Environment and Conservation News from India: JULY 1 - 15, 2015


JULY 1 (Wednesday)
A wild elephant, which had strayed from Kaziranga NP approached the 3km Kaliabhomora  bridge from the Nagaon side and crossed over to the other side: July 1
The bridge is nearly 15km from Tezpur. Forest personnel managed to prod the elephant back to Bhomoraguri forest (on the Sonitpur side). 

35 leopards roam Sanjay Gandhi National Park & its periphery: TNN | July 1
Carcasses of 1,255 wild animals including four lions and 1,225 blue bulls and 14 chittals  that died in the floods recovered from three talukas of Bhanvnagar district: July 1
Scorching of vegetation recently reported from parts of the coastal areas of Kerala not due to Heat Burst, but due to heat wave with salt water spray from the sea: July 1
Scientists of CPCRI, Kasaragod, have said scorching of some trees and plants seen in the coastal belt is due to “wind fire” or “heat burst”: July 1
Tigress Ramya and tiger Sanjay in Mysore Zoo, rescued from two different areas of  Nagarahole TR in the last 7 months, found to have a mother-son bond by CCMB: July 1
Floods and wildlife: June 29
Early last month, the nation celebrated the 27 per cent increase in the population of Asiatic lions in the GIR forests, across Junagadh and Amreli districts. That these numbers are now dwindling owing to nature’s fury more than direct anthropogenic factors is equally worrisome. It is time to reconsider methods like translocation of endangered wildlife species to other favourable habitats; Madhya Pradesh has long offered to support the translocation of lions from Gir. Policymakers must act soon as we cannot afford to have species becoming extinct as a result of sudden disasters (Swasti Pachauri, New Delhi).

JULY 2
Bhadra Tiger Reserve (BTR) has the highest population of leopard cats in Karnataka: July 2
Over 12,000 birds flock to Pong Dam lake, Himachal: July 2
Himachal  received 21% less rain in June: July 2
Snale-Hatkoti-Guma power line awaits stage-II forest clearance: July 2
The power line aims at evacuating power from the 111 MW Sawra-Kuddu project and other projects in Pabbar valley. As many as 300 trees would be cut or affected by the line that will run through 70 per cent of forest area and about 30 per cent of the private land of the farmers.
Deficient rainfall in June in Bihar: July 2
Rainfall deficiency for the state stands at 28 per cent, the same for Patna is  41 per cent. Nine districts received excess , seven districts received normal (+/- 19 per cent), while 22 districts received deficit or scanty rainfall. Patna meteorological centre has forecast good rainfall in the state only after July 17 mainly owing to a weak monsoon current.
Widespread rain in Jharkhand: July 2
 Four hydroelectric power projects in Arunachal Pradesh have been denied environmental clearance: July 1
 Britain's Prince Charles and his wife Camilla launched an ambitious fund-raising drive for conservation of Asian elephants in India: July 1
Teesta water level rises after continuous rain, flooding at least 8 villages: July 1
Heavy rains lash Kalimpong subdivision/Innumerable slides occurrs across the Darjeeling hills. The tea gardens around Darjeeling seem to have borne the brunt of the climatic disaster that struck the hilly regions of West Bengal on Tuesday night.
Rivers in spate, monsoon has covered the entire Terai region: TNN | July 2 <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/allahabad/Rivers-in-spate-Floodwater-enters-houses-in-low-lying-areas/articleshow/47910070.cms>    
First month of the monsoon (June) has been good for Andhra Pradesh: July 2
100 years of Zoological Survey of India: July 2
Microchips implanted in elephants at the Kozhi Kamudhi camp in the Anamalai TR
There are 22 elephants in the camp. The information about the captive elephants are stored in a database with each elephant assigned an unique identification number.These microchips will contain the number and can be read through a digital reader.
CMFRI, Kochi, has drawn up an action plan for conservation and management of sharks in Indian waters: July 1
 <http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/saving-the-sharks-before-it-is-too-late/article7375197.ece>

JULY 3
Camera traps installed in Manampalli and Valparai ranges of the Anamalai Tiger Reserve: July 3
Rains lash Shivamogga district again: July 3
A donkey and two monkeys at a court in Dholpur: July 2
If Dholpur had an official animal, it had to be the donkey. They are everywhere: this sleepy eastern Rajasthan city of 1.3 lakh has stray donkeys like other cities have street dogs. Herds of them stand stoically inside buildings constructed in a Maru Gurjara-cum-Islamic style that house state institutions here, witnessing court proceedings and land registrations in a city yet to come out of its feudal moorings.

<http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150703/jsp/frontpage/story_29300.jsp>
Two nearby tiny hilltop townships in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills district are vying for the “wettest place on the planet” title as both received over 4300 mm of rainfall in June: July 3
Sohra, previously known as Cherrapunjee, has received 4355.5mm last month. Mawsynram, located about 10 km west recorded cumulative rainfall for June of 4781.2mm
New species of songbirds evolving in Western Ghats, says study by NCBS, Bengaluru: PTI | Jul 3,

JULY 4
A tiger attacking spotted deers at Nagarahole National Park in Mysore district on Friday: July 4 

Madurai Nature Forum (MNF) is conducting a study and aims to document the population and diversity of butterflies in the city: July 4
State government failed to implement norms  for construction of buildings in the landslide-prone Darjeeling hills, whose rock is quite fragile and its compactness is low, says a geophysicist: July 3
Darjeeling was asleep when catastrophe struck, killing no fewer than 33 people with reports of many more missing and rendered homeless. The enormity of the tragedy must be as geographical as it is human, indeed the worst landslide that the Hills have suffered in 50 years and one that is substantially embedded in the ecological imbalance. Mirik was the worst affected area. Landslides are an inherent danger of the region’s topography. The tragedy of the three sub-divisions of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Kurseong has been the rampant development of under-development. More accurately, it is the unregulated construction of houses along the hillslopes that is at the core of the latest disaster. Natural calamities at this time of year cannot be ruled out; nor for that matter can a fairly accurate weather forecast preclude a catastrophe. Unregulated building activity  has over time caused severe damage to the ecological balance. The other factor must be the torrential rain and flash floods that have swept the Hills. Fresh landslips and heavy rainfall continue to ravage the hills.
Saach Pass opens: July 4
The Chamba-Killar highway via the Saach Pass has been cleared of snow and opened to vehicular traffic after eight months.According to reports, the Saach Pass (4,420 metres) was blocked due to heavy snow. The highway via the Saach Pass is a shortcut route that links the district headquarters with Killar township of the Pangi tribal sub-division. Earlier, residents of the Pangi tribal valley had to take a long route via Doda and Jammu to reach Chamba.
Kaziranga to go ahead with eco-zone plans Amid protestsNaresh Mitra,TNN | Jul 4,

JULY 5 (Sunday)
Poachers may have killed 4 tigers in Kerala this year the 34 wild tiger deaths reported in the country: July 5
Plantations, deforestation genetically affecting birds in Western Ghats- Study by NCBS: July 5
Sniffer dog to be deployed in Assam’s Kaziranga NP to combat rhino poachers: July 5
 Monsoon rainfall broke a 20 year old record in Pasighat area as heavy rains in the early hours today flooded almost entire Pasighat, Ruksin and adjoining areas: July 4
Swollen Ruksin, Ngorlung, Sille, Peneng, Oyan and Remi rivers inundated rural human habitations, horticultural gardens and paddy fields causing huge loss to the villagers. http://www.arunachaltimes.in/ July 5
Massive Timber smuggling in Doimara, Kamengbari along Assam-Arunachal border: July 4
Large number of freshly sawn timber and logs are floated downwards in Shergaon Nallah (also known as Delsiri river) into Assam g navigated by men who are allegedly timber smugglers from Assam. This is a routine act in the periphery of Doimara area under West Kameng district bordering Assam. Tucked away in the south-west part of West Kameng, Doimara a densely covered forest area is reportedly turning out to be a safe haven for both the timber smugglers and the underground outfits. Sources in Doimara informed ‘The Arunachal Times’ that a rampant illegal timber operation is going on in Doimara RF area gravely threatening the wild life. It is said that activity has become so rampant that hordes of timber smugglers often sneak into Arunachal territory and indiscriminately saw down trees.  The smugglers safely transport the sawn logs through Delsiri River between Doimara and the foothills in the summer and by bicycles during winter to avoid forest officials and the IRBN personnel posted at Doimara. According to the villagers, the underground elements active in the area backs the smugglers for the illegal timber operation and have nexus with the authority. The smugglers prefer to operate during night and transport the logs to Sonitpur in Assam and sell it openly in the market. 

The pilgrims of the first batch of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through Nathula reached the State capital, Gangtok yesterday on completion of the Yatra: July 4 
On June 16 these pilgrims had embarked on the Yatra from New Delhi and a flag off ceremony was hosted by Sikkim in the State capital for them on June 18. They were the first batch of pilgrims to have visited Kailash Mansarovar through the new route of Nathula Pass.
A welcome wake-up call - Kaziranga: June 29
Just for Mother Earth - Alipur Dooar Nature Club would be joining hands with Buxa TR to host monsoon Camp at Buxa Dooar during August to raise awareness among the rural folks of Buxa Dooar: July 3
Rhino poached in Jaldapara, seventh in a year: TNN | Jul 5

JULY 6
More than 1 wild tiger suspected in Bannerghatta NP and Biological Park: July 6
Several parts of Himachal experience widespread rain: July 5
 Fresh wave of floods in Assam, alert sounded in the low-lying areas in Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Sonitpur and Udalguri districts following heavy rainfall in neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh: July 5
An engaging book of his memoirs, Pugmarks in Palamau - Encounters in the Wild by retired forester, Sangam Lahiry who has spent long tenures in Palamau TR, part of the Betla National ParkFrom <http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150706/jsp/jharkhand/story_29818.jsp>
Heavy rains lash parts of U’khand as monsoon covers state: TNN | July 5
Headcount spots over 3,300 giant squirrels,the official state animal of Maharashtra: July 6
Dozen lions die in Amreli floods: July 4
Gaya, on Sunday night received a record 131.6 mm rainfall: TNN | Jul 6

July 7
Environment and forest ministers of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu will meet in New Delhi on Tuesday to discuss conservation of biodiversity of the Western Ghats: July 7
Chennai sizzles at 40.7 degrees Celsius: July 7
Heavy overnight rains lashed a number of places across Uttarakhand: July 6
NGT lashing out at the Himachal Government for allowing a “traffic chaos”, today issued a show-cause notice to it asking why should not a complete ban be imposed on tourism activities in and around the eco-sensitive Rohtang Pass: July 6
An active Pacific region may have contributed to a weakened monsoon - IMD: July 7
Van Mahotsav: is celebrated every year from July 1 to 7. The movement was initiated in the year 1950 by the then Union Minister Agriculture, Dr. KM Munshi. As part of the week , thousands of saplings of various species are planted throughout the country.

 
 JULY 8
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) today banned all commercial activities at the Rohtang Pass: July 7
 Monsoon turns active and heavy rain lashed several parts of Himachal today: July 7
Jharkhand records surplus rainfall for the first time this monsoon: July 7
68 nesting sites of estuarine crocodiles spotted at Bhitarkanika NP: July 7
Elephant population in Kuldiha WLS in Balasore district has seen a marginal decline from 93 in 2012 to 89:
New species of barracuda identified in Arabian Sea: TNN | Jul 8
This is the 12th barracuda species to be identified  in the Indian Ocean and adjacent seas.
No mining, polluting units in eco-sensitive zones, says Javadekar, Environment Minister: July 8

JULY 9
Rainfall deficient in July in the country, declines in all regions except NW: New Delhi, July 9
Heavy monsoon rains triggered landslides in Shimla and Kullu district  and the swollen Beas and Parbati Rivers are flowing above danger mark: July 8
Twelve persons have lost their lives in wild animal attacks this year in Uttarakhand: July 8
Thirteen mammal species, 130 bird species, 40 species of butterfly and 40 of spider have been recorded in the  survey of Nanda Devi NP: July 8
Historical Ranchi Lake in dire need of civic diligence: July 9
The grand old water body, which was dug up by prisoners in 1842 and was an erstwhile paradise for birders, is an eyesore today. While garbage lines the periphery of the 53-acre lake, overflowing drains defile its once crystal clear waters. 
Bihar and several other states in eastern India received much higher rainfall compared to rest of the country in the past three-four days; rainfall deficiency for the state comes down after July 1: July 9
Wild elephant menace remains a nightmare in the forest terrains of the Kannur district, bordering Wayanad and Karnataka: July 9
There were many instances of wild elephants encroaching into human habitat and destroying crops like pineapple not only in Aralam, a spot persistently targeted by the elephants, but also places in the interiors.

JULY 10
Heavy rains in Jammu region; rise in Tawi, Chenab rivers’ levels: July 9

Tawi river in spate
T-24, the Ranthambhore tiger in the news: July 10
A male elephant found dead with bullet injuries near Kamanahalli Forest Reserve: July 10


JULY 11
New butterfly species discovered in the verdant forests of Changlang district in Arunachal Pradesh: July 10
The butterfly christened as the Banded Tit (Hypolycaena Narada), was announced by state PCCF  (Wildlife and Biodiversity),  Dr Yogesh here today.The Banded Tit is a denizen of low-lying evergreen forests of Changlang. It has an interesting life-cycle. The adult butterflies live only for approximately two weeks in March every year, presumably spending a large part of the remaining year in a dormant state in larval or pupal stages, which are still unknown. The butterflies feed primarily on bird-droppings along cool streams in the forests.
Even if the butterfly species has been described and named, much of its biology is still a mystery, Yogesh said. For instance, its larval host plants, breeding behavior and precise habitat requirements are unknown, although such information may help ensure the long-term survival of this species in the rapidly changing, human-dominated landscape. The Banded Tit was recently described in a research paper by Dr Krushnamegh Kunte, a research scientist and faculty member at the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bengaluru. A new butterfly species called the Bright-eyed Argus (Callerebia Dibangensis) was last discovered in Arunachal Pradesh a few years ago.


JULY 11
 Heavy rain lashes Delhi: July 11
The Met office said the city received a total of around 100 mm of rains in the last three days out of which 93.8 mm of rainfall, the highest of season, was recorded since 5:30 PM yesterday.
The coastal district of Dakshina Kannada receives rains throughout the day, perhaps for the second time in the last two months: July 09
Wild elephants damage crops in Naniyala tribal hamlet of Ramakuppam mandal,near Kuppam: July 11
Most parts of Himachal lashed by rain - major rivers, including the Ravi, the Sutlej and the Beas, along with their tributaries, in spate: July 10
Una receives 99.6 mm of rainfall; Snowfall in upper  reaches of Kullu:  July 10
Calcutta receives 135mm of rain in 12 hours and 143.7mm between 8.30am on Thursday and 8.30pm on Friday: July 11
Low-pressure that originated in north Bay and lay over Jharkhand on Thursday, moves to Chhattisgarh: July 11
World Population Day: July 11 
India today recorded a population of 127,42,39,769, which is growing at a rate of 1.6 per cent a year, and is 17.25 per cent of the global population. China, which is now the world’s most populous country at around 1.39 billion. If the current growth rates continue, India will have 1.63 billion people by 2050 and will surpass China. The total fertility rate (TFR) in India has seen a decline and stood at 2.3 in 2013.
How many of the iconic creatures will be able to roam in their natural habitats for much longer: growing populations and the thirst for resources, poaching and  black market for animals all mean that humans and animals are increasingly competing for territory and survival. And the animals usually lose. Unlike the west, wildlife is given less  priority in the east and conservationists are not always welcome. Higher population means hungry families who will be eying the forests right next door to them. Maybe it’s more realistic to start picturing a world in which the animals we care about most will only be safe in areas that are properly guarded.
Population & Conservation: The real crux of the issue in India will be malnutrition, both the quantity of food available to the poor, and its quality. With the increased population, this can come only from animal meat (which contains protein-amino acids and fats), which may become impossible to provide to the entire population without severely damaging the ecology.
China on course to shed one-child policy (July 24): China could be on course to shed its one-child policy, allowing couples to have a second child, to counter the demographic trend of an aging society and growing labour shortages. According to UN estimates, nearly 440 million people in China would be over 60 by 2050, signaling a rapid decline in the labour pool. Last year, the working population between the ages 15-59 dropped by 3.71 million — a trend that is likely to continue in the future. The total fertility rate has dropped to 1.4, signifying the average number of children to be born of a woman in her entire lifespan. This was well short of the 2.1 target that was required to keep the population profile balanced. Prime Minister in March said that the government would "push forward reform of birth-control management." In 2013,the government had allowed couples, either of whom was a single child, to have a second child.

JULY 12 (Sunday)
Heavy rain floods 14 Odisha villages in the districts of Sundergarh and Jharsuguda: PTI, July 12
The depression over Jharkhand and adjoining North Chhattisgarh and Odisha moved Northwestwards and lay centered over Northeast Madhya Pradesh and adjoining southeast Uttar Pradesh.
Kaziranga: July 12
Let the Sangai dance: July 5
Forest Act violation in Tawang power project: July 11
 As per a recent RTI response received environment activist Rohit Choudhury, NE regional office of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) Shillong) has found clear violations of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, by M/s NJC Hydro Power Ltd, which is developing the 780-MW Nyamjang Chhu project in the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh. The barrage of the power project is coming in a short stretch of the river, which, according to environmentalists, is one of the only two wintering sites of the black-necked crane in India. The bird is considered sacred by the local Monpas.
The Save Mon Region Federation has also challenged the environmental clearance granted to the project before the NGT.
12 districts jn coastal States and 1 UT on the east coast and 1 state on the west coast  are very highly prone to cyclones - Studyby IMD scientist: July 12
No evidence of tiger on camera traps at Bannerghatta NP: July 12
A tiger was directly spotted on Saturday (July 4), and more pug marks found on Sunday (July 5) in the BBP safari area.
Rain lashes north India: : July 12
Heavy rain continues in Himachal for the second day on Saturday; Landslips hit Shimla: July 12 
Rainfall recedes in most parts of Karnataka: July 12
Ganga crossed the danger mark of 294 metre in Haridwar after incessant rains lash Garhwal division: July 11
Gujarat Flash Floods Killed 10 Lions, About 90 Spotted Deer: July 12
Dugongs on brink of extinction, poaching continues in India: TNN | Jul 12
Talipot palm prepares to bloom near Thuvarankurichi in Trichy district: TNN | July 12
Exotic killer seaweed invades coral-rich Gulf of Mannar: July 12

JULY 13  
Rains lash most parts of Kashmir valley since last night, more rainfall predicted: July 12
Flood alert in Kashmir; Jhelum flowing above danger mark: July 13
Groundwater level in Tamil Nadu has declined considerably in the past five years: July 13
Bioacoustics — which uses the distress cries of wild animals — is the latest attempt as a defence against crop-raiding animals: July 13
High alert sounded in Pathankot villages near the banks of Ravi after heavy rains in Punjab: July13
The water level of the Ranjit Sagar Dam today touched 523.90m against the storage capacity of 527.91metres
Flash floods cut off Bara Bhangal: July 13

Bara Bhangal Valley, Kangra district

JULY 14
Encroachment of pristine Garbhanga RF upstream of the Basistha river by land grabbers from Meghalaya side: July 13
Drones, camera traps to monitor elephant reserves in Kerala: July 14
As rains continued to lash the region around a week, there were flash floods in Ramban district while Amarnath Yatra continued to be stalled on the third day following heavy rainfall and landslides on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
Incessant rainfall at several places in the state also led to the closure of the Jammu- Srinagar National Highway.The water level in rivers and nallahs across the valley rose near to danger mark today owing to incessant downpour since previous night. Jhelum was almost touching the danger mark at several places. Water level recorded in  Jhelum at Sangam in south Kashmir was 22.2 feet : July 13
Widespread rain lashes Himachal : July 14
The water levels in Himachal Pradesh's major dams -- Bhakra and Pong rises: July 14
Dalma's Don, the 50-plus tusker  is back to doing what he does best - terrorise foresters and visitors: July 14
Buxa Tiger Reserve's tiger habitat t has shrunk to a small area on the foothills close to Bhutan: July 14

JULY 15
Chennai has the highest proportion of ‘severe’ days of air pollution: July 15
Herd of 17 elephants creates a sensation in Silagain village of Chanho block, some 50km from Ranchi: July 15




                                                                                                                                                                                                       


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