A way to preserve biodiversity: India’s inspiring tradition of sacred groves – Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel

In commissioning a High-Level Working Group headed by the space scientist K. Kasturirangan to study the recommendations of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), the Ministry of Environment and Forests hoped to resolve an impasse. It now appears that far from nearing resolution, the question of preserving and ensuring holistic development of the Ghats … Read more

Butterfly survey by the Ferns Naturalists Society in North Wayanad Forest Division – Kerala

A recent butterfly survey in North Wayanad Forest Division of Kerala organised jointly by the Ferns Naturalists Society and the Forest and Wildlife Department reported the sighting of 140 species, including 17 which had not been hitherto reported in the region. The three-day survey was conducted at three locations under the division at Brahmagiri, Makkimala, … Read more

Commercial varieties of trees in tribal forest areas must not replace plants on which the Adivasis are dependent

Indu Netam, an Adivasi leader from Chhattisgarh, on Monday, slammed the plantation of eucalyptus and other commercial varieties of trees in tribal forest areas under Green India Mission (GIM), saying this was impacting their livelihoods. Addressing the media here on Monday, she said in the name of protecting the environment, fruit-bearing trees, medicinal and other … Read more

How to protect “hotspots of biodiversity” in ecologically sensitive Western Ghats – Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Kerala, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu

Source: “Green Tribunal seeks MoEF’s response on plea on Western Ghats”, The Hindu, New Delhi, May 31, 2012Address : http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/article3476285.ece?homepage=trueDate Visited: Sun Jun 03 2012 11:22:32 GMT+0200 (CEST)

Coimbatore tribal population successfully takes to agriculture – Tamil Nadu

The Forest Department has provided guidance to four tribal settlements in Coimbatore Forest Division and has shown the way for the tribal population to successfully take to agriculture. Divisional Forest Officer V. Thirunavukkarasu said as part of the initiative to economically and socially uplift the living conditions of the tribal people, the department has joined … Read more