News for '-forest-department'

Locals throw birthday bash for rescued elephant in Jharkhand

Locals throw birthday bash for rescued elephant in Jharkhand

Rediff.com7 Oct 2025

Forest officials, village heads, and school students celebrated the 16th birthday of a rescued elephant named 'Rajni' at the Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary. The celebration aimed to create awareness about man-elephant conflict and promote conservation.

Mud volcano erupts in Andamans after 2 decades

Mud volcano erupts in Andamans after 2 decades

Rediff.com3 Oct 2025

India's only mud volcano at Baratang in Andaman and Nicobar Islands has erupted after being dormant for over two decades. The eruption, which occurred on October 2, has led to the formation of an earth mound and the spread of muddy soil over a large area. Tourist movement to the site has been suspended as a safety precaution.

Body of missing Navy official found in Matheran gorge

Body of missing Navy official found in Matheran gorge

Rediff.com18 Sep 2025

The decomposed body of a Navy official, who went missing during a trek at Matheran hill station near Mumbai, has been found in a gorge. Police have registered a case of accidental death and are investigating.

Maha CM gives update on elephant Madhuri's return from Vantara

Maha CM gives update on elephant Madhuri's return from Vantara

Rediff.com6 Aug 2025

Vantara will join the Maharashtra government's petition in the Supreme Court to seek the return of elephant Madhuri to a monastery in Kolhapur, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said.

Tiger killings shock Ranthambore; 225 bones seized, DNA tests underway

Tiger killings shock Ranthambore; 225 bones seized, DNA tests underway

Rediff.com2 Jul 2025

The development follows a joint operation by Madhya Pradesh's State Tiger Strike Force, Rajasthan forest department, and Sawai Madhopur-based NGO Tiger Watch last month that led to the arrest of six poachers, including three from Rajasthan.

The Man Who Captures Vultures On Camera

The Man Who Captures Vultures On Camera

Rediff.com1 Oct 2025

Like the dinosaurs, vultures face extinction. From 40 million 33 years ago, only 35,000 to 45,000 vultures remain in India.

Dr Ramakanta Panda's Heart Beats For Wildlife Too

Dr Ramakanta Panda's Heart Beats For Wildlife Too

Rediff.com29 Sep 2025

Dr Ramakanta Panda's unique exhibition, titled Heartbeats -- Wildlife, Our Shared Future, features a compelling collection of over 200 photographs centred around the theme of wildlife conservation.

Didn't initiate or request Mahadevi's relocation: Vantara

Didn't initiate or request Mahadevi's relocation: Vantara

Rediff.com4 Aug 2025

Vantara did not initiate or request the relocation of the elephant named Mahadevi from a monastery in Kolhapur to its facility in Jamnagar but served only as the 'court-appointed recipient facility', the NGO said in a statement.

Tigress, 4 cubs found dead in K'taka forest; govt orders probe

Tigress, 4 cubs found dead in K'taka forest; govt orders probe

Rediff.com26 Jun 2025

Expressing sorrow over the incident, Khandre immediately ordered an investigation into the matter, which will be led by a team under the principal chief conservator of forests.

Why This Elephant Triggers Outrage In Maharashtra

Why This Elephant Triggers Outrage In Maharashtra

Rediff.com6 Aug 2025

A Supreme Court order relocating an elephant to a care facility in Vantara has sparked public outrage in Maharashtra by putting the state government in a difficult position over issues of animal welfare and public sentiment.

Maha steps up efforts to bring back elephant Mahadevi from Guj after stir

Maha steps up efforts to bring back elephant Mahadevi from Guj after stir

Rediff.com2 Aug 2025

Maharashtra minister Prakash Abitkar said efforts are underway to bring back elephant Mahadevi from a rescue center in Gujarat. The elephant was relocated following a court order due to health concerns. Local leaders are protesting the relocation and seeking her return.

Mumbai SGNP's toy train gets Vistadome makeover, to chug again after 4 yrs

Mumbai SGNP's toy train gets Vistadome makeover, to chug again after 4 yrs

Rediff.com27 Jul 2025

One of the key attractions of the park, which houses a wide array of plant, animal and bird species besides ancient caves, the revamped toy train is set to provide an elating and exciting experience to visitors, especially children.

Assam: 1 dead in clash between evicted people, cops

Assam: 1 dead in clash between evicted people, cops

Rediff.com17 Jul 2025

At least one person was killed and several others, including policemen, were injured in a clash between evicted people and security personnel in Paikan Reserve Forest in Assam's Goalpara district on Thursday, an official said.

Kolhapur: Thousands march to bring back Mahadevi from Vantara

Kolhapur: Thousands march to bring back Mahadevi from Vantara

Rediff.com3 Aug 2025

Thousands of people participated in a 'silent march' in Kolhapur on Sunday, demanding that 36-year-old female elephant Mahadevi (also called Madhuri), be brought back from Vantara wildlife rescue, treatment, and rehabilitation centre in Gujarat's Jamnagar district.

'Such Catastrophes Will Only Worsen'

'Such Catastrophes Will Only Worsen'

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

'There is a clear relationship between the Char Dham road widening and these landslides.' 'The situation has further worsened with the massive influx of tourists whose number are running into several lakhs per month.' 'No parameters have been laid down to control tourist inflow and the result is that the Char Dham yatra has seen a sharp escalation in accidents and loss of lives.'

Sam Pitroda reacts over BJP's land-grabbing allegations

Sam Pitroda reacts over BJP's land-grabbing allegations

Rediff.com27 Feb 2025

Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda has denied owning any land, home, or stocks in India, responding to allegations by a BJP leader that he illegally acquired 12.35 acres of government land in Bengaluru. The BJP leader, N R Ramesh, has filed a complaint with the Enforcement Directorate and the Karnataka Lokayukta, alleging that Pitroda, with the help of government officials, acquired the land for his organization, FRLHT. Pitroda, in a statement on X, categorically denied the allegations, stating he has never taken any salary during his time working with the Indian government and has never paid or accepted any bribe. He further clarified that FRLHT received a five-year lease on the land for conservation purposes, which expired in 2001 and was extended for another 10 years. Ramesh claims the lease expired in 2011 and the land, now worth over Rs 150 crore, was not reclaimed by the forest department. He has urged the ED to file a criminal case against those involved in the alleged land grab, including the officials responsible.

Tribals Fear New Threats As Naxalism Fades

Tribals Fear New Threats As Naxalism Fades

Rediff.com27 Jun 2025

If the threat from the 'Maovadis' (Maoists) is fading, the danger now lies with the 'MoUvadis' -- those who might exploit the resource-rich Abujhmad region through corporate or State-backed projects.

17 Naxal-hit villages get electricity for the first time

17 Naxal-hit villages get electricity for the first time

Rediff.com16 May 2025

Seventeen villages nestled among nearly inaccessible mountains and dense forests in Naxal-hit Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki district of Chhattisgarh have got electricity from the supply grid for the first time, officials said on Friday.

Modi goes on lion safari on World Wildlife Day

Modi goes on lion safari on World Wildlife Day

Rediff.com3 Mar 2025

Modi had a night halt at Sinh Sadan, a forest guest house managed by the state forest department, in Sasan after his arrival from Somnath where he offered prayers at the Lord Shiv temple, the first among 12 jyotirlingas, on Sunday evening.

Leopard gatecrashes Lucknow wedding uninvited

Leopard gatecrashes Lucknow wedding uninvited

Rediff.com13 Feb 2025

A wedding in Lucknow was disrupted when a leopard entered the banquet hall, leaving a forest official injured and the bride and groom stranded in a car for hours. The leopard was eventually caught and tranquillized after hours of efforts. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav criticized the BJP-led state government over the incident, blaming human encroachment in forests for the increasing incidents of wild animals entering urban areas.

Canadian man held for carrying crocodile skull at Delhi airport

Canadian man held for carrying crocodile skull at Delhi airport

Rediff.com9 Jan 2025

A Canadian man has been arrested for allegedly carrying a crocodile skull in his bag at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in New Delhi, the customs department said on Thursday.

Heavy Pak shelling leaves trail destruction in Poonch

Heavy Pak shelling leaves trail destruction in Poonch

Rediff.com7 May 2025

Heavy Pakistani shelling in the border district of Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir left nine people dead and 28 injured. The shelling, described by residents and officials as "barbaric and cowardly", started around 2 am, damaging dozens of residential houses, shops, vehicles, and heritage sites. The incident comes after India launched "Operation Sindoor" in retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. India condemned the act, calling it a cowardly attack on civilians, and reaffirmed that civilian safety remains its top priority.

Man offers water to cheetahs in MP; disciplinary action initiated

Man offers water to cheetahs in MP; disciplinary action initiated

Rediff.com6 Apr 2025

In the clip of about 40 seconds, a man is seen pouring water from a can into a pan, following which five cheetahs sitting under the shadow in the vicinity walk up to the utensil and start drinking the water.

Have You Ever Been To Bodoland?

Have You Ever Been To Bodoland?

Rediff.com10 Feb 2025

The Bodoland Territorial Region in Assam is slowly picking up the pieces and finally finding peace after being subjected to decades of insurgencies and violence.

Wolves wreak havoc in 35 UP villages, claiming 7 lives in attacks

Wolves wreak havoc in 35 UP villages, claiming 7 lives in attacks

Rediff.com29 Aug 2024

The wolf had terrorised residents in over 35 villages and with its capture, the local population has breathed a sigh of relief, a statement issued in Bahraich said.

Man killed in anti-Maoist op in MP a tribal; Cong seeks judicial probe

Man killed in anti-Maoist op in MP a tribal; Cong seeks judicial probe

Rediff.com16 Mar 2025

A man killed during a recent anti-Naxal operation in Madhya Pradesh's Mandla district was a tribal and not a Maoist, an official said on Saturday. The opposition Congress claimed he was innocent and demanded a high-level probe and a judicial inquiry into the incident.

Operation Bhediya: 5th man-eater wolf captured in Bahraich after deadly attacks, 1 left

Operation Bhediya: 5th man-eater wolf captured in Bahraich after deadly attacks, 1 left

Rediff.com10 Sep 2024

The wolves had been behind several attacks on villagers in Bahraich. The Uttar Pradesh Forest Department is taking the wolf to a rescue shelter.

2 cheetah cubs found dead at Kuno, cause unknown

2 cheetah cubs found dead at Kuno, cause unknown

Rediff.com28 Nov 2024

Two cheetah cubs born to African cheetah Neerva were found dead and their mutilated carcasses were recovered at the Kuno National Park (KNP) in Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh. The carcasses of the two newborns will be cremated on Thursday as per norms. Samples from the dead cubs were collected and sent for examination and the exact cause of their death will be known only after getting the lab report. All adult cheetahs, including Neerva, and the rest of the 12 cubs at the Kuno park are healthy, the official said. With 12 of those cubs surviving, the count of cheetahs at KNP was last reported to be 24.

At least 17 monkeys found shot dead in Chhattisgarh village

At least 17 monkeys found shot dead in Chhattisgarh village

Rediff.com2 Sep 2024

The forest department has launched an investigation into the reported death of 18 to 19 monkeys in a village in Chhattisgarh's Bemetara district and recovered four rotten carcasses, a senior official said.

Why are tigers in Maharashtra dying?

Why are tigers in Maharashtra dying?

Rediff.com18 Mar 2025

'The true measure of Project Tiger's success is not just rising tiger numbers, but our ability to ensure harmonious human-wildlife coexistence'

Child killed, 2 hurt as wolf attacks continue in UP's Bahraich

Child killed, 2 hurt as wolf attacks continue in UP's Bahraich

Rediff.com2 Sep 2024

The administration is working to catch the attacking wolves, with four already caught, she said, however the problem is there are more than hundred revenue villages and the wolves are attacking new villages within a span of four to five days.

Ex-IFS officers urge PM to drop Aravalli safari project

Ex-IFS officers urge PM to drop Aravalli safari project

Rediff.com10 Feb 2025

A group of retired forest officers has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding the immediate scrapping of the 10,000-acre safari project in Haryana's Aravallis, arguing that it will harm the environment and wildlife. They highlight the "alarming destruction" of the Aravallis due to mining, quarrying, real estate development, and deforestation, and warn that the project could disturb aquifers crucial for water-starved districts. The retired officers also emphasize the importance of protecting the Aravallis, which is the only significant forest cover in Haryana, for its role in restoring humidity and rainfall in the region.

UP: 'Man-eater' wolves continue to attack, 8-yr-old injured

UP: 'Man-eater' wolves continue to attack, 8-yr-old injured

Rediff.com6 Sep 2024

An eight-year-old boy was injured in a wolf attack while playing outside his home in the Mahsi tehsil in Bahraich, his family alleged on Friday.

Shoot order for man-eater leopard in Udaipur after killing 7 people

Shoot order for man-eater leopard in Udaipur after killing 7 people

Rediff.com3 Oct 2024

Locals say leopards never attacked humans before, but the pattern seems to have broken with repeated skirmishes.

Wolf attacks: 'The animals have turned aggressive because...'

Wolf attacks: 'The animals have turned aggressive because...'

Rediff.com8 Sep 2024

An invasion of wolves is keeping the forest authorities on their toes in Bahraich, where the animal is suspected to have killed at least six people and wounded several, all within a very short span.

5-year-old injured in yet another wolf attack in UP

5-year-old injured in yet another wolf attack in UP

Rediff.com3 Sep 2024

According to the locals, Afsana was sleeping in her house in Pandohia village when a wolf attacked her and the marks of the animal's teeth were visible on her neck.

Kerala's maneater tiger dead, remains of woman found in its stomach

Kerala's maneater tiger dead, remains of woman found in its stomach

Rediff.com28 Jan 2025

A 'man-eater' tiger that killed a woman two days ago was found dead in Kerala's high-range district of Wayanad on Monday and an autopsy on the dead cat revealed the presence of the victim's hair, dress, and a pair of earrings in its stomach, forest officials said.

In a first, forest departments will be given LPG dealerships

In a first, forest departments will be given LPG dealerships

Rediff.com20 Jul 2017

Govt looks to take cooking gas to tiger reserves, Naxal-hit areas

When A Crocodile Goes To College...

When A Crocodile Goes To College...

Rediff.com6 Sep 2024

This is what happens.

Wolves seeking revenge by attacking humans: Expert

Wolves seeking revenge by attacking humans: Expert

Rediff.com4 Sep 2024

As Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich grapples with wolf terror, an expert has said the series of attacks on the residents of Mehsi tehsil might be due to wolves "seeking revenge" for possible habitat loss or killing of their cubs.