in newer areas they are migrating to
DILIP PATEL
09825045322
The official Asiatic lion population figures following the census stands at 411. Quite impressive, looking at the fact that about a century ago there were just 20, standing on the brink of extinction. In the past five years, the number has increased from 358 to 411, an addition of 53.
A area-wise break-up of the 13th Asiatic lion population estimate shows that numbers have increased in Girnar, Mitiliya and Paniya which have been declared sanctuaries in the last three years. The highest increase has been in coastal areas (Una, Kodinar, Sutrapada and Chhara), from 12 to 21.
Chhara in Junagadh is a new area outside the sanctuary limits were lions have begun migrating to.
However, it has been noted that there hasn’t been much increase in the number of big cats in the Gir national park sanctuary and adjoining areas; only six in the national park and seven in Girnar sanctuary. The total increase in surrounding areas is 46, which means that the lions are moving to newer areas which may have human threat, but are are naturally safer for their habitat.
“There are two main reasons why population has increased in newer areas. First, locals where the animals are moving to, are supporting conservation efforts. Second, a substantial nilgai population in these areas,” said principal secretary, forest and environment S K Nanda.
Announcing the estimate results on Sunday, Chief Minister Narendra Modi said, of the total 411 lions, 77 were cubs less than one year old and another 75 were in the one to three year age-group. Thus, almost 40 per cent of the lion population comprises the young as does India’s, which bodes well for the future.”
Modi pointed out that India and many other countries of the world are worried about the gender imbalances creeping into its demographic profile.
“Not so in the case of the Asiatic lion. Their latest population profile shows 97 males against 162 females, making for a ratio of 1:1.67,” he said.
“The immediate result of the rise in female population is that the incidents of male lions devouring cubs have decreased with the females bunching together to ward off such attempts,” he added. The number of females has increased from 124 in 2005 to 162 in 2010.
The chief minister said the Rs 40-crore special package for the Sasan Gir lion sanctuary and its environs announced by the state government had reaped rich dividends following enhanced communication facilities and a crash programme to cover open wells.
“We would lose ten cubs on an average every year due to these open wells. This last year the loss was only one,” he said.
With inputs from agencies
45 DEATHS LAST YEAR
Forty-five lions have died in 2009-10; 41 of these were natural deaths. Of the total deaths, 31 took place inside santuary limits. Three lions died outside the limits; one in a road accident, one by falling off the bridge and one by electric shock. The year also recorded one death by poaching inside the sanctuary.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
BJP’s bid to attack CBI foiled , gujarat
BJP’s bid to attack CBI foiled
BJP state unit’s spokesperson Vijay Rupani fumbles to answer uncomfortable questions on Sohrabuddin fake encounter case
AHMEDABAD MIRROR BUREAU
Some uncomfortable queries hurled at the BJP’s state unit spokesperson Vijay Rupani on Sunday compelled him to go on the backfoot, spoiling his party’s bid to go on an offensive against the CBI probe into Sohrabuddin encounter.
In the presence of the present and former presidents of the BJP in Gujarat — RC Faldu and Purshottam Rupala, respectively — Rupani termed the CBI probe a ploy of the Congress to put the BJP in a tight spot and announced to launch a protest campaign against the agency. Rupani also accused the CBI of partisan role. “It has not taken any action in alleged scams involving Mayawati or Lalu Prasad. Nor it has thoroughly probed into phone tapping,” he said.
Thus far, Rupani was at his attacking best. But then came the bouncers and his evasive action. He refused to answer if Sohrabuddin was killed in a fake encounter. He also ducked the query on if Minister of State for Home Affairs Amit Shah would be arrested. When mediapersons counter-attacked Rupani asking how could he term CBI’s action politically motivated when the state-run CID arrested 14 persons in connection with the case and CBI only one, he remained tight-lipped.
There was no answer from Rupani on if he was calling the agency’s action political because Shah might be arrested. Nor did he respond to if his statements were contempt of the Supreme Court. Answering to a query on where was Shah during the Swarnim Gujarat celebrations on Saturday, Rupani said the minister was busy seeking legal advice.
BJP state unit’s spokesperson Vijay Rupani fumbles to answer uncomfortable questions on Sohrabuddin fake encounter case
AHMEDABAD MIRROR BUREAU
Some uncomfortable queries hurled at the BJP’s state unit spokesperson Vijay Rupani on Sunday compelled him to go on the backfoot, spoiling his party’s bid to go on an offensive against the CBI probe into Sohrabuddin encounter.
In the presence of the present and former presidents of the BJP in Gujarat — RC Faldu and Purshottam Rupala, respectively — Rupani termed the CBI probe a ploy of the Congress to put the BJP in a tight spot and announced to launch a protest campaign against the agency. Rupani also accused the CBI of partisan role. “It has not taken any action in alleged scams involving Mayawati or Lalu Prasad. Nor it has thoroughly probed into phone tapping,” he said.
Thus far, Rupani was at his attacking best. But then came the bouncers and his evasive action. He refused to answer if Sohrabuddin was killed in a fake encounter. He also ducked the query on if Minister of State for Home Affairs Amit Shah would be arrested. When mediapersons counter-attacked Rupani asking how could he term CBI’s action politically motivated when the state-run CID arrested 14 persons in connection with the case and CBI only one, he remained tight-lipped.
There was no answer from Rupani on if he was calling the agency’s action political because Shah might be arrested. Nor did he respond to if his statements were contempt of the Supreme Court. Answering to a query on where was Shah during the Swarnim Gujarat celebrations on Saturday, Rupani said the minister was busy seeking legal advice.
FOSSIL DATING BACK 165 MILLION YEARS FOUND IN KUTCH gujarat
FOSSIL DATING BACK 165 MILLION YEARS FOUND IN KUTCH
The fossil is a giant shell of an oyster-like sea creature; its find in Khatrod hill range suggests the region was once under water
DILIP PATEL
09825045322
Agiant fossilised shell of an oyster-like sea creature has been found on a hill of Khatrod range in Kutch. The shell, which is 2 feet long and 1.75 feet wide, is believed to be 165 million years old.
The fossil was discovered by Dr Budhia, who is the president of Kutch Science Foundation, about six months ago. It’s type and age, however, were confirmed recently by Andes Geology Society in Chile, claims Nishant Gor, who accompanied Budhia in the latter’s search for fossils.
The discovery of the shell in Khatrod range indicates that region was once under water. Interestingly, similar shells were found in the Andes, the world’s longest mountain range, in South America a few years ago.
The find in Kutch was initially mistaken for a dinosaur egg because of its size. “After it was found, a conference of geologists was held in Kutch. None of the participants were able to exactly tell what it was,” Budhia said.
Samples of the shell, he said, were then sent to Andes Geology Society. “Recently, the body informed us that the fossil is a bivalve shell,” he said. Bivalve is a type of mollusc such as an oyster.
Budhia believes many more such shells could be discovered in the Khotrad range and near the famous Gangeshwar temple. The bivalve shell is likely to be displayed at an exhibit in UK on July 4.
Fossil finds are not new to Gujarat. In 1987, the director of Palaeontology in Geological Survey of India (GSI), Dhananjay Mohabey, found a fossil in a dinosaur nesting ground by a riverbed near the present-day Dholi Dungri village bordering Kheda district’s Balasinor taluka.
A study published in the Public Library of Sciences journal only last month revealed the fossil was that of a 3.5-metre-long snake that preyed on dinosaur eggs and hatchlings
The fossil is a giant shell of an oyster-like sea creature; its find in Khatrod hill range suggests the region was once under water
DILIP PATEL
09825045322
Agiant fossilised shell of an oyster-like sea creature has been found on a hill of Khatrod range in Kutch. The shell, which is 2 feet long and 1.75 feet wide, is believed to be 165 million years old.
The fossil was discovered by Dr Budhia, who is the president of Kutch Science Foundation, about six months ago. It’s type and age, however, were confirmed recently by Andes Geology Society in Chile, claims Nishant Gor, who accompanied Budhia in the latter’s search for fossils.
The discovery of the shell in Khatrod range indicates that region was once under water. Interestingly, similar shells were found in the Andes, the world’s longest mountain range, in South America a few years ago.
The find in Kutch was initially mistaken for a dinosaur egg because of its size. “After it was found, a conference of geologists was held in Kutch. None of the participants were able to exactly tell what it was,” Budhia said.
Samples of the shell, he said, were then sent to Andes Geology Society. “Recently, the body informed us that the fossil is a bivalve shell,” he said. Bivalve is a type of mollusc such as an oyster.
Budhia believes many more such shells could be discovered in the Khotrad range and near the famous Gangeshwar temple. The bivalve shell is likely to be displayed at an exhibit in UK on July 4.
Fossil finds are not new to Gujarat. In 1987, the director of Palaeontology in Geological Survey of India (GSI), Dhananjay Mohabey, found a fossil in a dinosaur nesting ground by a riverbed near the present-day Dholi Dungri village bordering Kheda district’s Balasinor taluka.
A study published in the Public Library of Sciences journal only last month revealed the fossil was that of a 3.5-metre-long snake that preyed on dinosaur eggs and hatchlings
MINISTER SAAB amit shah OUT OF RANGE gujarat
MINISTER SAAB OUT OF RANGE
Amit Shah, not spotted in any public function after April 30, has remained incommunicado for the past three days
DILIP PATEL
09825045322
After the arrest of DCP Abhay Chudasama, one of the trusted confidants of Minister of State for Home Amit Shah, by the CBI on charges of trying to influence witnesses in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case, the state government seems to be rattled, so much so that the minister of state for home seems to be missing from all the action.
After the hurriedly-called press conference on Sunday by BJP spokesperson Vijay Rupani, threatening to launch a statewide agitation against the CBI “as it was being misused by the UPA government”, there seems to be a lull in the home minister’s office.
According to Sachivalaya sources, Amit Shah has not been seen in office since April 30. The minister was last seen along with the chief minister at the inauguration of a fountain at Police Bhavan in Gandhinagar on April 30. Since then he has not been seen at any public place.
He has remained incommunicado for the past three days. No calls to his residence or his mobile phone were received. His personal secretary said, “He is not at his bungalow or in his office, so please contact him on his mobile phone.”
However, umpteen number of calls remained unanswered..
Sources said, this is the second time Shah has gone missing. In 2007, he had gone underground for some days when the then DIG Rajnish Rai investigating the Sohrabuddin case was set to initiate legal action against him.
When Rai was the investigating officer in the case, he had procured all the telephonic conversations Shah had with the police officers who have been jailed in the case. The original CD is in the possession of the CBI at present, sources said.
Senior Congress leader Arjun Modhvadia told Mirror, “This case involves political leaders of Gujarat and Rajasthan. Action against Om Mathur and Amit Shah can be taken under Section 120B (punishment for criminal conspiracy) of IPC since the entire case was known to both of them.
Action can also be taken against them for trying to coerce the witnesses into submission. At one of police officers meeting, Shah had even said ‘you will take action if Kauserbi will be found’.”
Amit Shah, not spotted in any public function after April 30, has remained incommunicado for the past three days
DILIP PATEL
09825045322
After the arrest of DCP Abhay Chudasama, one of the trusted confidants of Minister of State for Home Amit Shah, by the CBI on charges of trying to influence witnesses in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case, the state government seems to be rattled, so much so that the minister of state for home seems to be missing from all the action.
After the hurriedly-called press conference on Sunday by BJP spokesperson Vijay Rupani, threatening to launch a statewide agitation against the CBI “as it was being misused by the UPA government”, there seems to be a lull in the home minister’s office.
According to Sachivalaya sources, Amit Shah has not been seen in office since April 30. The minister was last seen along with the chief minister at the inauguration of a fountain at Police Bhavan in Gandhinagar on April 30. Since then he has not been seen at any public place.
He has remained incommunicado for the past three days. No calls to his residence or his mobile phone were received. His personal secretary said, “He is not at his bungalow or in his office, so please contact him on his mobile phone.”
However, umpteen number of calls remained unanswered..
Sources said, this is the second time Shah has gone missing. In 2007, he had gone underground for some days when the then DIG Rajnish Rai investigating the Sohrabuddin case was set to initiate legal action against him.
When Rai was the investigating officer in the case, he had procured all the telephonic conversations Shah had with the police officers who have been jailed in the case. The original CD is in the possession of the CBI at present, sources said.
Senior Congress leader Arjun Modhvadia told Mirror, “This case involves political leaders of Gujarat and Rajasthan. Action against Om Mathur and Amit Shah can be taken under Section 120B (punishment for criminal conspiracy) of IPC since the entire case was known to both of them.
Action can also be taken against them for trying to coerce the witnesses into submission. At one of police officers meeting, Shah had even said ‘you will take action if Kauserbi will be found’.”
BJP now says no protest against CBI
BJP now says no protest against CBI
DILIP PATEL
9825045322
In a major turnaround, state BJP president R C Faldu said on Tuesday that the party did not plan to launch protests against the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probing the Sohrabuddin fake encounter. We have not announced any campaign against the CBI, Faldu told Mirror.
Asked about the protests it had planned at sheri level across the state, Faldu said, “We have not planned any protest. This is a figment of the media’s imagination.”
This statement comes two days after the party called the CBI the ‘Congress Bureau of Injustice’. At a media briefing on Sunday, the state BJP had hit out at the Congress and the UPA government at the Centre for misusing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and using the Sohrabuddin encounter probe to tarnish the image of the Gujarat government. The party declared it would launch an agitation against the UPA government.
In a press release dated May 2, senior BJP leaders had warned that “if the CBI did not stop acting as a hand maiden of Congress in Gujarat, then the enlightened people of Gujarat would not sit idly by”. They also alleged that though the CBI had been handed over the case months ago, the officers deliberately chose the occasion of Swarnim Jayanti to taint Gujarat’s name.
Meanwhile, sources in the party said there were strong reasons for withdrawing the planned protests. “The party’s legal counsel has advised the party against holding protests as the Supreme Court has ordered the probe. Allegations that the investigation is politically motivated is wrong. The BJP leadership in Delhi too disapproved of the plan. Expressing their inability to help the state unit in the case, they directed the local members against politicising the issue,” the source added. The central leadership’s decisions are believed to be guided by BJP Rajya Sabha MP Arun Jaitley.
DILIP PATEL
9825045322
In a major turnaround, state BJP president R C Faldu said on Tuesday that the party did not plan to launch protests against the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probing the Sohrabuddin fake encounter. We have not announced any campaign against the CBI, Faldu told Mirror.
Asked about the protests it had planned at sheri level across the state, Faldu said, “We have not planned any protest. This is a figment of the media’s imagination.”
This statement comes two days after the party called the CBI the ‘Congress Bureau of Injustice’. At a media briefing on Sunday, the state BJP had hit out at the Congress and the UPA government at the Centre for misusing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and using the Sohrabuddin encounter probe to tarnish the image of the Gujarat government. The party declared it would launch an agitation against the UPA government.
In a press release dated May 2, senior BJP leaders had warned that “if the CBI did not stop acting as a hand maiden of Congress in Gujarat, then the enlightened people of Gujarat would not sit idly by”. They also alleged that though the CBI had been handed over the case months ago, the officers deliberately chose the occasion of Swarnim Jayanti to taint Gujarat’s name.
Meanwhile, sources in the party said there were strong reasons for withdrawing the planned protests. “The party’s legal counsel has advised the party against holding protests as the Supreme Court has ordered the probe. Allegations that the investigation is politically motivated is wrong. The BJP leadership in Delhi too disapproved of the plan. Expressing their inability to help the state unit in the case, they directed the local members against politicising the issue,” the source added. The central leadership’s decisions are believed to be guided by BJP Rajya Sabha MP Arun Jaitley.
Modi opposes central review committee on Narmada
Union Environment Ministry has formed panel to monitor ecological safeguard measures in Sardar Sarovar project
AHMEDABAD MIRROR BUREAU
The state government has opposed the constitution of a review panel, being set up by the central government, to monitor the implementation of ecological safeguard measures in Sardar Sarovar project.
In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Chief Minister Narendra Modi sought to withdraw the environment and forest ministry order to form the review committee for the project.
“The decision of the union environment and the forest ministry taken on April 28 is not in accordance with the present provisions of Narmada Yojana and the Supreme Court order of Oct 20, 2000,” stated the letter handed over to the prime minister on Monday evening.
In the letter, Modi said the project has passed through many legal disputes and hurdles and a positive hand from the central government and the prime minister has helped it to set many benchmarks.
Construction of 458-km main canal has been completed in 2008, and has delivered drinking water to more than 2.2 crore people but to extract maximum benefits from this inter-state multipurpose project, it is imperative to take the dam’s height to the full reservoir level, he said.
The 48th meeting of environmental sub-group of the Narmada Control Authority presided over by the environment and forest secretary had approved a height of 138 metres for the Sardar Sarovar dam, he said. Formation of another high-level committee would work to the detriment of the project and would raise a question mark on the numerous decisions taken by other central bodies in the past, he added.
“The Narmada Control Authority has a complete monitoring setup and the environmental subgroup is empowered to take any decision related to the project, thus there is no need for any other independent body for the purpose,” he said.
AHMEDABAD MIRROR BUREAU
The state government has opposed the constitution of a review panel, being set up by the central government, to monitor the implementation of ecological safeguard measures in Sardar Sarovar project.
In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Chief Minister Narendra Modi sought to withdraw the environment and forest ministry order to form the review committee for the project.
“The decision of the union environment and the forest ministry taken on April 28 is not in accordance with the present provisions of Narmada Yojana and the Supreme Court order of Oct 20, 2000,” stated the letter handed over to the prime minister on Monday evening.
In the letter, Modi said the project has passed through many legal disputes and hurdles and a positive hand from the central government and the prime minister has helped it to set many benchmarks.
Construction of 458-km main canal has been completed in 2008, and has delivered drinking water to more than 2.2 crore people but to extract maximum benefits from this inter-state multipurpose project, it is imperative to take the dam’s height to the full reservoir level, he said.
The 48th meeting of environmental sub-group of the Narmada Control Authority presided over by the environment and forest secretary had approved a height of 138 metres for the Sardar Sarovar dam, he said. Formation of another high-level committee would work to the detriment of the project and would raise a question mark on the numerous decisions taken by other central bodies in the past, he added.
“The Narmada Control Authority has a complete monitoring setup and the environmental subgroup is empowered to take any decision related to the project, thus there is no need for any other independent body for the purpose,” he said.
Togadia sets May 10 date with SIT but conditions apply
Togadia sets May 10 date with SIT but conditions apply
DILIP PATEL
Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) international general secretary Pravin Togadia will appear before the Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing the post Godhra riots cases, in person on May 10. But conditions apply.
In a letter to SIT, the VHP leader’s lawyer Deepak Shukla has sought a copy of the questions his client would be asked.
He also demanded a duly certified copy of all the questions SIT asks Togadia on May 10 and his client’s answers to them immediately after the quizzing was over. Besides, Shukla wants mediapersons to be present during Togadia’s interrogation.
Confirming the date of Togadia’s appearance before SIT, sources close to the development said the VHP leader was keen on getting his interrogation video recorded. They also said that Togadia demanded the questionnaire and dococuments pertaining to the summon issued to him because the investigation procedure of SIT was allegedly unreliable.
Claiming that Togadia had nothing to do with the riots, sources close to him said the VHP leader was not in Gujarat during the violence. “How can Togadia be involved in the riots when he was not in the state?” asked a close confidante of the VHP leader.
DILIP PATEL
Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) international general secretary Pravin Togadia will appear before the Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing the post Godhra riots cases, in person on May 10. But conditions apply.
In a letter to SIT, the VHP leader’s lawyer Deepak Shukla has sought a copy of the questions his client would be asked.
He also demanded a duly certified copy of all the questions SIT asks Togadia on May 10 and his client’s answers to them immediately after the quizzing was over. Besides, Shukla wants mediapersons to be present during Togadia’s interrogation.
Confirming the date of Togadia’s appearance before SIT, sources close to the development said the VHP leader was keen on getting his interrogation video recorded. They also said that Togadia demanded the questionnaire and dococuments pertaining to the summon issued to him because the investigation procedure of SIT was allegedly unreliable.
Claiming that Togadia had nothing to do with the riots, sources close to him said the VHP leader was not in Gujarat during the violence. “How can Togadia be involved in the riots when he was not in the state?” asked a close confidante of the VHP leader.
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