Latest news with #department
Hindustan Times
14 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Jungle safaris to be suspended from July 1 until further notice
NAGPUR: Jungle safaris in the core zones of Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR), Bor Tiger Reserve (BTR), Umred-Paoni-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary (UPKWS), and the renowned Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in the Vidarbha region will be suspended for tourists from July 1 until further notice. Maya, the tigress of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, has been popular with photographers as she is seen in many parts of the forest. The annual closure is being enforced in accordance with the guidelines of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), aimed at minimising human interference during the monsoon and the crucial breeding season for wildlife. Dr Kishor Mankar, chief conservator of forests and field director of Pench Tiger Reserve, stated in a press release that the shutdown is essential to allow wild animals to move and behave naturally, particularly during breeding. However, nature enthusiasts will still be able to explore buffer zones of the reserves, where safari access will continue on a restricted basis. Bookings for these safaris will be accepted offline only. The Forest department has urged tourists to respect these seasonal restrictions and contribute to the conservation efforts during the monsoon. In the case of Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR), the closure of jungle safaris will depend on the onset of monsoon rains. If rainfall occurs around July 1, the core zones will be closed. Typically, all core forest areas remain shut from July 1 to October 30 every year. This season, the Forest department may consider opening select buffer areas to a limited number of tourists. Tadoba Tiger Reserve in Chandrapur is famous for guaranteed sightings of tigers and, hence, many tourists from inland and abroad prefer this destination. During the last financial year, over two lakh tourists visited Tadoba and enjoyed its jungle safari. Routine safari operations in the tiger reserves are expected to resume from October 1.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
No dark days in Persian theatre: Jaishankar, Iranian FM Araghchi discuss West Asia situation amid US outreach to Pakistan
New Delhi: External affairs minister S Jaishankar and foreign minister of Iran , Seyed Abbas Araghchi, on Friday held discussions on Tehran's perspective on the complex situation in West Asia amid the US efforts to engage Pakistan to deal with the Iranian nuclear programme . "Spoke to FM @araghchi of Iran this afternoon. Appreciate his sharing Iran's perspective and thinking in the current complex situation. Thanked him for facilitating the safe evacuation of Indian nationals," Jaishankar wrote following the telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart. This is the second phone call between the two since the military strikes against Iran. Araghchi visited India amid Operation Sindoor . According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India has evacuated more than 4,400 Indian nationals from Iran. Tehran had facilitated India's move to evacuate nationals through neighbouring countries as well as through chartered flights hired by New Delhi. Earlier in the day, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio dialled the Pakistan PM to deal with Iran's nuclear programme, indicating the US' eagerness to involve Islamabad in the Iran issue. Live Events State department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said "Secretary of state Marco Rubio spoke today with Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif regarding events in the Middle East. Secretary Rubio emphasised Iran can never develop or acquire a nuclear weapon. The two leaders acknowledged the importance of working together to promote durable peace between Israel and Iran and maintaining regional stability." During their conversation, the Pakistan PM is understood to have expressed his appreciation for President Donald Trump 's leadership in securing the ceasefire between Iran and Israel. He also thanked Secretary Rubio for "the US role in facilitating the Pakistan-India ceasefire", despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi making it clear that there is no role for third party mediation. Sharif is understood to have told that Pakistan would maintain its constructive role in promoting "peace in the Middle East". The phone call comes days after the US President Donald Trump hosted Pakistan Field Marshall Asim Munir for lunch and Iran was a key item on the menu.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Goa zoo reopens after bird flu outbreak
Shut down for nearly three months due to a bird flu scare, Goa's only zoological park opened for visitors on Wednesday. The zoo, located inside the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, was closed on April 1 after three civets and two jungle cats died following a viral outbreak in the second week of March. Subsequently, authorities implemented precautionary measures, including isolating the affected enclosures, and restricted public access. The Forest department sent samples to ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal for testing. Forest department officials said the lab reports confirmed that the two jungle cats died due to avian influenza while the cause of deaths for the civets remained unknown. An order issued by Jiss K Varkey, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Wildlife and Eco-Tourism North Division on Wednesday, said, 'Consequent upon receipt of two consecutive negative test results for Avian influenza from ICAR-NIHSAD Bhopal and in accordance with the guidelines of Central Zoo Authority, it is hereby ordered that the Bondla Zoological Park will be open for visitors with immediate effect.' In a post on X, Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane announced that the zoo has been reopened. 'After a brief closure as a precautionary measure, Bondla Zoo has now reopened to visitors starting Wednesday, following confirmation that the samples tested negative for Avian Influenza by NIHSAD, Bhopal. The Forest Department of Goa, acted promptly and responsibly to ensure the health and safety of both animals and visitors.' Rane said all necessary biosecurity protocols were followed during this period. Officials said that according to the protocols of Central Zoo Authority, the zoo could only reopen after two consecutive negative test reports for avian influenza were received. Kamal Datta, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, said, 'As soon as information was received about the possibility of the virus, the forest department took proactive action by closing the zoo immediately and sanitising the affected enclosures and taking other precautionary measures. Due to this, the spread of the virus to areas outside the zoo was prevented.'
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Rajeeve launches Layam Housing project in Idukki
The Industries department on Monday launched the Layam Housing project in Idukki aimed at renovating and constructing layams (cluster houses) in the plantation sector. Industries Minister P. Rajeeve said under the housing project, the government would provide ₹50,000 for renovating existing layams and ₹2 lakh for constructing new ones. The government had allotted ₹10 crore in the last two Budgets for the project. The Minister said the establishment of the plantation directorate had brought in changes in the plantation sector in the State. After setting up the directorate, the government had directed the Indian Institute of Management- Kozhikode to study issues in the plantation sector. 'The IIMK had submitted a report to the government and after its approval, the recommendations will be implemented in the plantation sector,' Mr. Rajeeve said. Officials said 83 layams had been selected for renovation under the project in Idukki and works on 10 units at AVT Karadikkuzhi Estate, near Peerumade, had been completed. Mr. Rajeeve inaugurated the housing project at Karadikkuzhi on Monday.
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Improved monitoring to speed up farmer registration for PM-Kisan in Sundargarh
ROURKELA: The agriculture authorities have strengthened monitoring to expedite the slow pace of registration for PM-Kisan and CM-Kisan schemes in the tribal-dominated Sundargarh district. The fresh registration process for PM-Kisan scheme was initiated from February to get a sanitised list of farmers and to create authentic database of beneficiaries with scrutiny of documents and other relevant records. After registration of farmers, the data for PM-Kisan would be utilised for the CM-Kisan scheme, earlier called KALIA yojana under the previous BJD government in the state. Sources in the Agriculture department said so far, the district has managed to complete registration of 15,291 farmers against the target of 1,90,805 farmers, which is barely eight per cent. They attributed the slow pace of registration to various reasons including the mandatory e-KYC and mismatch of information in different personal documents of farmers. Different common services centres (CSCs) have been authorised to register the eligible farmers. However, the CSCs are not keen to expedite the process as they barely get Rs 10 remuneration for a registration. The Sahayak mode in which any individual bringing a farmer to the CSC for registration would get Rs 10 incentive, is also not working with none showing interest, said the sources.
