• The need to check poaching of migratory birds at the Pong sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh has recently been stressed upon by a forest officer who has conducted a six-year-long study in the area. It was pointed out that the birds come into direct conflict with locals cultivating the area.
• Taking cognizance of increasing pollution in Delhi, the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) has recently suggested setting up of a parallel environmental legal system at the national, state and district level. The PHDCCI also urged immediate attention to cases pertaining to environmental matters.
• The Tripura government has recently drawn up a Rs 120-crore plan to expand rubber cultivation to rehabilitate 15,000 tribal families dependent on the activity.
• To save the biodiversity of the Bandhavgarh national park in Madhya Pradesh, authorities have recently launched an eco-development programme in eight villages surrounding the park. The villages were identified under the World Bank-aided state forestry project.
• A writ petition which challenges the implementation of various developmental projects, including the 1,000-MW multi-crore Cogentrix plant, has been transferred to the Karnataka High Court (hc) from the apex court. Earlier, the apex court had directed concerned parties to appear before the HC on January 21. The petition is yet to come up before the court.
• The chief conservator of forests, Kashmir, S D Swatantra, has recently urged the state government to commercially cultivate a wonder tree in Gulmarg. Texus bacatta produces texol, a potent anti-cancer drug undergoing research in the West. While the proposal's clearance is awaited, the regional research laboratory in Jammu is already considering ways of propagating the tree, which has been facing the brunt of militancy.
• Two propane-fuelled autorickshaws were introduced on the roads of New Delhi on January 21 for regular plying. Touted as 'green' and clean, propane is being projected as the fuel of the future which would render the capital city pollution-free .
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