R.P. Balwan moved SC seeking changes to its 20 November order that says sustainable mining would cover only ranges above 100m, exposing lower ecologically vital areas to mining.
Former Kerala forest minister Nadar was accused of sexual harassment by woman forest officer in 2001. He was convicted by trial court and court of sessions at Kozhikode.
In letter to administration, association says order also violates SC ruling that reporting authority can be from outside of dept only for principal chief conservator of forests.
It sends the message to every forest official that their jobs no longer depend just on addressing environmental concerns, health of wildlife; it also depends on naming of animals.
Madhya Pradesh forest dept says arming forest guards will allow them to defend themselves against poachers. But granting the power to bear and use arms isn't as simple.
B.V. Umadevi, a 1987-batch Chhattisgarh-cadre IFoS officer, has been posted as an additional secretary in MHA. Govt officers also point to a crunch of IAS officers at the Centre.
In FY 2025-26, AoN for 55 proposals amounting to Rs 6.73 lakh cr has been accorded by DAC. Both the quantum of AoN given and capital contracts signed, so far, have been the highest in any FY.
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