Forest department is highly concerned about the fast declining number of Van Bhainsa in Bastar and is planning to go for artificial insemination to save the species from extinction. Presently,] the department has lone female Van Bhainsa which is also aged one.
Notably, in the forests of Bastar Van Bhainsa, which has been declared as state animal, is facing extinction due to its fast depleting number. Even in Bijapur district located Indrawati National Park, which was once considered as natural home for this species, has limited number of Van Bhainsa. According to data available with the forest department, in the Indrawati National park there are hardly a dozen of Van Bhainsa out of which female is only one and that too ageing fast therefore danger of extinction is looming large. To avoid this situation the department is planning to take it to state capital for artificial insemination. However, this was not clear how the department capture the female Van Bhainsa given their elusive nature.
It is noteworthy that, forest department has not been able to conduct the census of animals in the Indrawati National Park despite the fact that Van Bhainsa, tiger, and a host of other animals are present here. In fact the forest department had tried to hold the Census and thus had put up CC Cameras but the plan did not succeed due to Maoist insurgency in the area. It had installed some CC Cameras but they were destroyed by unknown people. Since then the department is trying to validate the number of wildlife animals on the basis of pug marks and other traditional methods.
In this connection, Forest Conservator V Ramarao informed that the department is actively considering to take the lone female Van Bhainsa available in the park to state capital Raipur for artificial insemination so that its number could b e increased and the species is saved from extinction.(IJgcIJIJ (IJ& for three metros, to continue its business in these service areas.
Asked about Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal’s recent statement about Vodafone Group Plc having told him about plans to invest more than $2 billion in the country, he said that spending referred to the UK parent’s plan to raise stake in the Indian unit to 100 per cent.
This follows the government’s decision in August to remove the sectoral cap on foreign firms investing in telecom firms. Vodafone directly and indirectly owns a combined 84.5 per cent of Vodafone India. Earlier, foreign firms were restricted from holding nomore than 74 per cent of telecom firms in direct ownership. “100 per cent FDI was welcomed by Vodafone because we think that we need more growth opportunity in the future financially.
“Actually Indian ownership was a restriction which means if you want to strengthen your balance sheet by bringing in equity, also your Indian partner needs to bring in equity which is of course tough. Vodafone will use that opportunity to go to 100 per cent,” Pieters said. PTI