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Indian Express
15-07-2025
- General
- Indian Express
In a first-of-its-kind exercise, 20 spotted deer translocated from Vantara to Banni grasslands
Written by Jay Jani Twenty spotted deer were translocated to the Banni Grassland Reserve by the Gujarat forest department on Tuesday in collaboration with Vantara, the rescue, rehabilitation and conservation centre in Jamnagar, in a first-of-its-kind collaboration with the Reliance group. The release took place in a designated 70-hectare protected area within Banni, one of the largest grassland ecosystems in Asia. The deer were brought from Vantara's ex-situ conservation facility in Jamnagar and transported in specially designed ambulances under the supervision of forest officials. Vantara provided technical and logistical support for the operation, ensuring it followed established conservation protocols, a release from Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) said. Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Dr Sandeep Kumar told The Indian Express that there are nearly 160 blackbucks and spotted deer in Banni grasslands. This move, to release the deer into Banni grasslands, is part of a larger state-backed effort aimed at supporting the state's broader conservation roadmap, according to the press release. Ahead of the exercise on Tuesday, a joint assessment of the site was conducted by teams from the Gujarat forest department and Vantara, including forest officials, Vantara's wildlife biologists and veterinarians. The review was conducted to evaluate the habitat's suitability and identify key ecological measures for future species restoration efforts, the press release stated. The RIL statement, quoting Dr Brij Kishor Gupta, Director of the Greens Zoological, Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, or Vantara, said, 'This initiative reflects a collaborative approach to conservation where scientific expertise and logistical support are combined to strengthen biodiversity in the Banni grasslands. Contributing to government-led efforts, the focus remains on achieving meaningful conservation outcomes through partnerships grounded in shared objectives.' Banni spans over 2,600 square kilometers in the Kutch district and is home to 12 species of mammals, including the Indian gazelle, Indian wolf, golden jackal, Nilgai, striped hyena, and Indian fox. The Gujarat forest department has been actively involved in restoring degraded areas, controlling invasive species, and encouraging the growth of native grass to sustain local wildlife in Banni, according to the press release. The grassland, which is a protected forest, is dotted by 52 villages and is also known for the Banni breed of buffaloes. This release is one of several planned efforts aimed at strengthening wildlife populations and sustaining the fragile yet vital ecosystem of the Banni grasslands, the press note said. Jay Jani is an intern with The Indian Express
Indian Express
07-07-2025
- Indian Express
Ahmedabad sees spike in challans for traffic violations, dip in road accidents
The Ahmedabad Traffic Department issued over 10 lakh challans to two-wheeler riders for not wearing helmets alone in 2024, from the total nearly 12 lakh challans issued that year, recording an almost 90-fold increase from the challans issued for violating the helmet rule in 2023 even as the department continues to crack down on traffic violators. In 2024, the Traffic Department issued 11,79,720 lakh challans for three primary violations, including riding without helmets, overspeeding and driving on the wrong side of the road, according to the official data shared. In 2023, the number of challans for these three violations stood at 66,343, according to the data shared by the Traffic Department. These three offences alone account for a majority of the daily road safety risks, especially among two-wheeler users, said officers familiar with the matter. The sharp surge in the issuance of challans in 2024 compared to the 2023 figures, particularly for these violations, according to the Traffic Department officers, seems to have yielded tangible safety outcomes. The penalty for not wearing helmets is Rs 500; for faulty driving, it is Rs 1,500 for two- and three-wheelers; Rs 3,000 for light motor vehicles (LMVs) and Rs 5,000 for heavy motor vehicles (HMVs), and for overspeeding, it is Rs 1,500 for two- and three-wheelers; Rs 2,000 for LMVs, and Rs 4,000 for HMVs. According to the Traffic Department officials, over 10 lakh challans were issued in 2024 alone to commuters riding without helmets, as against 12,528 issued in 2023. Similarly, 67,015 challans were issued for faulty driving in 2024 compared to 7,502 challans in 2023, according to the data. For overspeeding, 1,06,633 challans were issued in 2024 compared to 46,316 challans in 2023. This clampdown on traffic violations by the Department had led to 22.5% decrease in fatal accidents and 23.3% decrease in minor accidents. In 2023, 535 deaths due to traffic accidents were recorded while the number stood at 411 in 2024. Senior officers from the Traffic Department attributed this shift to 'increased surveillance', particularly the use of automated systems like e-cameras and digital monitoring. These tools have enabled authorities to issue memos more effectively, holding violators accountable even when no officer is present on the ground, said an officer on the condition of anonymity. 'We always urge the citizens to follow the traffic rules and help keep both their own life and the lives of others safe,' said the Deputy Commissioner of Police,Traffic (Admin), Ahmedabad City Baldevsinh Vaghela. 'Moving forward, the traffic department plans to strengthen its monitoring systems while continuing its ongoing awareness programmes on traffic rules in schools, colleges, and local communities,' the DCP told The Indian Express. 'With such measures in place, the department hopes to further reduce road fatalities and traffic violations in the city', the DCP added. (Jay Jani is an intern with The Indian Express, Ahmedabad)
Indian Express
07-07-2025
- Indian Express
Bag of marijuana worth Rs 63,000 recovered from Puri-Ahmedabad train
Written by Jay Jani A bag containing around 6 kg of marijuana was recovered from the Puri-Ahmedabad Superfast Express at the Kalupur Railway Station on Saturday, prompting the Railway Protection Force (RPF) to register a narcotics case against an unidentified individual. According to officials, Raman Kumar Yadav, an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) with the RPF, was on duty as the sector in-charge for platforms 4 to 7 when the train arrived at platform number 6. Railway staff alerted the ASI about an unattended 'college-style bag' lying beneath three seats in a coach. A State Reserve Police (SRP) team reached the spot and conducted a check. A total of 6.3 kg of the drug, valued at approximately Rs 63,000, was found in the bag. To confirm the nature of the substance, the railway police sought assistance from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), a team from which came to conduct an on-spot analysis that confirmed the substance. Following the seizure, a case was registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at the Kalupur Railway police station. Further investigation is underway. Jay Jani is an intern with the Indian Express.
Indian Express
05-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
‘Gujarat's recent policy initiatives closely aligned with India's national vision for services sector'
Written by Jay Jani Gujarat's recent policy initiatives are closely aligned with India's national vision for the services sector, said Mona Khandhar, Principal Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), at a round table recently organised by the Gujarat Department of Science and Technology (DST) and HSBC at the GIFT City to promote Global Capability Centres (GCC) Policy 2025-30. Around 27 Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) and senior executives of 27 leading national and international companies participated in the event. Addressing the gathering on Thursday, Khandhar said, 'In just the past year, the Gujarat government has implemented over five key policies to promote innovation, investment, and institutional development.' She also underlined Gujarat's strengths, including 'a robust legal-administrative framework and gender-inclusive business environment, making it one of the most trusted and investment-friendly destinations in India'. Opening the discussion, Mr Avasar Vipathi, CEO of HSBC and Head of GIFT City Branch, reiterated HSBC's commitment to supporting investment and innovation in Gujarat. Avantha Vamshra, Managing Director and Head of Markets and Securities Services, HSBC India, praised the state's fast-paced development and emphasised the crucial role GCCs could play in the next growth phase. She noted that Gujarat's ecosystem offers structural support for Research & Development (R&D), talent development, and sustainable expansion. During the session, officials from GIFT City and the DST gave detailed presentations on the government's key industry incentives and the policy framework supporting GCC growth. Industry participants expressed enthusiasm about expanding their operations in Gujarat and praised the 'clarity and pro-investor approach' of the GCC policy. Many remarked that the CaPEX (Capital Expenditure) and OpEX (Operational Expenditure) support offered would significantly aid long-term organisational planning and scalability. (Jay Jani is an intern with The Indian Express)
