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

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

NGT names ex-minister for illegal tree felling at Corbett Tiger Reserve

Uttarakhand’s former forest minister and eight other officials should be held responsible for the felling of over 6,000 trees and illegal constructions in the Corbett Tiger Reserve, a panel formed by the National Green Tribunal has recommended.

The NGT had on its own taken note of a media report on the illegal felling at Corbett Tiger Reserve in October last year and had constituted a committee to identify the violators and recommend steps to restore the environment.
Published on Mar 14, 2023 12:48 AM IST
By, Dehradun

54,800 hectares of forest cover destroyed by wildfires in Uttarakhand since 2000

The state however, did report an all-time low damage due to forest fires during the Covid pandemic with 172 hectares of jungles getting damaged in 2020

This year, over 109 hectares of forests have been damaged in the state so far. (HT file photo)
Published on Mar 10, 2023 04:43 PM IST

IIT study warns of high damages in Nainital, Mussoorie in case of major quake

Yogendra Singh, a seismologist at IIT Roorkee, said the study that concluded in January is the first of its kind carried out of vulnerable hill stations taking into account their topography

A large number of buildings in Nainital and Mussoorie are on steep slopes. (HT PHOTO)
Published on Mar 02, 2023 08:45 AM IST

Joshimath crisis: Uttarakhand okays rehabilitation policy for affected families

According to the statement released by the government, the rate of compensation for land will be decided on the basis of survey reports received from technical institutes like Central Building Research Institute and IIT Roorkee.

A resident shows cracks that appeared in her house at Sunil Village in Joshimath. (PTI)
Published on Feb 16, 2023 12:59 AM IST
By, Dehradun

Joshimath: Fears of aggravation in land subsidence over upcoming monsoon season

Uttarakhand usually witnesses high average annual rainfall of 1162.7 mm with Chamoli reporting 1230.8 mm annual rainfall

Cracks in houses and ground fissures in Joshimath town in Chamoli district. (HT photo)
Published on Feb 15, 2023 05:27 PM IST

Army rescues 35-yr-old elephant in Uttarakhand; condition remains critical

A team of 38 Indian army personnel from Bengal Engineer Group and Centre (BEG & Centre), Roorkee, are building a makeshift structure to help the elephant stand up in order to treat the animal

A team of 38 Indian army personnel and Wildlife SOS saved the ailing elephant. (HT photo)
Updated on Feb 07, 2023 02:51 PM IST

Road project damages Uttarakhand eco-sensitive zone, says report

A report by a monitoring panel has recommended stringent action against the executing agency, contractors and forest officials

Road project damages Uttarakhand eco-sensitive zone, says report
Updated on Jan 30, 2023 12:31 PM IST

MC report suggests ‘brazen violations’ in Bhagirathi eco-sensitive zone

In its report submitted to the state government last month, the committee has recommended action against the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), contractors and forest officials responsible. PMGSY project was executed by State Rural Road Development Authority (SRRDA)

The Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone covers an areas of 4179.59 sq km from Gaumukh to Uttarkashi (Representative Photo)
Published on Jan 29, 2023 04:15 PM IST

Illegal Corbett tree felling: SC-appointed panel seeks action against ex-minister

Over 6000 trees were felled for a proposed tiger safari over an area of 16.21 hectares, the Forest Survey of India (FSI) said in a report last year

The felling came to light last year. (HT PHOTO)
Updated on Jan 26, 2023 11:40 AM IST

Eastern Joshimath records maximum subsidence of 10 cm per year: Study

The analysis, by remote sensing and landslide experts of Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), points to specific areas in Joshimath which witnessed maximum sliding (or subsidence) in the last four years.

Joshimath: Tapovan Vishnugad Hydropower Plant of NTPC, in Joshimath, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023. (PTI Photo) (PTI01_19_2023_000334B) (PTI)
Updated on Jan 20, 2023 04:59 AM IST
By, Dehradun

Joshimath crisis: Cabinet okays 45-crore relief for displaced locals

The Uttarakhand cabinet on Friday approved several proposals in connection with the Joshimath subsidence crisis, including releasing ₹45 crore for interim relief to around 3,000 affected families, building prefabricated buildings at rehabilitation sites and waiving for six months electricity and water bills of families and individuals affected.

Cracks are seen on the walls of a residential house in Joshimath on Friday. (Reuters)
Updated on Jan 14, 2023 12:24 AM IST
By, Dehradun

Joshimath sank by 5.4cm in just 13 days, says Isro report

This sinking, which NRSC described as “rapid subsidence” came on the back of “slow subsidence” of 8.9 cm between April and November 2022, which means that together, Joshimath has sunk by 14.3cm or almost half a foot since last April.

A satellite image shows land subsidence in Joshimath. (Isro)
Published on Jan 14, 2023 12:04 AM IST

Land subsidence increased rapidly, Joshimath sunk by 5.4 cm over 12 days

The authorities on Thursday began the process of demolishing a subsidence-hit hotel as Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami cited growing scientific evidence about the sinking of land in parts of the town

Preparations for the demolition of a hotel marked unsafe in Joshimath. (PTI)
Published on Jan 13, 2023 04:30 PM IST

Uttarakhand CM announces study of other hill towns’ carrying capacity

Experts have attributed the high load of new buildings and the drainage of thousands of litres of household waste-water into the ground daily in the absence of a sewerage network as one possible reason for the town sinking slowly.

A man walks near damaged buildings in Joshimath. (PTI)
Updated on Jan 13, 2023 02:24 AM IST
By, Dehradun

Form committee of experts on land subsidence in Joshimath: HC tells state govt

The Uttarakhand high court has also directed the state government to ensure strict compliance of ban on constructions in and around Joshimath

Cracks appearing at a house due to landslides at Joshimath in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. (PTI photo)
Updated on Jan 12, 2023 07:59 PM IST

Uttarakhand govt to conduct studies on carrying capacity of Joshimath, other hill towns: CM Dhami

CM Dhami said a total amount of ₹ 45 crore has been released for providing interim relief to 3,000 affected families in Joshimath

Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami addresses a press conference at ITBP camp regarding the gradual sinking of Joshimath, in Chamoli district on Wednesday. (PTI)
Updated on Jan 12, 2023 12:36 AM IST

Uttarakhand to conduct study on carrying capacity of Joshimath, other hill towns

Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said if there are more constructions than the carrying capacity of the towns, then constructions will be immediately stopped in such towns

A total of 131 families have so far been shifted to temporary relief centres in Joshimath and the number of damaged houses in the town has risen to 723. (ANI Photo)
Published on Jan 11, 2023 08:24 PM IST

Geology to unplanned construction: Decoding why Joshimath is sinking

Joshimath, at an altitude of 1890 metres is a town in the Garwhal himalayas , and an important waystation on both the pilgrim and trekking circuits.

Cracks appear in the houses and on the roads due to landslides at the Joshimath of Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. (PTI)
Updated on Jan 07, 2023 09:38 AM IST

Uttarakhand HC prohibits mechanised mining in riverbeds across state

The PIL states that as per the Uttarakhand river dredging policy, mechanised mining was being done in the river bed in utter violation of the central government norms

PIL alleged that indiscriminate mining is carried out in the riverbeds of the state using heavy machinery when the norms don’t allow the same (HT Photo)
Published on Dec 19, 2022 05:37 PM IST

Uttarakhand HC directs state govt to provide 35 lakh to acid attack survivor

The Uttarakhand high court in June 2017 had directed the state government to provide free medical aid to the survivors of acid attacks till their full recovery

The Uttarakhand high court was hearing a petition of an acid attack survivor, who was attacked by a stalker in 2014 when she was Class 12. (Representative Image)
Published on Dec 17, 2022 01:25 PM IST

Unauthorised deforestation around Nainital Lake: NGT issues notice to U’Khand govt

The tribunal heard the matter on November 24 and a copy of the order was made available on Thursday which was then sent to Uttarakhand from Delhi

Nainital lake in Uttarakhand (HT Photo)
Published on Dec 01, 2022 06:14 PM IST

U’Khand Assembly: Congress raises disaster-related issues; ruckus over Gairsain

State parliamentary affairs minister Premchand Aggarwal said the government is serious towards disaster-related matters and ‘does its best’ given the available resources in the state

Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly building (HT Photo/ Rajeev Kala)
Updated on Nov 30, 2022 07:43 PM IST

Day 2 of U’khand assembly: Oppn seeks hike in relief for disaster-affected areas

Congress MLA Harish Singh Dhami raised the issues related to disaster management and dealing with the damages to bridges and other structures in his constituency Dharchula in Pithoragarh.

Discussion on disaster-related issues was held under Rule 58 (calling attention motion). (Rajeev Kala/HT Photo)
Published on Nov 30, 2022 07:33 PM IST
ByNeeraj Santoshi I Edited by Shilpa Ambardar, Dehradun

U’khand Assembly session Day 2: BJP, Cong spar over Gairsain issue

The Congress MLA said, “Despite the then chief minister,Trivendra Singh Rawat, declaring Gairsain in Chamoli district (about 260 km away from Dehradun) as the summer capital of Uttarakhand, on March 4, 2020, the state government has not functioned from there for a single day”.

Following the ruckus on the issue, speaker Ritu Khanduri rose from her seat and told both the ruling party and Opposition legislators not to speak directly to each other and instead address her on the issues they want to respond to. (Rajeev Kala/HT Photo)
Published on Nov 30, 2022 07:31 PM IST
ByNeeraj Santoshi I Edited by Shilpa Ambardar, Dehradun
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