News for 'State Forest Development Agency'

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.'

Maharashtra lifts stay on Metro car shed at Aarey, puts project on fast track

Maharashtra lifts stay on Metro car shed at Aarey, puts project on fast track

Rediff.com21 Jul 2022

In an important decision, the new government in Maharashtra on Thursday announced lifting of the stay on the construction of Mumbai Metro-3 car shed at the controversial site in the Aarey Colony, a green belt in the city's western suburbs.

'I don't think Putin is planning nuclear war'

'I don't think Putin is planning nuclear war'

Rediff.com5 Apr 2022

'When human beings develop these dangerous toys and leave their control in the hands of aggressive megalomaniac politicians, the threat of a nuclear holocaust is always lurking on the horizon.'

India's tryst with coal and clean energy is coming unstuck

India's tryst with coal and clean energy is coming unstuck

Rediff.com17 May 2022

India's jugalbandhi with coal and clean energy is coming unstuck, neither achieving adequate renewable generation nor ensuring sufficient coal-fired power in the quest to become a $5-trillion economy. Six months have elapsed since Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ambitious climate agenda for India at COP26 at Glasgow. The net zero emissions target by 2070 is a distant one, but there are nearer-term plans to meet 50 per cent of energy demand with renewables by 2030 by increasing capacity to 450 Gw. A cursory look at the balance sheet of India's climate progress since November reveals ponderous progress towards meeting the renewables target even as the country is scrambling to expand coal-fired generation in the face of a power crisis.

ED attaches assets worth Rs 4,109 cr in Agri Gold ponzi scheme

ED attaches assets worth Rs 4,109 cr in Agri Gold ponzi scheme

Rediff.com24 Dec 2020

The ED has attached properties worth Rs 4,109 crore spread across various states in a money-laundering case linked to an alleged ponzi scheme, the agency said on Thursday. The case pertains to the Agri Gold Group of Companies. Three promoters of the group were arrested by the central agency on Tuesday.

Niyamgiri poised for voting on bauxite mining for Vedanta plant

Niyamgiri poised for voting on bauxite mining for Vedanta plant

Rediff.com11 Jul 2013

The Supreme Court on April 18 ordered the villagers be provided with basic forest rights in form of the land titles

Coming soon: Rhino Protection Force in Assam

Coming soon: Rhino Protection Force in Assam

Rediff.com6 Sep 2014

The Centre will create a Special Rhino Protection Force in Assam to protect the animal from poaching and form a task force to enquire into encroachment of forest land in the state, Union Environment and Forests Minister Prakash Javadekar said on Saturday.

Elusive Maoist leader Hidma in spotlight after latest attack

Elusive Maoist leader Hidma in spotlight after latest attack

Rediff.com6 Apr 2021

An elusive figure, Hidma is a top leader of the outlawed Naxal outfit CPI (Maoist) and has been on the radar of security agencies for many years.

Fresh CBI inquiry against Jindal Steel

Fresh CBI inquiry against Jindal Steel

Rediff.com25 Oct 2014

CBI has also named unknown officials of the union environment ministry in the PE.

Karnataka: 2 Cong MLAs resign, more likely to quit

Karnataka: 2 Cong MLAs resign, more likely to quit

Rediff.com1 Jul 2019

Chief Minister Kumaraswamy, on private visit to the United States, said he was keeping a tab on the developments while the state Congress attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party, alleging the opposition party was trying to destabilise the government.

Why India should be worried even though tiger numbers are up

Why India should be worried even though tiger numbers are up

Rediff.com22 Jan 2015

'We are rushing to 'develop' without carefully valuing natural areas.' 'With careful land use planning and scientific zonation at least 5 to 10 per cent of the country's land can be secured for tigers and other such species, and another 5 to 15 per cent kept under low-impact uses to support biodiversity that can coexist with human uses.'

When ISIS found home in India

When ISIS found home in India

Rediff.com16 Jan 2020

The nine meetings offer an interesting window into Shafi Armar's efforts to try and group together what after all were excitable keyboard warriors into an actual terror group, capable of handling weapons, organising recruits, cooking homegrown explosives, selecting safe training areas, safe houses and finally, committing strikes against Indian targets.

Gogoi seeks special force to protect Kaziranga rhinos

Gogoi seeks special force to protect Kaziranga rhinos

Rediff.com30 Jan 2015

With rhino poachers creating havoc in the Kaziranga National Park, the Assam government has sent a proposal to the Union government for raising a Rhino Protection Force with more than 1,200 personnel while National Investigative Agency's help would be sought to bust the international rhino-poaching racket.

Fadnavis, Maha minister defend killing of Avni

Fadnavis, Maha minister defend killing of Avni

Rediff.com6 Nov 2018

Fadnavis said preliminary reports made available to him stated that the tigress was shot after she attacked the forest staff trying to tranquilise her.

Fight against Naxals will be intensified, asserts Amit Shah

Fight against Naxals will be intensified, asserts Amit Shah

Rediff.com5 Apr 2021

The fight against ultras will be intensified to end the Naxal menace, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Monday as he took stock of the situation in the aftermath of the killing 22 security personnel in an attack by the rebels in Chhattisgarh.

Is the Govt worried about the Himalayas?

Is the Govt worried about the Himalayas?

Rediff.com24 Feb 2022

'My belief that I could protect the Himalayas was shattered.'

'Floods in Kerala will become worse'

'Floods in Kerala will become worse'

Rediff.com22 Aug 2018

'Man-made interventions vastly increased the magnitude of the tragedy.'

Dismantling environmental laws, endangering India

Dismantling environmental laws, endangering India

Rediff.com16 Feb 2015

India loses 333 acres of prime forest every day. Instead of working to conserve India's forests and water resources, the environment minister has set up a committee to 'dismantle' the five key laws that provide environmental protection.

Maharashtra govt under strain as pressure builds

Maharashtra govt under strain as pressure builds

Rediff.com19 Apr 2021

The Uddhav Thackeray-led regime is performing a veritable balancing act. The lack of coordinated strategies, the weakening authority of the leadership, growing disgruntlement among its constituents, the inability to set a narrative, and poor damage control mechanisms have seen it lurch from one crisis to another, reports Dhaval Kulkarni

Sheena case: Govt seeks report on 'botch-up' by Raigad police

Sheena case: Govt seeks report on 'botch-up' by Raigad police

Rediff.com21 Nov 2015

The state government has ordered a probe as to why the police had not filed a first information report or an Accidental Death Report when Sheena's body was first found at a forest in Pen taluka of Maharashtra's Raigad district on May 23, 2012.

Thackeray stays Aarey metro carshed work

Thackeray stays Aarey metro carshed work

Rediff.com29 Nov 2019

Thackeray said not a single tree leaf will be cut till further developments.

Shah, Sitharaman stand tall among ministers

Shah, Sitharaman stand tall among ministers

Rediff.com22 Jul 2021

Strengthening the portfolios of the home minister and the finance minister is a message that should not be missed, points out A K Bhattacharya.

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.'

Govt eases environment rules to push investments

Govt eases environment rules to push investments

Rediff.com7 Aug 2014

Rules for mining, roads, power and irrigation projects relaxed.

British used sedition law against Gandhi, Gokhale, is it still needed, asks SC

British used sedition law against Gandhi, Gokhale, is it still needed, asks SC

Rediff.com15 Jul 2021

The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed concern over the misuse of "colonial era" penal law on sedition and sought response of the Centre on pleas including the one filed by the Editors Guild of India challenging the validity of the provision.

Zoos across India on 'highest' alert after tiger in US gets COVID-19

Zoos across India on 'highest' alert after tiger in US gets COVID-19

Rediff.com7 Apr 2020

The female tiger, named Nadia, is believed to be the first known case of an animal infected with COVID-19 in the US. It is suspected that she contracted the virus from a caretaker who was asymptomatic at that time.

Mumbai Infrastructure: Stuck in red tape

Mumbai Infrastructure: Stuck in red tape

Rediff.com10 Feb 2015

A look at few marquee projects that are stuck for several reasons.

NIA seeks assistance of 6 countries in ISIS case probe

NIA seeks assistance of 6 countries in ISIS case probe

Rediff.com20 Jul 2016

The agency claimed that these accused were trying to "advance the cause of ISIS and establish Caliphate in India".

CIDCO steps up efforts for Navi Mumbai airport project

CIDCO steps up efforts for Navi Mumbai airport project

Rediff.com5 Nov 2013

The CIDCO and the Maharashtra government have stepped up efforts to arrive at a consensus over compensation for PAPs, before a meeting called by the prime minister on November 13 to expedite the work. PAPs, who have dropped their earlier demand of Rs 20 crore (Rs 200 million) per acre, are demanding allocation of 35 per cent developed land against the offer of 22.5 per cent made by the state government and CIDCO.

Coal: the new four-letter word in Paris?

Coal: the new four-letter word in Paris?

Rediff.com5 Dec 2015

Since the US, the second biggest emitter of greenhouse gases after China, has shifted in a major way to shale gas, the focus of global environmentalists' ire has fallen on India, which is the third biggest emitter, reports Darryl D'Monte.

'Omicron produces less severe illness'

'Omicron produces less severe illness'

Rediff.com9 Dec 2021

'What prevents infection are masks, physical distancing and good ventilation.'

Safety of Aadhaar data: Budget may focus on cybersecurity

Safety of Aadhaar data: Budget may focus on cybersecurity

Rediff.com15 Jan 2018

With a rise in the number of cyber crimes and hacking, and many putting a question mark on safety of Aadhaar data, the FM might bring proposals in this regard and allocate funds separately.

FULL TEXT: President's address to Parliament

FULL TEXT: President's address to Parliament

Rediff.com29 Jan 2021

Here's the full text of President Ram Nath Kovind's customary address to the joining sitting of Parliament on the first day of the budget session.

Challenges that await Rahul in Wayanad

Challenges that await Rahul in Wayanad

Rediff.com17 Apr 2019

'As an aspirational district, one of the main challenges is health and nutrition of the tribal community.' 'They are 1.5 lakhs to 1.6 lakhs tribals in this district.' 'The major issue among tribals is malnutrition and anaemia.'

Sheena case: CBI arrests Peter Mukerjea

Sheena case: CBI arrests Peter Mukerjea

Rediff.com19 Nov 2015

Sources said Mukerjea was arrested for 'shielding the accused' and 'inconsistencies' in his statements

'Our culture does not take life, but promotes it'

'Our culture does not take life, but promotes it'

Rediff.com21 Apr 2016

'The tiger is the epitome of evolution.' 'Every tiger has a stripe pattern that is unique. Each tiger is unique.' 'Tigers are very elusive. It is said a tiger sees you nine times when you see it once.'

Bihar Floods 2017: A human curse!

Bihar Floods 2017: A human curse!

Rediff.com29 Aug 2017

'Did the government learn any lesson from the disasters of 2008, 1987, 1975?' 'Certainly not!' 'They are making people believe that the 2017 flood was unexpected, so no preventive effort towards reducing the loss of human lives was to be expected from the government,' says Mohammad Sajjad.

Odisha: Of unkept promises and chasing big-ticket investments

Odisha: Of unkept promises and chasing big-ticket investments

Rediff.com12 Jul 2016

A large chunk of the Rs 8.8 lakh crore of investments the Patnaik government had attracted is in uncertain territory.

Surveys give majority to Congress in Rajasthan, edge in MP

Surveys give majority to Congress in Rajasthan, edge in MP

Rediff.com9 Nov 2018

In Madhya Pradesh, the C-Voter poll projections gave the BJP 107 seats with a vote share of 41.5 per cent, against Congress' vote share of 42.3 per cent and a simple majority of 116 seats.

India must find affordable solutions to protect environment

India must find affordable solutions to protect environment

Rediff.com13 Apr 2015

India will require new technical solutions and approaches to solve environmental problems.