June 12: Tigers are a rarity and spiders are dime a dozen. That has not prevented some forest officials from preferring the latter at the expense of the former. The Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger reserve (Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary) has been witnessing a steep fall in the number of big tigers or the panthera tigris. However, the magnificent animal's official protectors are not too bothered about this and are perfectly happy discovering new kinds of spiders and herbs.

The popular "Jalavihar" on the banks of Hussainsagar lake adjoining the Necklace road has come under the scrutiny. The state government has constituted a three member committee for periodical inspection of the "Jalavihar Project" to avoid possible ecological imbalances due to illegal construction by company in violation of the approved plans. The AP Vigilance Commission has advised the government to conduct periodical inspection.

Rajahmundry, June 30: The people of Rajahmundry are going to get major relief from the overflowing and stinking drains and inundation of several low-lying areas during rains as the civic authorities are going to take up an underground and storm water drainage network in the municipal limits.

Anantapur, June 30: The Non Conventional Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (NEDCAP) is promoting production of wind energy to supplement state and central governments' efforts to boost power production. It is making efforts to realise full potential in the Rayalaseema districts of Chittoor, Kadapa, Kurnool and Anantapur. Presently, 200 mw are being produced by 24 developers in the region. However, potential exists for producing around 10,000 mw by tapping wind potential identified at several places in the Rayalaseema districts.

Hyderabad, June 30: The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Monday granted an interim stay on the acquisition of railway properties between Tarnaka and Sangeet Crossroads. The Hyderabad Collector had issued a notification for the acquisition of these properties on the request of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation to lay an Inner Ring Road to ease traffic congestion on the stretch.

Hyderabad, June 30: What do trees and plants have to do with the research output of an institution? Scientists at the National Geophysical Research Institute in Hyderabad believe that greenery on their campus is helping them produce more research papers than their counterparts elsewhere in the world. The NGRI has about 16,400 trees on its campus at Habsiguda. It is going to lose about 300 trees to road widening which the institute plans to compensate by planting 4,000 trees.

Rajahmundry, June 29: The loan waiver announced by the Central government will benefit 2.76 lakh farmers to the tune of Rs 540 crore in East Godavari district. Details of the waiver were announced by the district agriculture department at a review meet organised on Sunday at the local roads and buildings guest house.

Hyderabad, June 29: Two Asiatic lions from the Nehru Zoological Park will be relocated to a national park in Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh. The Conservator of Forests, Mr Shekar Reddy, said, "We are sending two Asiatic Lions, aged two years, to Bhopal. "They' would be relocated to the Vanvihar National Park there. Two lions from every zoo are being relocated to the Bhopal park as there are no lions there.'