JAIPUR: After identifying ten more districts with poor water quality in the state, the medical health and family welfare department has decided to conduct a survey to find out the health related problems people are facing due to the presence of fluoride in water.

Jaipur is one of the 10 districts where the department under the National Programme for Prevention & Control of Fluorosis (NPPCF) would conduct a door-to-door survey. Dungerpur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Pali, Jalore, Dausa, Churu, Sikar and Bikaner are the other nine districts where the water quality has raised concerns.

State Resists As Centre Seeks Opening Of Sector

Jaipur: The states’ monopoly over exploration and production of rock phosphate in the country’s largest reserves is not only hitting farmers but also increasing the Centre’s subsidy burden as the prices of the commodity in the international market have gone through the roof.
Even though the Union mines ministry has written to the Rajasthan government early this year to liberalise the sector, the state has initiated no action in this regard.

JAIPUR: The contract firm responsible for door-to-door garbage collection in the city is finding it difficult to implement the scheme due to the ongoing protest of Rajasthan Mehtar Mazdoor Sangh.

JAIPUR: In a rare feat for Jaipur Municipal Corporation, the Sewage Treatment Plant at Delawas (STP) has been included in the Asian Development Bank (ADB) best practices projects list. To promote similar practices in other countries, ADB is now sending teams to study the model. The 125 million litre per day (MLD) capacity plant is currently operated by JMC.

The menace of illegal mining continues in Alwar. A 40-year-old labourer was buried alive at an illegal mine when debris came sliding upon him at Balaheda village in Bandikui area on Friday. According to SHO Bandikui, Rohitash Devanda, some people were involved in illegal mining in forest area near Balaheda village. The mishap occurred around 2 pm.

"We have come to know that debris from a higher point on a hill came sliding upon a labourer - Mangya Ram Kumhar - and two others Dhanna Kumar (35) and Nemichand (33)," said the officer. He added that the police were not informed immediately. Some locals took the victims out of the debris and rushed them to a private hospital.

JODHPUR: The city is all set to become tobacco free very soon.

BARMER/JAIPUR: After oil, the deserts of Barmer are poised to produce methane gas.

JAIPUR: It could be tough times for mine owners who have not received safety clearance from the state's Director General of Mines Safety (DGMS). A recent directive by the department has sought suitable measures for ensuring that all mines apply for the mandatory clearance soon.

Sudhanshu Pant, principal secretary, department of mines and petroleum, has written to the director of the mines and geology department urging him to initiate measures so that all operation mines gets the clearance from DGMS within a month.

JAIPUR: It was the end of a long wait for tourists, hoteliers, tour operations and the entire town of Sawai Madhopur as the gates of Ranthambore National Park was opened for tourists on Wednesday morning. Excitement was palpable as the first vehicle moved into the green forest.

According to sources, nearly 16-17 gypsies and four canters went in for safari in the morning as well as the evening. However, currently all tickets for safari are being given on current bookings. The facility for advance bookings will be activated from Thursday. And this time a lot of changes have been made in the rules for advance booking so as to ensure that no black-marketing of tickets take place.

SC Verdict On Lifting Ban Likely To Attract More Tiger Tourists During Festive Season

Jaipur: It could not have been better than this. With festive season around, it was a gift of sorts for many a tourist in the state as the Supreme Court on Tuesday lifted the ban on tiger tourism in reserves across the country. The court has now allowed tourism in 20% of the core area of tiger reserves.

Rajasthan was the worst hit after the ban was imposed on tourism in the core areas of tiger reserves. The two reserves in the state -- Ranthambhore National Park and the Sariska National Park -- normally open for tourists from October 1. However, due to the ban this year, the parks had to remain closed, turning away many as the tourist zones in these parks lie mostly in core areas. Now, both will open on Wednesday.