News for 'Forest and Environment'

'DK' Suresh: From Chennai Buses to Davis Cup Glory

'DK' Suresh: From Chennai Buses to Davis Cup Glory

Rediff.com10 Feb 2026

Dhakshineswar Suresh's rise to India's Davis Cup team is a story of discipline, sacrifice and quiet perseverance -- from long Chennai bus rides to match-winning performances on the big stage.

Aravali hills' new definition risks Delhi weather, water security: Experts

Aravali hills' new definition risks Delhi weather, water security: Experts

Rediff.com5 Dec 2025

Experts warn that a new government definition of the Aravali Hills, accepted by the Supreme Court, could lead to environmental degradation and expose Delhi and surrounding regions to harsher weather and drought conditions.

Meghalaya Blast Exposes Dangers Of Rat-Hole Mining

Meghalaya Blast Exposes Dangers Of Rat-Hole Mining

Rediff.com7 Feb 2026

The human cost of rat-hole mining falls disproportionately on migrant labourers.

Suspected Nipah virus cases detected in Bengal; 2 nurses critical

Suspected Nipah virus cases detected in Bengal; 2 nurses critical

Rediff.com12 Jan 2026

Two suspected cases of Nipah virus have been detected in West Bengal, prompting a national outbreak response team to be deployed. The central government is providing full support to the state.

'Nicobar's exploitation portrayed as strategic defence project'

'Nicobar's exploitation portrayed as strategic defence project'

Rediff.com28 Oct 2025

Over 70 scientists, environmentalists, and former bureaucrats are urging the Indian government to reconsider the Great Nicobar Island project, citing environmental and social concerns.

Air, Water Purifiers: GST Council May Weigh 5% Levy

Air, Water Purifiers: GST Council May Weigh 5% Levy

Rediff.com30 Dec 2025

The GST Council at its next meeting may consider a reduction in taxes on air and water purifiers as air quality across the country worsens and access to safe drinking water remains uneven.

'Thar Desert Will Reach Delhi Soon'

'Thar Desert Will Reach Delhi Soon'

Rediff.com11 Dec 2025

'The natural barrier that is Aravalli, you are demolishing it, then who will stop the desert?' 'In future, I predict that people will roam around with oxygen cylinders in Delhi because they won't be able to breathe.'

SC to hear on Monday Aravalli Hills definition issue amid row

SC to hear on Monday Aravalli Hills definition issue amid row

Rediff.com28 Dec 2025

The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the controversy surrounding the definition of Aravalli hills and is scheduled to hear the matter. The court had previously accepted a uniform definition and banned fresh mining leases in the area.

Which Of These Gorgeous Animal Pix Do You Like?

Which Of These Gorgeous Animal Pix Do You Like?

Rediff.com10 Feb 2026

The Natural History Museum, London, has officially unveiled the 24-image shortlist for the 2026 Nuveen People's Choice Award. This prestigious contest, a key part of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition and supported by lead sponsor Nuveen, invites the public to decide which image will be crowned the winner.

Judge dissents as CJI-led bench recalls pro-green order

Judge dissents as CJI-led bench recalls pro-green order

Rediff.com18 Nov 2025

The Supreme Court, in a 2:1 majority, has recalled its previous judgment prohibiting the Centre from granting retrospective environmental clearances to projects violating environmental norms, paving the way for reconsideration of the issue.

Aravalli definition on hold as SC orders expert review

Aravalli definition on hold as SC orders expert review

Rediff.com29 Dec 2025

The Supreme Court has kept in abeyance its previous verdict on the definition of the Aravalli hills and ranges and proposed a high-powered committee to examine the issue.

Gujarat cabinet rejig: A look at new ministerial portfolios

Gujarat cabinet rejig: A look at new ministerial portfolios

Rediff.com18 Oct 2025

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel allocated portfolios following a major cabinet reshuffle, with Harsh Sanghavi becoming Deputy CM and receiving Home and Industries. New ministers, including Rivaba Jadeja, were also assigned responsibilities.

Sonali Ghosh's Historic Wildlife Journey

Sonali Ghosh's Historic Wildlife Journey

Rediff.com31 Oct 2025

Dr Sonali Ghosh, the first woman to head the Kaziranga National Park and the first Indian to win the IUCN's Kenton Miller Award, has turned her childhood love for nature into an inspiring career in wildlife protection and leadership.

And the most polluted city in the world is....

And the most polluted city in the world is....

Rediff.com28 Oct 2025

Lahore, Pakistan, has once again been ranked as the world's most polluted city, with hazardous smog levels far exceeding WHO guidelines. The city is battling a toxic mix of vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, and crop residue burning.

'Girls Are Taking A Leap Of Faith Every Day'

'Girls Are Taking A Leap Of Faith Every Day'

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

Bandana Preyashi, the bold IAS officer from Bihar who took on dreaded dons, is the court-appointed mentor to 18-year-old Sakshi, who had fled home to follow her IAS dream.

Forest rights activist Alok Shukla gets 'Green Nobel'

Forest rights activist Alok Shukla gets 'Green Nobel'

Rediff.com30 Apr 2024

Forest and tribal rights activist Alok Shukla will on Friday receive the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize -- 2024 for successfully leading a community campaign that saved 4.45 lakh acres of biodiversity-rich forests from 21 planned coal mines in Chhattisgarh.

'Illegal felling of trees': SC takes note of landslides, floods

'Illegal felling of trees': SC takes note of landslides, floods

Rediff.com4 Sep 2025

A bench of Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran also issued notices to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the National Highway Authorities of India (NHAI) as well as the governments of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.

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.

SC sets aside T'gana HC order declaring 106 acre of forest land as private

SC sets aside T'gana HC order declaring 106 acre of forest land as private

Rediff.com19 Apr 2024

The humans have "selective amnesia" about the significance of forests, the Supreme Court said on Thursday while advocating the need for a change in approach towards natural resources from anthropocentric to ecocentric.

New zoos, safaris require SC approval; issues forest conservation directives

New zoos, safaris require SC approval; issues forest conservation directives

Rediff.com20 Feb 2024

The top court took note of the submission that the definition of forest under the 2023 amended law on conservation leaves out nearly 1.99 lakh sq km of forest land from the ambit of 'forest' which can be used for other purposes.

Siddaramaiah reveals why he met Modi in Delhi

Siddaramaiah reveals why he met Modi in Delhi

Rediff.com18 Nov 2025

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and insisted on demands pertaining to the state, including on Fair Recovery Price of sugarcane, All India Institute of Medical Sciences for Raichur, the release of flood relief among others.

Bigg Boss Kannada studio sealed over pollution concerns

Bigg Boss Kannada studio sealed over pollution concerns

Rediff.com8 Oct 2025

Authorities in Bengaluru have sealed the studio premises hosting the Kannada reality show 'Bigg Boss' due to serious violations of environmental regulations cited by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB).

Direct schools not to hold sports events: SC to CAQM

Direct schools not to hold sports events: SC to CAQM

Rediff.com19 Nov 2025

The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to consider directing schools in Delhi-NCR to postpone open air sports competitions planned in November and December to 'safer months' keeping in mind air pollution levels.

Why Rupee Depreciation Should Not Be Resisted

Why Rupee Depreciation Should Not Be Resisted

Rediff.com4 Dec 2025

'Calibrated depreciation will help rebalance external fundamentals, offset some of the tariff differentials with competitors, improve the competitiveness of domestic substitutes vis-a-vis Chinese imports, and contribute to the easing of financial conditions at a time when the inflation rate is unusually low,' explains Sajjid Z Chinoy, head of Asia Economics at JP Morgan.

14 Lady Cop Thrillers On OTT

14 Lady Cop Thrillers On OTT

Rediff.com17 Nov 2025

Hemantkumar Shivsharan lists lady cops that have wowed us on OTT shows.

What India Plans to Focus On At COP30 Summit in Brazil

What India Plans to Focus On At COP30 Summit in Brazil

Rediff.com27 Oct 2025

'At COP30, the emphasis will be on unlocking climate finance, reinforcing the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, and building resilience through inclusive transitions and the mainstreaming of adaptation.'

Rivaba Jadeja becomes Gujarat minister after reshuffle

Rivaba Jadeja becomes Gujarat minister after reshuffle

Rediff.com17 Oct 2025

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel reshuffled his cabinet, inducting 19 new ministers and elevating Harsh Sanghavi to Deputy Chief Minister. The swearing-in ceremony took place on Friday, with several existing ministers continuing in their roles.

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.

Meet One Of The BJP's Most Powerful Leaders

Meet One Of The BJP's Most Powerful Leaders

Rediff.com12 Sep 2025

Much of the credit for bringing the BJP, which had lost ground in UP, back to the top goes to Sunil Bansal.

Modi's Message In A Battle For The Congress

Modi's Message In A Battle For The Congress

Rediff.com19 Nov 2025

The Congress's performance in the Lok Sabha elections showed that it may be down but not out, and Modi is determined to ensure that in the next round in 2029, it is consigned to irrelevance, points out Saisuresh Sivaswamy.

Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar backs cutting of trees at Aarey forest

Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar backs cutting of trees at Aarey forest

Rediff.com5 Oct 2019

Prakash Javadekar said the forest cover in the national capital has increased since then and public transport system has also improved.

Houses among 50 structures damaged due to land sinking in J-K's Poonch

Houses among 50 structures damaged due to land sinking in J-K's Poonch

Rediff.com9 Sep 2025

Land sinking in a village in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district has damaged about 50 structures, mostly residential houses. A minister has assured relief and rehabilitation.

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.

SC Nod For Green Crackers; Sale Restricted In Delhi-NCR

SC Nod For Green Crackers; Sale Restricted In Delhi-NCR

Rediff.com26 Sep 2025

The Supreme Court has allowed certified manufacturers to produce green crackers, but restricted their sale in Delhi-NCR without approval. The court has asked the Centre to review the ban on firecracker manufacturing in the region.

8 cheetahs to be brought to India from Africa's Botswana

8 cheetahs to be brought to India from Africa's Botswana

Rediff.com18 Apr 2025

India is set to bring eight cheetahs from Botswana in two phases, with four arriving by May 2025. This follows the successful reintroduction of cheetahs to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, with the population now at 26, including 14 cubs born in India. The initiative aims to boost cheetah conservation efforts and create inter-state collaboration for their protection. The project has already seen significant investment, with over Rs 112 crore spent on cheetah rehabilitation.

Speculation mounts after Shivakumar meets Priyanka Gandhi

Speculation mounts after Shivakumar meets Priyanka Gandhi

Rediff.com9 Jul 2025

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar met senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, fueling speculation about a leadership change in the state. The meeting occurs amid reports of Shivakumar pressing for the chief minister's post.

LS okays bill to set up zoos, safaris and eco-tourism in forests

LS okays bill to set up zoos, safaris and eco-tourism in forests

Rediff.com26 Jul 2023

Forest land that will also be exempted includes land situated within 100 km along the international borders, Line of Control, or Line of Actual Control, proposed to be used for construction of strategic linear projects for national importance or security.

Don't find term 'pashu' for animals appropriate: Murmu

Don't find term 'pashu' for animals appropriate: Murmu

Rediff.com30 Jun 2025

Murmu said in the Indian culture, the presence of God is seen in all creatures. "The belief that our Gods and sages communicated with animals is also based on the same philosophy," she said.

SC sets aside NGT order halting Auroville construction

SC sets aside NGT order halting Auroville construction

Rediff.com18 Mar 2025

The Supreme Court of India has overturned an order by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that halted construction activities at Auroville in Chennai. The court emphasized the need for a "golden balance" between the right to development and the right to a clean environment, upholding the principle of sustainable development. The decision comes as a victory for the Auroville Foundation, which had challenged the NGT order, and highlights the ongoing debate about balancing environmental concerns with economic growth in India.

Jairam lodges protest with Dhankar over sending Forest Bill to joint committee

Jairam lodges protest with Dhankar over sending Forest Bill to joint committee

Rediff.com29 Mar 2023

In a letter to Dhankhar, Ramesh said sending the Bill to the joint committee of both Houses means "devaluation and denigration" of the status and functions of the standing committee.