Neeraj Santoshi

He is principal correspondent based at Bhopal. He covers environment and wildlife, state administration, BJP and other saffron organisations. He has special interest in social issues based stories.

Articles by Neeraj Santoshi

Fragile Nainital: Hillside survey planned after landslide, house collapse

Number of buildings in Nainital, most built on hill slopes, increased from 520 in 1901-02 to over 7000 at present including over 150 hotels and resorts

The Nainital administration is erecting a wall of “geo bags” , bags that are filled with granular material, to check landslides. (PTI)
Published on Oct 02, 2023 06:53 PM IST

Geological factors to rampant development: Decoding reasons for Joshimath crisis

The reports were commissioned by the state and the central governments to understand different aspects of sudden emergence of cracks.

Cracks emerged in the town between November 2022 and January 2023 (HT Photo)
Updated on Sep 26, 2023 04:43 AM IST
By, Dehradun

Joshimath cracks likely due to constructions in spring zone, says report

The panel’s “Hydrological investigation report on land subsidence in Joshimath”, submitted before the Uttarakhand high court on Wednesday.

In Joshimath, 868 structures have developed cracks and 181 have been declared unsafe so far. (AP)
Updated on Sep 23, 2023 08:30 AM IST
By, Dehradun

HC orders Uttarakhand to respond to plea against stone crushers in residential areas

A division bench comprising chief justice Vipin Sanghi and justice Rakesh Thapliyal issued notice on a petition filed by Independent Media Initiative Society Haldwani

Lawyer Dushyant Mainali, who appeared for the petitioner, said the Uttarakhand high court has given the state government four weeks to file its response (Uttarakhand high court)
Published on Sep 20, 2023 08:39 PM IST

Uttarakhand HC takes cognisance of Virat Kohli's video, seeks Centre's reply

The Uttarakhand high court sought a reply from the state and central governments on the matter in two weeks.

Virat Kohli attends playing members during a break in the Asia Cup cricket match between Bangladesh and India in Colombo. (AP)
Published on Sep 19, 2023 12:27 AM IST
By, Dehradun

U’khand HC orders CBI inquiry into illegal felling of 6,000 trees in Corbett

The high court noted that there has been felling of trees more than the stipulated member of 163 in the approval for the Tiger Safari and work was started without Stage II approval under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980

The high court said that all the authorities in the state are directed to cooperate with the CBI in conducting fair investigation of the case. (File Photo)
Updated on Sep 06, 2023 05:56 PM IST

Uttarakhand HC reserves judgment on CBI inquiry into Corbett tree felling

The high court is hearing two cases, one filed by Dehradun-based Pant and another in which it had taken suo motu cognisance of the media reports over illegal constructions and felling of trees in Corbett on October 27, 2021

In October last year, the NGT, while taking suo motu cognisance of a media report on the illegal felling of over 6,000 trees in CTR (File Photo)
Updated on Sep 02, 2023 02:30 PM IST

Uttarakhand chief secretary summoned for hearing on Joshimath crisis

The Uttarakhand high court has summoned the chief secretary over non-compliance of its order to form a committee on land subsidence in Joshimath town. Hundreds of buildings developed cracks earlier this year, forcing families to shift to temporary relief camps. The court has directed the chief secretary to appear during the next hearing on September 22.

HT Image
Updated on Sep 02, 2023 12:32 AM IST

Corbett tree felling: U’khand HC to decide on transferring case to CBI on Sep 1

The high court on Monday asked the Uttarakhand government why a CBI inquiry should not be initiated in the case of illegal constructions and felling of 6,000 trees in Corbett Tiger Reserve

The high court said that on September 1, the next date of hearing in the case, it will decide whether to refer the investigation into the case to CBI. (HT Photo)
Updated on Aug 22, 2023 05:47 PM IST

Tiger numbers, and fears of surge in man-animal conflict, up outside Corbett

According to the latest tiger census report, there are 260 tigers inside Corbett and 229 outside the reserve, Deepchand Arya, conservator of forests, western circle, Kumaon, said

The tiger population in Uttarakhand has risen from 178 in 2006, 227 in 2010, 340 in 2014, 442 in 2018 and 560 in 2022. (Representative file image)
Updated on Aug 21, 2023 05:50 PM IST
By, Ankur Sharma

Blacklist Char Dham operators who are cruel to animals, says Uttarakhand HC

The court gave these directions after hearing two public interest litigations filed by animal rights activist Gauri Maulekhi and social activist Ajay Gautam.

The Uttarakhand high court in Nainital. (HT PHOTO)
Updated on Aug 13, 2023 12:13 AM IST
By, Dehradun

Uttarakhand HC directs govt to blacklist horse operators indulging in cruelty

The Uttarakhand high court has also directed the state government not to deploy horses and mules on Char Dham routes between sunset and sunrise

The high court has also asked the government to allow only registered equines and handlers and to implement a Stampede Prevention Mechanism. (Representative Image)
Updated on Aug 12, 2023 03:25 PM IST

In a first, Uttarakhand forest dept conducts seed ball broadcasting using a drone

The broadcast seeding method involves scattering seeds by hand or mechanically, over a relatively large area

Uttarakhand forest department’s research conducted seed ball broadcasting using a drone. (HT Photo)
Updated on Aug 01, 2023 03:51 PM IST

After 24% surge, India is now home to 75% of tigers in the world

The increase shows the success of the country’s 20-year-old science- based tiger conservation programme, experts said.

Globally, the number of tigers increased from 3,890 in 2016 to 5,575 in 2023, with India and Nepal doubling the numbers, said a statement from the Global Tiger Forum on Saturday. (AP)
Updated on Jul 30, 2023 09:16 AM IST

India’s tiger count tops 3,600, Madhya Pradesh leads at 785

India is home to 75% of the world?s tiger population with an estimated 3,682 tigers in the wild, significantly higher than the projected figure of 3,167.

India has a network of 53 Tiger Reserves spread across 18 States covering an area of 75,796.83 sq km. (REPRESENTATIVE PIC)
Updated on Jul 30, 2023 09:14 AM IST
By, , Dehradun/bhopal

Audit report flags irregularities in tiger reserve projects in Uttarakhand

Lawyer and wildlife activist Gaurav Bansal said he has requested Pushkar Singh Dhami to order a CBI probe into the financial irregularities reported by the audit team

The 30-page audit report, submitted to the Uttarakhand government earlier this month, mostly focussed on the proposed tiger safari in Pakhro block (File Photo)
Updated on Jul 28, 2023 02:00 PM IST

Should avoid expansion of construction activities in Mussoorie: NGT panel report

The committee has recommended that the registration of tourists should be done according to the carrying capacity of the area, especially the available parking space & guest room availability

The status report has recommended that proper drainage and sewage systems need to be implemented. (HT Photo)
Updated on Jul 27, 2023 02:18 PM IST

16 electrocuted to death at riverbank in Uttarakhand's Chamoli

A sub-inspector, three home guards and one employee of Namami Gange plant died in the accident and among 11 injured, six were airlifted to AIIMS in Rishikesh.

One of the victims being airlifted after the incident in Chamoli on Wednesday. (PTI)
Updated on Jul 20, 2023 01:05 AM IST
By, Dehradun

Ten years of Kedarnath tragedy: Lessons not learnt and challenges ahead

The Himalayan state of Uttarakhand remains vulnerable to disasters due to unsustainable development and an increase in pilgrims visiting Hindu shrines.

Rudraprayag,India,June 18:view of devastated Kedarnath temple surroundings due to rain fury on Sunday night,in Rudraprayag,India,June 18,2013. HT photo
Updated on Jul 17, 2023 04:47 AM IST
By, Dehradun

How rain in hills is flooding Delhi

Rainfall data from areas that feed the Yamuna suggest that these regions received rainfall much higher than the normal range

National Disaster Response Force personnel rescue people from flooded waters at Jaitpur Khadda in New Delhi on Thursday. (Sunil Ghosh/HT Photo)
Updated on Jul 14, 2023 05:19 AM IST

HC orders Uttarakhand to appoint Lokayukta chair, members in 8 weeks

Lawyer Rajeev Singh Bisht, who appeared for the petitioner, told the high court that Uttarakhand hasn’t appointed a Lokayukta chairperson and members

Lawyer Rajeev Singh Bisht, who appeared for the petitioner, said that he told the bench that the delay in the appointment of Lokayukta chairperson and members was a violation of the law (File Photo)
Updated on Jun 27, 2023 06:55 PM IST

138 Char Dham Yatra pilgrims died this year so far, 80% due to medical reasons

Most of the pilgrims to Char Dham shrines come in private vehicles and mini-buses and they head straight to the shrines without properly acclimatising, which is leading to rising in deaths due to medical ailments/cardiac arrests, said officials

Badrinath and Kedarnath, along with Yamunotri and Gangotri, collectively called Char Dham, attract hundreds of thousands of pilgrims each year (File Photo)
Updated on Jun 24, 2023 01:12 PM IST

Submit affidavit listing identified wildlife corridors in state: Uttarakhand HC

The HC was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Dehradun-based social activist Anu Pant with regard to issues related to man-animal conflict in the state

The next hearing in the matter will take place on August 17, 2023. (HT file photo)
Updated on Jun 16, 2023 04:25 PM IST

Ensure peace, high court tells Uttarakhand government amid communal tensions

A division bench of chief justice Vipin Sanghi and justice Rakesh Thapliyal direct the state to take whatever steps necessary to fulfil its constitutional obligation

The gathering of over four people has been barred in Purola. (ANI)
Updated on Jun 15, 2023 04:30 PM IST

Start refund system for plastic water bottles across state: Uttarakhand HC

Under this scheme, pilgrims deposit an additional amount of ₹10 while purchasing plastic water bottles and get a refund upon returning the bottles

The scheme is presently being operated in the Kedarnath Dham area. (Representative file image)
Updated on May 19, 2023 07:20 PM IST

Uttarakhand: Over 500 illegal constructions removed from railway land in Lalkuan

More than two hectares of railway land has been made encroachment free and no accommodation has been made by the administration for the encroachers

The drive to remove encroachments from railway land in the Lalkuan area of Nainital district continued on Friday (HT photo)
Updated on May 19, 2023 08:16 PM IST

Reinstate Rajiv Bhartari as Uttarakhand PCCF by 10am tomorrow, orders high court

The Uttarakhand high court directed the state to allow Rajiv Bhartari to take charge as PCCF, the top post in the state for an Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer, by 10am on Tuesday, the officer’s lawyer Abhijay Negi said

Uttarakhand Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Rajiv Bhartari will have to be reinstated by 10am on Tuesday, ordered the high court (Twitter/CentralIfs)
Updated on Apr 03, 2023 07:11 PM IST

Uttarakhand: WII researchers establish presence of endangered Kashmir musk deer

Ajit Kumar, a research associate at WII, said their findings provide new information on the geographical distribution of the species

Musk deers are found in the Himalayan mountains, the Tibetan Plateau, and the adjoining region in China and eastern Russia. (Twitter)
Updated on Mar 29, 2023 03:39 PM IST

CAT dismisses Uttarakhand plea against order to reinstate Rajiv Bhartari

Bhartari, a 1986 batch officer, was removed as PCCF on November 25, 2021, and appointed as chairman of Uttarakhand Biodiversity Board.

Indian Forest Service officer Rajiv Bhartari was removed as Uttarakhand PCCF, HoFF (File Photo)
Published on Mar 22, 2023 05:53 PM IST

Uttarakhand HC seeks Centre, state’s response on petitions on Joshimath, Chamoly

Three petitions in the Uttarakhand high court raised questions over the Joshimath land subsidence crisis and rehabilitation, and the people still missing in the February 2021 Chamoly glacial debris outburst

The Uttarakhand high court has directed the state and central governments to file their responses within six months. (AP)
Updated on Mar 15, 2023 02:18 PM IST
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