Community forest rights for Gondia's tribal villages

In a move that significantly boosts implementation of the Forest Rights Act in Maharashtra, community forest rights  (CFR) claims of some 369 villages in the tribal district of Gondia have been cleared by the district level commit

10 Maharashtra villages to finally get Rs 74.5 lakh as benefits under joint forest management scheme

In a first of its kind move, Maharashtra's forest department has decided to pay ten villages in the state their share of benefits under the Joint Forest Management (JFM) scheme. A total of Rs 74,51,063 will be paid to eight villages in Gadchiroli district and two in Gondia district, states a letter dated May 24, 2012, written by the state joint secretary of forests to the  principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF). The amount is to be paid out of the 7 per cent forest development cess that is deducted from the income from forest produce.

Rs 10 crore for conserving Lonar lake

The Maharashtra government has sanctioned Rs 10 crore for conserving and protecting Lonar lake in Buldhana district. The move follows close on the heels of the discovery of two fresh water species in what is supposed to be a saltwater lake. Lonar is the world’s oldest meteoric crater and third largest saltwater lake. The money sanctioned is to be used mostly to acquire farms around the lake to prevent fresh water flowing into it, and also to divert sewage from nearby residential areas. [Highlights]