#Uttar Pradesh forest department

[indianexpalert]

Conservation Initiative: 'Dolphin Friends' Appointed for Gangetic Dolphins' Protection | Varanasi News

VARANASI: The forest department appointed ‘Dolphin Friends‘ in Varanasi and Ghazipur districts for the conservation of Gangetic dolphins. The forest officers of Varanasi and Ghazipur selected Dolphin Friends, with six selected in Varanasi and five in Ghazipur. Their main task is to continuously monitor the Ganga river in these districts to protect the dolphins and raise awareness among the…

[arushithukral]

Bahraich Under Siege: The Unprecedented Wolf Attacks in Uttar Pradesh

In an extraordinary turn of events, the typically tranquil town of Bahraich in Uttar Pradesh has become the epicenter of a wildlife crisis that reads like a scene from a thriller novel. A pack of wolves, having strayed from their forest habitat, has unleashed a reign of terror upon the unsuspecting residents, prompting local authorities to launch a high-stakes operation dubbed "Bhediya" or "Operation Wolf Hunt."

The Incident That Shook the Town

The gravity of the situation came into sharp focus when a five-year-old girl fell victim to a wolf attack while sleeping beside her grandmother. Though the child survived due to the quick response of her family, the incident served as a chilling wake-up call to the community and authorities alike. To date, the toll stands at 34 injured, with several individuals sustaining serious injuries.

Superintendent Rajesh Kumar, leading the charge against this unprecedented threat, stated with resolve, "We are leaving no stone unturned." The police force has joined hands with the forest department, employing advanced tracking devices in their relentless pursuit of the elusive predators.

A Town Transformed

As dusk descends upon Bahraich, an eerie calm envelops the town. Streets once bustling with activity now lie deserted, with residents adhering strictly to government advisories urging them to remain indoors. The atmosphere is tense, with citizens casting furtive glances from behind closed doors and windows, their daily routines disrupted by this unforeseen intrusion of the wild.

Despite the palpable fear, the community has displayed remarkable resilience. Local authorities are working round the clock, aiming to restore normalcy by September 7th. The residents of Bahraich, while understandably anxious, have placed their trust in these efforts.

The Broader Implications

This unusual conflict between humans and wildlife in Bahraich raises critical questions about urban expansion and forest conservation. As human settlements continue to encroach upon natural habitats, such incidents, though rare, serve as stark reminders of the delicate balance between civilization and the wild.

The ongoing "Operation Bhediya" is more than just a hunt; it's a complex challenge that requires a nuanced approach to wildlife management and urban planning. The outcome of this operation could potentially influence future policies on human-wildlife conflict resolution across India.

Looking Ahead

As Bahraich holds its collective breath, waiting for a resolution to this crisis, the eyes of the nation are fixed upon this small town in Uttar Pradesh. The unfolding drama serves as a powerful narrative on the consequences of disturbing natural ecosystems and the need for coexistence between humans and wildlife.

The story of Bahraich is far from over. It stands as a testament to human resilience in the face of unexpected adversity and a call to action for more sustainable urban development practices. As we await the conclusion of "Operation Bhediya," one thing is clear: the lessons learned here will resonate far beyond the borders of this now-famous town.

[tfgadgets]

Trapped Leopard Was Being Loaded On Truck. Then This Happened

The leopard woke up, roared, and attacked the group of forest department workers. Bijnor: Three forest department officials were injured after they were attacked by a leopard while they were putting the trapped big cat in a cage in Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnor district, officials said on Saturday. The incident took place in a forest near Dharmanagri when the officials managed to trap the leopard. A…

[venkateshwara-group1998]

Shri Venkateshwara University conducted a mega tree plantation drive marking the World Environment Day 2024.

Shri Venkateshwara University, VGI Meerut, & VIMS Multispeciality Hospital organized a mega tree plantation drive, seminar & awareness rally on the occasion of World Environment Day 2024.

We planted 2100 saplings at both Gajraula & Meerut Campuses & along both sides of the national highway in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh Forest Corporation.

The participants pledged to conserve these plants for a cleaner environment.

The Venkateshwara Group, along with the UP Forest Corporation, planted Banyan, Parijat, Tulsi, Anwla, Neem, Jamun, Rudraksh & various other medicinal & shady plants.

On the occasion of World Environment Day 2024, we conducted a seminar on the topic, Connect People with nature.

All the speakers appealed to plant more trees & make India polythene free to conserve the environment.

The Venkateshwara Group Founder President Dr Sudhir Giri, Pro Chancellor Dr Rajeev Tyagi & the Senior IFS Officer Mr. SP Singh inaugurated the event by offering flowers on the portrait of Goddess Saraswati.

Mr. Sumit Rathi, Senior Deputy Ranger Forest Department, joined them to unveil the seminar & tree plantation drive marking the World Environment Day.

We honoured Forest Conservator, two DFOs, Forest Department Ranger, Deputy Ranger, Inspectors and a dozen Forest Inspectors by presenting them shawls and mementos.

The Venkateshwara Group Founder President, Dr Sudhir Giri, reiterated it’s a fortunate coincidence that June 5th is also the birthday of our honourable CM Shri Yogi Adityanathji.

We should pledge to gift each other plants & donate blood on the occasion of social functions like birthday, marriage anniversary & naming ceremony to realize PM’s dream of a Clean India Green India. This way we can play an active role in nation development.

The Pro Chancellor Dr Rajeev Tyagi said the only way to prevent global warming  & environment pollution is to plant more & more trees that give us clean air.

Senior IFS Officer Mr SP Singh affirmed the Venkateshwara Group not only offers quality education but also actively takes part in social causes. These qualities make Venkateshwara Group a renowned educational group in the country.

Senior Forest Officer Mr Naresh Kumar asserted even educated and sophisticated people are getting away from nature, which is the major reason for global warming & climate change.

We should conserve nature only then development can happen without deteriorating the environment.

Those present included the Group Advisor Mr. RS Sharma, Registrar Dr Piyush Pandey, Dr CP Singh, Dr Rajesh Singh, Dr Divya Girdhar, Dr Ana Brown, Dr Manjari Rana, & Anusha Karnwal.

Sumandeep Kaur, Prashant Dahiya from Public Relations, Saumik Banerjee, Photographer Sumit Ghosh, Campus Manager Mr SS Baghel, Arun Goswami, Maroof Chaudhary were all present.

Also present were Vishal Sharma, Navneet Saini, Rinki Sharma, & Sanjeev Pal.

The Meerut Campus Director Dr Pratap Singh was present & also present was the Media Incharge Mr. Vishwas Rana among others.

[twf2020]

Human-Wildlife Conflict on the rise in Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand is a state in northern India, sitting in the lap of mighty Himalayas. It is known for its rich natural resources, picturesque landscapes, various Hindu pilgrimage sites and enormous biodiversity. The total area of the state is 53, 483 sq. km, 65% of which is covered by forests. Hence, it is home to a large population of wildlife, including tigers, elephants, leopards, and bears, sharing space with humans. Consequently, it has constantly been grappling with the issue of human-wildlife conflict.

The conflict has led to casualties both on the sides of civilians as well as wild animals. According to the state-forest department data, about 1396 leopards died in Uttarakhand from 2000–2020. In the same period, around 500 people lost their lives to leopard attacks.

Causes of Human-Wildlife Conflict in Uttarakhand

Shrinking habitat: The primary cause of human-wildlife conflict in Uttarakhand is the shrinking habitat of wildlife due to human activities. Continuous changes in forest cover and anthropogenic pressures are forcing large groups of animals to venture into landscapes outside the reserve forest. As the human population and development increases, forests are being cleared for agriculture, infrastructure, and urbanization. This has resulted in fragmentation of habitats and the isolation of wildlife populations. This loss of habitat has forced animals to venture out into human settlements in search of food and shelter, leading to conflict situations.

Illegal wildlife trade:According to a TRAFFIC study entitled, “Illuminating the Blind Spot: A study on illegal trade in Leopard parts in India”, as many as four leopards a week have been poached for the last ten years in India, predominantly for their skin.Uttarakhand alone accounted for a whopping 20% of these poaching incidents. Most of these illegal wildlife products are smuggled to nearby Asian countries like Myanmar, Laos and China.

The changing weather patterns and climate change: Natural disasters like droughts, floods, forest fires, exaggerated by the climate change crisis, harm the natural wildlife populations of the area. Since 2000, when the state was carved out of the existing Uttar Pradesh, 54,800 hectares of forest cover has been destroyed by wildfires in Uttarakhand. Because of destruction of their natural habitats, animals have begun to move into semi-urban and urban areas in quest of food and shelter.

Consequences of Human-Wildlife Conflict

Human-wildlife conflict has severe consequences for both humans and wildlife. According to a report published by Titli Trust, in 2021–22, “Not a single month passes in Uttarakhand when incidents of attack by leopards, tigers, elephants, or other wildlife animals are not reported. Leopard attacks top the list and are the most severe.”

On the one hand, it poses a threat to the safety and lives of people living in areas adjacent to forests. Wildlife can attack humans, resulting in injuries or fatalities. In addition, animals can damage crops and property, leading to economic losses for the people.

On the other hand, it also threatens the survival of wildlife. With increasing conflict situations, animals are often hunted, trapped, or poisoned, leading to a decline in their population. This, in turn, affects the ecosystem, as the loss of a species can have a cascading effect on the food chain and the balance of the ecosystem.

Steps Taken to Address Human-Wildlife Conflict

The government of Uttarakhand has taken several steps to address the issue of human-wildlife conflict. One of the primary steps has been the establishment of protected areas, such as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, to conserve wildlife habitats. The state has 12 national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, covering an area of 13,800 square kilometers. Moreover, connecting protected areas through wildlife corridors is critical.

Another step has been the development of eco-tourism and community-based conservation programs. Since 2011, the Uttarakhand forest department has been working with NGOs, namely Titli Trust and Wildlife Conservation Society- India (WCS-India) in order to reduce human-wildlife conflict. These programs aim to involve local communities in conservation efforts and provide them with economic benefits. By involving communities, these programs not only create a sense of ownership but also help in reducing conflict situations. One of the programms launched by the government is “The Living with Leopards programme” or “guldar ki dagdiya” as it has been renamed in Uttarakhand.

The Living with Leopards Programme

It was originally initiated by the Maharashtra forest department in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, where it turned out to be a huge success.

Sanjay Sodhi, the founder of the Titli Trust describe the programme as follows, “Under the ‘Living with Leopards’ programme, primary response teams were formed at the village level, which used to give us information about the appearances of leopards in an area and report instances of leopard attacks. A rapid response team comprising officers and employees of forest departments, veterinary doctors, and forest guards was formed. This team was trained and provided with all the necessary equipment. Along with this, awareness drives were conducted and people were told to carry out certain tasks, including cleaning up the bushes and keeping their homes well lit. They were also told to walk in groups while venturing into forest areas.”

The program has shown good results in some districts in Uttarakhand, with the leopard attacks decreasing significantly. Unfortunately, it failed to show any improvement in other districts. Some of the challenges in these areas are lack of resources and human resources as well as lack of interest by the forest department officials in tackling the issues.

Other steps being taken by the government to mitigate the conflict situation are:

Solar fencing, construction of anti-wildlife walls and elephant-proof trenches around villages to prevent wildlife from entering human settlements.

Water conservation

Eradication of wild bushes like lantana, and

Installation of solar lights.

Compensation Schemes

In addition, compensation schemes have been implemented for those who suffer losses due to conflict situations. Recently at the 18th meeting of the Uttarakhand State Wildlife Board, chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the government announced to increase the compensation amount given to the family members of those killed by wild animals, from INR 4 lakh to INR 6 lakhs. People who are seriously injured in human-wildlife conflicts will be given INR 1 lakh, as opposed to INR 50,000 previously. This increment was done in sight of the recent increase in the incidents of human-wildlife conflicts in the state.

Conclusion

The state of Uttarakhand is a paradise for nature lovers. It also has an important role to play in the conservation of flora and fauna. At the same time, man-animal conflict is a growing concern in the state. It is a complex issue that requires urgent attention, as it not only affects the livelihoods and safety of the people but also threatens the survival of wildlife. Hence, effective long-term strategies need to be devised and implemented to safeguard both humans and wildlife in the state.

We at Think Wildlife Foundation recently launched our Livelihoods for Conservation project to provide alternative, sustainable livelihoods to the communities living with wildlife. This is with the aim to incentivize conservation while uplifting these communities economically. You can purchase merchandise from these communities here!

Written by: Ankit Dhoundiyal

Originally published at https://thinkwildlifefoundation.com on May 26, 2023.

[petnews2day]

Forest Department Case Against UP Man Who Rescued, Cared For Sarus Crane

New Post has been published on https://petn.ws/X4axI

Forest Department Case Against UP Man Who Rescued, Cared For Sarus Crane

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has criticised the forest department’s action Amethi: The Forest department has filed a case and issued a notice to an Uttar Pradesh man who rescued a Sarus crane and took care of it for a year, officials said. The crane, which lived with Arif Khan Gurjar in the Mandkha village […]

See full article at https://petn.ws/X4axI #BirdNews

[gadgetsforusesblog]

The friendship of Arif and the crane broke, the forestry team took the bird - The heartwarming story of Arif Khan and the sarus crane is over Lcls

The year-old friendship between Saras and Arif broke. Arif picked up the injured crane and brought it with him. Took him and treated him. Then they both started eating together. Wherever Arif went, the stork always followed him. But now Forest Department of Uttar Pradesh team has broken this friendship. The stork has been preserved at the Samaspur Bird Sanctuary in Rae Bareli so that it can live…

[boc-news]

স্কুল বাস থেকে উদ্ধার ৮০ কেজি ওজনের বিশালাকার অজগর, ভাইরাল ভিডিয়ো

স্কুল বাস (school bus) থেকে উদ্ধার বিশালাকার অজগর (python) সাপ। রবিবার উত্তর প্রদেশের (Uttar Pradesh) রায়বরেলিতে একটি স্কুল বাসের মধ্যে থেকে সাপটিকে উদ্ধার করা হয়েছে। সূত্রের খবর, রায়ান পাবলিক স্কুলের বাসের সিটের নিচে অজগরটি লুকিয়ে ছিল। এই ঘটনার খবর পেয়ে সার্কেল অফিসার সিটি বন্দনা সিং এবং সিটি ম্যাজিস্ট্রেট পল্লবী মিশ্র ঘটনাস্থলে পৌঁছান। তারপরই তারা বন দপ্তরের (Forest Department) কর্মীদের খবর…

[tezlivenews]

UP News: बेशकीमती और दुर्लभ प्रजाति के रेड सैंडबोआ दोमुंहे सांप के साथ 3 तस्कर गिरफ्तार

UP News: बेशकीमती और दुर्लभ प्रजाति के रेड सैंडबोआ दोमुंहे सांप के साथ 3 तस्कर गिरफ्तार

बलरामपुर. उत्तर प्रदेश में बलरामपुर (Balrampur) जिले की पुलिस ने वन्यजीवों की तस्करी करने वाले गिरोह के 4 सदस्यों को गिरफ्तार किया है. तस्करों के पास से दुर्लभ प्रजाति का एक रेड सैंड बोआ सांप (Red Sand Boa Snake) बरामद किया गया है. इस दुर्लभ प्रजाति के दोमुंहे सांप की अंतरराष्ट्रीय कीमत ढाई करोड़ रुपए बताई जा रही है. बलरामपुर की पुलिस ने वन विभाग की टीम और मुखबिर की सूचना पर वन्यजीवों की तस्करी…

[rnewsworldenglish]

Gorakhpur's identity has become Ramgarh Taal's first wetland, first notification released

Gorakhpur’s identity has become Ramgarh Taal’s first wetland, first notification released

Amar Ujala Bureau, Gorakhpur., ​​Up to date Thu, 18 Jun 2020 10:00 AM IST

Ramgarhital, which has change into the identification of town, has been declared the primary wetland of the state underneath Wetland Administration 2017. Preliminary notifications have been issued for this. The ultimate notification will likely be launched after technical testing and listening to the objections of the…

[newscountryindia]

Leopard attack in Uttar Pradesh village near Katarniaghat forest range injures 6 Image Source : FILE PHOTO At least 6 people were injured after a leopard attacked in a village in Uttar Pradesh.

[petnews2day]

Rare Sarus Crane Confiscated From UP Man Who Saved It

New Post has been published on https://petn.ws/LdnPJ

Rare Sarus Crane Confiscated From UP Man Who Saved It

Mohammed Arif found the crane in his field last year Rare Sarus Crane who was saved by a farmer from Uttar Pradesh has been taken away by the forest department on Tuesday, according to BBC. Thirty-year-old Mohammed Arif found the crane in his field last year and nursed it back to health. The man wanted […]

See full article at https://petn.ws/LdnPJ #BirdNews

[gadgetsforusesblog]

Click to read # The tigress seen in Pilibhit was yet to catch the atmosphere of panic in the area. tiger found in pilibhit of uttar praresh

Pilibhit News: On Thursday, officials from Pilibhit Tiger Reserve and Social Forest Department attempted to capture the tigress but were unsuccessful. He was surrounded by a sugar cane field, but could not be caught. Pilibhit News: There has been an uproar in the area after a tigress from the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh was seen in the village of Barkheda. People are now forced to…

[typhlonectes]

Nearly 300 Poached Turtles Return Home in India

Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) on Monday announced the return of 266 native Indian freshwater turtles to their home state of Uttar Pradesh, India. 

This release represents the first interstate repatriation of turtles from the State of Telangana and a continued increase in law enforcement actions protecting India’s wild turtles, and epitomizes public-private collaboration to re-wild animals seized from illegal trafficking.

To facilitate return of these aquatic turtles to their origin in the wild, TSA’s India Program partnered with Nehru Zoological Park, Telangana Forest Department (TFD), Uttar Pradesh Forest Department (UPFD), and Air India. 

The 266 Indian Roofed Turtles (Pangshura tecta) and Pink-ringed Tent Turtles (Pangshura tentoria circumdata) were housed at the Nehru Zoological Park in Telangana since August, where they remained until their transfer to Uttar Pradesh was finalized following court orders and legal proceedings. On Sunday, September 19, 2021, TSA India Program partner Air India flew the turtles from Hyderabad to Lucknow in specially designed cargo containers...

Read more: https://turtlesurvival.org/nearly-300-poached-turtles-return-home-in-india

[ch1424love]

उन्नाव के बांगरमउ में वन विभाग की मिलीभगत से पेड़ काटने और बेचने का कारोबार तेजी से फलफूल रहा है. बांगरमउ कोतवाली क्षेत्र के अंतर्गत ग्राम अहिरण पुरवा में ठेकेदार वनविभाग की मिलीभगत से हरे भरे बेशकिमती पेड़ों को काटदिया है. इनमें शीशम, आम, महुआ और अन्य प्रजातियों के पेड़ शामिल हैं. इस संबंध में अधिकारियों ने मामले से पूरी तरह अनभिज्ञता जतायी और कुछ भी बोलने से इंकार किया

[aryanthewarrior-blog1]

LOCUST - A New Threat To The Country

Author : Aryan Malvankar

India is suffering one of the worst locust attacks in its history. India is battling the worst desert locust outbreak in recent times. Swarms of locusts first attacked Rajasthan and have now spread to Punjab, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.

The Delhi Agriculture Department in an advisory said, "As the swarm of locusts flies in daytime, and rests during the night, it should not be allowed to rest at night." Delhi's forest department is considering covering the saplings in its nurseries with polythene to protect them against the desert locust attack.

About 90,000 hectares in 20 districts of Rajasthan have been affected due to the locust attack, an official said Thursday 28-May-2020

Swarms of locust have moved from Sri Ganganagar, Nagaur, Jaipur, Dausa, Karauli and Swai Madhopur towards other areas in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh after the authorities conducted operations to tackle them.

Crop over 4,000 hectares in Sri Ganganagar and 100 hectares in Nagaur have been destroyed.

Now lets understand more about LOCUST-

Locusts are short-horned grasshoppers belong to the family Acrididae. They have big hind legs for jumping. Locusts differ from grasshoppers in that they have the ability to change their behavior and habits and can migrate over large distances.

These insects are usually solitary, but under certain circumstances they become more abundant and change their behavior and habits, becoming gregarious. No taxonomic distinction is made between locust and grasshopper species; the basis for the definition is whether a species forms swarms under intermittently suitable conditions.

These grasshoppers are normally innocuous, their numbers are low, and they do not pose a major economic threat to agriculture. However, under suitable conditions of drought followed by rapid vegetation growth, serotonin in their brains triggers a dramatic set of changes: they start to breed abundantly, becoming gregarious and nomadic (loosely described as migratory) when their populations become dense enough. They form bands of wingless nymphs which later become swarms of winged adults. Both the bands and the swarms move around and rapidly strip fields and cause damage to crops. The adults are powerful fliers; they can travel great distances, consuming most of the green vegetation wherever the swarm settles.

Locusts have formed plagues since prehistory. The ancient Egyptians carved them on their tombs and the insects are mentioned in the Iliad, the Mahabharata, the Bible and the Quran. Swarms have devastated crops and been a contributory cause of famines and human migrations. More recently, changes in agricultural practices and better surveillance of locations where swarms tend to originate, have meant that control measures can be used at an early stage. The traditional means of control are based on the use of insecticides from the ground or the air, but other methods using biological control are proving effective.

Swarming behavior decreased in the 20th century, but despite modern surveillance and control methods, the potential for swarms to form is still present, and when suitable climatic conditions occur and vigilance lapses, plagues can still occur. Locusts are large insects and convenient for use in research and the study of zoology in the classroom. They are also edible insects; they have been eaten throughout history and are considered a delicacy in many countries.

Unlike most grasshoppers, locusts can form large groups or swarms. Desert locusts normally live in an area in a band across Africa south of the Sahara and into India. When a locust plague occurs, the swarms move into Africa, Asia, Europe and beyond. Swarms can migrate over huge distances. When there are lots of locusts crowding together, often to find food, swarms can develop.

It takes approximately two weeks for the fledgling locust to reach sexual maturity. Adults often group together into swarms containing thousands of locusts. Adult locusts typically live about 10 weeks.

Locusts provide food for wildlife, help to control weeds and benefit ecosystems in many other ways. Humans are responsible for Africanized a.k.a. "killer" bees, due to interbreeding of honeybees from Europe and southern Africa.

Both the bands and the swarms move around and rapidly strip fields and cause damage to crops. The adults are powerful fliers; they can travel great distances, consuming most of the green vegetation wherever the swarm settles. Locusts have formed plagues since prehistory.