Reserve forests in coastal areas of Patuakhali, especially in Kalapara and Galachipa upazilas, are gradually disappearing as organised gangs are stealing away timber allegedly in connivance with a section of forest department staff and law enforcers.

Besides, a large number of trees are dying due to unknown diseases allegedly caused by deposition of sand.

C. Jaishankar
Prosopis juliflora is invading the coastal marine system

Silent invasion: A man trying to cut

This is the story of a

CHANDIGARH: Distressed by the shocking findings of enquiry reports on illegal mining in ecologically fragile lower Shivalik hill areas falling in districts of Yamunanagar, Ambala and Panchkula, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the state government to lay out an environmental impact assessment blueprint before pushing ahead with its "commercial enthusiasm" over mining in the region.

P.Oppili

Needs immediate fencing to protect it from encroachment

Wild wonder: An insectivorous plant found in Nanmangalam forest.

CHENNAI: The 320-hectare Nanmangalam Reserved Forest, located about 10 km from Velachery, is home to some of the rare territorial orchids, according to a recent study.

UKHRUL (Manipur), May 12: Illegal cutting and smuggling of timber continues with impunity in Manipur

BARPETA, May 11

Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir today demanded dismissal of Police and Forest officials who set ablaze more than 30 houses of nomadic Gujjars at village Karnala Chak on the banks of river Tawi adjoining Vikram Chowk in Jammu yesterday.

KOKRAJHAR, May 7: The felling of valuable trees at Ripu and Chirang Reserve Forests in Kokrajhar district and smuggling is continuing unabated despite BTC Forest Department has taken initiatives to check it.

Ratan K Pani

PAIKMAL: Lack of rain has left residents of predominantly tribal block Paikmal high and dry. With irrigation still a mirage, the tribals depend on sale of non-timber forest produce (NTFP), mahua in particular, six months a year to eke out a living. For the rest part of the year rainfed agriculture and migration sustain them.