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The Border Security Force (BSF) personnel deployed in Meghalaya’s South-West Khasi Hills district have been given specialised training on handling encounters with wild elephants. The initiative aims to reduce the risks associated with the frequent crossings of elephant herds through security installations along the international frontier. The training programme was conducted at the Gumaghat Border Outpost (BOP) under the 193rd BSF Battalion in Ranikor, and was organised jointly by the Meghalaya Forest Department and Aaranyak, a renowned wildlife conservation organisation based in the Northeast. A total of 33 BSF officers participated in the session. With the elephant corridors in the area overlapping with border patrol routes, security forces are increasingly encountering wild eleph...

A day before his 90th birthday, the Dalai Lama attended a ‘Long Life Prayer’ ceremony at the Main Tibetan Temple in Dharamshala, organised by the Kashag (Cabinet) of the Central Tibetan Administration on behalf of all Tibetans. The event marked a celebration of his life and the spiritual legacy he represents. Earlier, the Dalai Lama announced the ceremony via Facebook. In a recent video, he reaffirmed that the Dalai Lama institution will continue, asserting that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust — founded in 2015 — holds the authority to recognise his reincarnation, rejecting external interference, particularly from China. In response, India reiterated its neutral stance, with MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stating that the government does not comment on matters of religious belief ...

Meghalaya has witnessed a significant loss of 84.07 square kilometers of forest cover between 2021 and 2023, according to the latest India State of Forest Report (ISFR). The report, released by Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav at the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun, highlights a concerning trend of deforestation across the northeastern states. The northeastern region, which covers only 7.98% of India's land area, contributes a substantial 21.08% to the country’s forest and tree cover. However, human activities such as agricultural expansion, infrastructure development, and settlements are contributing to the loss of forest cover. Forest officials in Meghalaya also pointed to jhum cultivation, a traditional slash-and-burn farming practice, as a key factor in deforestatio...

According to MCX data, spot gold prices fell 0.48% to ₹77,622.00 per 10 gram around 10 am on Monday, October 28, 2024. This has happened after prices have been steadily rising for most parts of the year. Meanwhile, gold futures prices for December 05, 2024 on MCX fell 0.42% or ₹332 to ₹78,200. Meanwhile, gold futures prices for December 05, 2024 on MCX fell 0.42% or ₹332 to ₹78,200. Gold prices rose throughout the year due to several factors, including geopolitical tensions such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Gaza conflict. According to the report, another reason was the decision by China's central bank to cut 1-year and 5-year prime loan rates by 25 basis points.

In a major crackdown against illegal trafficking, the Assam Rifles recovered heroin and areca nuts valued at ₹3.47 crore across three separate operations in Champhai, Mizoram, on September 1, 2024. The operations also led to the apprehension of three individuals. The first operation took place at the Indo-Myanmar Friendship Bridge in Zokhawthar, where 29 packets of Heroin No. 4, weighing 292 grams and valued at ₹2,04,40,000, were seized, and one person was detained. In a second operation at Tuelcheng Track Junction, 110 bags of areca nuts worth ₹61,60,000 were recovered, leading to the arrest of two individuals. The third operation, conducted in Hmunhmeltha village, resulted in the seizure of 145 bags of areca nuts valued at ₹81,20,000. These operations were carried out by the Assam...

Meghalaya is making significant strides in its pursuit of scientific coal mining, with Chief Minister Conrad Sangma announcing key developments in the sector. In a statement made during the Assembly session, Sangma revealed that the state has received 36 applications for scientific coal mining. Of these, four have been approved for mining leases, while thirteen are poised to advance further, having secured provisional licenses to prospect. Sangma highlighted the rigorous process involved in advancing these applications, emphasizing the state's commitment to meeting environmental and legal standards. Out of the total applications, sixteen are still awaiting approval for prospecting licenses, and three have been withdrawn, demonstrating the state's stringent criteria for approval. The...