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Gayatri Vajpeyee

Articles by Gayatri Vajpeyee

New Mahabaleshwar project to create employment opportunities: Fadnavis

The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), under the state’s tourism department, organised the three-day Maharashtra Tourism Festival from May 2 to 4 in Mahabaleshwar with the aim of promoting tourism

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during the 'Mahaparyatan Utsav', at Mahabaleshwar in Satara district, Maharashtra. (@CMOMaharashtra)

Pune

Published on May 05, 2025 08:06 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Leopards dispersing south of Junnar, expanding territory into human-dominated areas

Recent incidents reported from Shirur, Daund, Lohegaon, and even Solapur district have once again underlined the shift

Pune

Published on May 04, 2025 07:42 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Sharad Pawar, Gautam Adani visit SPPU Science Park

Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar and Adani Group's Gautam Adani met at SPPU to discuss industry support and potential collaboration.

Adani and Pawar spent time at the facility and were informed about key initiatives, including the promotion of over 1,300 startups and funding support to more than 200 firms. (HT FILE)

Pune

Published on May 04, 2025 07:36 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

IMD issues rainfall alert for parts of Maha, Pune likely to experience light rainfall on May 4-5

A yellow alert for rainfall has been issued for north-central Maharashtra, Vidarbha and parts of Konkan between May 3 and 5

Pune

Published on May 03, 2025 08:58 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Hunt for elusive leopard continues at Pune airport; probe on in Daund baby death case

Leopard continues to evade capture five days into the launch of search operations on the premises of Pune airport; efforts continue for over 40 hours to verify the alleged involvement of leopard in the death of infant in Daund

Efforts continue for over 40 hours to verify the alleged involvement of leopard in the death of infant in Daund; leopard continues to evade capture five days into the launch of search operations on the premises of Pune airport (HT FILE)

Pune

Published on May 03, 2025 08:08 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Pune forest dept starts registration for waterhole census

Pune forest department seeks volunteers for May 12 waterhole census. Register by May 7 at wildlifepune@gmail.com.

Pune

Published on May 03, 2025 05:08 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

11-month-old boy allegedly dies in leopard attack in Daund

Shepherd family temporarily residing at farm in Dahithane village of Daund tehsil claims their 11-month-old baby died in leopard attack

Officials visited the spot in Dahithane village. Shepherd family temporarily residing at farm in Dahithane village of Daund tehsil claims their 11-month-old baby died in leopard attack. (HT)

Pune

Published on May 01, 2025 06:04 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

No immediate respite from heat: IMD forecast

The IMD’s latest forecast indicates no immediate relief from the intense heat, with high temperatures expected to persist for at least the next 48 hours

Pune

Published on Apr 30, 2025 07:08 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Hours later, search operation still going on for leopard

According to forest department officials, despite an overnight operation by teams comprising forest officials and RESQ CT personnel, the leopard was not located

Pune

Published on Apr 30, 2025 06:20 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Rohida Fort gets state-protected monument tag

The fort has been declared a state protected monument under Sub-Section (1) of Section 4 of the Maharashtra Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1960

As the authorities did not receive any objection after issuing the notification, a government resolution (GR) declaring the fort as a protected monument was published on April 28. (HT)

Pune

Published on Apr 29, 2025 06:32 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Leopard sighting near Pune Airport triggers panic

Confirming the report, Suresh Varak, range forest officer of the Pune Forest Division, said, “We received a call regarding a leopard sighting at Pune Airport

However, it is yet to be confirmed whether the animal was actually near the runway. A team of forest officials is en route to the location to investigate. (FILE)

Pune

Published on Apr 29, 2025 05:56 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Pune: Citizens’ movement against RFD gains momentum amid PMC, PCMC talks of revising plan

The project has faced stiff resistance over the alleged destruction of wetlands, mass tree cutting, and disruption of river ecosystems

Pune

Published on Apr 28, 2025 07:22 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

NGT asks authorities to submit report on visitors’ policy ahead of fireflies festival

The application further mentioned that the activity is being conducted under eco-tourism and ought to have been governed as per the ‘Eco-Tourism Master Plan

Considering the seriousness of the situation, the NGT on April 17 issued an order directing the Maharashtra Forest Department and the Directorate of Tourism to submit their reply affidavits within four weeks. (HT)

Pune

Published on Apr 27, 2025 07:40 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

82-year-old woman dies in leopard attack in Shirur

On Friday, April 25, at around 4.30 am, Laxmibai Bhoite, 82, was sleeping on the porch of her house in Kaul Vasti of Nalage Mala area, Inamgaon, Shirur

Meanwhile, Laxmibai’s son woke up due to the dog’s barking and came out of the house only to see his mother being dragged by the leopard into the sugarcane fields. (HT)

Pune

Published on Apr 26, 2025 06:10 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

₹1.44 cr penalty on rubber company in Pune for green damages

In 2022, one Mahendra Hasabnis complained to the NGT that carbon emissions from this Talegaon Dabhade-based rubber manufacturing company were causing the death of cattle owned by him. Hasabnis demanded action against the company for the same

The said company is part of a Spain-based corporation and specialises in the development and production of rubber and plastic components for a variety of applications. (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO)

Pune

Published on Apr 25, 2025 06:46 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

At 43.6°C, Lohegaon logs season’s highest temperature

With the early onset of the summer season this year, Pune has been experiencing higher temperatures since January

The average temperature in January was recorded at 1.2 degrees above normal, and in February, it was above the normal level by 2.2 degrees. (HT)

Pune

Published on Apr 24, 2025 06:26 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

New Mahabaleshwar Project: MSRDC receives approval for inclusion of 294 more villages

New Mahabaleshwar project is an ambitious hill station development plan to boost tourism, generate jobs and revenue for local community

The government resolution (GR) issued on March 27 cited eight conditions to develop the project spread across protected area or eco sensitive zones. (HT)

Pune

Published on Apr 23, 2025 06:00 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

PM10 concentration in Pune breach permissible limits

Analysis of Pune’s air quality by startup shows PM10 concentrations have consistently breached the National Ambient Air Quality Standards even during summer months

Pune

Published on Apr 22, 2025 09:26 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

10 young swimmers make splash across Palk Strait

The Palk Straits is a narrow body of water that separates India (Tamil Nadu) from Sri Lanka and is connected to the Gulf of Mannar

the swimmers have been practicing for 10-12 hours in a day since last two and a half years across various coasts, including Malvan, Porbandar and Kerala areas. (HT)

Pune

Published on Apr 20, 2025 06:18 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

PMC, forest dept conduct joint visit to Devrai at Ram Nadi-Mula River confluence

The officials assured citizens that no harmful activities would be carried out in the grove, and also asked them to submit their suggestions on the project

The joint visit was carried out against the backdrop of concerns raised by citizens over the safety of the sacred grove due to ongoing work on the RFD Project at the confluence of the Ram Nadi and Mula River. (HT)

Pune

Published on Apr 18, 2025 05:54 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

After RMC plants, MPCB steps up action against automotive industry over water pollution

MPCB escalates action against automotive firms in Pune for air pollution, issuing over five notices and targeting water pollution violations as well.

The MPCB has issued notices to more than five companies – two located in Maval tehsil; and one each at Talegaon Dabhade, Warje, and Gultekdi – which provide vehicle repair services and are involved in the distribution of spare parts. (HT)

Pune

Published on Apr 16, 2025 08:00 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Maharashtra likely to witness above-normal rainfall; Marathwada may receive excess rainfall

The IMD also released a colour-coded forecast map indicating expected rainfall categories across the country

As per this map, most areas in Maharashtra are marked in light blue, indicating above-normal rainfall. Marathwada, parts of southern Maharashtra, and Vidarbha are shown in dark blue, reflecting a high probability of excess rainfall during the monsoon. (HT)

Pune

Published on Apr 16, 2025 07:54 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

From tiger to turtle, wildlife migrations call for focused research

Apart from counting as one more wildlife migration, the discovery, confirmed by wildlife researchers and the mangrove cell of the Maharashtra forest department, challenges the long-held belief that turtle populations on India’s east and west coasts remain isolated

The said Olive Ridley turtle, bearing the flipper tag ‘03233’, laid 120 eggs — higher than the average of 90-95 eggs typically seen on the west coast. (REPRESENTATIVE PIC)

Pune

Published on Apr 15, 2025 05:48 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Camera collars to capture movements of leopards Pune’s in Junnar dist

A radio collaring project, camera traps, and several other projects have been carried out by scientists to study leopard behaviour so as to help forest officials draw up a conservation policy for the Junnar forest range

After carrying out the pilot camera collaring project, the WII scientist on Friday posted the first-ever footage extracted from the camera collar. (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO)

Pune

Published on Apr 12, 2025 05:16 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Farmer killed in elephant attack; locals blame forest dept for inaction

Following a strong protest by the people, Srinivasa Rao, the principal chief conservator of forest (Wildlife), issued an order to capture the elephant on April 8

As per the official data, since 2019, at least 3 people have been injured in elephant attacks. As per reports, 6 elephants are still roaming in the area. (REPRESENTATIVE PIC)

Pune

Published on Apr 10, 2025 05:50 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Now significant rise in minimum temperatures too in Pune

Pune's nighttime temperatures have risen, with Shivajinagar recording 21°C. Health experts warn of heat stress risks due to warmer nights and urban heat effects.

According to health experts, warmer nights do not allow the body to cool down and recover from the daytime heat and therefore, nighttime heat stress can cause issues such as heat stroke and dehydration apart from impacting sleep. (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO)

Pune

Published on Apr 09, 2025 08:08 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Pune district home to over 700 wildlife species

On April 7, Anuj Khare, a member of the Maharashtra Wildlife Board and former honorary wildlife warden of the Pune forest division along with Vinod Bartakke, a wildlife photographer gave a presentation on Pune’s wildlife

Pune

Published on Apr 09, 2025 06:20 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Lohegaon records 42.2 degrees Celsius, Koregaon Park 41.1 degrees Celsius

Not only Pune but the entire state is experiencing intense heat conditions with temperatures breaching the 40 degrees Celsius mark in many parts of central Maharashtra, Marathwada and Vidarbha

According to the official forecast, the city will continue to experience above normal temperatures with dry weather conditions for the next two to three days as there is no strong system active over Maharashtra during this period. (REPRESENTATIVE PIC)

Pune

Published on Apr 08, 2025 05:46 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

IMD study highlights Southern India witnessed more heatwave during El Nino conditions

The study titled ‘Dynamics of ENSO linked contrasting heat wave patterns over the Indian region’ was published on April 6 in the international journal Climate Dynamics

Scientists from IMD including SD Sanap, P Priya, JS Chowdary, and DR Pattanaik participated in this study. (HT)

Pune

Published on Apr 07, 2025 05:22 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

At 41.4°C, Pashan records season’s highest temperature

For the past two days, the city has experienced a slight drop in both day and nighttime temperatures due to a cloudy sky and light to moderate rainfall incidents

The temperature at Koregaon Park on Sunday was recorded as 40.2 degrees Celsius. (HT)

Pune

Published on Apr 07, 2025 05:20 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

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Gayatri Vajpeyee

The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), under the state’s tourism department, organised the three-day Maharashtra Tourism Festival from May 2 to 4 in Mahabaleshwar with the aim of promoting tourism

Recent incidents reported from Shirur, Daund, Lohegaon, and even Solapur district have once again underlined the shift

Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar and Adani Group's Gautam Adani met at SPPU to discuss industry support and potential collaboration.

A yellow alert for rainfall has been issued for north-central Maharashtra, Vidarbha and parts of Konkan between May 3 and 5

Leopard continues to evade capture five days into the launch of search operations on the premises of Pune airport; efforts continue for over 40 hours to verify the alleged involvement of leopard in the death of infant in Daund

Pune forest department seeks volunteers for May 12 waterhole census. Register by May 7 at wildlifepune@gmail.com.

Shepherd family temporarily residing at farm in Dahithane village of Daund tehsil claims their 11-month-old baby died in leopard attack

The IMD’s latest forecast indicates no immediate relief from the intense heat, with high temperatures expected to persist for at least the next 48 hours

According to forest department officials, despite an overnight operation by teams comprising forest officials and RESQ CT personnel, the leopard was not located

The fort has been declared a state protected monument under Sub-Section (1) of Section 4 of the Maharashtra Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1960

Confirming the report, Suresh Varak, range forest officer of the Pune Forest Division, said, “We received a call regarding a leopard sighting at Pune Airport

The project has faced stiff resistance over the alleged destruction of wetlands, mass tree cutting, and disruption of river ecosystems

The application further mentioned that the activity is being conducted under eco-tourism and ought to have been governed as per the ‘Eco-Tourism Master Plan

On Friday, April 25, at around 4.30 am, Laxmibai Bhoite, 82, was sleeping on the porch of her house in Kaul Vasti of Nalage Mala area, Inamgaon, Shirur

In 2022, one Mahendra Hasabnis complained to the NGT that carbon emissions from this Talegaon Dabhade-based rubber manufacturing company were causing the death of cattle owned by him. Hasabnis demanded action against the company for the same

With the early onset of the summer season this year, Pune has been experiencing higher temperatures since January

New Mahabaleshwar project is an ambitious hill station development plan to boost tourism, generate jobs and revenue for local community

Analysis of Pune’s air quality by startup shows PM10 concentrations have consistently breached the National Ambient Air Quality Standards even during summer months

The Palk Straits is a narrow body of water that separates India (Tamil Nadu) from Sri Lanka and is connected to the Gulf of Mannar

The officials assured citizens that no harmful activities would be carried out in the grove, and also asked them to submit their suggestions on the project

MPCB escalates action against automotive firms in Pune for air pollution, issuing over five notices and targeting water pollution violations as well.

The IMD also released a colour-coded forecast map indicating expected rainfall categories across the country

Apart from counting as one more wildlife migration, the discovery, confirmed by wildlife researchers and the mangrove cell of the Maharashtra forest department, challenges the long-held belief that turtle populations on India’s east and west coasts remain isolated

A radio collaring project, camera traps, and several other projects have been carried out by scientists to study leopard behaviour so as to help forest officials draw up a conservation policy for the Junnar forest range

Following a strong protest by the people, Srinivasa Rao, the principal chief conservator of forest (Wildlife), issued an order to capture the elephant on April 8

Pune's nighttime temperatures have risen, with Shivajinagar recording 21°C. Health experts warn of heat stress risks due to warmer nights and urban heat effects.

On April 7, Anuj Khare, a member of the Maharashtra Wildlife Board and former honorary wildlife warden of the Pune forest division along with Vinod Bartakke, a wildlife photographer gave a presentation on Pune’s wildlife

Not only Pune but the entire state is experiencing intense heat conditions with temperatures breaching the 40 degrees Celsius mark in many parts of central Maharashtra, Marathwada and Vidarbha

The study titled ‘Dynamics of ENSO linked contrasting heat wave patterns over the Indian region’ was published on April 6 in the international journal Climate Dynamics

For the past two days, the city has experienced a slight drop in both day and nighttime temperatures due to a cloudy sky and light to moderate rainfall incidents

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