Chilgoza pine trees in Kinnaur are fighting from hydropower projects and Overharvesting: H.P.
Large-scale diversion of forest land for hydro projects is one of the primary reasons for cutting of of chilgoza trees in Himachal Pradesh.
Destructive harvesting practices and use of tree for fuel wood, torchwood and timber also affect the chilgoza pine tree’s natural regeneration process.
A 2019 study by environmentalists Manshi Asher and Prakash Bhandari, on the impact of hydro projects in Kinnaur’s ecology, revealed that more than 11,000 trees of 21 species were cut (till 2014) to pave way for nearly a dozen power projects. Of this, nearly one-fourth (2,743) of the trees cut were chilgoza.
The local people in Kinnaur are protesting against approvals given to new hydro projects which they fear will destroy the chilgoza trees, an important cash crop in the region.
Frequent extreme weather events may lead to decline in Olive Ridley turtle population: Experts
Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), one of the smallest sea-turtles on the earth, may be fighting a losing battle against climate change. Global warming and extreme weather events may lead to a decline in their population over time, according to conservation experts.
On Odisha’s Rushikulya beach, one of the biggest nesting sites of the turtles in the world, more frequent and intense flooding and cyclones have been posing a great danger to these already vulnerable marine reptiles.
“Around 25% of the eggs got washed away during the tidal surges of Asani earlier this month,” said Sumanth Bindumadhav, acting country director, Humane Society International / India.
After extreme weather events, a lot of sand gets deposited on the nesting beaches, burying the remaining eggs deeper than where the mother had laid them, according to Bindumadhav. “The hatchlings are unable to dig their way up from such thick layers of sand and die.”
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Kolkata unveils biodiversity register, First among major Indian metros
Kolkata became the first major metropolitan city in India to prepare a detailed register of biodiversity, Mayor Firhad Hakim claimed recently.
Hakim May 21 unveiled the 520-page documentation of 399 plant and 283 animal species at the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) headquarters. The species include:
- 138 trees
- 126 Chinese vegetables
- 33 medicinal plants
- Nearly 100 other plants
- Nearly 70 butterflies
- 47 fish
- 84 birds
- 22 mammals
The People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR), which details flora and fauna forms within the city as well as its land uses and human activities, has been prepared by KMC’s Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC). It was supervised by West Bengal’s biodiversity board with the help of non-profits, a claim subsequently reiterated by state environment minister in the international biodiversity day programme on Sunday being organised by state biodiversity board.
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HC issues notice to Delhi govt on PIL against unregulated, unlicensed pet shops
The Delhi High Court on Monday issued notice to the Delhi government on a Public Interest Litigation against unregulated, unlicensed and illegal pet shops operating in the State National Capital Territory of Delhi.
The Bench of Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Sachin Datta on Monday sought the response of Delhi Government and the state Authority concerned and fixed the matter for July 14, for detailed hearing in the matter.
The plea stated that the non-implementation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2018 is a complete dereliction of duty by the Respondents and by doing so the Respondents’ actions are affecting animal welfare negatively and preventing the compliance of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
It further stated that the Pet Shop Rules statutorily obligate the formation and functioning of State Animal Welfare Boards, which plays regulatory role of overseeing animal trade and breeding including the registration of pet shops.
Fire destroys 150ha Gorewada forest land: Maharashtra
A massive fire engulfed a section of the Balasaheb Thackeray Gorewada International Zoological Park on Sunday and ended up destroying flora and fauna spread over approximately 150 hectares. Fortunately, no animal or tourists in the vicinity were affected as the flames were brought under control by forest officials, and fire and emergency services department of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC).
According to S Bhagwat, divisional manager, Gorewada zoo project, the fire started around 12.30pm in the direction of Lava-Dabha village. “Since strong winds were blowing around the same time, the fire spread quickly in the jungle and raged on for five hours,” the official said.
Bhagwat and his team immediately stopped all the safari trips and evacuated tourists who were present at the main gate as well. All scheduled safaris too were cancelled and the area was closed for outsiders.
Over 150 staff from the forest department, along with their own fire services unit and the one from NMC swung into action and a massive exercise was undertaken to isolate the fire from the rest of the populated zone.
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