Rashme Sehgal
NGT pulls up U’khand govt
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has slammed the Uttarakhand government and the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) for their failure to provide a list of illegal construction along the river banks and other ecologically-sensitive sites.
NGT orders protection of Okhla bird sanctuary
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered an end to all illegal constructions in a 10km radius around the Okhla bird sanctuary in order to protect the existing wildlife.
N-projects must be set up in 2 years
The timeframe for setting up of nuclear power projects is set to be decreased from five to two years, said minister of state in PMO V. Narayanasamy.
336% increase in sexual crimes against children
Sexual crimes against children have increased 336 per cent in the last decade. Unicef released data based on data collated by the National Crimes Record Bureau, which states that 48,338 child rape cases were recorded between 2001-11.
Rivers change course as debris piles up
Experts believe that accumulation of debris from large-scale construction and mining on riverbeds is one of the key reasons why rivers in Uttarakhand are changing their course.
Poacher Sansar Chand acquitted in another case
Is the government serious about combating wildlife crime? A 21-year case in which the wildlife department seized 81 skins of rare animals, including three tiger skins, 29 leopard skins, five crocodile skins as also the skins of jackals and mongoose right in the heart of Delhi, saw an additional chief metropolitan magistrate bring the case to a closure in mid-August by giving the accused, both residents of Old Delhi, one year of imprisonment and a fine of `50,000.
Shrines open for public by Sept. 15
Despite the major calamity witnessed by Uttarakhand, the four religious shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Badrinath and Hemkunt Saheb will be open to the public from September 15.
Will amended bill stop killings?
Will the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2013, introduced by environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan in the Rajya Sabha in the current session of Parliament act as a deterrent to wildlife crime?
‘Shortcomings in bill persist’
The Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill 2011 (LARRB) coming up for discussion in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday continues to be anti-farmer.
Climate MPs upset at non-utilisation of funds
Climate parliamentarians are upset at the non-utilisation of the National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF), which presently has `8,200 crore in its kitty.
