Jaipur:Around 29,692 hectares of forest land is under encroachment in Rajasthan, according to the latest figures of the ministry of environment and forests. While the country boasts of over 19.57 lakh hectares of encroached forest land as compared to 17,94,879 hectares in 2009.

The data shows that the encroachments on forest land have increased over the past five years in the country. Rajasthan already has very few natural forests. The statistics for the last five years show that Bundi district in the state leads with 8878 hectares of encroached forest land. Followed by Chittorgarh 6354 hectares and Dungarpur 4426 hectares. Alwar had 454 hectares, Dausa 372 hectares, Hanumangarh 113 hectares and Ajmer had 45 hectares of forest land under encroachment.

The forest department is reviewing all pending cases regarding illegal tree felling in Goa in a bid to expedite these and the department is also contemplating action against officers who delay the

New Delhi: The forest department has finally filed an FIR against “some persons” who laid a road in the Rajokri forest area from the BSS Camp up to Church Road.

How can a right given under one Act be a criminal offence under another, members of a Parliamentary standing committee have asked officials from the Union environment ministry, raising concern abou

For over two decades, the State Forest Department is mulling over the creation of a wildlife sanctuary in Kodaikanal hills. Yet, the task has not been accomplished.

The 14th Legislative Assembly’s Petitions Committee says in a report: “The committee asks the forest department to take steps to carve out a wildlife sanctuary in forest ranges in and around Kodaikanal. It recommends the passing of an order to this effect immediately.”

Tribal affairs minister’s letter to states on the Forest Rights Act highlights the problems of implementation . For most observers, the Forest Rights Act (FRA) is just another “welfare” law.

New Delhi: The government on Monday introduced a bill in the Rajya Sabha that seeks to make it mandatory for a forest officer to obtain and record views of the gram sabha before compounding forest-