Sushanta Talukdar

Guwahati: The Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), an organisation fighting for farmers

Consumption of soap in the country will significantly increase during the coming weeks since water has become hard owing to large-scale immersion of idols in the water bodies which will hamper the formation of lather with soap. This problem is endemic in nature as the festivals are being celebrated all over the country and the immersion of idols has already stated with Ganesh Utsav.

Human interference has altered for worse eco-systems in every corner of the globe. Ironically, scientific developments have hastened its deleterious impact, with faunal and floral species bearing the brunt of man's rapacity and capacity to destroy. The number of endangered species in the Red Data Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources has increased each year. Nowhere is this as tellingly visible as in Assam, once described by naturalists as a paradise for wild-life.

The last population assessment survey (2008) of the Gangetic river dolphin in the entire Brahmaputra river system has shown a marginal increase in its number. In 2005, the population of the endangered aquatic mammal was estimated at 250, which, according to the latest survey, has increased to 265.

This was disclosed by the members of Aaranyak, a non-government environmental organisation, which has been working in the field of dolphin conservation, among others, for several years.

Faridkot/Harike - TOXIN UNLEASHED: Sirhind and Rajasthan feeder canals become deathbed of aquatic life Mohan, who sells ice-cream near the banks of Sirhind and Rajasthan feeder canals in the periphery of Faridkot, has a choice to put up his mobile stall elsewhere. But, a few metres away along the banks, Mool Chand, the railway gateman at crossing number C-29 has no alternative but to live with the foul smell emanating from the canals and see perished aquatic life floating on the filthy waters.

A two-day Children's Summit, organised on the occasion of the World Environment Day by the Centre for North East Studies and Policy Research (C-NES), concluded here today, stated a press release. Around 300 children took out a colourful march, flagged off by Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain, through the heart of Guwahati yesterday calling for protection of the highly endangered river dolphin, locally known as

The State Government today declared the endangered Gangetic river dolphin as the State Aquatic Animal. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi announced this during a World Environment Day celebration here today. The decision would add teeth to the conservation measures initiated by the State Government to save this endangered species, which was a longstanding demand of the various environmentalist groups across the world.

The endangered river dolphin, found in the Brahmaputra river system, was declared as the State aquatic animal of Asom today. The formal declaration was made by Asom Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi in a function organised by the State Forest department and the State Pollution Control Board to mark World Environment Day.

The Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday issued an order making available 15 acres for setting up an underwater world aquarium at Karikattukuppam village in Muttukadu on East Coast Road. The project is coming up under the public private partnership model. The government has also given its consent to utilise the services of the Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructural Financial Services (TNUIFSL). Of the 39.04 acres available with the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC), 15 acres has been set aside for the tourist attraction on a 30-year lease period.

The polluted Hirohalli village lake on the outskirts of the City now has rare visitors: the critically endangered spot billed pelicans.