News for 'National Biodiversity Authority'

Noted ecologist Madhav Gadgil passes away

Noted ecologist Madhav Gadgil passes away

Rediff.com8 Jan 2026

Noted ecologist Madhav Gadgil, known for his work on the conservation of Western Ghats, has passed away in Pune after a brief illness. He was 83.

HC Orders Fishing Ban In Kaziranga During Magh Bihu

HC Orders Fishing Ban In Kaziranga During Magh Bihu

Rediff.com23 Dec 2025

The court asked the state government, forest department and Kaziranga National Park authorities to place on record the steps taken so far to control illegal fishing and to explain how such activities can be effectively prevented in future.

Elephant-train collision: Injured calf dies, toll rises to 8

Elephant-train collision: Injured calf dies, toll rises to 8

Rediff.com21 Dec 2025

"The calf, the only tusker which had survived the accident, died this morning while undergoing treatment at the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) in Kaziranga," Nagaon Division's Forest Ranger Shamim Akhtar told PTI.

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.

'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.'

Sri Lanka: Paradiso For Travellers

Sri Lanka: Paradiso For Travellers

Rediff.com25 Nov 2025

Sri Lanka stays with you not just in memory, but gently reminds you what a society can achieve when heart and heritage guide the way.

'Declare Vizhinjam Shipwreck A National Disaster'

'Declare Vizhinjam Shipwreck A National Disaster'

Rediff.com6 Jun 2025

'It concerns the sea and the security of the nation. What has happened is a big tragedy.'

SC forms SIT to probe complaints against Vantara

SC forms SIT to probe complaints against Vantara

Rediff.com26 Aug 2025

The Supreme Court of India has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate allegations of non-compliance with laws and irregularities at Vantara, a Green Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Gujarat. The SIT will examine the acquisition of animals, compliance with wildlife protection laws, and other related issues.

India enters top 100 in this prestigious list for first time

India enters top 100 in this prestigious list for first time

Rediff.com24 Jun 2025

India has for the first time secured a place among the top 100 out of 167 countries ranked for their progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to a report published on Tuesday. According to the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network's 10th and latest Sustainable Development Report (SDR), India ranks 99th on the 2025 SDG Index with a score of 67, while China ranks 49th with 74.4 and the US 44th with 75.2 points.

'I Expect More Disasters To Happen'

'I Expect More Disasters To Happen'

Rediff.com16 Jun 2025

'Even one accident can cause problems for the entire coastal system.'

NBA to file case against developers of BT Brinjal

NBA to file case against developers of BT Brinjal

Rediff.com3 Oct 2012

The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) is all set to file the country's firstever bio-piracy criminal case against companies involved in developing BT Brinjal by using its local variety, a top official said.

Major oil leak triggers alert after cargo ship sinks off Kerala coast

Major oil leak triggers alert after cargo ship sinks off Kerala coast

Rediff.com25 May 2025

A Liberian cargo ship carrying 640 containers, including 13 hazardous cargoes, has sunk off the coast of Kerala, raising concerns of environmental damage. The ship, MSC ELSA 3, capsized and sank in the early hours of May 25 after listing rapidly. The three remaining crew members were rescued by the Indian Navy. The Indian Coast Guard is monitoring the situation for any oil spills and has positioned a ship with pollution response equipment at the scene. The ship was carrying 84.44 MT of diesel and 367.1 MT of furnace oil, in addition to the hazardous cargo. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority has cautioned the public against touching any cargo containers or oil spills that may wash ashore.

India's 'Tiger Man' Valmik Thapar dies at 73

India's 'Tiger Man' Valmik Thapar dies at 73

Rediff.com31 May 2025

Thapar had strong reservations about Project Cheetah, India's initiative to reintroduce African cheetahs into the wild. He argued that India does not have the necessary habitat or prey base to support free-ranging cheetahs and that the authorities lacked experience in managing spotted felines in the wild.

The Great Tiger Quiz!

The Great Tiger Quiz!

Rediff.com7 May 2024

Get to know our tiger parks.

Land acquisition process for cheetah safari near Kuno underway, says official

Land acquisition process for cheetah safari near Kuno underway, says official

Rediff.com17 Sep 2023

Environment ministry is organising various programmes at Sesaipura related to Project Cheetah.

How FM plans to tackle air pollution and save environment

How FM plans to tackle air pollution and save environment

Rediff.com1 Feb 2021

The Centre on Monday earmarked a separate Rs 2,217 crore for 42 urban centres to tackle air pollution and announced the much-awaited voluntary vehicle scrapping policy to phase out old and polluting vehicles, even as it shrunk the budgetary allocation for the environment ministry from the last fiscal by nearly eight percent. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her budget speech for 2021-22, announced a total of Rs 2869.93 crore for the ministry, Rs 230 crore less than the last fiscal. Officials said the outlay has been lesser this time as the economy is recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.

'India should not wait for the clock to act'

'India should not wait for the clock to act'

Rediff.com2 Dec 2023

'Keeping the global temperature below not just 1.5 degree Celsius, even 2 degree Celsius is beyond our reach now. Both are impossible.'

U'khand forest officials shifted over tree-felling in Corbett

U'khand forest officials shifted over tree-felling in Corbett

Rediff.com26 Nov 2021

More than two dozen officials of the Uttarakhand forest department have been transferred following allegations of large scale felling of trees and illegal constructions in Corbett Tiger Reserve's buffer zone.

The Battle To Save Malabar Hill

The Battle To Save Malabar Hill

Rediff.com3 Oct 2023

'If the authorities go about completing this project the way they have proposed, this is going to cause a HUGE environmental impact not only on Malabar Hill but also on the rest of the city.'

Reexamining translocation of Asiatic lions from Gir to Kuno, Centre tells SC

Reexamining translocation of Asiatic lions from Gir to Kuno, Centre tells SC

Rediff.com28 Mar 2023

A bench of Justices BR Gavai and Vikram Nath was told by the Centre in its application moved by additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati that a status report in this regard will be filed before the court within six months on the basis of the advice of the experts on the tanslocation of Asiatic lions from Gir to Kuno.

India has 3682 tigers, home to 75% of global numbers

India has 3682 tigers, home to 75% of global numbers

Rediff.com29 Jul 2023

With a 50 per cent increase in the last four years, Madhya Pradesh has the maximum number (785) of tigers in the country, followed by Karnataka (563), Uttarakhand (560), and Maharashtra (444), according to the data.

'Adani port project will be an environmental disaster'

'Adani port project will be an environmental disaster'

Rediff.com28 Nov 2022

'People should realise that what we are fighting for today is actually for tomorrow, for future generations.'

Group of scientists seeks President's intervention to withdraw proposed LDAR

Group of scientists seeks President's intervention to withdraw proposed LDAR

Rediff.com24 Jun 2021

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Lakshadweep Research Collective said it along with 60 other signatories from the scientific community have written to President Ram Nath Kovind seeking his intervention to withdraw the "incautious draft" Lakshadweep Development Authority Regulation of 2021.

Kerala govt publishes DPR of controversial K-Rail amid protests

Kerala govt publishes DPR of controversial K-Rail amid protests

Rediff.com16 Jan 2022

Amid protest over the proposed ambitious semi-highspeed SilverLine rail project, also known as K-Rail, the Kerala government on Saturday published the detailed project report that estimated the cost of project to be Rs 63,941 crore.

Is Tourism Destroying Goa?

Is Tourism Destroying Goa?

Rediff.com24 Feb 2023

Poor governance and mediocre short-sighted politics are destroying the paradise that Goa was as its environment, water table, culture and way of life is drastically threatened by tourism and migration, points out Ramesh Menon.

Major setback for Ramdev

Major setback for Ramdev

Rediff.com28 Dec 2018

The judgment could impact not only Ramdev's widespread ayurveda and herbal products business, but also that of many other pharmaceutical, ayurveda, herbal and cosmetic product manufacturers.

Grandest flypast highlight of 73rd Republic Day parade

Grandest flypast highlight of 73rd Republic Day parade

Rediff.com26 Jan 2022

India displayed its military might and vibrant cultural heritage on Rajpath on Wednesday with the grandest flypast with 75 aircraft to mark the 'Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav' celebrations being the highlight of the 73rd Republic Day Parade, which was drastically scaled down in view of the Covid pandemic.

Kerala floods put focus back on worsening situation in Western Ghats

Kerala floods put focus back on worsening situation in Western Ghats

Rediff.com19 Oct 2021

Gadgil and the report prepared by the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) headed by him are back in news after over two dozen people lost their lives in landslides and flash floods in the past few days in the hilly regions of Western Ghats in central Kerala districts of Kottayam and Idukki.

Climate Change: India Must Walk The Talk

Climate Change: India Must Walk The Talk

Rediff.com25 Nov 2021

India lost around 38.5 thousand hectares of tropical forest in the last decade. Nearly 14 per cent of the country's tree cover! It is one thing for Modi to announce that India will reach a net-zero level of emissions in 2070. But if it is serious, it needs to start today, points out Ramesh Menon.

It's Raining Billions For Gujarat!

It's Raining Billions For Gujarat!

Rediff.com3 Nov 2022

Hemant Shivsaran lists the number of projects the Modi government has announced since August to woo Gujarat voters.

AOL finally pays fine imposed by NGT, refutes charges

AOL finally pays fine imposed by NGT, refutes charges

Rediff.com6 Jun 2016

It refuted the allegations that its three-day mega event had damaged Yamuna floodplains and hinted that it may approach the Supreme Court against the NGT's order which asked it to pay Rs 5 crore as compensation.

Sri Sri event: NGT questions Centre over clearances

Sri Sri event: NGT questions Centre over clearances

Rediff.com8 Mar 2016

The Green Panel also questioned the building up of pontoon bridge by the army on river Yamuna for the festival, and asked the Delhi Development Authority counsel as who gave the permission for setting it up.

Ken-Betwa project: 'Tiger population won't survive'

Ken-Betwa project: 'Tiger population won't survive'

Rediff.com7 Apr 2021

'Tiger reserves were created to protect areas from developmental activities.' 'If we go ahead with these projects, then it is a complete mockery of our institutions and our laws, it is against everything we have stood for, our Forest Conservation Act, our Wildlife Biodiversity Act.'

Lakshadweep: Parties oppose 'anti-people' reforms of Administrator

Lakshadweep: Parties oppose 'anti-people' reforms of Administrator

Rediff.com24 May 2021

Opposition parties in Lakshadweep and Kerala are up in arms against various measures initiated by the Administrator of the group of islands, terming them as 'anti-people' and have sought his recall.

NGT to resume hearing on Sri Sri event; MHA warns of terror strikes

NGT to resume hearing on Sri Sri event; MHA warns of terror strikes

Rediff.com9 Mar 2016

According to reports, the MHA is worried about a stampede-like situation at the event as there is 'no evacuation plan' in case of an emergency.

NGT directs inspection of AOL site on Yamuna to assess damage

NGT directs inspection of AOL site on Yamuna to assess damage

Rediff.com25 May 2016

The National Green Tribunal on Wednesday directed the principal committee, constituted for rejuvenation of Yamuna, to inspect the site on river floodplains where a three-day festival was organised by Art of Living under the patronage of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

'The agenda is to grab land'

'The agenda is to grab land'

Rediff.com15 Jun 2021

'The administration started intruding into the kitchens and bedrooms of the local community.'
'For the first time in 50 years the people of Lakshadweep who have till now never raised their hands, got out on the streets and started raising their voices.'

Budget: Experts seek higher farm investment, market reforms

Budget: Experts seek higher farm investment, market reforms

Rediff.com5 Jun 2014

In a pre-budget meeting with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, the experts suggested timely implementation of the BJP's election manifesto promises to fix higher support prices. They also favoured a Kissan TV channel, an efficient procurement policy, priority for farm mechanisation and the linking of rivers.

The Armed Forces's COVID-19 Challenge

The Armed Forces's COVID-19 Challenge

Rediff.com1 May 2020

'The COVID-19 pandemic must push the military into a long-term reconsideration of its primary challenges.' 'There must be greater emphasis on humanitarian aid and disaster relief including the management of contagious illnesses and impending crises caused by climate change,' notes Ajai Shukla.

Clean Ganga project has a long way to go

Clean Ganga project has a long way to go

Rediff.com5 Jun 2021

'There will always be hiccups given that the Namami Gange programme is spread over different sectors and involves several agencies.'