2011-01-21 22:50:00
Gandhinagar, Jan 21 (IANS) Upbraided by the Gujarat High Court for its inaction in curbing illegal mining, the state government Friday told the court of the series of measures it has initiated to curb the malaise.
Mines and Minerals Secretary M. Sahu appeared in person before the bench of Chief Justice S.J. Mukhopadhaya and Justice Akil Kureshi as per the court's earlier directive to announce the measures.
The government has amended provisions of Gujarat Mineral (Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage) Rules, 2005 and provision of suspension of royalty pass/ delivery challans was introduced in cases of violation or breach of any lease deed conditions of dues pending, the bench was told.
It was further submitted that the state government will hold police officers, revenue officers and geology and mining officers of the area concerned accountable and liable for negligence towards their official duty so far as detection of illegal mining activities in the state is concerned.
The government has recently passed a resolution and a state/district level task force has been constituted to check illegal mining.
'All the pending lease applications will be disposed off and new leases will be granted with all transparency,' the bench was told.
The affidavit further stated that the new market mineral value rates has also been fixed for illegal excavation/storage of various minerals and for the first time, a 24x7 control room has been set up to receive complaints about illegal mining. An incentive scheme for informers has also come up in which a cash award up to Rs.1 lakh will be given.
The government has planned to co-ordinate with railways, ports, and customs departments for tracking mineral movements.
The analysis of statistics submitted by the state government in the affidavit seems to indicate that the government swung into action only after 2009 with little or no action before it.
As compared to 64 FIRs filed during 2005-09, the state registered 290 FIRs in last two years. Likewise, from 2005-March 2009, no leases were cancelled or suspended for breach of conditions. But in 2009-December 2010, 23 leases were cancelled and 50 leases were suspended for the same reason.
After taking the submissions on record, the court adjourned the matter on February 11.
Right to Information (RTI) activist Amit Jethwa had initially filed the public interest litigation against illegal mining in Gir forest region in Junagadh, which is considered to be last abode of Asiatic lions in the world. Jethwa was shot dead last year near the high court.
Source: http://www.sify.com/finance/gujarat-acts-to-curb-illegal-mining-after-court-s-intervention-news-default-lbvwOecjhhj.html
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Rann Utsav Helps Promote Tourism in Kutch Region of Gujarat.
| By: Rang7 Team January 19, 2011 |
The most prominent among these is the Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary which is located in Little Rann of Kutch and White Rann of the Great Rann of Kutch. In fact the large number of tourist flow and the corresponding large monetary collections indicate the high rate of success enjoyed by the Rann Utsav this year. This has also helped the Kutch region to earn the second highest revenue in Gujarat after Gir Forest National Park, famous as the sole home of Asiatic Lions outside Africa, situated in Junagadh area of Gujarat.
The district administration of Kutch started charging fees for tourist as entry fee for White Rann from 1st January 2011 and already the revenue collected has reached an amount of Rs. 13 lakh. Apart from the area of White Rann area, entry fees were also imposed for tourist entering the Indian Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary which covers almost the entire area of Little Rann. The entry fees to the sanctuary for adults is Rs. 100, for a child is Rs. 50 and for a vehicle in Rs. 50. This imposition of entry charges have helped to prevent unwanted people from entering the sanctuary as well as the money can be used for cleaning and maintaining the area.
Since the Rann Utsav started on 19th December 2010, more than 30,000 tourist have visited the Wild Ass Sanctuary. Even after starting entry fees from 1st January, more than 15,000 tourist have visited the sanctuary.
The Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary is named after the Indian Wild Ass which are representative of the horse tribe and are known for their speed and stamina. They are capable of marathon runs and can reach a top speed of 70 kms per hour over short distances. The Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary, the largest wildlife sanctuary in India is a large area of flat land, a part of which forms the sea bed. The sea bed which forms a part of the sanctuary is dotted with a number of small islands called “baits” where the major flora and fauna are observed.
The Rann Utsav 2011, organized by the state tourism department is stated to be the longest with over a month of festivities. On an average about 8500 people visited the Utsav daily. As a part of the Utsav around 12 package tours were offered to the tourist by the tourism department. Among these the most popular was the trip to the Indo-Pak border which had 645 tourist visiting the border area. The Indo-Pak border in the Rann of Kutch area is normally a restricted zone, but the festival authorities take special permission of the Border Security Force, to take tourist to the border area during the festival only. The second most popular tour package was the trip to Narayan Sarovar area which had about 120 takers. The least popular was the trip to Mandvi Beach due to poor facilities and lack of infrastructure.
The festival includes a carnival event held at various locales of Kutch region. At each locale the carnival is situated for about three to four days during which there is a showcase of the local culture with its arts, crafts and cuisine, dance, music and other traditions.
Source: http://www.rang7.com/news/tourism/rann-utsav-helps-promote-tourism-kutch-region-gujarat-847.htm
Monday, January 17, 2011
Gir popularity soars, 33% rise in inflow of foreign tourists.
AHMEDABAD: The financial health of Asiatic lion conservation plan is improving by the day. Not just domestic, the number of foreign tourists too has registered a jump of 33 per cent in 2010.
Forest officials said that from October to December 2010, Gir Wildlife Sanctuary had 2,432 foreign tourists as against 1,827 in 2009 during the same period. This is an increase of 33 per cent. In the first three months, ever since the sanctuary opened, around 70 per cent of the income has been collected by the department. It had a revenue of 2.1 crore last year. But, in the three months from October, the revenue of Gir and Devaliya went over Rs 1.45 crore, which is about 70 per cent of the last year's collection.
Not just foreign nationals, but total tourist figure has seen a jump of 96 per cent in Gir National Park. In 2009, from October 1 to December 31, there were just 25,801 tourists who visited the sanctuary. But, during the same period in 2010, despite rain for four days and the sanctuary beginning operations only on October 15, the total number of visitors to the Gir sanctuary was 50,714.
The upward trend is attributed not just to Amitabh Bachachan's advertisements.The lion conservation issue of Gir received worldwide publicity because of the population estimation which was taken up in April 2010. It revealed that the forest in Saurashtra now houses only 411 lions.
"This year, the attention of media as well as experts was on Gir forest as the first population estimation took place after the 2007 poaching incident. This got due coverage and an awareness was also created," said a senior officer. Officials said there have been reports of 90 per cent sightings of lions during the safari.
Officials added that the revenue of Gir sanctuary and Devaliya has gone up considerably. According to them, in the last three months from October, the Gir sanctuary and Devaliya have pocketed Rs 1.44 crore, compared to the Rs 1 crore in the same period last year. Devaliya only saw a increase of 21 per cent as compared to last year. Officials said the domestic tourist flow other than Gujaratis has also increased by 41 per cent, said officials.
Ramesh cancels visit to Girnar ropeway site .
RAJKOT: Union minister for environment and forests Jairam Ramesh, who was to visit Sasan Gir Asiatic Lion Sanctuary and the site of proposed ropeway project at Girnar Mountains in Junagadh district, had cancelled the programme at the last moment, leaving many people disappointed.
Ramesh was to arrive at Sasan Gir on the night of January 14. On Saturday morning, the minister was to see the Asiatic lions at the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary and then visit the proposed site of Girnar Ropeway Project, which awaits clearance from his ministry and is delayed for various reasons. The project went for approval to the Union ministry of environment and forests after the 178.88 sq km area, including Mount Girnar in Girnar forest, was declared as wildlife sanctuary in 2008.
Conservationists say the proposed ropeway project will harm the nests of vultures, an endangered species, located on the mountains. "We have made several representations and also sent one lakh signatures to the Union environment ministry, asking that the project be given the nod. When we met Jairam Ramesh in Delhi, he assured us that he would visit the place, but has not been able to do so far. We urge him to either visit the site at the earliest or give nod to the project," said Junagadh BJP MLA Mahendra Masharu.
Gir Lions Attract More Tourists in the Last Quarter of 2010.
By: Rang7 Team January 7, 2011
The Asiatic lions have just scored a high on popularity amongst tourist. The tourism flow to Gir Forest National Park, the sole home of the Asiatic lion species outside Africa has increased to 96 %. This includes the 33% increase in foreign tourist visiting the Gir Forest National Park from October to December 2010, when the park opened to tourist again, after being closed to tourist for the monsoon period.
In 2009, from 1st October to 31st December, about 25,801 tourists visited the sanctuary, while the number was increased to 50,714 from 15th October to 31st December 2010. The increase in tourist numbers is especially surprising as the National Park opened as late as 15th October and even after that, tourism was affected due to heavy rain for four days. These numbers include 2,342 foreign tourists having visited the Gir Sanctuary in 2010 against 1,827 in 2009 for the period from October to December 2010. This expresses a 33% increase in the foreign tourist inflow to the National Park.
Running parallel to the increased tourist inflow to the Gir Forest National Park is the revenue earned by the park. Last year total revenue earned by the park was 2.1 crore. However from October to December 2010, the park including Gir and Devaliya forest earned Rs. 1.45 crore which amounts to 70% of last year’s earnings.
The popularity of Gir Forest National Park increased with media attention directed towards the Asiatic lion conservation that was undertaken at the park. Also a recent lion census conducted in April 2010, revealed that the forests of Gir Forest National Park is home to 411 lions. This apart there have been reports of 90% sightings of lions by tourist on their safaris. "This year, the attention of media as well as experts was on Gir forest as the first population estimation took place after the 2007 poaching incident. This got due coverage and an awareness was also created," said a senior officer.Apart from foreign tourist, domestic tourist which includes visitors other than people from Gujarat has increased by 41%.
Gir Forest National Park also called as Sasan Gir was declared as a protected area in 1900 by the then Nawab of Junagadh.
The Asiatic lions have just scored a high on popularity amongst tourist. The tourism flow to Gir Forest National Park, the sole home of the Asiatic lion species outside Africa has increased to 96 %. This includes the 33% increase in foreign tourist visiting the Gir Forest National Park from October to December 2010, when the park opened to tourist again, after being closed to tourist for the monsoon period.
In 2009, from 1st October to 31st December, about 25,801 tourists visited the sanctuary, while the number was increased to 50,714 from 15th October to 31st December 2010. The increase in tourist numbers is especially surprising as the National Park opened as late as 15th October and even after that, tourism was affected due to heavy rain for four days. These numbers include 2,342 foreign tourists having visited the Gir Sanctuary in 2010 against 1,827 in 2009 for the period from October to December 2010. This expresses a 33% increase in the foreign tourist inflow to the National Park.
Running parallel to the increased tourist inflow to the Gir Forest National Park is the revenue earned by the park. Last year total revenue earned by the park was 2.1 crore. However from October to December 2010, the park including Gir and Devaliya forest earned Rs. 1.45 crore which amounts to 70% of last year’s earnings.
The popularity of Gir Forest National Park increased with media attention directed towards the Asiatic lion conservation that was undertaken at the park. Also a recent lion census conducted in April 2010, revealed that the forests of Gir Forest National Park is home to 411 lions. This apart there have been reports of 90% sightings of lions by tourist on their safaris. "This year, the attention of media as well as experts was on Gir forest as the first population estimation took place after the 2007 poaching incident. This got due coverage and an awareness was also created," said a senior officer.Apart from foreign tourist, domestic tourist which includes visitors other than people from Gujarat has increased by 41%.
Gir Forest National Park also called as Sasan Gir was declared as a protected area in 1900 by the then Nawab of Junagadh.
Chintan Shibir in Gir?
AHMEDABAD: "Sher dil ho to kuch waqt gujaro shero ke beech," the statement in famous baritone of Amitabh Bachchan seems to have caught the Gujarat babus' fancy. Forests department officials said that the preparations are almost complete and resurfacing of roads has been started even as, the state government sought a report from the Junagadh collector asking him to explore the possibil ty of organising the next Chintan Shibir inside Gir forest.
Interestingly, the Junagad district collector, in his report, has said that while organising the camp was possible inside Gir, the last abode of Asiatic lions, accommodation may be a problem. As per the forests officials, the report stated that the part of the camp can be organised at Sinh Sadan - government guesthouse - while the some part of the event may be held inside the forest area.
Around 200 government officials, including ministers would be attending the Chintan Shibir. The report states that the official guesthouse, Sinh Sadan, will be able to accomodate only ministers and some senior bureaucrats. But for the remaining babus, the government will need to acquire rooms in the private hotels and resorts situated close to the forest.
When contacted Banchha Nidhi Pani, in-charge collector, Junagadh, admitted that the government had sought such a report. Pani also added that he has sent his report to the government. "The final decision was awaited," Pani said.
Interestingly, the Junagad district collector, in his report, has said that while organising the camp was possible inside Gir, the last abode of Asiatic lions, accommodation may be a problem. As per the forests officials, the report stated that the part of the camp can be organised at Sinh Sadan - government guesthouse - while the some part of the event may be held inside the forest area.
Around 200 government officials, including ministers would be attending the Chintan Shibir. The report states that the official guesthouse, Sinh Sadan, will be able to accomodate only ministers and some senior bureaucrats. But for the remaining babus, the government will need to acquire rooms in the private hotels and resorts situated close to the forest.
When contacted Banchha Nidhi Pani, in-charge collector, Junagadh, admitted that the government had sought such a report. Pani also added that he has sent his report to the government. "The final decision was awaited," Pani said.
Lions Invade Villages and Attack Livestock in India's Gujarat State.
For video please click below link...
Source: http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_asia/2011-01-12/278453444702.html
Villagers residing in the border areas of the Gir Forest in India's western state of Gujarat are living in constant fear as lions frequently enter their village.
[Ashwin Naliyadhara, Farmer]:
"Our village is very close to the jungle. Lions constantly enter the village and harm our livestock and kill them. So there is lot of fear in the village."
On Tuesday night, a lioness barged into a cattle shed and attacked a cow in Gigasan village.
Out of fear, the villagers now graze their cattle within the village perimeter.
Villagers say one night the big cats attacked two cows, one bull and seven goats in the village.
The lions confidently enter fields and villages, forcing terrified villagers into their homes.
The Gir Forest National park is the biggest reserve for Asiatic lions in India and houses more than 400 lions.
Source: http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_asia/2011-01-12/278453444702.html
Villagers residing in the border areas of the Gir Forest in India's western state of Gujarat are living in constant fear as lions frequently enter their village.
[Ashwin Naliyadhara, Farmer]:
"Our village is very close to the jungle. Lions constantly enter the village and harm our livestock and kill them. So there is lot of fear in the village."
On Tuesday night, a lioness barged into a cattle shed and attacked a cow in Gigasan village.
Out of fear, the villagers now graze their cattle within the village perimeter.
Villagers say one night the big cats attacked two cows, one bull and seven goats in the village.
The lions confidently enter fields and villages, forcing terrified villagers into their homes.
The Gir Forest National park is the biggest reserve for Asiatic lions in India and houses more than 400 lions.
'Wildlife friends' help Asiatic lions conservation in Gir.
AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat forest department's initiative of involving local population by appointing 'vanprani mitra' (wildlife friends) in the last abode of Asiatic lions -- Gir Sanctuary -- has paid off as they have become an important factor in conservation of this endangered species.
There are many instances where 'wildlife friends' have given crucial information to forest authorities about illegal activities going on in and around the protected sanctuary areas.
"We felt that it was of utmost importance to involve local communities in wildlife conservation efforts to save the last population of Asiatic lions in Gir," Chief conservator of forest of Gir region R L Meena said.
This need was strongly felt after the 2007 incident when eight lions in the Gir became victim of poaching by tribal gang belonging to Katni area of Madhya Pradesh, he added.
"It has paid results as a lot of information regarding what is going on in and around the sanctuary comes from them. Three major arrests could be made due to information provided by wildlife friends recently," Meena said adding this unique concept has opened a new chapter in wildlife conservation activity in the country.
More than 20 tribal people were arrested on December 13 from the outskirts of Gir forest for selling fake lion parts, based on the information given by a wildlife friend, Meena said.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Wildlife-friends-help-Asiatic-lions-conservation-in-Gir/articleshow/7173035.cms
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