FEBRUARY 1, 2015 (Sunday)
Demand for interstate North Koel irrigation project gains fresh momentum: Sunday, Feb 1, 2015
Hailstorm, unprecedented in intensity lashes Dibrugarh: Sunday, Feb 1, 2015
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| Hailstones about six-inch thick lie on the road and turn into huge chunks of ice because of the cold |
Kashmir Valley receives fresh snowfall: Feb 1 2015
Avalanche warning issued for the avalanche-prone areas above 2,500-m altitude in J & K following forecast of a western disturbance: Feb 1 2015
CBI Probe on mining in Forest land: February 1, 2015
CBI has registered two preliminary enquiries against unknown officials of the Environment Ministry, Jindal Steel and Power Limited and JSW Steel Limited for alleged diversion of forest land for mining purposes in Jharkhand. The ongoing preliminary enquiries relate to clearance for diversion of 512.43 hectares of forest land in Saranda Forest division, Jharkhand for iron ore mining by Jindal Steel and Power and approval for diversion of 998.7 hectares of forest land in Ankua Reserve, Jharkhand to JSW Steel for mining iron and manganese ore.
The Annual Waterfowl Census held in 6 wetlands in Kollam district has revealed matters of concern: Feb.1, 2015
<http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/bird-survey-bares-issues-of-concern/article6844476.ece>
Less number of birds at sanctuaries in Ramnad district this season: Feb.1, 2015
FEBRUARY 2
Rare oriental white ibis spotted at Majuli: Monday, February 02, 2015
Intermittent snowfall continues for second day in Kashmir: Srinagar, Feb 2, 2015 (PTI)
Minimum temperature drops to 12.1 degrees Celsius in Calcutta: Monday , February 2 , 2015
Minimum temperatures once again plummets in Jharkhand: Monday , February 2 , 2015
Winter this year 2014-15 in Jharkhand
EIA fails to assess impact of canalisation of Swan river on underground water, fauna: Feb 2, 2015 <http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/eia-fails-to-assess-impact-on-underground-water-fauna/36759.html>
Tigress, cubs sighted in Timli range in Uttarakhand for first time: Feb 2 2015
Olive Ridley turtles lay 923 eggs along the coast of Kanyakumari district: February 2, 2015
FEBRUARY 3
Season’s first snowfall in Mechukha: February 03, 2015
The picturesque Mechukha valley witnessed the season’s first snowfall. The snowfall that began on Thursday evening continued throughout Friday covering the entire picturesque town with a white blanket. Meanwhile, the people of Memba community are busy preparing for ‘Sonam Losar’ festival slated to be held on Tuesday next. Snow fall on the eve of Losar celebration is considered very significant for the Memba community as white colour of the snow signifies peace and prosperity. <http://www.arunachaltimes.in/#Season>
Vulture Safe Zone yet to be a reality in Assam: Monday, February 02, 2015
<http://www.sentinelassam.com/state1/story.php?sec=2&subsec=2&id=216612&dtP=2015-02-02&ppr=1#216612>
Heavy snowfall shuts Jammu-Srinagar highway on Tuesday: Feb 3 2015
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/community/valley-gets-snow-for-second-day-highway-opened/37217.html
White blanket wraps Shimla - Cold wave continues in Himachal: Feb 3 2015
<http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/white-blanket-wraps-himachal-s-queen-of-hills/37433.html>
1.35 lakh birds of 93 species visited Pong Dam as per the annual Bird census 2014-15: Feb 3 <http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/1-35-lakh-birds-of-93-species-visited-pong-dam/37125.html>
Around 957 Demoiselle cranes, 'Kraunch' in Marathi, have been spotted near Daryapur:Feb3
FEBRUARY 4
Year’s sixth rhino killed in Assam: Wednesday, February 04, 2015
<http://www.sentinelassam.com/mainnews/story.php?sec=1&subsec=0&id=216908&dtP=2015-02-04&ppr=1#216908>
Snowfall in some Arunachal districts: Wednesday, February 04, 2015
A Western Disturbance over Kashmir cuts off the flow of chilly winds towards Calcutta: Feb 4
Rains lash Kashmir Valley Wednesday: Feb 4 2015
100 roads blocked after heavy snow in Himachal: Feb 4 2015
Heavy snow cuts off Kashmir valley, while heavy rain and snow lashes higher reaches of HP & Uttarkhand/100cm snow at Rohtang pass in the last 24 hours (Feb 3): Wed. Feb 4, 2015
Kondakarla Lake Dying a Slow Death: 04th February 2015
The lake is fed by Sarada River, which flows through the eastern part of Visakhapatnam and empties into Bay of Bengal.
FEBRUARY 5
Srinagar Jammu national highway was reopened today for the vehicular traffic partially on Wednesay: Feb 5, 2015
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| Srinagar - Jammu Highway reopens |
Pallikaranai marshland under threat: February 5, 2015
Melmaruvathur Lake turns nesting ground: February 5, 2015
A small group of migratory bird species including painted storks and spot-billed pelicans are
nesting in the middle of lake amid the heavy flow of traffic on GST Road. Though the area has witnessed large movement due to the Thaipoosam festivities, the green cover in the middle of the lake and a bund preventing human access have turned this water body into a preferred spot for birds to nest and breed.
Forest minister, Atuwa Munda makes forest officials accountable for Rhino poaching: Feb.5
<http://www.sentinelassam.com/mainnews/story.php?sec=1&subsec=0&id=217020&dtP=2015-02-05&ppr=1#217020>
Sunda Slow Loris rescued in Arunachal: Feb. 5, 2015
Wildlife NGO, Aaranyak has asked the Assam government to have a standard operating protocol to deal with straying wild animals: Thursday , February 5 , 2015
Captive Gharials settle in Gandak near Valmiki Tiger Reserve: Thursday , February 5 , 2015
Kashmir continues to freeze; Kargil coldest place at - 20C: Feb 5 2015
Two beneficial algal species discovered off the west coast of India: February 5, 2015
Elephant calf fatally knocked down in Shoolagiri along the NH: February 5, 2015
Fresh snowfall at Manali on Wednesday: Feb 5 (Thu), 2015
FEBRUARY 6
AWC reports fall in numbers and diversity of the bird population coming to Delhi this winter:: February 6
Two rare species of butterflies sighted in Phek district, Nagaland for the first time in 100 years
Monkey fever in Wayanad: February 6, 2015
FEBRUARY 7
Discovery of rare bat species at Ralung village in East Siang district draws attention of the State Forest Research Institute (SFRI):February 7, 2015
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| Painted Bat (Kerivoula picta) |
RUKSIN, Feb 6: The report of discovery of a small sized colourful bat species at Ralung village in East Siang district recently drew special attention of the State Forest Research Institute (SFRI). SFRI will be reporting the existence of the important bat species to Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) for publication in its journal.
The Forest Zoologist of SFRI, after morphological study of the dense orange coloured winged species, has identified the Painted Bat (Kerivoula picta) and affirmed that it was a newly discovered in the fauna of Arunachal Pradesh. The rare bat species was discovered in Rombo hillsite near Gutin Reserve Forest under Pasighat (T) forest division by a young school boy encountered with the dense small bat near a natural bamboo groove. The bat has scarlet fur and black and orange wings and it is said to be a vesper bat in the Vespertilionidae family and Chiroptera order.
Senior Forest Zoologist of State Forest Research Institute (SFRI), Dr Asham Borang, who is enthusiastic on the discovery of the rare bat species in Arunachal forests, said that presence of Painted Bat was not traced for first time in the state. According to him, presence of the bat species was reported in Sikkim in Eastern Himalaya and Orissa during 1863 and later it was reported from Lakhimpur (North-Assam) in 1969, which was published in the journal of Indian Science & Technology, Kanpur (Vol-7, B).
The report of tracing a rare bat species in East Siang is also attracted attention of the forest department. The Assistant Conservator of Forest (Pasighat), Boken Pao has visited the Rombo hillsite. Meanwhile, Divisional Forest Officer (T) of Pasighat has instructed the department officials to keep strict vigil on Rombo hillsite and Gutin RF and take step to make the local villagers aware on conservation of bio-diversity of the area.
An assistant professor of Zoology in Rajiv Gandhi University, Dr Daniel Mize is also putting interest to the newly reported colourful bat species. He is all set to conduct a special study on different bat species in the State and explore their habitats at various altitudes.
Cold wave tightens grip in J&K, Kargil freezes at minus 21: Saturday, February 7, 2015
Union Environment Ministry has extended the deadline given to the Western Ghat states till February end: Saturday, February 7, 2015
Forest personnel injured while chasing away herd of elephants in the Sanamavu RF: Feb 7
FEBRUARY 8 (Sunday)
Fresh snowfall and rains in Kashmir: Feb 8 2015 : Feb 8 2015 <http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jammu-kashmir/fresh-snowfall-and-rains-in-kashmir/39437.html>
26 acre ganja plantation destroyed at Salamerangi village area in Vizag agency: 08th Feb. 2015
Animal casualties in Kaziranga: NGT bans roadside shops: PTI | Feb 8, 2015
Tree census in Greater Chennai has enumerated 1.75 lakh trees in its first phase: February 8
<http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/almost-two-lakh-trees-accounted-for/article6870125.ece>
Hundreds of turtles die in fishing nets between Neelankarai and Napier Bridge: February 8
FEBRUARY 9
Adult rhinoceros found killed with the horn missing in Jaldapara NP: Monday , February 9 , 2015
Falcated duck, a rare bird species, was spotted by a team of forest officials in the water reserve of Samal Barrage at Talcher: 09th February 2015
7 Poachers Arrested in Similipal Reserve: 09th February 2015
Fulvous whistling duck spotted along with six chicks at the Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary:Feb 9 <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Rare-whistling-duck-spotted-near-Chennai/articleshow/46169750.cms>
Herd of 33 elephants driven into Tamil Nadu forests by Forest personnel from Koundinya WLS
Seagrass has been successfully rehabilitated along Tuticorin coast: February 9, 2015
The opium menace - poppy cultivation has been prevalent in pockets of Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram and a few other hubs in Arunachal Pradesh:09 February, 2015
FEBRUARY 10
NGT on February 5 directed MoEF to finalise the minutes of the meeting within four weeks in compliance with its earlier orders concerning protection of animals in Assam: Tuesday, Feb 10,
Elephant electrocuted near Ramakuppam: February 10, 2015
Fuel-efficient driers have reduced firewood consumption in the villages of WGs: Feb 10, 2015
Assam's new forest minister, Atuwa Munda is literally starting from the grassroots to check poaching in Kaziranga: Tuesday , February 10 , 2015
Dry spell forces flamingoes to abandon thousands of eggs: TNN | 10 Feb, 2015
FEBRUARY 11
The great backyard bird count: February 11, 2015
Water grid at L. Madugu in the Godavari, in Shiwaram WLS poses threat to croc habitat: Feb 11
Farmer killed & eaten by a suspected tiger in Noolpuzha near Wayanad WLS: February 11
354 jumbos dead in 5 years in Odisha: Wednesday , February 11 , 2015
Herd of 14 elephants causing destruction at villages in Karanjia in Mayurbhanj district: Feb11
Elephant electrocuted near Ramakuppam: February 11, 2015 <http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/elephant-electrocuted-near-ramakuppam/article6880246.ece?homepage=true>
FAO releases software for identifying shark species from fin: February 11
Four new fish species discovered in Kerala: IANS | Feb 11, 2015
Chinkara, GIB & peacock poaching continue unabated in Rajasthan TNN | Feb 11, 2015
FEBRUARY 12
Leopard, elephant calf die on the outskirts of Guwahati: Thursday, February 12, 2015
More forest camps planned in KNP: Thursday, February 12, 2015
Case filed against PCCF over killing of man-eater in Khanapur forest: Feb 12, 2015
Dalma WLS, near Jamshedpur to have six additional watchtowers: February 12 , 2015
Migratory birds leave in a month from Jayanti Sarovar, Jubilee Park, Jamshedpur: Feb 12, 2015
NHAI’s reluctance to spend Rs 244cr on mitigation measures for ecological security: Feb 12 <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/developmental-issues/NHAIs-reluctance-to-spend-Rs-244cr-shocks-experts/articleshow/46214735.cms>
FEBRUARY 13
The report of the High-Level Committee a hasty, half-baked report on environment: Ramaswamy R. Iyer, February 13
Great Backyard Bird Count from today across the world: February 13, 2015
Downswing in Pichavaram bird population: February 13, 2015
Cold wave continues in Kashmir, Kargil coldest at minus 17 Celsius: Friday, February 13, 2015
Experts calls for Indo-Bhutanese collaboration for Black-necked Crane Conservation
ITANAGAR, Feb 12: Experts have called for collaboration between India and Bhutan for Black-necked Crane Conservation. In order to discuss the current status and conservation measures related to the species, a two-day Indo-Bhutan workshop on Black-necked Crane was organized at Dirang in Arunachal Pradesh, jointly organized by WWF-India in collaboration with the Forest Department of Arunachal Pradesh. The workshop was attended by the Black-necked Crane experts from India and Bhutan and community conservationists from Zemithang and Sangti valleys of Arunachal Pradesh. During the workshop, the experts deliberated on a range of issues including current status of the species at all the key crane habitats in India and Bhutan.