HONG KONG
A wealth of information on new species in Hong Kong has come to light with the start of the first territory-wide biodiversity survey, which aims to identify the regions where various fauna and flora
A wealth of information on new species in Hong Kong has come to light with the start of the first territory-wide biodiversity survey, which aims to identify the regions where various fauna and flora
A credit unworthy government put paid to eco development
the flurry of activity to get the Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan ready for us President Bill Clinton's three-hour visit on March 23 had the animals in a panic. While authorities
a ban on tourism in core areas of national parks and a general ceiling on visitors to sanctuaries, tiger reserves and other protected areas (pa), have been proposed in the revised guidelines for
A major overhaul of polluting industries in West Bengal is being chalked out by <font class='UCASE'>Manabendra Mukherji</font> , the state s minister for youth services, environment and tourism. He recently spoke to <font class='UCASE'><font color=red
There are no political boundaries for animals, but officials concerned fail to see the point
During this biting cold what can be better than a dish of black-tiger prawns cooked in oriental style for dinner or just batter fried along with your evening drink. But then, be prepared to shell out a huge sum as black-tiger prawns supply is going down with stagnant production over the past several years. India is the leading producer of black-tiger prawns in the world but today the prawn farmers are faced with the problem of stagnant production due to lack of quality seeds and financial support from the government. According to I.P.R. Mohan Raju, president of the Prawn Farmers Federation of India, "Although India is the leading producer of black-tiger prawns in the world, the production in our country is stagnant for the past few years. The primary reason for the stagnation is the inadequate supply of quality seeds. The hatchery operators depend on the supply of wild brood stock for the production of seeds. The quality and quantity of this wild brood stock has deteriorated over the past few years.' The hatchery operators depended on the supply of wild brood stock for the production of seeds but the quality and quantity of this had deteriorated over the past few years. The federation, the first national platform for prawn farmers constituted by state federations of the 10 maritime states and union territories, would collaborate with the hatchery operators and the government to address this issue, he said. India has over 1,50,000 hectares under prawn cultivation with around 1.2 to 1.4 million hectares potential brackish water area available. More than 91per cent of the 1,00,000 plus farmers are small scale with land holding of less than two hectares. About 6 per cent of the farmers' own land only between two to five hectares and the remaining three percent own land over five hectares. Total production is around 1,35,000 tons with an average production of less than 1000 kg per hectare. Farming methods are mostly extensive or modified extensive with less than 20 per cent of the farms having electricity connections. Black-tiger (Penaeus monodon) is the major species cultivated constituting over 97 per cent of the total production. More than 90 per cent of the 135,000 tons produced and over 94 per cent of the value of exports come from small-scale farmers. Said V. Balasubramaniam, general secretary of the federation, "Lack of institutional finance and insurance coverage is a big deterrent for the growth of the small farmers. More than 90 per cent of the over Rs 3,000 crore invested in prawn farms in India is from the pockets of the small farmers or borrowed from unorganised money lenders. More over, more than 90 per cent of the production cost is financed by credit from the dealers of inputs and companies, since the farmer does not get any type of crop loan from financial institutions. "This drives the cost of production up by 20 to 30 per cent, since credit is involved at various levels in the chain of crop input supplies. If farmers get institutional financing and insurance coverage for their crop, the accrued benefits will make him more competitive in the world market,' he said.
What happens to living beings when climate change threatens even national parks and nature reserves
The Bhairu Lok Abhyaranya Dakav in Bhanwta, near Sariska, Rajasthan, is a sanctuary with a difference. It is a sanctuary declared, protected and managed by the people. "We call it the sonchidi, since
Greenhorn conservatism in India has led to untold miseries for tribal people
Management of protected forests is a hotly debated issue. In the absence of a sound policy based on a scientific approach, there are as many opinions as there are people. In the meantime, wildlife is getting threatened. And people living in and around pro
<font class='UCASE'><font color=red><b>Suresh P Prabhu</font></b></font> looks back on his tenure as Union minister for environment and forests and speaks to <font class='UCASE'><font color=red><b>Lian Chawii </font></b></font> and <font class='UCASE'>
The Oriya name for the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is baula kumbhira, which literally means crazy crocodile. The moniker certainly rings true for people living in about 50 villages
Parliament should start a procedure called Regulatory Impact Analysis under which every law should be carefully scrutinised for its effectiveness
How TBS helped communities revive the rural environment
Is a state government notification an indication that Gujarat, once considered to be committed to wildlife protection, has now moved industry to the top of its priority list?
When villages work with each other to regenerate the environment, there are unexpected blessings. Sometimes, they are as big as a river
For over 2 months now, the hills of Simlipal in Orissa have been inundated by fierce monsoon showers. Thick foliage dripping water on the undergrowth had turned the soil to slush, to be kneaded by animal hooves. Tracks of animals in search of food mingled
Why are we, as a nation, so non serious about following through on actions? Is it the curse of a foreign language in which we act, but not think, that we pick up words and so believe the deed, too,
Managing the conflict