Unhindered commercial activity around the Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand is posing a serious threat to the eco-fragile zone and obstructing movement of animals. Flashy discos, motorbike racing, loud music, bright lights and lavish weddings in resorts on the periphery of the Park, in gross violation of laws and scant concern for the wildlife, are fast spoiling the peace and tranquillity of the eco-fragile zone. “There are about 3,200 beds...

Why do poor people in rural areas vote when they know the whole system is against them? JEAN DRÈZE talks to some voters and observes the voting process during the recent Assembly elections in Latehar district, Jharkhand, and comes away with some pointers...  At one booth (Rankikalan, Booth No. 69) a BJP activist was trying to influence voters before they entered the booth, under the guise of helping them. Latehar...

Chakrabarti added that accreditation is required as the number of consultants in the business is increasing rapidly Consultants who carry out studies on the impact of an industrial or infrastructure project on the environment will now need to be registered and accredited with the ministry of environment. The move is aimed at improving the quality and integrity of so-called environmental impact assessment (EIA) reports and the ministry has said that after June,...

The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests on Wednesday decided not to accept the World Bank’s aid for the tiger conservation programme. The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Tiger Conservation Authority, chaired by Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh. Though Mr. Ramesh was keen on accepting the aid, conservationists were against the move. “Personally, I was very keen that the World Bank provide...

Bihar has become the first State to reject the commercial cultivation of genetically modified or Bt brinjal, if only temporarily. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has said the issue was carefully considered by the Rajya Kisan Ayog, which, after deliberations with farmers, agricultural scientists and agricultural officers was of the opinion that there should be an adequate number of trials to see its performance in different agro-climatic conditions in Bihar. Such...