Latest news with #JosephHoover
News18
27-06-2025
- News18
5 Tigers Found Dead In Karnataka, Sparking Outcry Over Unpaid Forest Staff And Lax Surveillance
Poisoning is strongly suspected as the cause, with a laced cow carcass found nearby believed to have been the fatal bait. The tragic incident is thought to have occurred on 25 June A pall of grief and outrage has descended upon the M.M. Hills Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka's Chamarajanagar district following the discovery of five dead tigers – a mother and her four cubs – on Thursday, 26 June. Poisoning is strongly suspected as the cause, with a laced cow carcass found nearby believed to have been the fatal bait. The tragic incident, thought to have occurred on Wednesday, 25 June, has not only highlighted the vulnerability of India's tiger population but also ignited a fierce debate over alleged administrative lapses within the forest department. The 11-year-old tigress, first identified in 2014, is believed to have killed and partially consumed the cow before returning to the poisoned remains with her unsuspecting offspring. In the wake of this devastating loss, environmental activists have swiftly pointed fingers at the alleged non-payment of salaries to forest watchers for the past three months. Activists allege that this led to critical gaps in surveillance and monitoring, potentially enabling unauthorised entry into the sanctuary and the subsequent poisoning. Joseph Hoover, a prominent environmentalist, did not mince words, questioning the efficacy of the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF). 'What was the DCF doing?" Hoover said. 'These forest watchers have not been paid for months, and they have raised these issues with the officers. How do we expect them to go into the forest and do their duty?" Karnataka's Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment, Eshwar B. Khandre, has acknowledged the gravity of the situation, calling for a detailed report and vowing stringent action against those responsible. He confirmed that initial indications suggest tiger deaths were unnatural. 'Preliminary reports indicate that all these are unnatural deaths. According to protocol, a postmortem will be conducted. This is a heart-wrenching incident. I am instructing the vigilance squad to work more efficiently and increase monitoring rounds at all national parks and sanctuaries in the state," he said. A high-level inquiry committee, comprising senior forest officials, a veterinary officer, and a wildlife expert, has been constituted to expedite the investigation. The committee is expected to submit its findings within 14 days. Samples have been collected for toxicology, histopathology and DNA profiling after necropsies were conducted in line with the NTCA protocol. In response to the crisis, authorities have announced intensified measures, including increased monitoring, real-time surveillance with infrared cameras, GPS-based patrolling, heightened alerts for anti-poaching camps, and sweeps for snares and traps. These efforts aim to bolster the safety of Karnataka's significant tiger population, which, at 563, ranks as the second-highest in the country. The ongoing investigation into the tiger deaths is now heavily focused on tracing the ownership and origin of the poisoned cow. Forest officials are currently interrogating local herdsmen, though residents are denying ownership of the carcass. The perplexing question of how the cow came to be in the sanctuary – including the possibility that it was brought from elsewhere – remains a key puzzle. Furthermore, authorities are scrutinising whether any cattle grazing took place within the forest area and, if so, who authorised it — raising critical questions about potential negligence by forest officials. The probe aims to definitively ascertain whether herdsmen were involved in the poisoning or whether hunters are responsible for setting the fatal bait.
Business Standard
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
13th Edition of Tiger Cup 2025, Supported by Cycle Pure Agarbathi, Kicks Off with Debut of Girls' League
NewsVoir Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], April 25: Cycle Pure Agarbathi inaugurates the 13th edition of the Tiger Cup 2025, a cricket tournament for the under 12, under 14 and under-16 category, in Bengaluru today. Scheduled to take place from April 21 to May 13, the tournament has also announced the launch of a girls' cricket tournament as an initiative to provide a platform and groom young cricketers. The event was inaugurated with the lighting of a 6-feet Agarbathi by the girls who will be participating in the tournament and Principal Dr. Bhimasen Soragaon, Dean Welfare, Dr. Mahesh Kumar, Admin officer Veeresh C S from JSS Academy of Technical Education, Bengaluru, alongside Cricket Expert Joseph Hoover. Featuring under-12, under-14, and under-16 categories, matches today started at JSS Academy of Technical Education with teams from Bengaluru, Mysuru, Dharwad, Koppal and Belgaum participating. The tournament continues its aim of nurturing young cricketing talent and promoting the sport in the region. Created by renowned cricket players, Sandeep Patil, Harbhajan Singh and Yusuf Pathan, the Tiger Cup Tournament is one of the most coveted events that brings 56 talented teams together, including over 900 players from all around India. The 13th edition of the Tiger Cup 2025 will be dedicated to raising awareness on the importance of conserving wildlife, with the proceeds of the event donated towards forest foot soldiers for their commendable service in protecting the forests and wildlife in the country. Held annually, the event will not only commemorate and celebrate the talents of young players, but through the partnership with Cycle Pure Agarbathi, will also felicitate forest staff. As part of this, it has contributed Rs. 4 lakh towards the felicitation, with Rs. 1 lakh each awarded to 2 forest staff from Karnataka, 1 from Kerala, and 1 from Tamil Nadu, recognizing their dedication to wildlife conservation. Additionally, Rs. 1 lakh has been an extended support to encourage the participation of girls through the newly introduced girls' categories this year in the Tiger Cup 2025. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Arjun Ranga, Managing Director of Cycle Pure Agarbathi said, "We are proud to host the 13th edition of the Tiger Cup 2025, which, for the first time, includes felicitation of the forest staff and a dedicated girls' cricket category. At Cycle Pure Agarbathi, we believe that sports play a pivotal role in shaping young lives, and through this initiative, we are committed to creating new opportunities for aspiring female cricketers. The tournament also continues to honour the unwavering dedication of our forest staff, who work relentlessly to protect India's rich biodiversity." Cricket Expert, Joseph Hoover said, "The Tiger Cup 2025 is a celebration of budding cricketing talent, and it's wonderful to see the inclusion of girls category in this edition. It reflects the true spirit of the sport - one that's inclusive, inspiring and full of opportunity. It's been a privilege to witness young talents take their first steps towards greatness through this platform, and I wish them all the best in their journey ahead." The legacy brand Cycle Pure Agarbathi is committed in its stance to providing a platform for young talents to discover and compete in one of the largely celebrated sports around India. Cycle Pure Agarbathi has supported multiple formats of cricket tournaments throughout the years and are delighted to have partnered with the 13th edition of the Tiger Cup 2025. The Mysuru-based NRRS was founded by N. Ranga Rao in 1948. A true visionary and philanthropist, Shri Ranga Rao created the ubiquitous Cycle Pure Agarbathi which has, today, become the largest selling incense stick brand in the world. From a home-grown enterprise, NR Group has evolved into a successfully run business conglomerate with an established presence in India and abroad. The Group has diversified into various business categories like functional air care products (Lia brand of room fresheners and car fresheners), wellness home fragrance products (IRIS) under Ripple Fragrances, floral extracts (NESSO), and Rangsons Technologies. Today, it is truly an Agarbathi to Aerospace conglomerate as it is also involved in making parts for defence helicopters. The organization has largely committed towards social responsibilities and fulfills them, through its charity arm 'NR Foundation'.
The Hindu
22-04-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
13th edition of Tiger Cup 2025 sees debut of girls' league
The 13th edition of the Tiger Cup 2025, a cricket tournament for the under-12, under-14 and under-16 categories, was inaugurated in Bengaluru, this time with a special announcement on the launch of a girls' cricket tournament. Scheduled to take place from April 21 to May 13, the tournament, supported by Cycle Pure Agarbathi, began with the lighting of a 6-foot Agarbathi by the girls participating in the tournament. Officials of JSS Academy of Technical Education and cricket expert Joseph Hoover were at the event. Featuring under-12, under-14, and under-16 categories, matches started at JSS Academy of Technical Education with teams from Bengaluru, Mysuru, Dharwad, Koppal and Belgaum participating. Raising awareness on wildlife Created by renowned cricket players Sandeep Patil, Harbhajan Singh, and Yusuf Pathan, the Tiger Cup Tournament brings 56 talented teams together, including more than 900 players from all around India. According to a press release, the 13th edition of the Tiger Cup 2025 will be dedicated to raising awareness on the importance of conserving wildlife. The proceeds of the event will be donated towards forest foot soldiers for their commendable service in protecting the forests and wildlife in the country, the release noted. On the final day of the tournament, ₹1 lakh each will be awarded to two forest staff from Karnataka, one from Kerala, and one from Tamil Nadu, to honour their dedication to wildlife conservation. Additionally, Rs. 1 lakh has been earmarked to support the participation of girls in the tournament. Inclusive spirit Speaking on the occasion, Arjun Ranga, Managing Director of Cycle Pure Agarbathi, said, 'We are proud to host the 13th edition of the Tiger Cup 2025, which, for the first time, includes felicitation of the forest staff and a dedicated girls' cricket category. At Cycle Pure Agarbathi, we believe that sports play a pivotal role in shaping young lives, and through this initiative, we are committed to creating new opportunities for aspiring female cricketers. The tournament also continues to honour the unwavering dedication of our forest staff, who work relentlessly to protect India's rich biodiversity.' Hoover noted that the Tiger Cup 2025 is a celebration of budding cricketing talent. 'It's wonderful to see the inclusion of the 'girls' category' in this edition. It reflects the true spirit of the sport – one that's inclusive, inspiring and full of opportunity. It's been a privilege to witness young talents take their first steps towards greatness through this platform, and I wish them all the best in their journey ahead,' he said.
