16-Jan-2019: Sustainable Catchment Forest Management launched in Tripura.
The JICA-supported Project for Sustainable Catchment Forest Management (SCATFORM) was officially inaugurated in Tripura. The objective of the Project is to manage and enhance forest area ecosystems in the project area, by sustainable forest ecosystem management, biodiversity conservation, livelihood improvement support and strengthening institutional capacity, thereby contributing to environmental conservation and sustainable socio-economic development in Tripura.
Through this project, JICA focuses to improve the quality of forests in Tripura and to conserve the ecosystem through participatory and collaborative management. The Project will work towards enhancing forest ecosystems through catchment protection approach, thereby improving the quality of forest and lives of forest-dependent communities in the state. One of the unique approaches of this project is co-financing by the State Government which is done to promote and uplift sustainability of selected activities of the Project and showcase the strong initiative by the Forest Department. Also, JICA aims to collaborate for the enhancement of the bamboo industry through the Project under the idea of "Japan-India Act East Forum". This forum's objective is to expand the cooperation between Japan and India in the North Eastern Region (NER).
Earlier, in October 2018, JICA had signed an agreement with the Government of India to provide an Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan of 12,287 million Japanese Yen (approximately INR 750 Crore) for The Project for Sustainable Catchment Forest Management in Tripura.
The Tripura Forest Department (TFD) is the Executing Agency of the Project. The Project will be implemented mainly in upper catchments where forest degradation and soil erosion are severe and livelihood improvement needs are high. The activities will include promotion of bamboo plantation, agroforestry based livelihood, eco-tourism development, development of value addition for bamboo and other Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP) in order to create alternative livelihood opportunities for local communities. As bamboo is a key resource, strong emphasis shall be laid on enhancing the production base and value addition of bamboo production.
JICA has been consistently working to help develop the forestry sector in Tripura. In 2007, JICA had extended an ODA loan of 7,725 million Japanese (approximately INR 490 crore) Yen for the Tripura Forest Environmental Improvement and Poverty Alleviation Project (TFIPAP) which had focused on more plantation and improvement of livelihood activities. Since 1991-92, JICA has committed 270 billion Japanese Yen (approximately INR 17,000 Crore) for 27 projects in 14 states of India in the forestry sector.
About JICA: Established by a specific law as an incorporated administrative institution under the Government of Japan, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) aims to promote international cooperation as the sole Japanese governmental agency in charge of ODA implementation. JICA is the world's largest bilateral donor agency. JICA works as a bridge between Japan and emerging countries, and provides assistance in the form of loans, grants and technical cooperation, so that the emerging countries can strengthen their capabilities.
17-Dec-2018: India, Nepal, Bhutan plan joint task force to protect wildlife
The governments of India, Nepal and Bhutan are planning for a joint task force for allowing free movement of wildlife across political boundaries and checking smuggling of wildlife across the Kanchenjunga Landscape, a trans-boundary region spread across the three nations.
Increased human-wildlife conflict and wildlife-related crimes have emerged as a major reason for the setback in conservation and has also emerged as a threat to many endangered species.
Recognising the trans-boundary nature of these challenges, governments, research institutions, and civil society representatives of Bhutan, India, and Nepal, who share this landscape, came together to outline a strategic regional roadmap for cooperation in consonance with each nation's priority for conservation and enhancing livelihoods of its citizens.
According to a press release issued by International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, the incidence of human-wildlife conflict is rising for several reasons. Various mitigation measures to address human-wildlife conflicts have been implemented in the Landscape, including crop/livestock guarding, physical and electric fencing, sound and/or light alarm systems, and livestock insurance schemes. However, in some areas, retaliatory killing of wildlife species has also been reported.
It is imperative that we all keep the movement paths of animals open and unhindered at all times. While protection of communities and property needs to be addressed, it should also allow for safe passage to animals.
16-Nov-2018: India's First Elephant Hospital Opens In Mathura
Wildlife SOS is a conservation non-profit organization (NGO) working for animal welfare, elephant conservation and care. The NGO just opened the country’s very first specialized hospital for injured and ailing elephants in Mathura.
It is a state-of-the-art and well equipped facility, capable of conducting a variety of laboratory tests, including wireless digital radiology, ultrasound, laser therapy, in-house pathology and even a medical hoist to comfortably lift disabled elephants and move them around the treatment area.
The Wildlife SOS Elephant Hospital also has ample storage space for elephantine quantities of life-saving drugs and veterinary medicines, critical equipment such as portable X-ray and ultrasound devices and foot-care tools.