In 2019, the illegal wildlife trade reached staggering levels. Pangolin scales and ivory were being trafficked in massive quantities from Africa to Asia, exposing a network of crime syndicates operating at an industrial scale. The sheer volume of these shipments marked a disturbing milestone, one that revealed the global reach …
Groups of reformed youths who once sold drugs and stole from their neighbours are helping protect trees in rural central Kenya from illegal loggers. The young adults, whose previous activities were a source of community tension, now report suspicious logging to village authorities. They are also contributing to an effort …
Poaching and the trade in illegal animal goods have been placed in the same category as drug and weapons smuggling by a new law passed in the US. The Global Anti-Poaching Act passed by the US House of Representatives aims to “support global anti-poaching efforts, strengthen the capacity of partner …
Fancy furniture comes at a much higher price than any sale tag may lead you to believe. That's because illegal loggers are raiding ecologically important forests around the world for timber to be used to produce expensive furniture and flooring Indonesia is one of the leading timber export countries, bringing …
The National Green Tribunal today banned sand mining on the Yamuna after a plea alleged that some private firms were engaged in the activity and a temporary bridge was made on the river obstructing its natural flow of water. "No mining activity, both legal and illegal, should be carried out …
Police officers may soon be able to identify wildlife poachers by retrieving fingerprints from smuggled ivory, new research has revealed. Around 50,000 African elephants are thought to be poached each year, but it had been thought almost impossible to retrieve fingerprints from ivory because of its ridges and porous surface, …
The counsel for Haryana, on the other hand, claimed there was no illegal mining in the area and all firms engaged in sand mining have necessary environmental clearances. Irked by allegations that “legal” permits were being shown by sand miners for conducting “illegal” work, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) Monday …
At least two more elephants are now known to have been shot dead by poachers in Hwange in northern Zimbabwe, where 22 poisoned elephant carcasses were discovered on Monday. The elephants appear to have been shot with rifles last week, according to the privately-owned Newsday on Tuesday. One man has …
The Manica provincial police commander, Armando Canheza, has said the recently established Natural Resources Protection Police of Mozambique has seized 124 pumps that were being used for illegal mining in the province.Local media reported on Tuesday that the police are seeking to combat gold mining techniques which lead to pollution …
Among wild cats, clouded leopards are increasingly coveted—and bred in captivity—for commercial purposes, according to a new study from University of Oxford’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit. They’re being sold into the pet trade, to tourist attractions offering cat encounters, and to other such profit-driven businesses. Researchers Neil D’Cruze and David …
The National Green Tribunal today sought a response from the Centre on a plea seeking action against alleged illegal sand mining in Gautam Budh Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh. A bench, headed NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar, issued notice to the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Uttar Pradesh government …
Panel for scientific mining: After notifying its mining policy to curb illegal mining, state government has now for the first time constituted a state mineral advisory committee headed by industries minister. Committee would ensure planned and scientific mining and would also give suggestions to government for better management of mining …
Exotic organisms introduced into non-native ecosystems may invade and affect the native biodiversity, which might lead to serious ecological, economic and sociological threats. Among the various pathways of introduction of non-native species, on-line pet trading is the most recently emerging method which facilitates rapid introduction of exotic species. Though on-line …
JAIPUR: The state government on Monday claimed that all mine allocations have been cancelled. It said that all allocations are being scrutinised by the Lokayuta. In a press conference called to counter the allegations made by state PCC president Sachin Pilot, state BJP president Ashok Parnami said the government has …
PUDUCHERRY: Sand mafia continue to mine sand illegally and indiscriminately from Ponnaiyar River along the Puducherry-Tamil Nadu border despite a ban by the National green tribunal (NGT), alleged a Puducherry-based water users' forum. Bangaaru Vaickal Neeraadhara Koottamaippu president V Chandrasekhar regretted that the officials concerned in Puducherry and Tamil Nadu …
Four days after the Rajasthan Congress leaders met the Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) and the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in New Delhi to request for a probe into an alleged scam in allotting mines that took place under the Vasundhara Raje government, the State government, cancelled 601 mining allocations. …
A national monitoring network will be set up to combat the illegal animal trade. The decision was taken at a World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Pakistan) board meeting on Sunday. Addressing the meeting, Director Hammad Naqi said the project would be funded and monitored by the USAID. Naqi said illegal …
Hundreds of illegal hunters of the rhinoceros in South Africa’s Kruger national park have been shot dead by rangers in the past five years, but the temptation of a rich reward to end an impoverished life in Mozambique keeps them coming The well-heeled tourists filing through the modest airport at …
PANJIM: The Goa State Expert Appraisal Committee (GSEAC) has directed the District Collectors – North and South – to survey and map the sand extraction lease boundaries through Global Positioning System (GPS), to avoid unwarranted and unscientific extraction. While banning sand mining within 25 metres of buffer zones, GSEAC has …
Contrary to claims of the Punjab Government, the illegal mining in the Sutlej belt— Moga and Ferozepur districts— still continues reportedly under the ‘patronage’ of Akali leaders. Recently, the Kot-ise-Khan police have arrested Balwinder Singh, a resident of Dharamkot town and Gurmeet Singh, a resident of Rampura, for allegedly indulging …
Amid allegations of large scale mining of sand from the river bed under the pretext of desilting the Srivaikundam dam, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered Thoothukudi district to keep the entire sand mined so far in the stock yard and not transport or sell it until further orders. The …
