Archive for March, 2007

Trees for Delhi  an action group formed by a bunch of concerned citizens and environment NGOs - in one of the 'first of its kind' attempt - is organising a candle light vigil to save the trees of Delhi that are marked for felling for the construction of the first phase of the High Capacity Bus Service (HCBS) in South-Central Delhi. Here is the invitation from the Organisation - Lend a ray of support to thousands of trees being cut in Delhi. Take a stand against anti-environment city planning. The vigil is a peaceful effort to inform the people of Delhi about the ongoing massacre of trees. Over 35,000 trees have already been cut for Metro Phase-I, National Highway Project, High Capacity Bus Service Corridor, flyovers, underpasses, subways, and general road widening, We believe that these trees have a right to life for the sake of the citizens of Delhi, the very character, well-being and beauty of the city. We also believe that a transport friendly city does not have to be in conflict with its green heritage. We need people to have a say in this matter through a democratic platform and a public debate. Even as you read this, trees are being felled Full story

According to Delhi Newsline, the Delhi High Court on March 21 stayed construction on the biodiversity park in Vasant Kunj based on a PIL stating that the area was part of the Ridge and was to be preserved in its “pristine glory”. The High Court also issued notices to the DDA, Ministry of Urban Development and Delhi government asking why the 223-hectare area, which is adjacent to Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), had not been notified as part of the Ridge till date despite several committees directing that it be declared and protected as part of the Ridge. The petition filed by Vinod Kumar Jain alleged that the “... DDA, which is in possession of the land”... plans to develop a safari park, picnic huts and refreshment areas in the park. Such “non-forest” activity would destroy the character of the Ridge, the petition says. Submitting photographs of the ongoing construction in the park, the petitioner said Full story

For all the Delhiites who havn't really seen any real 'wildlife' in the city, you've got to check this out. Dr. Surya Prakash of JNU spotted a COMMON PALM CIVET ( Paradoxurus hermaphroditus  Schreber 1778 ) near JNU's SBI ATM! He was also able to capture the animal on camera as under: The Common Palm Civet is a rare animal which ... Full story

The Center for Science and Environment (CSE) is organising a two-day symposium (April 26th and 27th 2007) on Mining, People and Environment. Only for practising journalists. Click here fore more details CSE will also be releasing its new publication on the subject at the symposium. Full story

When I returned from my field trip last month I noticed that someone had scraped off a part of the lower trunk of all the trees in and around North Campus and numbered them. Delhi University Nursery Garden After I enquired about it from one of the gardeners, he ... Full story

On 15th of December 2006 the Lok Sabha passed by voice vote the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Bill, 2005, seeking to recognise and vest the forest rights and occupation in forest land of forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest-dwellers. The wildlife activists had opposed the Bill on the ground that access deep into the forests would not ... Full story

The Center for Science and Environment (CSE) is initiating a process where students in various districts and across universities participate in monitoring the development effectiveness of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) through an extensive survey. CSE, along with university teachers and experts in relevant fields, will train students in the evaluation process. The survey results will be ... Full story

A Pair of Rofous Treepie (Dendrocitta vagabunda) Spotted behind the Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan Bus Stand - K.G. Marg (apparently they have nested in RJD MP Pappu Yadav’s residence!) Spotted on: March 14, 2007 Full story

Photo Courtesy: HT The Eighth Rajiv Gandhi Foundation Meet (held on 21st March 2007 at the Jawahar Bhawan) invited Nobel Peace Prize winner, Prof. Wangari Muta Maathai. At a time when the world is facing a global warming crisis, Prof. Maathai’s lecture on ‘Environment, Democracy & Peace: A critical link’ could ... Full story

The Delhi Greens Blog has been launched as an effort to highlight the green spaces, flora and fauna of Delhi and sensitise people about the pressing environmental and social issues in and around the capital city. Full story