NEW DELHI, Feb 11 — Remote sensing and geospatial modelling have shown that forest and related ecosystems in North-east India are under severe pressure from biotic and abiotic factors with Sonitpur region in Assam being the most affected, a scientist has said. The images received from satellite remote sensing in conjunction with geospatial modeling showed that large-scale deforestation had taken place in the foothill region of eastern Himalayas, Dr P S Roy from the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (NRSA) told the Fifth Map India International Conference here Thursday. “Sonitpur district has...

KAMALABARI, Feb 16 — Noted conservationist Bruce Jefferies, whose services have been requisitioned by the UNESCO to study the potential and management planning for the World Heritage Site proposal of Majuli island, is of the view that the maintenance of the satras (monasteries) and all of the cultural values associated with the Vaishnavite cult of the island, need, to a great extent, recognition and continues support for their survival. However, Jefferies was speaking on his personal capacity as a conservationist.

Jefferies, who worked in New Zealand, Antarctica, Nepal, Laos and Papua New...

GUWAHATI, Feb 16 –The State Government, in exercise of powers conferred by the Essential Service Maintenance (Assam) Act, 1980 has prohibited any strike by the employees of the Assam State Electricity Board (ASEB) in the interest of public service with immediate effect and will remain in force for a period of six month. Meanwhile the 72-hour statewide strike of ASEB workers called by the Joint Action Committee of ASEB employees began from 6 am today with hundreds of picketeers abstaining themselves from work at various places. According to a release of the committee, over one hundred agitators...

Imphal, February 18: The interference of underground elements in electioneering in the hill districts for the second phase of the Assembly elections, particularly in Tamenglong, Senapati and Ukhrul districts, have evoked considerable apprehension among the general public. Instruction reportedly issued by a particular underground organization, which has disavowed all interest in ?Indian elections? to the village authorities of various villages in these three districts, warning against voting for candidates who had opposed the extension of the NSCN (IM) ceasefire to Manipur has cast a shadow...

NEW DELHI, Feb 15 — CBI files case against ex-chief engineer a former Chief Engineer of Arunachal Pradesh Government and seven firms for allegedly conspiring and causing a loss of crores of rupees to the State Government. The CBI, after filing an FIR, also raided the residential premises of the former Chief Engineer in Chandigarh and official premises of these companies and seized some documents, agency sources said here. According to the FIR filed by the CBI, the former Chief Engineer Darshan Singh had allegedly abused his official position and conspired with Hydro Power Equipment, Johrat,...