SHILLONG: With bird flu spreading to at least nine districts of Assam and parts of Bangladesh bordering Meghalaya, the State Government has banned import of poultry and poultry products from that state and the neighbouring country.

Kohima: The Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) Government has failed to disseminate information on NREGA and there were 'serious irregularities' in implementation of the act meant for the rural poor, Nagaland PCC alleged on Wednesday.

While some medicinal herbs found in the North East, especially in Meghalaya can cure ailments ranging from snake bites to malaria, others could prove to be harmful, studies have found.

Guwahati: The People for Ethical Treatment to Animals (PETA) says that bird flu in Assam was due to farm filth. In a strongly-worded report they said, they had arrived at the conclusion after a secret survey was made on 40 farms in Assam, besides information from the Government departments.

SHILLONG: GSU Khasi Hills zonal general secretary RK Momin has alleged that employees of the forest beat house including police personnel of the police out post at Athiabari, West Khasi Hills are hand in glove with smugglers involved in illegal transportation of timber from Athiabari to Assam.

Manas (Assam): It was a freedom stroll in the wild for three female one-horned rhinoceros of the UNESCO world heritage site, Manas Sanctuary in the foothills of the Himalayas, last week.

Hand-raised by the wildlife experts for more than six years at a rescue centre in Assam's Kaziranga National Park, the rhino calves were displaced from their natural habitat due to floods in the sanctuary.

SHILLONG : Several NGOs from West Khasi Hills have set a deadline of December 31 for the MPA Government to invite fresh competitive bidding on Kynshi project and warned of intensive agitation in the entire district if the demand is not met.

In a significant judgement with wider implications on the fragile environment of the North East, the Supreme Court on Monday ruled that the Government has every right to confiscate vehicles and other materials used by forest wood smugglers and auction the same if needed.

In the North East, wood smugglers often go scot-free by misinterpreting the laws of the land.

SHILLONG: The State Government has ordered an inquiry into the alleged rampant felling of trees by KHADC at Lai Lad and Byrnihat, Ri-Bhoi district recently.

The inquiry was ordered after the Leader of the Opposition in KHADC Hardinge L Massar drew the attention of Chief Minister Dr Donkupar Roy asking him to intervene to check "wanton destruction of forests."

Shillong: The Indigenous People of Jaintia Hills Organisation has demanded closure of CMCL (Star Cement), located at Lumshnong, Jaintia Hills district in view of the threat posed by pollutants emerging from the plant to the people and the nearby Kotsati-Umlawan Cave.