Bhubaneswar: The state's forest cover is getting depleted and has lost around 37,500 hectares (375 sq km) to encroachers, information obtained under RTI has revealed.

Despite natural habitats of elephants gradually getting shrunk in Odisha over the years, the elephant population was found to have increased marginally to 1,954 this year from 1930 in 2012.

BHUBANESWAR: More than 70,000 hectare (ha) in Khurda and Cuttack districts have been proposed to be brought under the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) of Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary which abuts the

Tata Power gets nod for site change

The task force on power in Odisha has cleared the decks for establishment of a 423 Mw gas-based power project, the first of its kind in the state, at an investment of Rs 3,106 crore.

Tata Power Company Ltd (TPCL) has decided to shift the location of its 2000 Mw coal-based power plant in the state from Naraj in Cuttack district to Begunia in Khurda district.

The Odisha government is planning to declare 13 more spots as eco-sensitive zones across the state.

“We have already declared three spots as eco-sensitive zones. The state government will soon come out with a notification to declare 13 more spots as eco-sensitive zones, probably within a day or two,” said minister of forest and environment on the sidelines of a seminar on livelihood issues of fisher women. Last May, the state government had declared the Chandaka-Dampada, Konark-Balukhand and Nandankanan Sanctuary as eco-sensitive Zones.

BHUBANESWAR: What about rock-climbing in the cooler ambience of a forest? Or rather a bi-cycle ride in the woods with the family? May be a few hours of fun watching films in a natural atmosphere?

BERHAMPUR: A herd of 30 wild elephants continue to unleash a reign of terror in Ganjam district putting the Forest Department officials in a tizzy.

BHUBANESWAR: Existence of illegal laterite quarries, located tantalisingly close to Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary, have emerged as a serious problem for the protected area (PA) which is a favourite elephant habitat.

While there is a growing demand for creation of buffer zones near PAs, the local revenue administration seems to have turned a blind eye to such quarries which operate right under the

BHUBANESWAR: The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has asked for a specific wildlife management plan in view of construction of a 400 KV Baripada-Mendhasal transmission line.

Rising incidence of electrocution of elephants being a major concern in the State, MoEF has asked for preparation of a site specific wildlife management plan for the transmission line project.