Shift the railway track from forest areas

In the last decade, in all the year lot of wildlife are killed by train accident in walayar forest and nearby areas. This include killing of elephants, which has become a permanent story to public, press and media. Within 4 months, 5 elephants are killed in this area.Un accounted number of other wildlife including Sambar deer, mouse deer, monkeys, reptails etc have lost their lives on railway track all the year. In walayar especially in forest area, there are two rail tracks. One passes through deep inside the forest and another one on the fringes. More number of animal death is happening in the deep forest area.

65 tiger, leopard and otter skins seized in Karnataka

The Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) provided intelligence and assisted in a huge wildlife enforcement operation in northern Karnataka in the early hours of 13th Dec. 2007. Sixty-five skins were seized – one tiger skin, 21 leopard skins and 43 otter skins. A well known wildlife trader called Prabhakar was arrested.

Prabhakar is said to have been in the trade for years. He purchases the skins directly from poachers and allegedly controls most of the illegal wildlife trade in south India. In the past he is known to have supplied skins to the notorious wildlife trader Sansar Chand in Delhi. Prabhakar is an active political worker and is believed to have considerable local support.

Enquiry requested on the impact on ecology of Attappadi by the proposed windfarm related Activities

The proposed wind farm project in Attappadi- Palakkad owned by Suzlon Company May lead to severe environmental and social problems based on the following points.

1. The windmills are installed in the highest points of hills.
2. So many hills and trees are cut and shattered for constructing new roads and other developments
3. So far there is no comprehensive study is conducted in this area regarding the effect of windmills which are on the path of bird movement especially migratory birds.
4. It is known that No study is also done about the wildlife movement in this locality where roads and buildings are constructed. (if such a problem rises, it will lead to new dimensions of man - animal conflict)

The Philippines: A wasteland republic?

The Philippine forests are threatened
WHERE can you find a country acclaimed as a biodiversity superstar yet made out a prostitute to foreign extractive industries, even as its pristine forests are being denuded; its mountains laid bare and flattened; its fertile soil and pure aquifers poisoned and laid waste; and its precious fresh-water bodies and seas contaminated?
Where can you find a people turned into unknowing guinea pigs by unscrupulous transnational corporations in an experiment that threatens the food chain and the entire ecological fabric? The country’s rich biodiversity is being threatened by genetically engineered organisms (GEOs or GMOs), just as our farmers are realizing the advantages of organic farming over the “sophisticated” model that uses chemical pesticides and fertilizers, and an awakened world has put a higher premium on organic products and is rejecting GEOs.

Chinese workers lose their lives producing goods for America

BY LORETTA TOFANI, SPECIAL TO THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

GUANGZHOU, China -- The patients arrive every day in Chinese hospitals with disabling and fatal diseases, acquired while making products for America.

On the sixth floor of the Guangzhou Occupational Disease and Prevention Hospital, Wei Chaihua, 44, sits on his iron-rail bed, tethered to an oxygen tank. He is dying of the lung disease silicosis, a result of making Char-Broil gas stoves sold in Utah and throughout the U.S.

Down the hall, He Yuyun, 36, who for years brushed America's furniture with paint containing benzene and other solvents, receives treatment for myelodysplastic anemia, a precursor to leukemia.

Five more lion deaths near Gir

We have just received news of the death of five more lions near Gir. Preliminary information suggests that the three lionesses and two cubs were electrocuted by a crop protection fence put up by a farmer near Dhari, Amreli district, in an area adjoining Gir National Park.

This new tragedy brings the number of Gir lions that have died this year to a staggering total of 32 lions:

- 8 lions have died due to poaching
- 6 lions have been electrocuted
- 5 lions died after falling into open wells
- 1 lion was hit by a vehicle
- 12 lions were found dead

"We are shocked by the news today of the death of five more lions in Gir from electrocution.

Enquiry demand on forest encroachment in Muthalamada by meat factory owners

Letter demanding enquiry and action on the subject to Forest Minister and Chief Minister of Kerala, India.
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The Meat processing Unit working in Karadikkunnu of Muthalamada is creating pollution to the nearby environment including water, soil, atmosphere as well as it badly affects the forest ecosystem. The place is in Kollengode range of Nemmara forest division, kerala.

It is known that the owners of the factory encroached about 1/2 acre of forest land in this regard. they were using heavy equipments for altering the land. We can see trees planted by forest department in this area.

Protest against AHEP project - Procession at Thrissur on 16-8-07

A Procession at Thrissur on 16-8-07 against the Athirappally hydro-electric power projcet will be held. It will start from Thrissur Corporation at 10 AM and will end at Collectorate. Many Social and Environmental organisations participate. This is the invitation for you. you are expected before Procession in front of Thrissur Corporation office.

Athirappally hydro-electric power projcet sanctioned by Ministry of Environement with out taking care of Environmental factors

The Union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) reportedly gave clearance for the Athirappally hydro-electric power projcet project on July 18,2007.

This clearence is made without giving attention to the concerns towards protecting Natural forest, ecosystem, rare and endagered species, elephant migratory route, and protecting the contiguity of parambikulam and Pooyankutty forests.

The MoEF had cleared the project in 1998 without the mandatory public hearing. The Kerala High Court, on October 17, 2001, had directed the Kerala State Electricity Board and the MoEF to fulfil procedures for environmental clearance, including a public hearing.

SAVE THOOTHANPARA - SAVE NELLIAMPATHI

The content of letter submitted to the Forest minister of Kerala, Copy to Chief Minister, Chief forest officials etc.

Name of the Estate: Thoothanpara

Location : Nelliampathi hills, Nelliamapthi Forest range, Nemmara Forest Division, Palakkad district, Kerala.
Land Status: Reserve Forest
Lease period upto : June 30th 2007
Lease date: june 30th 1908
Lease Duration: 99 years
Present Lease holder: M/s. Poabs Plantations Pvt. Ltd.

Lease details: Lease deed is executed between the Diwan of Cochin on the part of lessor and Mr. P.B. Key on the part of lessee on the 30th june 1908 an extent of 300 acres is assigned to the lessee for the purpose of raising coffee cultivation for a period of 99 years. The present lease holder has approached the forest minister and the High court to continue the lease in order to protect and promote organic farming and products. They are claiming the same with awards and certificates at international level.