JAIPUR: The Annual Health Survey (AHS), which was conducted on nine states, shows that Rajasthan has recorded the highest decline in maternal mortality rate (MMR). The survey was released in May.

The survey states that the MMR in Rajasthan declined by 67 points, which is highest among the nine states surveyed. This is a positive sign as state's MMR is usually above the national average.

JAIPUR: The blistering heat conditions continued in the state for the second consecutive day on Sunday when maximum temperatures in the state remained on and above 42 degrees Celsius.

Jaipur:Around 29,692 hectares of forest land is under encroachment in Rajasthan, according to the latest figures of the ministry of environment and forests. While the country boasts of over 19.57 lakh hectares of encroached forest land as compared to 17,94,879 hectares in 2009.

The data shows that the encroachments on forest land have increased over the past five years in the country. Rajasthan already has very few natural forests. The statistics for the last five years show that Bundi district in the state leads with 8878 hectares of encroached forest land. Followed by Chittorgarh 6354 hectares and Dungarpur 4426 hectares. Alwar had 454 hectares, Dausa 372 hectares, Hanumangarh 113 hectares and Ajmer had 45 hectares of forest land under encroachment.

Jaipur: The Jaipur Development Authority's (JDA) dream to launch its biggest housing scheme at Ninder is far from becoming a reality as private land owners geared up to protest against the state government demanding to deacquire the land.

On Thursday, land owners intensified their protest and carried out a torch march. Akhil Chuadhary a land owner claimed “The JDA should de-acquire our land as 80% owners are not willing to surrender their land. The state government cannot take our land without our consent. On May 4, we have a meeting in our village. If forced, the protest may be intensified.” he added. “Also around 40% owners have developed colonies on their land. In such a scenario it would be difficult for existing residents,” he said.

Despite Supreme Court's orders, illegal mining still continues to persist in Alwar. On Wednesday morning, 45 dumpers used for illegal mining were seized during a joint crack down illegal mining by teams of district police and RTO. While the dumper drivers managed to flee, the police managed to arrest one person.

Jaipur:The unresolved land acquisition issues between the state and the farmers in the ongoing ring road project have now taken a serious turn. A large number of agitated farmers became violent and pelted stones injuring one operator of an earth moving machine on Wednesday.

The incident occurred near the Khetapura village where the earth moving machines were reportedly working on the project site. Circle inspector Nawab Khan of Shivdaspura station said, “Around 200 villagers, including women, violently protested during their work. When they pelted stones, wind shields of three earth moving machines were broken. The workers also received minor injuries after they were manhandled.”

JAIPUR: In order to launch new housing schemes for residents of Jaipur and Jodhpur, the Rajasthan housing board (RHB) has decided to acquire more land from farmers.

A decision was taken in the RHB meeting to acquire approximately 10,000 bigah land in these two cities. RHB officials have already identified the land to launch these housing schemes.

JAIPUR/GWALIOR: The search for a home led a young male tiger from Ranthambore to travel through villages and agricultural fields, cross the Chambal river and 'settle' 220km away in a patch of forest in Datia district of Madhya Pradesh.

This is the farthest any big cat from the national park is recorded to have travelled. The journey has been documented by Ranthambhore's deputy conservator of forest YK Sahu, field biologist Dharmendra Khandal (of tiger watch), and Ayan Sadhu, a junior research fellow at Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun.

The government approved two highway extension projects in Rajasthan involving investments of R 713 crore with assistance from the World Bank.

‘‘Government has approved a proposal for rehabilitation and upgrading of two stretches of National Highways in Rajasthan under Phase I of National Highway Interconnectivity Improvement Projects (NHIIP) with World Bank loan assistance,’’ said a release by the ministry of road transport and highways.

Tata Power today said that it has commissioned its 21-MW wind power project in Rajasthan.