News - In Short

coastal campaign: The National Fishworkers Forum began a two-month campaign in Gujarat to draw public attention to the centres move to dilute Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 1991, and frame new law for coastal zone management. Members allege such measures would lead to the sale of Indias 7,500 km coastline and marine waters to private players. Throughout the Gulf of Kutch, unplanned industrialization threatens coasts and peoples livelihoods, said the forums chairperson.

stay away: Indias Power Finance Corporation has asked the central government to keep international consultancy major Ernst & Young away from further projects under the Union Ministry of Power. It cited professional misconduct by the company while evaluating bids for the Rs 20,000 crore Sasan ultra mega power project in Madhya Pradesh.

acquitted again: A Delhi court on April 22 acquitted Sansar Chand, the most wanted wildlife trader, after the wildlife department failed to prove his offence. On October 27, 1992, the wildlife department arrested Chand on charges of possessing skins and other body parts of animals, including tigers and leopards. He was booked under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

allowed entry: The Uttarakhand forest department has allowed Van Gujjars to enter the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttarkashi. This, after they were denied entry earlier (see No entry, Down To Earth, May 15, 2007). Meanwhile, the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department stopped another group of Gujjars from entering the forests in Shimla district. They allege they were given a piece of paper with something written in English, which they couldnt understand. Pankaj Khullar, the states principal chief conservator of forests, denied any such move by the government.