One of the major underlying causes for increased biological invasion is the growth and development of world markets facilitated through globalization, and the booming intercontinental trade of live flora and fauna.

As many as 353 new species of flora and fauna have been discovered in the Eastern Himalayas in the past decade, of which more than 40 per cent were found in the eight states of the Northeastern region.

New Delhi, Aug. 18: Citing difficulty in getting the police force to enforce laws to conserve flora and fauna, chief minister Sheila Dikshit on Tuesday urged the Centre to provide a dedicated staff for the task.

Fate of the Himalayan Ski Village (HSV), facing an uncertain future, is likely to be decided tomorrow as the report of the tumultuous public hearing held on June 6 at Kothi near Manali will be placed before the high-powered committee constituted to take a final decision on the contentious issue.

Mumbai: Despite clear indications from the principal chief conservator of forests (WL) about the adverse effects of mining project in Lohara forest, the state forest minister seems to be determined to overlook the letter and continue with the mining proposal of Adani Power Limited. It is learnt that the efforts are on to get it approved by the state forest ministry within next ten days.

Dalhousie: Considering the rich environment endowed with lush green flora and fauna in its salubrious climate, the World Bank

As no clear picture of changes in vegetation or micro flora and fauna in the Sunderbans is available, the state forest department is contemplating carrying out a thorough survey in the area soon.

The department will send a proposal to the Centre for conducting the survey jointly with the Zoological Survey of India and Botanical Survey of India for a timespan of at least two years.

A new species of fresh water fish Labeo Lankae once believed to be extinct has been found by the National Aquatic Resources Research Development Agency (NARA) in the Knuckles Range yesterday.

A NARA official said this particular fish was last found in 1980 by Professor Ravi Senanayake when he was doing research for his PhD.

Current global warming affects the composition and dynamics of mammalian communities and can increase extinction risk; however, long-term effects of warming on mammals are less understood. Dietary reconstructions inferred from stable isotopes of fossil herbivorous mammalian tooth enamel document environmental and climatic changes in ancient ecosystems, including C3/C4 transitions and relative seasonality.

This latest report focuses on the threats to biodiversity, status of implementation of the National Biodiversity Action Plan and progress achieved towards meeting the 2010 biodiversity target.

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