Latest news with #WildlifeProtectionActof1972
The Hindu
12-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
CPI demands disbanding of NTA, reforms in wildlife law
The Communist Party of India (CPI) Thrissur district conference has demanded the immediate disbanding of the National Testing Agency (NTA), accusing it of jeopardising the future of students and the integrity of country's education system. A resolution passed at the four-day conference being held at Irinjalakuda condemned repeated irregularities and alleged large-scale corruption in exams conducted by the NTA, claiming that the agency operates with no transparency or accountability. The CPI alleged that the NTA had become a breeding ground for question paper leaks and mafia gangs, transforming examination malpractice into a billion-rupee racket. Students who studied day and night for these tests were being thrown into despair, with cases of student suicides reported. The party, in a resolution, called for decentralising exam responsibilities and restoring the authority of UGC and universities to ensure transparency and fairness. The conference also raised strong opposition to the Central government's increasing interference in Kerala's cooperative sector, which has long been considered a model for the country. The CPI criticised the move to permit multi-State cooperative societies to establish branches across Kerala without the consent of the State. These societies operated without regulation or oversight, creating ambiguity around their financial dealings. Their unchecked expansion posed a threat to the functioning of traditional cooperative credit societies in the State. The CPI resolution also accused the Centre of using investigative agencies to destabilise democratic practices within State-run cooperative societies. The CPI called upon the State government to enact a comprehensive law to prevent superstition and exploitative rituals. It also demanded urgent amendments to the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 in light of increasing human-wildlife conflicts in Kerala. According to CPI, Kerala — due to its extensive forest cover and population density — witnessed rising incidents of wildlife attacks, resulting in over 40 human deaths annually. The party blamed the rigid provisions of the Central law for obstructing efforts to protect human lives and property. While the Centre relaxed norms for industrial use of protected forests in favour of corporates, it refused to amend the same law for the protection of forest-dwelling communities, the party noted. The conference called for wider implementation of food and water provisioning schemes within forests to reduce animal intrusion into human habitats and demanded urgent reforms to prioritise the safety and livelihood of the hill and forest-dwelling populations. The four-day meet will conclude on Sunday.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Watch: Children in UP parade giant 15-foot Indian rock python bare-handed for 3 kilometers; video goes viral
Source: Instagram In a surprising and concerning incident, a group of children was seen handling a massive wild python in a rural village, sparking widespread attention. The footage shows the children carrying the enormous snake bare-handed through the streets, attracting a large crowd of onlookers. Despite the clear risks involved, there was no immediate intervention from local authorities or wildlife officials. This event has raised important questions about public awareness, wildlife protection, and community safety. It highlights the urgent need for better education and enforcement of laws to protect both people and endangered animals in such regions. 15-foot Indian python carried by children amid no official response A viral video from Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, shows children parading a massive 15-foot Indian rock python through their village. The footage captures the kids handling the enormous snake bare-handed, lifting it by its head, midsection, and tail as they walk through the streets. This unusual sight attracted a large crowd, with many onlookers recording and taking selfies with the python. UP reports reveal that during the entire incident, local authorities and the forest department did not intervene or take any action. Despite the unusual and risky situation, none of the onlookers alerted officials or wildlife experts. After parading the giant python through the village, the children released it into a nearby forest instead of handing it over to professionals. The viral video clearly shows the children gripping the massive snake by its head, middle, and tail, walking nearly 3 kilometers through the streets. Social media reactions to viral video of children carrying giant Indian python The video elicited mixed reactions across social media platforms. Some users found the spectacle amusing and entertaining, while many others condemned the actions, criticizing both the children and the apparent lack of wildlife protection enforcement. Comments ranged from disbelief at the children handling such a large and potentially dangerous animal without precautions, to harsh criticism of the authorities' failure to respond. One user expressed concern about the treatment of this endangered species, questioning the absence of wildlife officials during the incident. Others condemned the community's behavior as 'barbaric,' comparing it unfavorably to the civic sense in other countries and calling for stricter measures to prevent such negligence. About the Indian rock python The Indian rock python is among the largest and longest snakes native to India. According to Wildlife SOS, this reptile can grow up to 20 feet in length and weigh as much as 90 kilograms. It is classified as a Schedule I species under India's Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, highlighting its protected status due to vulnerability and ecological importance. Under Section 9 of the Wildlife Protection Act, any hunting, capturing, or disturbing of Schedule I species like the Indian rock python is strictly forbidden. Violations carry severe penalties including imprisonment for three to seven years and a minimum fine of Rs 25,000. This legislation is designed to safeguard endangered wildlife and discourage harmful interactions. Also Read | Vasuki Indicus vs Titanoboa: Who was the largest snake in fossil history
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Business Standard
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
MoEF trying to 'subvert' FRA: Over 90 forest rights groups writes to PM
Over 90 forest rights groups have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that the Union environment ministry is attempting to "subvert" the Forest Rights Act (FRA) and demanding that Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav clarify his reported statement that the "FRA leads to forest degradation." PTI reached out to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for comment. A response is awaited. The groups, comprising Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan and Himdhara Environment Research and Action Collective of Himachal, among others, said in their June 28 letter, copies of which have been sent to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) and the ministries of Environment, Tribal Affairs and Social Justice, that Yadav, in a statement published in a newspaper on June 5, "cited titles granted under the FRA as a reason for forest degradation." They called the statement "false, misleading, legally untenable and an attempt to undermine the legitimacy of the FRA." They alleged that it is part of a "consistent series of subversion" by the environment ministry, which, along with the forest bureaucracy, has "stiffly resisted and disrupted" the implementation of the FRA for the last 16 years. The groups pointed to a 2009 report submitted by the ministry to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which said that the FRA had assigned rights to protect approximately 40 million hectares of community forest resources to village-level democratic institutions and that other forest-related laws needed to be fine-tuned in light of the Act. Citing data presented by Yadav in the Lok Sabha on August 7, 2023, the groups alleged that while the minister blamed the FRA, tribals and other forest rights holders for forest degradation, he "conveniently overlooked" the fact that the ministry itself allowed the illegal diversion of over 3 lakh hectares of forest land since 2008 for non-forest activities, leading to deforestation and without complying with the FRA. They further alleged that the ministry submitted legally untenable data on encroachments in Parliament and the National Green Tribunal. The letter claimed that the ministry makes no reference to the FRA or its statutory body, the Gram Sabhas. According to the law, the rights of forest dwellers recognised and vested under the FRA must be determined, demarcated, recognised and recorded. Only after this process is completed can the extent of encroachment be determined and, subsequently, eviction proceedings be initiated under state laws. The FRA prohibits eviction under Section 4(5) without satisfactory completion of this process. The groups also alleged that the National Tiger Conservation Authority, on June 19 last year, ordered the expedited relocation of 64,801 families from core areas of tiger reserves, in "complete violation" of the FRA, the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 and other applicable legal frameworks. They claimed that this has increased the risk of displacement, forced evictions, curtailment of rights and criminalisation of forest dwellers, pushing many into states of economic and social insecurity across the country. The letter also pointed out that the "India State of Forest Report 2023," published by the Forest Survey of India, blamed titles issued under the FRA for negative changes in forest and tree cover. The groups expressed concern over recent amendments to the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 (now renamed Van Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan Adhiniyam, 1980), which were passed despite strong opposition from constitutional bodies like the NCST, scientists, conservationists, forest rights groups and forest-dwelling communities. They warned that these changes would "adversely impact India's forest and ecological security". The groups urged the prime minister to immediately halt what they termed as the environment ministry's attempts to subvert the FRA. They also demanded that Yadav publicly clarify and withdraw his statement linking the FRA to forest degradation and that the ministry immediately inform the Supreme Court and the NGT about the legal status of forest encroachments under the FRA, clearly stating that no action on encroachment can be taken until the FRA implementation process is complete.
The Hindu
27-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kerala Congress (M) to demand more seats from LDF in local body polls
The Kerala Congress (M) State secretariat, which met here on Friday, has decided to press for a larger share of seats from the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the upcoming local body elections. Asserting its political claim, the meeting entrusted district unit presidents with the task of initiating seat-sharing discussions with LDF leadership at the district level. The party also reviewed its grassroots election preparations and decided to intensify ward-level campaigns. To bolster these efforts, special responsibilities will be assigned to both district and State-level leaders. Fundraising strategies to support campaign activities were also evaluated during the session. Addressing the meeting, party chairman Jose K. Mani remarked that the United Democratic Front's (UDF) recent calls for front expansion reflect a deeper crisis of confidence. He dismissed the notion that the outcome of the Nilambur by-election could be seen as a political mandate for the UDF. On Nilambur verdict 'Nilambur has long been a UDF stronghold. This verdict does not in any way diminish the LDF's prospects for continued governance,' he said. 'We will take the outcome in stride and work to further improve the performance of both the government and the front.' To address the pressing concerns of farmers and high-range communities, the party will constitute an expert committee for a comprehensive study. A policy manifesto based on its findings will be presented to the LDF. Mr. Mani also pointed out that the biggest legislative obstacle in resolving human-wildlife conflict is the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, enacted during Congress rule at the Centre. He urged the State government to fast-track legal reforms, within constitutional limits, to safeguard the lives and property of people in affected regions. He further emphasised the need for timely resolution of land deed disputes in high-range areas, removal of restrictions preventing farmers from felling trees on their own land and other grassroots grievances through coordinated inter-departmental action. The party also called for urgent steps for a hike in welfare pensions for vulnerable sections and the implementation of a support price of ₹250 per kg for natural rubber. The meeting, chaired by Jose K. Mani, was attended by Minister Roshi Augustine, Vice Chairmen N. Jayaraj and Thomas Chazhikadan, and other senior leaders.
Time of India
17-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Etawah celebrates 50 yrs of gharial conservation on World Crocodile Day
Kanpur: On the occasion of World Crocodile Day, Etawah district celebrated the golden jubilee of gharial conservation on Tuesday, marking 50 years since the launch of the initiative in Uttar Pradesh. The event, organised jointly by the Forest Department and the Society for Conservation of Nature (SCON), brought together forest officials, wildlife experts, educators, and conservation enthusiasts. Dr Rajeev Chauhan, General Secretary of SCON, highlighted that the gharial conservation programme was first launched in 1975. Under this initiative, eggs collected from the Chambal River in Etawah were incubated and the hatchlings were raised for three to five years at the Kukrail Gharial Rehabilitation Centre in Lucknow before being released back into the Chambal. These efforts have led to a significant increase in the gharial population, which now stands between 2,000 and 2,500. Basrehar forest officer Amit Solanki credited the success of the programme to the collaborative efforts of forest officials, local communities, and public representatives. Forest officers Ashok Kumar Sharma (Badhpura) and Vinod Kumar (Qila Range) also shared insights into conservation and breeding efforts. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Nirmal Chand Bajpai, Principal of Ashram Paddati Vidyalaya, recalled that before 1975, the Chambal River saw rampant fishing and little awareness about gharials, with their population dwindling to just 200 at the time. Dr Atri Gupta, lecturer in zoology at Janta PG College, Bakewar, emphasised the gharial's evolutionary significance, noting that it is among the world's oldest surviving reptiles. Of the three crocodilian species found in India—mugger, saltwater crocodile, and gharial—two, the mugger and the gharial, are found in Etawah. All are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. She also recalled that a natural disaster in late 2007 resulted in the death of 112 rare gharials. Dr Ramjanm Singh, a member of the State Resource Group, underlined the importance of the Chambal River, known for its pristine water—ideal for gharial survival and breeding. Sanjeev Chauhan, District Programme Officer of Namami Gange, noted that World Crocodile Day, observed globally on June 17, aims to raise awareness about crocodile conservation and reduce human-wildlife conflict.
