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Forest Encroachments
Andaman's settlement plans in a row
Issue Date: Mar 15, 2008
the Andaman and Nicobar administration has prepared a proposal to resettle people living on encroached public land since 1978. The plan, which awaits the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest's clearance, has already sparked off a row. Local ngos say it will encourage the encroachers.
Tiger trouble - balancing act gone awry
Issue Date: Jan 31, 2008
on january 1, 2008, the government after much vacillation notified the rules of Scheduled Tribes and Other Tradi- tional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act. The day before, it had notified "critical tiger habitats" in 28 existing and eight proposed tiger reserves. It scored on both tiger conservation and protection of tribal rights.
It is misinformation that chareterizes the tiger debate
Issue Date: Jan 31, 2008
The notification of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (forest rights act) and rules brings a long process to close. But the real challenge is now. There are two extreme positions on the act.
In Short - News
Issue Date: Jan 15, 2008
environment cess: The Delhi
government has decided to levy an environment cess on diesel fuel at the rate of 25 paisa per litre. The revenue from the cess will be used to
create a fund to finance clean air action plan in Delhi. The cess is expected to generate a fund of around Rs 48 crore. The decision comes in the
wake of strong pubic concerns about rising numbers of diesel vehicles and diesel-related pollutants in Delhi's ambient air. Despite the proposed cess,
Dispute over status of forestland in MP, Chhattisgarh
Issue Date: Oct 15, 2007
the Supreme Court on August 24, 2007, ordered Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh governments to respond to a petition to clarify the status of at least 1.2 million hectares (ha). Called Orange area because it was marked in that colour on the map, both the revenue and forest departments of the states claim it. The confusion was never cleared through land survey and settlement, leaving several grey--or in this case orange--areas. This directly affects over one million adivasi families, that are labelled 'encroachers'.
Tribal rights head nowhere
Issue Date: Oct 15, 2007
While the group of ministers has started deliberations on the pros and cons of the proposed national tribal policy, activists have raised questions about its utility. The policy aims at social, economic, linguistic and cultural development of tribals so that they will be at par with rest of the population by 2020.
UP police withdraws charges against social activist
Issue Date: Sep 15, 2007
in what is seen as a vindication of the struggle for land rights, and a political victory, the police in Uttar Pradesh's Sonebhadra district withdrew nsa (National Security Act, 1980) charges against a social activist following orders from chief minister Mayawati on August 17. The district court of Sonebhadra has granted Roma bail in one case. There are, however, several charges against her. She is still in police custody.
Rajasthan HC issues orders against encroachments in Ranthambore
Issue Date: Jun 30, 2007
all encroachments in the eco-sensitive zone around the Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan will be removed following a court order. The encroachments include residences, hotels and other commercial establishments.
Rewa tribals suffer high handedness
@AparnaPallavi1 Issue Date: Jun 15, 2007
Thousands of tribals in Madhya Pradesh's Rewa district are on the run after they were allegedly attacked by the local administration and upper caste landlords. On April 19, 2007, tribals in Ghateha village, bordering Uttar Pradesh, were evicted from the over 400-hectare (ha) forestland by a large contingent of police and forest department personnel.
South Asia
Issue Date: Mar 31, 2007
Refugees clash
For the first time in 16 years, a violent confrontation took place in the third week of February between Bhutanese refugees and villagers
in Pathari, 600 km east of Nepal's capital Kathmandu. The clash happened when the latter tried to stop the Bhutanese refugees from
taking wood from a forest near the Sanischare refugee camp. One refugee was killed and several others injured during the clash.
Following this, the villagers called for an indefinite strike and demanded the authorities close the camp and refugees no longer
