Thousands of acres of uncultivable forested hills in Haryana, Gurgaon and Faridabad face the same prospect

Two decades ago when Sunil’s parents sold off 25 acres of their family’s share of land in the Mangar forests of Faridabad, they and other villagers thought the buyers were fools to buy it up because they were assured that they could continue to use it for grazing cattle and firewood. Today, 25-year-old polio-stricken Sunil has dropped all his other dreams and moves with lightning speed on his crutch, across the forest, in government offices and with fellow activists “to save the forests from a determined State government that wants to open it for colonisation.”

KEONJHAR: Shrinking water bodies and depleting groundwater level in the district has once again brought to the fore the demand to protect river Baitarani, considered the 'lifeline of Keonjhar'.

The Keonjhar Citizen's Forum blamed the present situation on the 'faulty policy' of the government. "The water of the district is allocated to different industries and mining houses, without any consultation with the people here, who have the first right on the water," the forum alleged.

Environmentalists under the banner of the Western Ghats Protection Council has said there is a concerted move in Idukki district to limit the debate on the environmental crisis to the Madhav Gadgil report with a view to diverting people’s attention from the real issue.

Environmentalist John Peruvanthanam said the present drought situation was the worst in Idukki district, especially in the high ranges, with perennial streams drying up.

50% DROP IN OLIVE RIDLEY NESTS ALONG KONKAN COASTLINE

Pune: Industrial activity around coastal areas has cast its shadow on the nesting season of the endangered Olive Ridley turtle this year. There has been a disturbing 50 % drop in the total number of nests along the coastline in Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts and experts hope the activity would pick up before the nesting season ends in March. Those working in this region and in the field of turtle conservation have counted 36 Olive Ridley nests along the coastline of the three districts. They say that large scale development in the vicinity of ecologically critical coastal areas and sea pollution are largely responsible for the drop in numbers this year.

ALLAHABAD: Although seers and pilgrims coming to MahaKumbh, or otherwise too, have time and again raised their voice against the falling level of water in the holy Ganga, the actual area of concern

Pune: The proposal to reserve land in merged villages for bio diversity parks (BDP) has been officially passed. But the major tasks lies ahead as the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and citizens face a stiff challenge to protect the open tracks of lands from encroachers.

The state government has clearly put the responsibility on the civic body asking it to take care of the BDPs on its own. Environmentalists, on the other hand, say the PMC should devise a mechanism to protect the land from slums. Experts say that protecting public lands, parks and water bodies has become an increasingly uphill task. Adequate involvement of people, policy makers and politicians which is most essential for effective management of common resources in the city is shrinking rapidly.

As summer sets in the next few weeks and many districts are staring at a severe drought, the slogan for World Wetlands Day this year -- Wetlands take care of water -- is a portent for the future.

Hyderabad: Hyderabad city, once known for it natural and man-made wetlands no longer boast of these features, thanks to the consumer society that has led to extensive depletion of these swamplands.

Wetlands are the best sources of drinking water; they can also be used as percolation tank. Wetlands help in recharging aquifers and also hold good recreation values and attract many birds and aquatic animals explained environmentalist Farida Tampal, state director World Wide Fun for Nature said, wetlands across the city are disappearing rapidly and one of the main reason for this is pollution caused by waste.

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.

Hotels And Resorts Can Build Only Up To 3 Floors In These Areas

Thiruvananthapuram: An expert committee appointed by the state government to demarcate the eco sensitive zones (ESZ) around national parks and wildlife sanctuaries has recommended stringent regulations for construction of buildings in these zones. It has suggested capping the height for hotels and resorts in the ESZ area to three floors besides limiting the construction area to 7,500 sqft.