GANDHINAGAR: The Central government's latest move to enact a new law for mining companies to set aside 26 per cent of their profits for local communities will likely prove some consolation to 50,00

The Gujarat Government has decided to ban entry of ships above 25 years of age at ports which come under its administrative control.

GANDHINAGAR: The state's population has reached 6.04 crore in 2011, experiencing an overall decadal growth of 19.17 per cent. Gujarat has also experienced a 35.83 per cent growth in urban population between 2001 and 2011, as compared to rural areas' 9.23 per cent, which could prove to be a major policy indicator for state planners.

AHMEDABAD: Scanty rainfall has reduced the water stock in dams which have 255 million cubic metre (mcm) less water compared to last year.

Officials said that less rains in the past fortnight completely changed the water levels in the dams. On July 20, the state had 12% more water compared to last year. On Monday, dams reported 1.12% less water than August 8, 2010. Officials said that the situation was such that the agricultural department was even forced to release some water for irrigation. Citing example of north Gujarat, he said that on August 7, 2011, there was 299.16 mcm, but on August 8 about 0.16 mcm water was released from the dams for irrigation.

AHMEDABAD: The forest department officials are weeding out Lantana shrubs from the Gir sanctuary to make room for herbivorous animals, the main prey for lions. Lantana, a type of weed, is thwarting the growth of local plant species in the sanctuary. This is one reason why the sanctuary fails to attract more herbivorous animals and is also keeping the lions away from a major part of their habitat. In a way, the dense growth of this weed is adversely affecting the sanctuary's capacity to house more animals.

Speaking at the opening of an international seminar on “Global Environment and Disaster Management: Law and Society”, Chief Justice of India S.H.

The average density of Indian bustard population in the current distribution range was found to be one bird per 24.6 sq km. These birds were found mostly in groups ranging from two to six. Grassland is their favourite habitat, and they are also found in open scrubland and even agricultural land.

Forcible acquisition of land has turned the 117-year-old Land Acquisition Act into a “fraud”, the Supreme Court said on Thursday, calling the legislation a handiwork of “sick” minds with no concern

GANDHINAGAR: Despite huge claims of rise in water tables across Gujarat and simultaneous improvement in groundwater levels because of tens of thousands of watershed projects, checkdams, village ponds and other recharge structures, an authoritative report suggests there is, if at all, marginal improvement. In fact, even in North Gujarat, where Sujalam Sufalam recharge canal runs across 360-km, water tables appear to have gone down. Also, the quality of water in this region has deteriorated.

Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) in Tapi district of Gujarat has come under the scanner of regulator Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) for a “minor incident” of radiation exposure to four w