Jaipur: The state government is mulling to impose fresh charges on developers for laying water pipelines in new residential colonies, housing societies and highrise buildings. The idea was proposed during a meeting of the Public Health and Engineering Department (PHED) and the Urban Development and Housing (UDH) on Wednesday.

Keeping in view the depleting groundwater level, the government is close to revising the guidelines for water distribution. “To resolve the water supply problem in new colonies and high-rise buildings, the UDH) and PHED will prepare a preliminarily report,” said N K Khare, chief town planner of Jaipur. Revising guidelines for water distribution are also on the cards.

Jaipur Zoo May Also Become Part Of Nahargarh Park

Jaipur: The Nahargarh hills in the city may soon become a destination for wildlife lovers coming to Jaipur if a proposal to start tiger safari in the sanctuary area is approved. The idea is to cash on tourists who visit Amber by creating an additional tourism facility. Besides the forts and the museums, Jaipur would also become a potential wildlife destination and a quick substitute to Ranthambore and Sariska Tiger Reserve.

The Rajasthan Housing Board (RHB) is all set to reach up to the sky with a 26-floor residential complex planned in the Mansarovar area.

The highrise will be the tallest to be built by any civic body in the history of Rajasthan. According to senior officials, planning for the building has been completed and it will be a high-end four BHK product. The height of the residential building will be approximately between 65 and 70 metres. Earlier , it was estimated the building would be 24 storied, however , after calculations it was learnt it can constructed upto 26 storied.

Jaipur: In an ambitious conservation plan, sloth bears may be introduced in the Sariska Tiger Reserve. Following the successful relocation of tigers, the initiative aims to re-introduce an animal that had disappeared from Sariska during the early twentieth century.

Bina Kak, minister of tourism for forests and environment, said, “Sloth bears would be re-introduced from Kota and Mount Abu. Sloth bear population in Mount Abu is beyond what the area can hold leading to man-animal conflict. The genetic stock of the sloth bears from Kota and Mount Abu areas and of Sariska is assumed to be similar as they are in semiarid areas in Aravalli hills.”

Jaipur: The Rajasthan Housing Board (RHB) is all set to expedite land acquisition process to launch another big housing scheme for the residents of the city.

According to officials, directions have been issued to acquire 990 bighas of land near Bassi, Agra road to launch a housing scheme in a recent meeting. “Directions were given by the commissioner to initiate the long-pending land acquisition so that RHB can plan to launch its housing scheme by the end of this year,” said an official.

Move May Break Deadlock With JDA & Agitating Farmers

Jaipur: The Union ministry of urban development’s suggestion to construct the ring road project on self-financing basis can solve the long-pending problems of the state government. As the deadlock over the construction of ring road on 360 meters continues between the state government and farmers, the suggestion of adopting self-finance model can act as tool to resolve the issue. In the ministry’s advisory for the state, it said Surat in neighbouring state of Gujarat, has planned a self-financing model for development of its ring road and has received positive results.

Jaipur: The environment report card is out and Rajasthan is among the worst performers in the country. A latest compendium of “Environment Statistics India 2012” released by the ministry of statistics and programme implementation (MOSPI) indicates that Rajasthan’s environment situation is appalling.

The state has the fifth highest consumption for pesticides in the country. This despite Rajasthan’s contribution to agriculture being under 10% nationally. Moreover, agrarian states like Punjab and Haryana have witnessed a dip in usage of pesticides even as it goes up in Rajasthan. The report noted that the due to excess use of pesticides, organisms develop resistance and lead to major health issues.

Jaipur: The Man Sagar is teeming with birds these days and it’s time again for the annual bird fair in Pink City. Compared to previous years, the lake has significantly improved.

Identifies 266 Projects In 12th Year Plan

Jaipur: Assessing the critical infrastructure gaps in the state, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) has identified 266 projects under the 12th Five Year Plan, entailing a financial outlay of Rs 5,028 crore. However, for the financial year 2013-2014, the agency has drawn up a list of 50 projects covering priority areas such as minor irrigation, warehousing, animal husbandry and rural connectivity.

The 16th Birding Fair, starting at the scenic Man Sagar lake here this Friday, will be devoted to conservation of urban lakes which are getting extinct at an alarming rate because of lack of priority and inadequate administrative control in most of the cities. Ironically lakes are dying out at a time when the crisis for water is increasing.

The two-day fair, organised by the Tourism and Wildlife Society of India, will be led by Rani Vidya Devi of Jaipur's erstwhile royal family. Columnist Sohail Hashmi will address a session to demonstrate how citizens can be involved in the drive to save lakes.