Haldwani (Uttarakhand), Mar 11 : The Chief Conservator of Forests in Uttarakhand has equipped local rangers and other field staff with night vision cameras and other hi-tech security-cum-communication gadgets to save animals from poachers.

There has been a sharp increase in the number of incidents of poaching in recent times.

This has prompted the Government to protect priceless flora and fauna in the state.

Nainital, Mar. 8 : Benefiting from Central Government's poverty eradication scheme, many women belonging to lower income group have become self reliant in Uttarakhand.

The Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojna (SGSY) provides self-employment through small industries. Under this scheme, assistance is given to women living below the poverty line to become self-employment.

At present, there are around 216 self-help groups in Haldwani Block in Nainital. 156 of them are rated as first grade functional, and getting certain extra facilities. Some of the women members have also been nominated as Gram Pradhans (village heads).

Nainital, Mar 2 : A World Bank team visited Jim Corbett Park to explore way to conserve the fast depleting population of tigers.

The four-member team visited the park under the Global Tiger Initiative Programme.

Dehradun, Feb 23 : Uttarakhand Chief Minister B. C. Khanduri on Monday ordered authorities to resume work on the 120 MW Vyasi hydel power project after a lapse of
16 years.

This project is to come up over the Tons Rriver, and is to be completed by December 2011.

The project cost is Rs. 758.59 crore and it would earn the revenue of Rs. 105.29 crore for the state.

On the occasion, Khanduri said the government is committed to formulating a rehabilitation policy for locals.

Rishikesh (Uttarakhand), Jan. 18 : Police in Uttarakhand have formed water police posts across several river banks and trained them in scuba diving to avoid loss especially during festivals.

About nine posts of water police have been set up across river banks in between Rishikesh - Hardiwar and eight water police personnel were given a week-long training session in scuba diving.

Millions of people throng Haridwar and Rishikesh for the holy dip in River Ganges, which is considered as the holy river in India.

Thus police officials believe that setting up of water police posts was very essential to prevent accidents and to give pace to the rescue work during mishaps.

Ramnagar (Uttarakhand), Dec. 31 : Several tourists from different parts of the country have arrived at the Jim Corbett Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttarakhand to celebrate New Year amidst the wildlife.

Most of them said that they are mainly driven by a strong inclination to enjoy the experience of seeing wildlife in their natural habitat.

"We had our booking done almost 15 days back. We are here basically to watch the animals. Being nature lovers, we wanted to see the natural habitat and that''s why we have come here with our children," said Jaydeep Dutta, a tourist from Mumbai, which was recently attacked by terrorists.