R GAIHA, K IMAI & G THAPA
A SURFEIT of declarations, commitments and pledges to banish poverty in the developing world culminates in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) summit in New York (20-22 September, 2010). What lends urgency to this mega event is the fact that there are just five years left to achieve, say, MDG1 (i.e., halve extreme poverty) by 2015.

Srikakulam , Sept. 18: The collector, Mr N. Srikanth, and the superintendent of police, Mr Sanjaykumar Jain, visited the famous Bhuddist Shrine Shalihundam, in Gaara mandal in the district, on Saturday to take stock of the situation, where as many as 83 dalit families faced social boycott by village elders belonging to sarpanch G.

The claims received under Forest Land Rights Act have been digitally surveyed and digital map has been prepared. Under the Land Rights Act, one lakh 25 thousand 395 claims have been accepted. Out of this, Land Right Certificates have been distributed to one lakh 3 thousand 28 claimants.

Bhopal, Sept 19:
Madhya Pradesh Forest Minister Sartaj Singh will confer ''Shahid Amrita Devi Bisnoi Forest and Wildlife Conservation Award -- 2008'' on the persons and organisations for providing excellence in conservation of forest and protection of wildlife at a function here tomorrow.

The award will be given in three catergories -- Instiutional and Individual (non-governmental and governm

GUWAHATI, Sept 19

The Mines and Mineral Development & Regulation (Amendment) Bill which seeks to balance the demand from companies to quicken the pace of approvals for mining projects and a social commitment to provide the displaced a share of the profits was cleared by a cabinet committee on Friday. Mines minister BK Handique told reporters that it is "largely approved.

Slammed earlier by the N C Saxena Committee for its faulty implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) in districts like Kalahandi and Jagatsinghpur, the state of Orissa has reortedly fashioned a success story on that front.

Rejection Not Part Of Corporates Vs Tribals Issue

IN A development that could soothe the frayed nerves of investors, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi on Thursday decoupled the environment ministry

Congress president Sonia Gandhi has praised Rahul Gandhi for taking up the cause of tribals of Niyamgiri Hills in Orissa, saying it reinforced the party

CUTTACK: In a landmark judgment, the Orissa High Court has directed the State Government to rehabilitate the slum-dwellers of the entire State.

A division Bench comprising Chief Justice V Gopalagowda and Justice I Mohanty on Wednesday further directed the Centre to re-allocate funds under different schemes to the State Government for effective implementation of the schemes meant for those livin