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Scientists call for pre-construction surveys, long-term monitoring and risk-based turbine operations as concerns grow over bat fatalities at wind farms and gaps in India’s ecological data.(SDNA) New Delhi: As India accelerates its transition towards cleaner energy, wind power is becoming an increasingly important part of the country’s energy strategy. Yet, alongside its environmental benefits, the rapid expansion of wind farms is raising questions about the impact of renewable energy infrastructure on wildlife, particularly bats. The fast-moving blades of wind turbines can pose a serious threat to bats, with collisions and pressure changes around operating turbines linked to fatalities in several parts of the world. In India, however, the overall scale of the problem remains unclear. Scien...

Growing protests against land-use conversions put environmental protection, agricultural sustainability and public participation at the centre of Goa’s development debate (SDNA) GOA: Goa’s rapidly expanding real estate market has triggered a fresh debate over the future of the state’s agricultural land, traditional orchards, green hills and ecologically sensitive landscapes. Citizens and environmental campaigners are intensifying their opposition to Section 39A of the Goa Town and Country Planning Act, arguing that the provision makes it easier to convert land previously designated for agricultural or other restricted uses into residential zones.Protesters are demanding the complete repeal of Section 39A across the state, along with stronger legal safeguards to prevent environmentally sens...

Political support and opposition amid shifting circumstances raise questions about ideological consistency, accountability and the interests guiding party decisions (SDNA) POLITICAL ANALYSIS: Indian politics frequently witnesses shifts in the positions adopted by political parties as circumstances evolve. The political approaches associated with YSR Congress Party leader Jagan Mohan Reddy and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) have brought renewed attention to a larger question: how consistently do political parties adhere to their stated principles when the balance of power changes?Political support can appear firm when decisions align with a party’s interests or prevailing political calculations. However, when circumstances change, previously supported decisions may come under criticism. Such dev...

Congress intensifies its attack on the state administration, seeking answers over alleged systemic failures and calling for responsibility to be fixed (SDNA) GWALIOR, MADHYA PRADESH: Political tensions have intensified in Madhya Pradesh following questions raised by State Congress president Jitu Patwari over deaths reportedly linked to issues within the government system. Targeting the administration led by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Patwari has demanded to know when the government will accept responsibility for these incidents.The Congress leader’s remarks have brought the spotlight back on administrative accountability, public safety and the government’s response to incidents involving loss of life. The opposition argues that whenever deaths occur amid allegations of negligence or short...

District Congress Committee stages symbolic protest, raising concerns over electoral fairness and transparency; several party office-bearers and leaders participate (SDNA) BHOPAL, MADHYA PRADESH: The District Congress Committee, Bhopal City, organised a symbolic protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on the occasion of Dussehra, burning an effigy depicting him as Ravana. Through the demonstration, Congress leaders expressed their opposition over what they described as alleged “vote theft” and raised questions about the fairness of the electoral process.Using the traditional symbolism of Ravana Dahan associated with Dussehra, the party sought to draw public attention to concerns surrounding electoral transparency and the protection of voting rights. The protest served as ...

Viral reports allege attacks on judicial premises amid anti-government demonstrations; claims of corruption and government-judiciary collusion require independent verification (SDNA) INTERNATIONAL DESK: A troubling claim concerning Albania has been circulating on social media, alleging that anti-government protesters set the country’s Supreme Court building on fire. The viral account also accuses the government and judiciary of working together while allegedly ignoring the problems faced by ordinary citizens.However, the claims require careful scrutiny before they can be accepted as established facts. Based on the information currently available in the supplied account, it is not possible to confirm that the Supreme Court building was entirely engulfed in flames. The reported arson, allege...

Body discovered hanging from a tree in his field a day before voting; candidate was contesting from Ward 8 of Mangta Panchayat Samiti (SDNA) BARMER, RAJASTHAN: A tragic incident has cast a shadow over the upcoming Panchayat Samiti elections in Rajasthan’s Barmer district, where a Congress candidate was found dead in his agricultural field just one day before polling.According to preliminary reports, the candidate, who was contesting from Ward 8 of Mangta Panchayat Samiti, was found hanging from a tree on his farm. The incident is being reported as a suspected suicide, although the circumstances surrounding the death have not yet been conclusively established. The news has triggered an atmosphere of grief and concern in the area. The incident occurred at a critical moment in the electoral p...

A year-long study in the Nagarjunasagar–Srisailam Tiger Reserve aims to assess the Peacock Tarantula’s population, habitat conditions and threats from illegal wildlife trade, helping shape future conservation strategies.(SDNA) Andhra Pradesh: Its striking metallic-blue body has made it one of the most distinctive spiders in the world, but the rare Peacock Tarantula is facing mounting threats to its survival. Habitat loss and illegal collection for the exotic pet trade have intensified concerns about the future of this little-known species. In response, the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department, in collaboration with the non-profit Eastern Ghats Wildlife Society, has launched a dedicated survey in the Nagarjunasagar–Srisailam Tiger Reserve. The initiative aims to establish a clearer picture of t...

A decade of relocation and rehabilitation efforts in Assam has helped re-establish the one-horned rhinoceros population, but poaching risks, habitat management and genetic diversity remain critical conservation priorities.(SDNA) Assam: A remarkable conservation story is unfolding at Manas National Park in Assam, where the greater one-horned rhinoceros is gradually rebuilding its presence after disappearing from the landscape. Years of coordinated efforts to relocate rhinos from other protected areas and rehabilitate rescued animals appear to be yielding encouraging results. According to a study, 35 rhino births were recorded in Manas between 2012 and 2021, including calves born to females from the first generation of rhinos raised in the park. The emergence of a locally born generation is ...

From religious gatherings and railway stations to public celebrations, overcrowding, poor infrastructure and weak emergency planning continue to expose serious gaps in India’s crowd management systems (SDNA) Special ArticleBy Dr. Satyawan Saurabh India regularly witnesses massive gatherings during religious festivals, cultural celebrations, political rallies, sporting events and at railway stations. While these occasions reflect the country’s vibrant social and cultural life, they can also turn dangerous when large crowds are not managed scientifically. A stampede is not simply a situation in which people run in panic. It can result from excessive crowd density, uncontrolled physical pressure, sudden surges and failures in safe evacuation arrangements. In densely packed spaces, even a mino...