The Government of India has agreed to clear and approve sanctions for road projects proposals worth Rs 413.29 crore located in six districts of Andhra Pradesh.

From being a much sought-after delicacy found in abundance in the Godavari and Krishna rivers, to figuring in the global IUCN Red List of threatened species, the fringed-lipped carp (Labeo fimbriatus) has been hunted almost to extinction, thanks to unscientific overharvesting.

A serious effort is hence being made by the Andhra Pradesh Biodiversity Board to revive the once-popular fish species by introducing fingerlings this monsoon, to start with, in the Godavari river system in Adilabad district.

Twenty-three suicides reported in Adilabad district since November 2011

In a scenario dominated by Bt cotton, only those farmers in Adilabad seem to be safe and happy who have practically given up cotton cultivation. Many farmers, especially those with smaller holdings, are finding the economics of Bt cotton to be really deadly. Some 23 suicides by cotton farmers have been reported in the district since November last year. In a majority of these instances, the farmers were caught in debt traps.

According to the 2010 Wildlife Institute census, the state had 72 tigers and this excluded an estimated 15 tiger cubs. The state, on the other hand, boasted of a much larger figure — 105 tigers just a decade ago.

Speaking to media persons here on Thursday, the principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF), Mr Hitesh Malhotra, said that the tiger population is reducing in the Godavari region due to widespread destruction of their habitat.

In a significant step, the state government on Tuesday notified Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary as a tiger reserve despite serious objections from pro-Telangana political parties. The core area of the Kawal tiger reserve has been declared as 892 square kilometer with a buffer zone of 1123 sq. km which falls under Adilabad district. Approximately 21 habitations within the buffer zone are excluded from the tiger reserve.

NEW DELHI: Senior forest officials are slated to meet environment and forests minister Jayanthi Natarajan to yet again raise complaints against the Forest Rights Act.

The Kawal Tiger Sanctuary in Adilabad, which is yet to be officially established, may run into a controversy with tribals unwilling to move out of the forest reserve area.

A fact-finding team representing a collective of 40 farmers' organisations, Raitu Swarajya Vedika, has found an alarming rise in the number of suicides by farmers — as many as 90 in the last month

The Rs 3,375 crore phase-I of the Godavari drinking water project, aimed at bringing 172 million gallons of water per day to the city, is likely to run into rough weather. The Irrigat-ion and Command Area Development authorities say it may be difficult to supply 10 tmc of water from the Yellampally barrage until the water is brought from Pranahitha.

State-owned Singareni Collieries Co Ltd has achieved financial closure for its proposed Rs 6,000-crore thermal power plant project coming up in Adilabad district of Andhra Pradesh, marking a significant step in the coal miner's foray into power.

Power Finance Corporation (PFC) has agreed to provide the total debt component of Rs 4,000 crore for the proposed 2X600 MW power project, Mr S.

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