Sloth bears to be introduced in Sariska Tiger Reserve
Jaipur (PTI): Having achieved success in reviving the population of big cats, the authorities at Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan are now working to further enhance the biodiversity of the park by introducing sloth bears.
In the next few days, the national park will welcome two pairs of sloth bears being brought from the Sundha Mata forest area of Jalore district.
"We have received permission to shift two pairs of sloth bears to Sariksa.Teams have been formed for the relocation of sloth bears which will be done in the next few days," Roop Narayan Meena, Field Director, Sariska Tiger Reserve, told PTI.
He said sloth bears are mainly found in Sundha Mata area in Jalore besides Mount Abu.
"The sloth bears are being shifted to Sariska to enhance the biodiversity of the park," he said.
Meena said measures for the monitoring and protection of the animal will be ensured.
Sloth Bear is a key species of the hills and mountains of the semi-arid region of western India. It is listed in the 'vulnerable' category by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Sariska is known for the success of its tiger relocation programme. After all tigers in Sariska vanished in 2005, a tiger relocation programme was introduced in 2008 under which two big cats were initially translocated from the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve.
The population of tigers since then has revived and with the recent sighting of two cubs, the number of big cats has increased to 27. This includes 13 females, eight male and six cubs.
Located in Alwar district of Rajasthan at a distance of 60 km from the national capital, Sariska is spread over 1213.34 sq km in Aravalli hills, the world's oldest mountain ranges.
The Reserve has a blend of tropical dry deciduous and tropical thorn forest and is dotted with numerous narrow valleys.
Apart from tigers, Sariska has a large number of leopard population. It is also home to numerous striped hyena, jackal, jungle cat, desert cat, rusty-spotted cat, fox, ratel, palm civet, common Indian civet, ruddy tailed mongoose, grey mongoose, common mongoose and herbivores, including Sambar, chital, wild boar, porcupines and langurs.
Sariska is also well known for its large population of rhesus monkeys.
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Allahabad HC orders probe into 'reinstatement' of teacher in UP's Barabanki
Lucknow (PTI): The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court on Friday ordered a probe by the special task force (STF) into alleged irregularities in the rejoining of a teacher at City Intermediate College in Barabanki, observing that the reinstatement appeared to be prima facie illegal.
The court also directed the recovery of the salary paid to the teacher during the disputed period.
A bench of Justice Rajeev Singh passed the order on a petition filed by the college management committee. The court expressed doubts over the roles of the District Inspector of Schools (DIOS), Barabanki, the college principal and the teacher concerned and hence, directed a detailed inquiry into the matter.
Taking note of alleged manipulation of records and misleading submissions, the court ordered the immediate transfer of the Barabanki DIOS to ensure a fair probe. It also directed the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against the then joint director of education of the Ayodhya division.
In its order, the court found that the teacher, Abhay Kumar, was initially appointed as an assistant teacher in 2018 but joined an Eklavya Model Residential School in Chhattisgarh as a lecturer in June 2024 without obtaining permission from the management. His subsequent request to retain the lien was rejected.
Despite this, he was allowed to rejoin the Barabanki College in September 2025 on the directions of the joint director of education and the DIOS, and was even paid the salary for October 2025. The court termed the rejoining "wholly illegal" and lacking any legal basis.
The bench also expressed concern over lapses in communication within the education department and directed the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary to ensure that official orders are communicated through email and WhatsApp as well, to prevent disputes.
The matter is next listed for hearing on May 28 when a compliance report is sought.
