Latest news with #Radhakrishna
Time of India
09-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
1k hectares grassland in Barda sanctuary to help more lions roar
Rajkot: Barda Wildlife Sanctuary in Porbandar district is steadily coming into its own as a natural extension of lion territory. Once a quiet reserve, Barda is now at the heart of a major conservation effort to create a self-sustaining habitat for Asiatic lions . The forest department has launched a project focused on restoring native grasslands and strengthening the prey base — laying the groundwork for lions to thrive here on their own. Spread across 1,000 hectares, the sanctuary is undergoing a green revival. Invasive plant species are being cleared on a large scale, and native grasses are being cultivated to support herbivores that form the base of the lion's food chain. According to the latest lion census, Barda is now home to 17 lions. The first — a solitary male — arrived naturally. Soon after, five lionesses were translocated to the sanctuary, and their successful mating led to the birth of 11 cubs. With this, Barda has proven itself as a naturally viable habitat. Forest officials have taken a hands-off approach, allowing the population to grow organically. The groundwork for this success was laid years ago. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tecno Pova 7 Series starting at 12,999 - Catch the light. TECNO Mobile Buy Now Undo In 2014, the forest department set up a breeding centre for Sambar and spotted deer. Since then, hundreds of herbivores born in captivity have been released into the wild, helping to establish a solid prey base for the growing lion population. But restoring the landscape hasn't been easy. Deputy conservator of forests, Ravi Prasad Radhakrishna, pointed out that invasive species — such as single acacia (Acacia nilotica), Lantana camara, and Cassia tora — have posed a major challenge. "These alien species prevent native grasses from germinating," he said. "We've launched an intensive removal drive and are promoting native grass species to rebuild a healthy ecosystem for herbivores. " Experts believe birds may have unknowingly contributed to the spread of these invasives, either by carrying seeds on their feathers or excreting them after feeding elsewhere. "Barda is increasingly seen as Gujarat's second home for lions," Radhakrishna said. "With lions naturally dispersing into the area, we're shaping the habitat to support that expansion. In time, we expect the population to reach ecological saturation." The sanctuary now also hosts Nilgai and wild boar — adding further richness to the food chain. Officials believe Barda has the potential to support up to 40 to 50 lions in total. Recognizing its ecological promise, the forest department has also launched a jungle safari to boost eco-tourism and raise public awareness—inviting people to witness the quiet revival of a forest now finding its roar.
The Hindu
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Pulp powder made from ripened flakes of jackfruit released
Jackfruit pulp powder is an another addition to the fruit's value added products which is made form its ripened flakes Abhijnana Food Products Pvt. Ltd., Puttur which used the ripened flakes for making the pulp powder released the new product at the two-day jackfruit mela organised by Savayava Krushika Grahaka Balaga in Mangaluru on Saturday, May 24. The market has pulp powder made from raw flakes of jackfruit in enough quantity but not the powder made from the ripened bulbs, the managing director of the company I. Radhakrishna told The Hindu. The company which manufactures and markets different food products, including that of jackfruit, under the brand name 'Nitya' released the new product under the same brand name. He said that the pulp powder of ripened flakes can be added as an ingredient while preparing payasa, ice cream, biscuit, chapati, juice, cutlet, idli, dosa to enhance taste and increase nutritional value of the food product. 'It is natural with no preservatives,' Mr. Radhakrishna said adding that the powder is loaded with vitamin B, potassium, and protein. 'About 15% to 20% powder can be obtained from 100 kg of ripened flakes,' he said. Mr. Radhakrishna said that the company also makes cookies from seeds of jackfruit using the technology purchased from the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) under Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). No maida is used for making cookies, he said. Meanwhile, the Balaga organised the annual festival, which will end on Sunday, for the eighth time. Many people were seen showing interest in purchasing red flakes of jackfruit grown in Tumakuru and Tiptur belts of the State. A variety of food items made from jackfruit are cooked and served hot on the spot to the visitors. The festival had many other value added products of jackfruit for sale. The competitions organised on the occasion included jackfruit eating, lifting the fruit above head, separating flakes from the fruit and guessing the weight of whole fruit. There will be competitions like preparing 'kotte' or 'moode' from leaves of jackfruit tree, and preparing (cooking) different food items from jackfruit on May 25. In addition, there will be speech, essay writing and drawing competition on the jackfruit theme on Sunday.
Hans India
05-05-2025
- General
- Hans India
Former Lions Governor Radhakrishna Honored with ‘Three Diamond Pin'
Nagar kurnool: In recognition of his outstanding services and contributions to the Lions International Foundation, former Lions District Governor Radhakrishna was awarded the prestigious Three Diamond Pin. The award was presented during a ceremony held at PNR Empire in Hyderabad by former Lions International Director Sunil Kumar, in the presence of Area Leader Narender Reddy, District Governor Koteswara Rao, and Incoming Governor Mahendra Kumar Reddy. Speaking on the occasion, Radhakrishna shared that during his tenure as Governor, he made significant contributions to the International Foundation, which helped introduce twenty 'Meals on Wheels' vehicles. These vehicles now serve free meals daily to attendants of patients at government hospitals in various regions of Telangana and Raichur. He also stated that oxygen concentrators and CT scan machines were provided to hospitals through the Foundation, and that these services are being delivered consistently and without interruption. Highlighting the global impact of the Lions International Foundation, Radhakrishna said the organization promptly responds to natural disasters anywhere in the world. 'I feel honored and delighted to receive the Three Diamond Pin. It's a meaningful recognition of my service,' he added.
Hans India
01-05-2025
- Hans India
Excise officer in Vigilance net
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Vigilance on Wednesday arrested the Superintendent of Excise of Dhenkanal, Krishna Nayak, on the charge of corruption, an official said. 'Acting on an intelligence input, our team on Tuesday intercepted the official near Deulasahi road in Dhenkanal when she was travelling back home from office with ill-gotten cash of Rs 3 lakh,' said Radhakrishna, the Superintendent of Police (Vigilance), Cuttack cell division. The Vigilance seized the cash and her vehicle, and began search operations at her properties at five locations, he said. During the raids, one triple-storey building at Jagatpur in Cuttack, a double-storey building in Puri, and eight high-value plots, including four in Cuttack, two in Puri, and two in Jagatsinghpur, were found, the SP said. Radhakrishna further said two four-wheelers and over Rs 20 lakh were found in Nayak's possession during the search operation. 'After detecting these properties from the Excise Superintendent, we have registered a corruption case and arrested her,' he said. In a related development, Bijay Kumar Mallik, a former godown in-charge, Dehunda additional storage point of MARKFED-Odisha, Balasore, was convicted in a Vigilance case on Wednesday. The officer, now retired, was charge-sheeted by Odisha Vigilance under different sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and IPC for misappropriation of government funds related to pilferage of fertilisers at the storage point. Special judge, Vigilance, Balasore sentenced him to 3 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 50,000. The Vigilance said it would move the competent authority to stop his pension. As per reports, the Odisha Vigilance department registered a total of 200 criminal cases against 308 corrupt officials and private persons in 2024. The sleuths have also arrested 181 people, including many government officials, during 2024. Similarly, in 2024, Odisha Vigilance has achieved a disposal rate of 154 per cent. In total, 307 cases were disposed of after investigation. As many as 105 cases have ended in convictions in 2024 at a conviction rateof 50 per cent.
