Environment and Conservation News from India: FEBRUARY 2015

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
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
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
Heavy snowfall shuts Jammu-Srinagar highway on Tuesday: Feb 3 2015
White blanket wraps Shimla - Cold wave continues in Himachal: Feb 3 2015
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
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
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
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
 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
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
 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.

The Black-necked Crane breeds in the high altitude wetlands of the Tibetan Plateau (China) Eastern Ladakh in J&K and Gurudongmar Lake in Sikkim (India). The species winters in lower altitudes in Tibetan Plateau, Yunan and Guizhou (China), Phobjika and Bumdeling (Bhutan) and Sangti, Zimithang valleys in Arunachal Pradesh (India). The species has strong cultural, spiritual and religious links to the local people in the region. The total global population of the species is estimated to be about 11,000 individuals and it is listed as a globally 'Vulnerable' species by IUCN.
The wetland habitats used by the Black-necked Crane are ecologically unique and extremely fragile, the conservation of which is essential, as these wetlands are also hydrologically very important. The close cultural and spiritual link of the local Buddhist communities with this crane species along its distribution range also lends this landscape a sacred fervour. A small proportion of the critically important sites have been designated under the Ramsar List of Internationally Important wetlands and East Asian - Australasian Flyway Site Network.
The workshop delegates also visited the Sangti Valley, a key habitat of Black-necked Crane in Arunachal Pradesh and interacted with the local community and school students. The workshop concluded with a range of recommendation and called for immediate conservation actions to protect the wintering habitat of Black-necked Crane in Sangti and Zemithang valleys of Arunachal Pradesh.  
During the workshop, presentations were made by the experts on the current status and conservation issues related to Black-necked Crane in Jammu & Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. The experts from Bhutan deliberated on a range of issues related to the conservation of the species in Bhutan. Prof. S. A. Hussain, senior scientist from the Wildlife Institute of India made a presentation on the migration studies on this species in India. Dr. Sherub from the Forest Department of Government of Bhutan made a presentation on the migration studies on Black-necked Crane in Bhutan. Kamal Medhi, Coordinator of the Western Arunachal Landscape made a presentation on the current status of Black-necked Crane in Arunachal Pradesh and informed the experts about WWF conservation actions on the species in Arunachal Pradesh.
Tshering Phuntsho from the Royal Society for the Protection of Nature (RSPN) in Bhutan stressed on the need to enhance the understanding on the impacts of anthropogenic pressures and climate change on Black-necked Crane habitats and populations in the Indo-Bhutan region.Divisional Forest Officers from Shergaon and Bomdila forest division, local administration of West Kameng district also participated throughout the workshop.
The workshop was coordinated by Pankaj Chandan head of the Western Himalayan Landscape of WWF-India. He informed that this initiative is to protect and to promote the Black-necked Crane as a symbol of cultural identity of Himalayan mountain ecosystems. In the concluding session of the workshop delegates from Bhutan and India jointly agreed that the country specific conservation initiatives should be synergised so as to conserve black-necked crane habitat as a trans-boundary conservation initiative.
Hailstorm accompanied by heavy rain lashes Bhubaneswar: Feb.13
Officials in the regional meteorological centre called it a thunder squall, which they said, was triggered by the formation of two cyclonic circulations over Gangetic West Bengal and neighbouring Chhattisgarh.
Several parts of Jharkhand witnesses unseasonal rain: Feb.13
NDMA team at the River blockage site 
More ruddy shelduck arrive at Asan Conservation Reserve: Feb 13 2015
Experts back tiger census results: Feb 13, 2015,
Women take up cudgels to save forests in Lahaul Valley: IANS | Feb 13, 2015
Zeroing in on killer tiger a tough task: February 13, 2015
 <http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/zeroing-in-on-killer-tiger-a-tough-task/article6888962.ece>

FEBRUARY 14
Dry weathers, less snowfall  in Kashmir valley in the core winter season: February 14
Inquiry hunting of wild elephant in the jungles of Mebo area in Arunachal: February 14, 2015
North Sikkim’s popular tourist destinations Lachung and Lachen received heavy snowfall from Thursday afternoon till late at night. Lachung is around 110km from Gangtok: Feb 14 , 2015

Lachung receives heavy snowfall
Elephants trampled to death a  truck driver at the foothills of Dalma: February 14 , 2015
40 Zanskar villages face flood threat due to river blockage in the Zanskar sub-division of Kargil district: Feb 14, 2015
Gibbons battle to survive following human onslaught: February 14, 2015
 
A male Gibbon sits on top of bamboo
The Biological Park, Itanagar is woken up every morning not by the roosters or tiger’s roar, but by the high decibel Hoolock Gibbon howl that blares out from the six enclosures.  The lesser-ape species landed up at Biological Park cum Hoolock Gibbon Conservation Breeding Center funded by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) Government of India after then Veterinary officer Dr. Jikom Panor spotted stranded Gibbon families in the jungle of the Dello village under Lower Dibang Valley district in 2006.
 Sensing the vulnerability of Gibbon in already fragmented habitation, Dr Panor sent an SOS to then Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) for relocation and conservation. Subsequently, five pairs of Hoolocks were rescued from Dello and brought here after obtaining clearance from the PCCF (Wildlife), Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh.
The Biological Park shot to fame, especially after a baby Gibbon named Anga was born in captivity to father Lagder and mother Rukmini on 5th August 2008. It is said that this is only the conservation center in the World, where Gibbons are being bred successfully.
However, not much information is available on Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock leuconedys), a Hylobatidae family other than the fact that endangered species has nudged aside Mithun as the state animal. There is also an ongoing inconclusive debate over its identification, as some term it as Western Hoolock Gibbon while some calls it Eastern.
Hoolock Gibbon is often found in mountainous region in Assam and Arunachal. The Eastern Hoolock Gibbon is confined to Lower Dibang Valley, Lohit and Changlang in the eastern Arunachal.
The nature seems little bit unkind to this endangered species as their high pitch howling for territorial defense some time makes them more exposed to poachers and wild beasts. This species is facing existential threat by losing habitat fast in form of human encroachment (cultivation and tea plantation) and forest degradation.
In its endeavor to conserve the endangered species from being extinct, the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) government of India came up with a five year plan and funded the Hoolock Gibbon Conservation Breeding Center at Biological Park Itanagar in 2007.  So far 13 babies have been successfully bred including an unnamed baby which was born on 13th November 2014, taking the total population of Gibbon to18 at Biological Park.
However, inadequate space (enclosures) and increasing population of the families as they live together in monogamous pairs is not making it any easier for the department of forest and wild life.   The department is mulling relocation of these animals but as per the conservation rules; the Gibbons are to be sent back to their original place after breeding.  But this is not possible with Dello as its habitation was totally damaged due to tea plantation and forest clearance.
Sources informed that the Namdhpha Wild Life Sanctuary and Pakke Wild Life Sanctuary were proposed and identified for relocation, but idea was strongly opposed by few group of officers saying without in depth field study of areas, the species cannot be released.“The department is yet to conduct research to find out the suitable canopy and climatic condition for existential support” informed Joram Dopum, Director Biological Park, Itanagar. Adding to the problem is rapid advancement of human settlement and the infrastructural development near Biological Park areas, which is causing significant threat to Gibbon, as these species are believed to be highly vulnerable from human and domestic animal contact.Unlike, other monkeys the Gibbon are less active on the ground; it rarely puts their feet on the ground instead swinging from branch to branch with their long arms.
As their temporary habitation at Biological Park, Itanagar is shrinking every year, the endangered species may have to howl for more years until the department finds a suitable site where they can leap from branch to branch endlessly, without fear.
 (The Biological Park shot to fame, especially after a baby Gibbon named Anga was born in captivity to father Lagder and mother Rukmini on 5th August 2008. It is said that this is only the conservation center in the World, where Gibbons are being bred successfully).
 From <http://www.arunachaltimes.in/#Gibbons>
 
FEBRUARY 15 (Sunday)
India’s forest cover up by 5,871 sq km: February 15, 2015
ZSI plans digitisation of specimens: February 15, 2015
India, Bhutan experts join hands to save black-necked crane: Itanagar, Feb 15, 2015,
Two rare species, woolly-necked stork and Oriental white ibis spotted in the avian census in Palamau TR: Feb 15
Order to Shoot Tiger after it kills two: 15th February, 2015
Muthoot Group of Kerala  partners with WWF for elephant project in 6 states: Feb 14, 2015
  
FEBRUARY 16
Pichavaram mangroves facing an alarming decline in bird population: February 16, 2015
Rare migratory bird, Black-Naped Oriole sighted at Nehru Zoological Park: February 16
Conservation of Olive Ridley Turtles neglected in Krishna district: February 16, 2015 
Min. temperatures rises above the freezing point in Srinagar and many parts of Kashmir: Feb 16
Fresh snowfall in Kashmir Valley: Feb 16
Extinction threat to Manas Rhinos, warns IUCN Report: February 16 , 2015
Calcutta lashed by spell of unseasonal downpour: February 16 , 2015
Echoes of Maoist Surge Rumble in Silent Valley Buffer Zone: A Satish, 16th February
Land Rover to partner with project tiger: TNN | Feb 16, 2015
King cobras fall into pit, female swallows mate near Guduvanchery: TNN | Feb 16, 2015,

FEBRUARY 17
Poppy cultivation in Upper Siang: Yinkiong (Arunachal Pradesh), Feb 16
Continuing the movement against complete eradication of poppy  cultivation in Upper Siang, a massive destruction of Poppy plants was carried out by women activists assisted by police personnel at Damro village on Feb 14 and 15.
Bird-watchers count 16 new species in Kaiga: Karwar (Uttara Kannada dist), Feb 17
Tribal areas & higher hills in Himachal  get another spell of moderate snowfall; rain in lower areas: February 17
Level of water in the artificial lake near the Phuktal river in Zanskar rises: February 17
Intermittent rain continues in Kashmir for the second day today: February 17
Ganjam Coast Potential Habitat for Dolphins: 17th February 2015
 Two highways - NH6 & NH7 have destroyed at least six tiger corridors In Vidarbha: Feb 17
Focus now on capturing the man-eater tiger: February 17

FEBRUARY 18
Mining resumption scares away leopards from Ballari forests: Ballari, Feb 18, 2015
Dense fog on Tuesday morning in Calcutta: February 18, 2015
Similipal TR plans to introduce e-patrolling to track patrolling by forest personnel: Feb 18
Decline in migratory bird count at Hirakud dam: Feb 18
2 leopards enter Judge Court Colony, 15 km from Haridwar: Feb 18, 2015
Manipal is now a Bird Watcher’s Paradise: 18th February
Rapid sea rise in swampy Sundarbans could force a massive exodus of millions: AP | Feb 18,
Sunderbans on the edge as tiger numbers rise: February 18
Great Backyard Bird Count this year helps Chennai discover its bird wealth: February 18 
Bean Goose spotted in Sariska: Feb 18, 2015
Wyanad Man-eating tiger shot dead: February 18, 2015

FEBRUARY 19
Man-eater shot dead in Rajan Estate near Mukkatty in Gudalur: February 19
The Climate is Changing: So What?: February 19
 Artificial lake in Zanskar to be blasted: February 19
Hailstorm lashes Shimla, Una/snow in high altitude areas: Feb 19

FEBRUARY 20  
Hailstorm, rains lash Jammu plains, higher reaches experienced snow fall: February 20
Fresh snowfall and rain occur at several places across Kashmir valley: February 20
Siroy Lily, Manipur's state flower, is facing extinction: February 20
Rain in Punjab and Haryana, Snow in Himachal: Feb 20
Debate over identity of killed tiger near Gudalur: February 20, 2015

FEBRUARY 21
NGT bans felling of trees while executing projects: February 21
'Illegal' resort being built in Dandeli tiger reserve: Feb 21, 2015
Jenukuruba tribal colony: near Majjigehalla elephant camp is situated on the periphery of forest at Thithimathi in Kodagu district. The Jenukuruba tribals had constructed 48 houses in Majjigehalla Elephant camp 50 years ago.
Joint squad of representatives from the Army, BSF, Assam Rifles, CRPF, State police & others from Assam, Nagaland and Manipur to curb wildlife crimes: February 21
Widespread rain and hailstorm combined with gusty winds in Punjab: Feb 21, 2015
Higher reaches of Himachal receive fresh snowfall: Feb 21
Jammu-Srinagar NH remains closed for the 2nd day due to landslides and heavy snow: Feb 21
The highway was  opened today (Saturday, Feb 21) after being closed on Thursday night , but only one-way vehicular traffic from Srinagar to Jammu was allowed to ply.
Lone tusker strikes fear in Ramakuppam again: February 21
<http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/lone-tusker-strikes-fear-in-ramakuppam-again/article6918446.ece?homepage=true>

FEBRUARY 22
Environmental loss in Sundarbans worth Rs 1290 crores every year:  22 February
Illegal extraction of sand along Lakshmantirtha on the fringes of Nagarhole NP continues: Feb22 
Elephant conservation: Cesc proposes insulated cables in Karnataka: Feb 22, 2015
 Water level of the Brahmaputra, the lifeline of Assam, has gone down abysmally due to the prolonged dry spell: Feb 22
Photo shows chaporis surfacing amidst the lethargic waters at Rajaduar in North Guwahati. The low water level has also made the river difficult for navigation
Blackbuck Count up in Vallanadu Blackbuck Sanctuary: 22nd February 2015
Turtles Reach Gokhorkuda village near Berhampur for mass nesting: 22nd February 2015
Chambal river, protected by a curse, faces the modern world: AP | Feb 22, 2015
NTCA wants to develop Kuno Palpur in MP for tigers?  Feb 22, 2015

FEBRUARY 23
Three separate instances of forest fires  reported in Hassan/Chamarajanagar region: Feb 22, From <http://www.deccanherald.com/content/461295/fires-gut-close-100-acres.html>
Rhino poaching: Etawa Munda brainstorms with scribes: Feb 23
'Cool Burning' by Forest Staff Destroying Kudremukh NP: 23rd February 2015
83 goats & about 300 roosters used in prasadam in temple festival near Madurai: 23rd Feb <http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil_nadu/300-Roosters-in-Biriyani-Prasadam/2015/02/23/article2682589.ece>
Tusker Killed in suspected Tiger attack at Varattuparai near Valparai: 23rd February 2015
Elephant Menace Continues to Haunt Tumakuru district: 23rd February 2015
Bengal mulls two-way approach to stop rhino-poaching: PTI | Feb 23, 2015,
Rare birds fly into Delhi: TNN | Feb 23, 2015,

FEBRUARY 24
‘Modi government has shifted gears on climate change’ with a goal of 100 GW in solar energy -U.N official: Feb24
ANU botany professor pens a treatise on flora of Guntur: February 24, 2015
New species of birds and butterflies spotted in  Malabar WLS, Kozhikode: February 24
Solar-powered fence keeps marauding elephants away in Chirang district of Assam: Feb 24
Floods wash away ‘nadru’ (lotus stem) crop in Dal Lake:: Feb 24, 2015
 Tiger population increase figures may be the result of a measuring error, according to a team British-India team of scientists: Feb 24, 2015 
 
 FEBRUARY 25
A rhino crossing a jungle road in the Kaziranga National Park on Tuesday (image): Feb 25 

<http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150225/jsp/northeast/story_5406.jsp>                                                                 
Rains, fresh snowfall in Kashmir: February 25
Organizations and intellectuals of Assam moot the idea of deploying local inhabitants as the first line of defence in Kaziranga in their discussion convened by Governor: Feb 25
Northeast reels under prolonged dry spell in Jan-Feb this year: Feb 25
Forest Rights still a distant dream for most tribals in Karnataka: Feb 25
MoEF has asked the Coal Ministry to not auction the Mahan coal block in Singrauli: Feb 25

FEBRUARY 26
Fresh snowfall in upper reaches, rains in plains of Kashmir; NH closed: Feb 26
India home to 18% of world’s raptors - ZSI: February 26, 2015
Lahaul, Pangi lashed by blizzard, Heavy snow in Kinnaur: Feb 26 2015
71,000 bar-headed geese still staying in Pong wetland: Feb 26
Odisha Government offers 400 sq km of forest area  to Satkosia Tiger Reserve (STR)in lieu of the loss in 2014:  26 Feb
Delay in setting up of special tiger protection force by the states: Government: Feb 26
Rare 'Brook’s Flycatcher', 'Jerdon’s Baza' spotted in Eastern Ghats:TNN | Feb 26, 2015,
Elephant calf falls into well, rescued in Pathanamthitta district: February 26 <http://www.mathrubhumi.com/english/offbeat/elephant-falls-into-well-rescued-158714.html>   
RSAC, Lucknow will provide NGT images of Bil Akbarpur wetland in Dadri in two weeks: Feb 26

FEBRUARY 27
Warm February weather in Calcutta; thunderstorms may occur next week: Feb 27
Snowfall in Kalpa, Keylong: Feb 27 2015
Property owners around Gir Sanctuary move HC:TNN | Feb 26, 2015
37 elephants, wild animals fell victim to speeding trains since 2013: PTI | Feb 27

FEBRUARY 28 (Saturday)
Raptor population up in Nilgiris North and Sathyamangalam, says survey: February 28
Poachers kill sixth Rhino in Kaziranga NP in the sixth addition (northern range): Feb 28
Low-pressure trough over MP  brings convective clouds over Jharkhand resulting in light showers and a dust storm in Ranchi: Saturday, February 28
7th Rhino killed in KNP: Feb 28
Fresh snowfall in Valley; rain lashes plains under the impact of Western Disturbance: Feb 28
Bhitarkanika Park Replaces Chilika as the biggest dolphin habitat in Odisha: 28th Feb
Bright fireballs and sonic boom reported over Kerala Sky: Feb 28
Samples collected from two sites–one each in Mazhuvannur and Karumaloor villages from where reports of objects falling out of the sky emerged. Preliminary assessments point to the possibility of a meteorite activity. Experts also pointed to the likelihood of a space debris re-entry given the slow pace of the object.
 
ADDITIONS:
A sewage sponge - East Kolkata Wetlands: Feb 24, 2015
Nature tweets from Sandur - though illegal mining has left an irreparable impact on the ecosystem, Sandur valley has retained a character of wilderness:Samad Kottur, Feb 24, 2015
Raptor population up in Nilgiris North and Sathyamangalam, says survey: February 28, 2015
Report blames trawlers for depletion of marine resources in Palk Bay: Feb 28
A report commissioned by MEA, GOI and prepared by Joe D'Cruz* and submitted in Jan.2015 squarely blames trawlers for depletion of marine resources in the continental shelf along the bay. Trawler technology was introduced as part of an Indo-Norwegian Project in 1963 to promote fishing in peninsular India. The technology is meant for sea where the depth is 2km on an average. Palk bay is not even 20m deep. Commercial fishermen account for only 20% of the fishing community. D'Cruz has strongly recommended declaring and notifying the Palk Bay region as an area of traditional fishing.
According to his report,  trawlers are powered by engines of 200 HP & 450 HP  in violation of the Tamil Nadu Fishing Regulation Act 1983, which allows mechanical boats upto 150 HP. Bottom trawling uses enormous nets weighed down with heavy ballast that are dragged along the sea floor. In the process, it crushes everything, from fish to corals. Large areas of seabed where fish find food , shelter and breed are crushed and flattened. This has depleted the fish population proved disastrous to the bio-diversity of the bay.
The report has recommended creation of a fishing harbour at Mookaiyur for the traditonal fishermen from Rameshwaram. It recommends encouragement of deep-sea fishing of blue and yellow-finned tuna in the Wadge Bank in the IEE Zone. The report has also suggested increase of diesel subsidy (existing amount per registraion book is 1.5 lakhs per year) and grant for boats from Thoothoor, Kanyakumari district that are already into deep-sea fishing. Another recommedndation is the modernisation of Pamban Railway bridge to allow smooth movement of boats from noth sea to south.
The report stresses the point that retrieval of Katchatheevu will not solve the fisheries conflict in the area as our fishermen go far beyond the island and IMBL.
*Joe D'Cruz was born in the fishermen's community and whose novel Korkai tracing the history of fishermen in the Gulf of Mannar, won him the Sahity Academy award in 2013.
(The Hindu, 28 Feb 2015)
Rhino killed in Gohpur of Assam – officer suspended: Saturday, February 28
<https://www.timesofassam.com/headlines/rhino-killed-gohpur-assam-officer-suspended/>








 










































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