News / Author / Gayatri Vajpeyee

Gayatri Vajpeyee

Articles by Gayatri 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

Forest dept. wants revenue dept. to take possession of encroached forest land and return to forest dept.

The hearing in this case will be held on March 3 wherein officials are likely to demand compensatory land in the western ghats in Maharashtra that will help protect tiger corridors

As per the affidavit submitted to the NGT by the forest department, in view of the GR and circulars issued by the state government. (HT PHOTO)

Pune

Published on Mar 03, 2025 05:58 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Slaughterhouse in Kondhwa fail to comply with pollution norms despite repeated notices

The notice, issued on February 28, cites multiple complaints from residents regarding water and air pollution allegedly caused by the facility. This is the second notice since June last year

The slaughterhouse is owned by the PMC and the extended facility is on PCB land. (HT PHOTO)

Pune

Published on Mar 02, 2025 06:16 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Maharashtra likely to experience above-normal temperature on most days this summer

The seasonal outlook also highlighted that currently, weak La Niña conditions are prevailing over the equatorial Pacific, and the sea surface temperatures (SSTs) are cooler-than-normal over most of the equatorial Pacific Ocean

The forecast also indicates that the southern part of the state is likely to experience above-normal rainfall activity in March (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO)

Pune

Published on Mar 01, 2025 07:46 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Forest dept starts drive action against illegal sawmills in Pune

Pune forest department seized 3 illegal sawmills, filing cases against owners for operating without licenses, threatening local forest cover.

Cutting machines ranging between 24-42 inches and circular cutters above 14 inches were seized during the action. (HT PHOTO)

Pune

Published on Mar 01, 2025 07:10 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Scientists discover new species of cricket frog in Western Ghats

The new species has been named ‘Minervarya Ghatiborealis’ and a research paper on the same has been published on February 27 in the international journal Zootaxa published from New Zealand.

Minervarya Ghatiborealis stands out due to its large, robust body and distinct morphological features. (SOURCED)

Pune

Published on Mar 01, 2025 07:06 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

February to end on warmer note in Pune

As minimum temperature surges to 16 degrees Celsius, above normal by 3 degrees Celsius, February is likely to conclude on a warmer note

Pune

Published on Feb 28, 2025 10:00 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Coastal Maha experiencing heatwave-like conditions, IMD issues alert till Feb 28

The Konkan meteorological subdivision is experiencing temperature departures of more than 5 degrees Celsius

This condition is likely to prevail for the next 48 hours, and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heatwave alert for coastal districts in the state till February 28. (HT FILE)

Pune

Published on Feb 26, 2025 05:20 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Absence of joint forest management committees worsens urban forest issues

Since municipal corporators are crucial members of UJFMCs, the two- to five- year delay in local body elections has resulted in these committees not being officially formed. This in turn has severely affected forest management efforts, not only in Pune but in other cities of the state as well

The concept of joint forest management has existed in India since the 1980s, though there is no official record of when UJFMCs were first formed in Maharashtra. (HT FILE)

Pune

Published on Feb 24, 2025 08:12 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Forest dept bans photography in Pune’s Supe village over bird call playback concerns

Bird call playback is a technique used to attract birds by playing recorded calls or songs, often employed by birdwatchers and photographers

Recently, several photos of the Mottled Wood Owl, a protected species under Schedule III of the Wildlife Protection Act, went viral on social media. A breeding pair of these nocturnal birds currently resides in the Supe forest area. (SOURCED)

Pune

Updated on Feb 23, 2025 10:58 PM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Forest dept issues notice to 15 societies for dumping garbage near Taljai hill

The Pune Forest Department issued notices to 15 societies for dumping garbage in Taljai Hill forest, linking it to recent fire incidents.

The forest also recorded another forest fire incident on Thursday. A team of forest officials and the fire brigade doused the fire. (HT PHOTO)

Pune

Published on Feb 22, 2025 07:40 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

MPCB issues show cause notice to two private resorts in Lonavala

The resorts were found violating environmental norms and they have been issued show cause notice for the same, said officials

Lonavala, a popular hill station in Maharashtra, faces several environmental issues that threaten its natural beauty and ecosystem. (FILE PHOTO)

Pune

Published on Feb 22, 2025 06:28 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Forest dept plans oxygen park in Punawale reserve forest

After complaints about tree cutting and demand by MLA, forest department has initiated oxygen park project in reserve forest at Punawale

Pune

Published on Feb 20, 2025 08:10 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

At 248, Pune city records second highest bird species sightings in Maha

Maharashtra ranked fourth in bird sighting with 418 out of the total 1,077 bird species recorded across the country

The highlight this year was the sighting of the rare European Honey Buzzard at Vetal Tekdi. (HT PHOTO)

Pune

Published on Feb 19, 2025 05:34 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Maha reported 97 large forest fire incidents since January 2025

FSI forest fire monitoring data states that Maharashtra recorded 97 large forest fire incidents from January till date with at least 11 reported in the last 24 hours still in active mode

Pune

Published on Feb 18, 2025 07:30 AM IST

ByGayatri Vajpeyee

Copy

Whatsapp Twitter Facebook Linkedin

Gayatri Vajpeyee

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

The hearing in this case will be held on March 3 wherein officials are likely to demand compensatory land in the western ghats in Maharashtra that will help protect tiger corridors

The notice, issued on February 28, cites multiple complaints from residents regarding water and air pollution allegedly caused by the facility. This is the second notice since June last year

The seasonal outlook also highlighted that currently, weak La Niña conditions are prevailing over the equatorial Pacific, and the sea surface temperatures (SSTs) are cooler-than-normal over most of the equatorial Pacific Ocean

Pune forest department seized 3 illegal sawmills, filing cases against owners for operating without licenses, threatening local forest cover.

The new species has been named ‘Minervarya Ghatiborealis’ and a research paper on the same has been published on February 27 in the international journal Zootaxa published from New Zealand.

As minimum temperature surges to 16 degrees Celsius, above normal by 3 degrees Celsius, February is likely to conclude on a warmer note

The Konkan meteorological subdivision is experiencing temperature departures of more than 5 degrees Celsius

Since municipal corporators are crucial members of UJFMCs, the two- to five- year delay in local body elections has resulted in these committees not being officially formed. This in turn has severely affected forest management efforts, not only in Pune but in other cities of the state as well

Bird call playback is a technique used to attract birds by playing recorded calls or songs, often employed by birdwatchers and photographers

The Pune Forest Department issued notices to 15 societies for dumping garbage in Taljai Hill forest, linking it to recent fire incidents.

The resorts were found violating environmental norms and they have been issued show cause notice for the same, said officials

After complaints about tree cutting and demand by MLA, forest department has initiated oxygen park project in reserve forest at Punawale

Maharashtra ranked fourth in bird sighting with 418 out of the total 1,077 bird species recorded across the country

FSI forest fire monitoring data states that Maharashtra recorded 97 large forest fire incidents from January till date with at least 11 reported in the last 24 hours still in active mode

Join Hindustan Times

Create free account and unlock exciting features like