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 …
PANJIM: The Directorate of Mines and Geology is working on a proposal not to allow applications for mining leases, prospecting licences or reconnaissance permits in areas covered under previous concessions granted by Portuguese Government or leases under Mines and Minerals Development Regulation Act, the Economic Survey 2012-13 states. “Proposal shall …
Steel mills still operating at 50% capacity due to shortage in supply of iron ore Restoration of normalcy in supply of iron ore to steel mills in and around Karnataka might take more time if the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) accepts the request for reclassification of mines. Currently, CEC, following …
Odisha yet to furnish its compliance to the Coal ministry with respect to illegal coal mining Amid ongoing probe by the M B Shah commission of enquiry into illegal mining in Odisha, the Ministry of coal has urged the state government to take appropriate action to curb illegal coal mining. …
Move likely to help mop up Rs 400-crore revenue The Uttarakhand Cabinet has put its seal of approval on a new mining policy, which would help the government garner revenue of Rs 400 crore, make tendering process more transparent and reduce the role of government agencies. At present, the government …
PANJIM: The State government is likely to terminate the leases of 40 mines, whose delay in filing the ‘J Form’ was condoned by the former Congress government. Directorate of Mines and Geology on September 15, 2012 had issued show cause notices to 40 mining firms, to explain why action should …
A conservation group claims that Google has something in common with illicit ivory traders in China and Thailand: It says the Internet search giant is helping fuel a dramatic surge in ivory demand in Asia that is killing African elephants at record levels. The Environmental Investigation Agency, a conservation advocacy …
More resources are needed to stem the flow of the illegal African ivory trade, the Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species (Cites) says. A large amount of confiscated African ivory disappears every year and the culprits are likely to be linked to organised crime, Cites said. Cites said cross-checks …
California wildlife officials have adopted new rules aimed at protecting the public from mountain lions without resorting to killing so many of the big cats so often when they roam near humans, pets or livestock. Mountain lions, also known as cougars, are classified as a "specially protected species" in California …
The United States has pledged more financial support to help tackle the illegal trade of wildlife and plants in Asean. Activists from Animal Activist Alliance Thailand call on the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department and delegates at the Cites conference in Bangkok to step up action against the …
African forest elephants face extinction if 'drastic measures' are not taken Forest elephant numbers have decreased by 62% across Central Africa over the last 10 years, according to a study. The analysis confirmed fears that African forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis) are heading for extinction, possibly within the next decade. Conservationists …
China has made significant progress and joined international campaigns to fight against the illicit trade in wildlife products, including ivory and rhino horn, according to a top wildlife conservation specialist. "China has been serious about strengthening its regulations and law enforcement on the illegal wildlife products trade," said John Scanlon, …
A regional squad of the Revenue Department will conduct intensive checking in various locations of Vadakara taluk following complaints from people’s representatives that illegal mining thrives in the area in the absence of a proper checking mechanism. Most exploited People’s representatives, who raised the complaint in a recent meeting of …
PANJIM: State government reconstituted State Level Co-ordination-cum-Empowered Committee under chairmanship of Chief Secretary for regulating mining activities in the State, in its efforts to ensure that there is no delay on making preparations as and when mining starts after the apex court nod, an officer stated. The 16-member committee has …
The Odisha government has agreed to form a committee to look into lease area encroachment by mine lease holders after getting direction from Shah Commission to this effect. The committee is scheduled to start functioning from March 4 and submit its report soon. Illegal mining enquiry agency, Justice M B …
The Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) largest remaining forest elephant population, located in the Okapi Faunal Reserve (OFR), has declined by 37 percent in the last five years, with only 1,700 elephants now remaining, according to wildlife surveys by WCS and DRC officials. WCS scientists warn that if poaching of …
Ivory is easy to find on the stalls of Chatuchak Market and River City mall in Bangkok. On display at just one shop are hundreds of kilograms of carved elephant tusk, unthinkable in most capitals but freely and legitimately for sale in Thailand. As many as 30,000 elephants were slaughtered …
BHUBANESWAR: Confirming illegal mining in Odisha, Justice M B Shah, who is heading a one-man commission inquiring into the illegalities in the state's mineral sector, on Thursday said miners who are not satisfied with their presentations would get another chance to put forward their views at the commission's headquarters in …
Samaj Parivartan Samudaya (SPS), the non-governmental organisation fighting legal battle against illegal mining, on Wednesday opposed before the Supreme Court the recommendation made by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) for resumption of mining in ‘A’ and ‘B’ category of mines in Karnataka’s Bellary, Tumkur and Chitradurga districts. Appearing for SPS, …
Secretaries of all grama panchayats have been directed to tighten vigil against illegal sand-mining practices and enforce provisions of the laws related to protection of rivers and mining of river sand. The directive comes in response to complaints from the Chaliyar Agitation Committee that sand-miners often resorted to practices harmful …
BHUBANESWAR: Under the microscope for allegedly engaging in illegalities, several mine owners on Wednesday raised objections before the Justice M B Shah Commission to the manner in which boundaries of mines were determined using satellite images. Various miners, represented by prominent lawyers, strongly pleaded before the inquiry commission for a …
