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Gayatri Vajpeyee

Articles by Gayatri Vajpeyee

340 Indian star tortoises released to natural habitat by forest department

The TRP was established to address the growing issue of turtles and tortoises being rescued from illegal wildlife trade and captivity and the initiative to have a statewide approach to rehabilitate them systematically

A final group continues to undergo rehabilitation and is expected to be considered for release in due course, said a senior official from the Pune Forest Department. (HT)

Pune

Published on Apr 06, 2025 07:04 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Over 100 wild animals rescued from wells in last five years

To avoid such incidents, the forest department has proposed providing boundary walls around the well and covering them with a safety net

Financial aid for the same has also been provided by the State government. (HT)

Pune

Published on Apr 06, 2025 07:00 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Despite rainy weather, many areas of Pune city record higher pollution levels

For a long time, Pune city has recorded moderate category air quality with an AQI of 100 to 150 recorded since the beginning of the year mainly due to localised activities such as vehicle movement and traffic jams, ready-mix concrete (RMC) plants, and waste burning in the open among others

At least five areas in the city recorded an AQI of above 100, whereas Katraj Dairy and Karve Nagar recorded the highest AQI of 326 Friday afternoon which is higher than Delhi’s AQI recorded as 220. (HT PHOTO)

Pune

Published on Apr 05, 2025 05:54 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Rains, isolated hailstorms bring respite from scorching heat

On Thursday, many areas in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad and even in the rural parts of the district received light to moderate rainfall during the evening hours

Pune

Published on Apr 04, 2025 06:52 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

2.6 magnitude earthquake jolts Solapur district

The National Center for Seismology (NCS), posted about the quake on their official X (formerly Twitter) account

The institute in its post mentioned that “A 2.6 magnitude earthquake was reported in Solapur district on Thursday. (REPRESENTATIVE PIC)

Pune

Published on Apr 04, 2025 06:14 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Parts of Pune receive unseasonal rain

In Pune, areas like Bavdhan, Sinhgad Road and parts of Pimpri-Chinchwad received light to moderate rainfall

A trough from south Chhattisgarh to above cyclonic circulation over Central Maharashtra & neighbourhood across Vidarbha & Marathwada at 0.9 km above mean sea level persists. (HT PHOTO)

Pune

Published on Apr 02, 2025 05:44 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

MPCB issues closure notices to 11 RMC plants, show cause notices to 17 plants in Pune & Pimpri-Chinchwad

The survey was initiated on March 15 and so far, MPCB officials have visited nearly 100 RMC plants to check whether (or not) they are violating consent norms and causing air pollution in the atmosphere

Pune

Published on Apr 02, 2025 05:28 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

10-year-old boy feted for completing Ironkids event

Viaan Kashikar, 10, from Pune, is India's first child to complete the Ironkids Busselton Triathlon in Australia, earning recognition from the India Book of Records.

Pune

Published on Mar 31, 2025 07:12 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Pune sizzles at 39°C, logs season’s highest temperature

Apart from Shivajinagar, the eastern part of the city also recorded a temperature that was significantly above the normal level

Pune

Published on Mar 31, 2025 06:32 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Notice to DIAT Pune over water pollution in Khadakwasla dam

The notice also mentioned that the total water requirement of the institute is about 947 m3/day (757 m3/day) for domestic purposes, the generation of effluent of 606 m3/day, however, for treatment of the same the institute has not provided STP plant

The board received a complaint from the irrigation department in January about the untreated sewage being discharged by DIAT into the nallah in a nearby area which is then mixed with water in Khadakwasla dam (HT FILE)

Pune

Published on Mar 30, 2025 05:42 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Empress Botanical Garden in Pune home to over 130 insect species: Survey

During the survey, the team documented around 60 species of butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera); 30 species of dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata); and more than 45 species of other orders of insects including bugs, flies, beetles, ants, wasps, hornets and others

Pune

Published on Mar 30, 2025 05:22 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Fresh tiger pug marks near Tuljapur offer respite to forest officials

The two-and-a-half-year-old tiger, which travelled an unprecedented 500 kilometres from Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Yavatmal to Solapur-Dharashiv districts, has been missing since March 20

The tiger, which entered the Dharashiv district in December 2024, was the first of its kind to be sighted in the region in the past many years. (Representative photo)

Pune

Published on Mar 30, 2025 05:06 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

MPCB suggests recommendations to improve Hadapsar waste processing plant

The western bench of NGT, in January this year, ordered a joint committee inspection for the Hadapsar waste processing unit owned by PCB. The order comes with reference to the suo motu case registered by the tribunal based on the news report published in Hindustan Times in April 2024

The report titled ‘Hadapsar resident demand action against open garbage burning’ has highlighted the issue of waste dumping and burning in public places and how it has affected the citizens in the area. (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO)

Pune

Published on Mar 30, 2025 05:02 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Cloudy weather forecast for Pune

In Pune, the temperature is likely to continue to be above normal level till the end of March. On April 1 and 2, the city might experience cloudy weather conditions

Pune

Published on Mar 28, 2025 07:50 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Search operation on to spot tiger that travelled 500 km, and more

Two-and-a-half-year-old tiger travelled 500 km from Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Yavatmal to Solapur-Dharashiv districts

Two-and-a-half-year-old tiger that travelled 500 kilometres from Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Yavatmal to Solapur-Dharashiv districts has gone missing since a week. (HT FILE)

Pune

Updated on Mar 27, 2025 06:13 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Forest dept faces fund shortage for water tankers to tend to wildlife

Forest areas require water supply for plantation, fire safety and drinking water for animals. The department has built artificial waterholes, filled through tankers, at multiple locations in every forest ranges

Pune

Published on Mar 26, 2025 07:04 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

NGT issues notice to PMRDA, Rajgurunagar Municipal Council for pollution in Bhima River

The river pollution due to untreated sewage discharge has been a serious point of concern in Pune for a long time

Pune

Published on Mar 23, 2025 10:35 PM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Action against 27 sawmills operating illegally in Pune, Solapur districts

Apart from mill owners, action was also taken against several companies for illegal tree cutting and storage of wood

Twelve cases were registered by the Bhamburda range forest officer in Pimpri Chinchwad, while 15 cases were registered by the mobile squad appointed by the forest circle office in Pune. (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO)

Pune

Published on Mar 22, 2025 08:00 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Fire dept. registers 323 cases of forest fires since January 2025

Pune's fire department recorded 323 forest fires this year, with 141 in February alone, worsened by high temperatures and neglected private land.

Higher temperatures have resulted in early dryness of the bushes on the hills and inadequate water supply has worsened the situation. (HT PHOTO)

Pune

Published on Mar 22, 2025 07:04 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

At 41.3°C, Koregaon Park records city’s highest temperature for March this year

The eastern part of the city continues to experience higher temperatures this year with Lohegaon and Koregaon Park experiencing hotter days beating Wadgaon Sheri that reported highest maximum temperature last year

As per the data by India Meteorological Department (IMD), the temperature in Lohegaon was recorded above normal level by 4 degrees Celsius. (REPRESENTATIVE PIC)

Pune

Published on Mar 19, 2025 06:58 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Forest department to plant fruit-bearing trees in 303 model schools

The forest department will plant fruit-bearing trees in 303 Pune schools, promoting sustainability and student involvement in environmental conservation.

Fruit bearing trees like banana, tamarind, guava and other native fruit species will be planted at schools. (HT PHOTO)

Pune

Published on Mar 19, 2025 06:16 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Increase in rainfall due to global warming opportunity for better water management: Krishnan

Since 2013, the country is experiencing an increased trend in rainfall. In the upcoming decade too, India is likely to experience the same phenomenon, he said

Pune

Published on Mar 18, 2025 06:52 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Forest department Introduces grassland safari in Solapur

To enhance the visitor experience, the department has introduced several facilities, including machan accommodations for night stays, drinking water, and toilet facilities

The safari is based in Boramani village, a vast grassland ecosystem home to diverse wildlife, including wolves, Indian jackals, Bengal foxes, blackbucks, Indian antelopes, rabbits, wild boars. (HT)

Pune

Published on Mar 18, 2025 05:52 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

At 39.8°C, Pune’s Lohegaon area records highest temperature in state

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast, the temperature rise will persist for the next three to four days

Earlier Lohegaon reported the highest temperature in the state on March 3 and 6 at 38.6 degrees Celsius and 38 degrees Celsius respectively. (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO)

Pune

Published on Mar 09, 2025 07:24 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Agitated leopardess attacks six villagers who tried to capture the animal; forest dept files case

The animal had climbed a tree at a camping site near Pavana Lake in Wadgaon Maval at around 8am, and instead of waiting for the big cat to leave the human settlement area, locals attempted to capture it, creating chaos, the official said

According to officials, when villagers saw the leopard on a branch, they gathered around the tree and started making noises. Frightened and agitated by the commotion from villagers and stray dogs, the leopardess climbed down the tree and when people tried to capture the animal it attacked them. (HT PHOTO)

Pune

Published on Mar 08, 2025 05:28 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

DEO: Submit clarification on objections raised by citizen to land allocation for RFD project

Recently on February 26, union minister Singh gave his nod to handing over 17 acres of defence land for the project. However, Prajakta Mahajan, a Punekar working on river conservation, objected to the allocation of land

The PMC is executing the river rejuvenation and beautification project along a 44 km stretch between Sangamwadi Crematorium and Sadal Baba Dargah. (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO)

Pune

Published on Mar 08, 2025 05:06 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Lure of compensation leads to rise in fake leopard attack claims in Maha

While the frequency of attacks leads to impromptu protests, where large crowds outnumber forest officers, the lure of lucre has led villagers to file false claims – Bhor’s case was no different

Pune

Published on Mar 06, 2025 06:14 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

NGT directs district collector to clarify status of encroached reserve forest land in Pune

The principal bench of the NGT in September 2024 took suo moto action and registered a case based on a report titled ‘Forest department struggling to regain 14,000 hectares of land in Pune’ published in Hindustan Times on August 28

In some areas, permanent buildings and slums have been set up ,and hence, it has become very difficult to obtain possession of such pa portion due to litigation. (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO)

Pune

Published on Mar 06, 2025 05:52 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Daund woman wasn’t attacked by leopard but murdered: Police unearth conspiracy

Nearly three months after Latabai Baban Dhawade, 50, was found dead in a sugarcane field in Daund tehsil, police probe has revealed it was murder made to look like leopard attack

Pune

Published on Mar 05, 2025 10:12 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Bird watchers experience decline in sighting of migratory birds amid temperature rise

Because of its location, climate and the nearby natural habitats, Pune is an attractive stopover for many migratory bird species

Pune

Published on Mar 03, 2025 06:20 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

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Gayatri Vajpeyee

The TRP was established to address the growing issue of turtles and tortoises being rescued from illegal wildlife trade and captivity and the initiative to have a statewide approach to rehabilitate them systematically

To avoid such incidents, the forest department has proposed providing boundary walls around the well and covering them with a safety net

For a long time, Pune city has recorded moderate category air quality with an AQI of 100 to 150 recorded since the beginning of the year mainly due to localised activities such as vehicle movement and traffic jams, ready-mix concrete (RMC) plants, and waste burning in the open among others

On Thursday, many areas in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad and even in the rural parts of the district received light to moderate rainfall during the evening hours

The National Center for Seismology (NCS), posted about the quake on their official X (formerly Twitter) account

In Pune, areas like Bavdhan, Sinhgad Road and parts of Pimpri-Chinchwad received light to moderate rainfall

The survey was initiated on March 15 and so far, MPCB officials have visited nearly 100 RMC plants to check whether (or not) they are violating consent norms and causing air pollution in the atmosphere

Viaan Kashikar, 10, from Pune, is India's first child to complete the Ironkids Busselton Triathlon in Australia, earning recognition from the India Book of Records.

Apart from Shivajinagar, the eastern part of the city also recorded a temperature that was significantly above the normal level

The notice also mentioned that the total water requirement of the institute is about 947 m3/day (757 m3/day) for domestic purposes, the generation of effluent of 606 m3/day, however, for treatment of the same the institute has not provided STP plant

During the survey, the team documented around 60 species of butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera); 30 species of dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata); and more than 45 species of other orders of insects including bugs, flies, beetles, ants, wasps, hornets and others

The two-and-a-half-year-old tiger, which travelled an unprecedented 500 kilometres from Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Yavatmal to Solapur-Dharashiv districts, has been missing since March 20

The western bench of NGT, in January this year, ordered a joint committee inspection for the Hadapsar waste processing unit owned by PCB. The order comes with reference to the suo motu case registered by the tribunal based on the news report published in Hindustan Times in April 2024

In Pune, the temperature is likely to continue to be above normal level till the end of March. On April 1 and 2, the city might experience cloudy weather conditions

Two-and-a-half-year-old tiger travelled 500 km from Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Yavatmal to Solapur-Dharashiv districts

Forest areas require water supply for plantation, fire safety and drinking water for animals. The department has built artificial waterholes, filled through tankers, at multiple locations in every forest ranges

The river pollution due to untreated sewage discharge has been a serious point of concern in Pune for a long time

Apart from mill owners, action was also taken against several companies for illegal tree cutting and storage of wood

Pune's fire department recorded 323 forest fires this year, with 141 in February alone, worsened by high temperatures and neglected private land.

The eastern part of the city continues to experience higher temperatures this year with Lohegaon and Koregaon Park experiencing hotter days beating Wadgaon Sheri that reported highest maximum temperature last year

The forest department will plant fruit-bearing trees in 303 Pune schools, promoting sustainability and student involvement in environmental conservation.

Since 2013, the country is experiencing an increased trend in rainfall. In the upcoming decade too, India is likely to experience the same phenomenon, he said

To enhance the visitor experience, the department has introduced several facilities, including machan accommodations for night stays, drinking water, and toilet facilities

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast, the temperature rise will persist for the next three to four days

The animal had climbed a tree at a camping site near Pavana Lake in Wadgaon Maval at around 8am, and instead of waiting for the big cat to leave the human settlement area, locals attempted to capture it, creating chaos, the official said

Recently on February 26, union minister Singh gave his nod to handing over 17 acres of defence land for the project. However, Prajakta Mahajan, a Punekar working on river conservation, objected to the allocation of land

While the frequency of attacks leads to impromptu protests, where large crowds outnumber forest officers, the lure of lucre has led villagers to file false claims – Bhor’s case was no different

The principal bench of the NGT in September 2024 took suo moto action and registered a case based on a report titled ‘Forest department struggling to regain 14,000 hectares of land in Pune’ published in Hindustan Times on August 28

Nearly three months after Latabai Baban Dhawade, 50, was found dead in a sugarcane field in Daund tehsil, police probe has revealed it was murder made to look like leopard attack

Because of its location, climate and the nearby natural habitats, Pune is an attractive stopover for many migratory bird species

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