17 May 2012
The Supreme Court has directed all states to demarcate and notify buffer zones around each of their tiger reserves within three months. While conservationists say the order would curb commercialisation of revenue land around tiger habitats, tribal rights activists think its implementation will result in repression of forest dwellers by forest departments. Click on date for more details
15 May 2012
A forest ranger and a forester were recently beaten up by the illegal mining mafia in the core area of the Rathambhore reserve. For more information click on date
08 May 2012
Aptly titled, 'Corbett, now on sale', a story in a weekly magazine brought an open secret out in print: The land around - and even inside - the Corbett Tiger Reserve is up for grabs, controlled by the country's Who's Who. It highlighted how tourism resorts have destroyed the Kosi river corridor, cutting off access for animals to a crucial water source. This matter had in fact first come to light in a report, 'Impact of tourism on tigers and other wildlife of Corbett', published in January 2010. Click on date for more details
Muslim bizman rebuilds mandir
MUMBAI: Constructing a concrete example of communal harmony, a city-based Muslim businessman has funded the revamp of a massive Hindu temple at Ranthambore near Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan.The Ganesh Dham Mandir, built on the sole funding of businessman Ashiqali Nathani, will be opened on January 27 amid chanting of sacred mantras, speeches, followed by distribution of prasad and lunch.
Nathani, founder of Tiana group of companies which has stakes in power, shipping, infrastructure, leasing and finance, said, " The only motive (behind the Rs 1.5 crore project) was to set up an example of communal harmony and build bridges with our Hindu brethren," said 58-year-old Nathani before leaving for Ranthambore to oversee the inaugural function of the mandir.
Nathani said that it was his "dream" to reconstruct the temple after one of his directors suggested to him that he visit it. "The small temple was in ruins. There was no proper ashram for the chief priest, revered Prabhudasji Maharaj and other devotees who flocked to the mandir. I decided to get it construct it all over again," said Nathani.
A famed hermit in the area, Prabhudasji Maharaj, 98, is believed have done tapasya (meditation) for over 30 years in the jungle of Ranthambore which is known for its tiger reserve. As the priest's following grew, the state government allotted him a plot near the tiger reserve on which a small temple called Ganesh Dham Mandir came up. "Now we have built a 8000 sq ft temple, an ashram and a guest house on this plot. We believe that, if people of different faiths come together and reach out to those places of worship which are in dire need of restoration irrespective of gods and deities they belong to, it will help remove hatred," added Nathani who has reached Ranthambore with the retinue of his staff.
"It is a good gesture and others should emulate it. Muslims don't worship any idols. But there is nothing wrong in funding construction or restoration of a temple," said Zarar Quresih of Bhopal, who has known Nathani's temple project since the day of its inception.
