Western Ghats get World Heritage Site tag

UNESCO's World Heritage Committee inscribed the Western Ghats of India as a world heritage site on July 1. The decision will ensure the mountain range, spread across seven states, gets international support for its conservation. The Western Ghats extend from Dang in Maharashtra-Gujarat to a place near Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, along the western coast; it is spread over 7,953 sq km.

Vulture numbers rise in Girnar hills

MoEF approves controversial Demwe hydropower project

'Mumbai trans-harbour link won't be shifted'

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has rejected the demand made by environmentalists to realign the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link. The 22 km road bridge will connect Sewri in Mumbai with Nhava Sheva in Navi Mumbai.  Environmentalists, led by non-profit Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) are protesting the route alignment, saying the project will destroy the flamingo habitat, mudflats and mangroves in Sewri.

Environment ministry to clear controversial Demwe hydroelectric project

Despite majority of the members of National Board of Wildlife (NBWL) rejecting the clearance for the Demwe Lower Hydro Electric Project in Arunachal Pradesh, environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan has kept its fate hanging in balance. In its meeting on December 13, the non-official members of the standing committee argued, on the basis of a site inspection report prepared by one of the committee's members Asad Rahmani, that the project if allowed will have devastating impact on the wildlife. The minister, however, said she will take a final call on the project.

Shift Mumbai trans-harbour link alignment, demand environmentalists

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority has locked horns with environmentalists as it prepares to execute its ambitious bridge project—the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL). The 22km road corridor, to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 8,800 crore, will connect Mumbai and Nhava Sheva in Navi Mumbai. Environmentalists are demanding a change in the route alignment, saying it will destroy an important flamingo habitat, mudflats and mangroves. 

Finally, a recovery programme for the neglected bustards

Demwe hydroelectric project put on hold

NEAA cancels environmental clearance to Vedanta bauxite mining

The National Environment Appellate Authority (NEAA) today cancelled the environmental clearance given to Vedanta's bauxite mining in the Niyamgiri hills of Orissa. The authority has now referred the matter to the Union environment ministry for final consideration.