examine whether it is pregnant or not. Such impractical guidelines have failed to serve the purpose. The growing population of wildlife has to be controlled to prevent threats to human lives," State Forest Minister A K Saseendran said. Here are other reasons: Declaring wild boars as vermin (under Section 62) was previously rejected by the central government, limiting the state's ability to control their population. Bonnet macaques, added to Schedule I in 2022, can no longer be captured or relocated without CWLW approval, despite their crop-raiding behaviour. Animals like elephants and tigers, protected under Schedule I, require exhaustive non-lethal measures before lethal action, even when they pose immediate threats. Crop losses (e.g., wild boars destroying up to 60% of yields in Wayanad) threaten food security and farmers' livelihoods. Fear of attacks has disrupted rural life, with 273 villages living under constant threat Proposed Amendments to the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1. Decentralising Authority: The proposal is to transfer the power to issue "kill permits" under Section 11(1)(A) and 11(1)(B) from the CWLW to Chief Conservators of Forests (CCFs). Notably, CCFs are senior officials stationed at regional levels, enabling faster, localised decision-making. This would streamline responses to wildlife threats, especially in conflict hotspots. 2. Declaring Wild Boars as Vermin: The government has proposed to declare wild boars as vermin under Section 62 for specific periods and regions, allowing controlled culling without legal repercussions. Wild boars are prolific breeders and cause widespread agricultural damage. Declaring them vermin would enable farmers and local bodies to manage their populations effectively. 3. Removing Bonnet Macaques from Schedule I: To allow capture and relocation without stringent approvals. 4. Legal Safeguards for Farmers and Officials: Protect farmers and field officers from prosecution when acting against wildlife threats, encouraging proactive measures. 5. Region-Specific Culling: Allow controlled culling of "man-eating" animals (e.g., tigers, leopards) in high-conflict zones, with clear guidelines to prevent misuse. Ethical Concerns Kerala's proposal to amend the Wildlife Protection Act to allow the culling of wild animals has sparked debates. Conservationists raise ethical concerns, citing potential harm to endangered species and ecosystems. Ecological experts warn of unintended population imbalances and emphasise addressing habitat degradation.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Time of India
Forest dept: 31 tree violations in Vasant Vihar since 2021-22
New Delhi: Since 2021-22, a total of 31 cases have been registered under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994, in Vasant Vihar, affecting 646 trees, the state Forest and Wildlife Department informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT). Offences include illegal felling, unauthorised pruning, and concreting around trees. This submission follows a plea by local resident Sanjeev Bagai, who approached the tribunal in 2023 over illegal tree pruning in the area. According to a reply dated May 21 by deputy conservator of forests (DCF) west, "During 2021-22, two cases of contravention were registered in Vasant Vihar, both related to unauthorised concretisation affecting 388 trees. Proceedings in one case are ongoing, while the other is under consideration for compounding under Section 21 of the Act." The report detailed the impact of tree-related offences over the years: In 2021-22, approximately 383 trees were affected due to Public Works Department (PWD) violations. In 2022-23, around 130 trees were impacted due to violations by the local Resident Welfare Association (RWA). In 2023-24, violations led by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) affected 25 trees, while PWD-related offences impacted 30 trees. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Bolsas nos olhos? (Tente isso hoje à noite) Revista Saúde & Beleza Saiba Mais Undo In 2022-23, 16 cases were registered, including five instances of illegal tree felling without permission, six of unauthorised pruning, two cases of prohibited concretisation, two of head back, and one involving damage to standing trees — cumulatively affecting at least 160 trees. Authorities took remedial actions such as compounding offences, issuing compensatory plantation orders for about 1,450 saplings, and imposing five-year maintenance obligations. For 2023-24, four cases were registered affecting 58 trees. In 2024-25, nine cases involving tree-related violations were recorded in Vasant Vihar, including four illegal tree cuttings, one case of root damage and head back, three instances of heavy pruning without approval, and one case of light pruning with unauthorised felling — impacting a total of 40 trees. Of these, eight cases are still pending. "The Tree Officer recommended compounding offences in 12 cases and issued compensatory plantation orders with long-term maintenance directions as per guidelines. Proceedings for pending cases are ongoing," the report concluded.
