National

Himachal Pradesh Forest Fires Result in Rs 53 Crore Loss Over 17 Years

Published

11 months ago

March 5, 2025

The Himachal Pradesh (HP) government has reported to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that the state has incurred losses amounting to Rs 52.98 crore due to forest fires over the past 17 years. In an affidavit submitted by Sameer Rastogi, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests for HP, it was disclosed that between 2008-09 and 2024-25 (up until February 5), there were 22,517 reported incidents of forest fires that impacted 2.28 lakh hectares of land.

The NGT is currently addressing a case concerning the loss of tree cover. In the 2024-25 period alone, a record 29,989 hectares were affected by 2,475 fire incidents, resulting in the largest financial loss in 17 years, totaling Rs 15.67 crore. Notably, the year 2022-23 saw the highest number of forest fire incidents, with 2,938 cases registered, damaging over 25,316.09 hectares and leading to losses of Rs 7.34 crore.

The Tribunal received data indicating that forest cover in Himachal Pradesh spans 37,033 sq km within the state’s total area of 55,673 sq km. Over the last 22 years, there has been an increase of 1,220 sq km in forest area. Furthermore, it was reported that between 2001 and 2023, a total of 10,926.42 hectares of forest land were diverted for non-forest uses through 2,067 cases. Among these, 36.7296 hectares were allocated for the construction of a 22 KV D/C transmission line spanning from Charor to Banala within the Parvati and Seraj jurisdictions.

Additionally, authorities have identified 18,374 instances of encroachment on forest land, spanning approximately 5,689 hectares. Evictions have occurred in 9,903 cases, clearing 3,097 hectares.

In a review of afforestation efforts, it was found that the survival rates for trees planted through the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) projects were generally low. The survival rates for afforestation projects were 26.26% in 2010-11, 39.38% in 2011-12, and 43.01% in 2012-13. In 2013-14, the rate improved to 45.72%, increasing to 47% in 2014-15 and 51.77% in 2015-16. However, the rate fell to just 35.63% in 2016-17, then rose to 46.33% in 2017-18, before decreasing again to 43.03% in 2018-19. Encouragingly, the survival rate reached 60% for afforestation efforts in 2019-20, before settling at 54% in 2020-21.

National

Three Burned Alive as Car Falls from Bridge in Gujarat’s Rajkot

Published

2 weeks ago

January 31, 2026

Namma Kudla

Gujarat: A tragic accident claimed the lives of three people in Gujarat’s Rajkot district on Monday.A car fell from a bridge and caught fire, killing all occupants on the spot.

The incident occurred on the Gondal–Atkot highway.The car was travelling from Chhota Udepur towards Gondal.

According to reports, the vehicle hit the bridge’s safety barrier.After the collision, the car fell nearly eight feet into a small stream below the bridge.

Soon after the fall, the car caught fire.The occupants were trapped inside the vehicle and were unable to escape.All three were burned alive and died at the scene.

Police and fire personnel rushed to the spot after receiving information.The fire was later brought under control.The bodies were recovered and sent for post-mortem examination.

The exact cause of the accident is under investigation. Further details are awaited.

National

Girl Records Reels Inside Jail, Video Sparks Debate

Published

2 weeks ago

January 30, 2026

Namma Kudla

Bhopal: A young woman has come under public attention after recording reels inside a jail while meeting her boyfriend.

The incident happened at Raipur Central Jail in Chhattisgarh, which is known for high security. Mobile phones are strictly not allowed inside the jail. Despite this rule, the woman carried her phone into the visitor room.

She recorded videos while talking to her boyfriend during the meeting. In the video, she speaks emotionally about visiting him on his birthday. She says she feels sad because she cannot stay with him on his special day.

After the meeting, she uploaded the video on her social media account. The video quickly went viral on different platforms. The inmate seen in the video is identified as Tarakeshwar.

He is currently lodged in Raipur Central Jail. He is an accused in a case under the NDPS Act. The incident has raised serious questions about jail security.

People on social media are criticising jail staff and officials. Many users are asking how a mobile phone was allowed inside the jail.

They are also questioning the checking process at the jail entrance. So far, jail authorities have not given any official reaction.

National

MBBS Student Alleges She Was Drugged, Raped by Friend in Delhi Hotel

Published

4 months ago

October 6, 2025

Namma Kudla

New Delhi: An 18-year-old MBBS student has accused a 20-year-old male friend of drugging and sexually assaulting her at a hotel in Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar area. The alleged incident took place on September 9, police officials said.

According to the complaint, the accused, who is also a medical student, invited the woman to “Hotel Apple” on the pretext of spending time together. Once there, he allegedly gave her a drink laced with drugs and then raped her.

The survivor told police that the accused recorded obscene videos and took pictures during the assault. He later threatened to make the content viral if she reported the incident.

The woman, a native of Jind in Haryana, is currently staying at the hostel of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College in Rohini, Delhi.

Based on her complaint, police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. A search is underway to locate and arrest the accused, officials added.

In a separate case earlier this month, a school manager in Uttar Pradesh was arrested for allegedly raping a Class 8 student. In February, a tuition teacher in Delhi’s CR Park area was accused of repeatedly raping a 15-year-old student over three years and threatening her with blackmail.