Illegal mining is continuing unabated in various parts of the state despite a complete ban on it by the National Green Tribunal.

Sources said stone-crusher owners were deceptively indulging in illegal mining in the guise of the permission given to them by the state government for stock clearance.

Encouraged by the success of the vulture propagation and conservation project, the wildlife wing of the Forest Department has decided to broaden the ambit of the project by bringing other species like eagles, buzzards and falcons under it.

The dwindling population of vultures in the state has registered an appreciable increase to almost 800 ever since protected areas were created for these natural scavengers in Kangra district.

Taking a serious note on the issue of non-forest activity or construction in forest areas, particularly McLeodganj and Rivalsar (Mandi), the National Green Tribunal (NGT) restrained any person from

Vijay Singh Mankotia, Congress leader from Kangra, said today that the micro-hydel projects in the Shahpur Assembly constituency were wreaking havoc on the ecology of the area.

He said due to the violation of norms by micro-hydel projects, houses at Harvoh were sinking. He specifically targeted the 5-MW Brahol Top micro-hydel project, which is owned by Kamal Padha, BJP leader from the area, and the Raheja power project.

The police has launched a major crackdown against mining mafia in the Palampur region to check a large-scale illegal mining going on in local riverbeds.

An earthquake shook Una district and border areas of Kangra district this afternoon. The quake that lasted for a few seconds brought people out of their houses.

The current monsoon season has killed 50 people across Himachal Pradesh, besides causing huge damage to public and private property.

Families to be given plots at Khaniara village, Rs 3 lakh as compensation

Minister for Housing and Urban Development Sudhir Sharma today announced a compensation package for the 23 families of the Terra Lines area who were evacuated from their houses after a landslide a few days ago.

Property worth Rs 1 crore damaged in Baijnath

A couple and a child were killed due to a landslide in the Jaisinghpur area of Kangra district, while property worth more than Rs 1 crore was damaged in a cloudburst at Baijnath today. Heavy rain that lashed the region caused flash floods in rivulets. Sources here said a seasonal rivulet swelled due to a cloudburst and washed away government buildings and 1-km stretch to Madher village in Baijnath subdivision of Kangra district.