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It was just over a month since forest officials seized 12 peacocks from the old city residence of a pet shop owner and slapped cases against him. Sleuths of the anti- poaching squad could not arrest him then, for violation of the Wildlife Act, 1972, by breeding the national bird in captivity. Any action against him now appears quite unlikely. The assistant conservator of forests (surveillance cell) Kondal Rao has been sent on deputation to Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority, whereas the post of forest range officer (anti-poaching) has been lying vacant for over four months. Deputy forest range officer SK Baba Khadir Vali, who led the raid, has been shifted to forest utilisation office. That leaves only two wildlife associates (temporary posts) to enforce the Wildlife Act. According to sources in the department, the pet shop owner, SA Sohail, who runs Fur and Feathers in Banjara Hills, also had business partnership with Nehru Zoological Park for supply of exotic birds. Sohail has, according to officials, supplied exotic birds to the zoo and is learnt to have been breeding peacocks, including two pure white peacocks, in the cellar of his house in Mochi Colony, Kalapathar. It is also learnt that those who raided Sohailβs house had come under fire from their bosses and explanation was sought from some in the form of showcause notice. However, the principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) AV Joseph was unavailable for comments despite repeated attempts. Officials, based on a tip off, raided Sohailβs residence on May 11 and could not arrest him since he was in Mumbai then. But cases were registered against him under section 9 and 39 of the Wildlife Act, which would get him imprisonment up to 7 years. βSohail has come back and is very much in Hyderabad. It is just that no one in the department is showing any interest in following up the case and arrest the offender,β pointed out an official on condition of anonymity. The anti-poaching squad has been conducting raids and the seizure of 12 peacocks, listed as schedule-1 protected species, was certainly one of their biggest catch till date. Hunting, petting and breeding of any wildlife species listed in schedule I and II can attract imprisonment of three to seven years.
Meski Β· 1 year ago
Nellie Stevens Holly Trees
Nellie Stevens Holly (Ilex 'Nellie Stevens Holly') has dark green pointed leaves and is distinguished by its red berries. Holly varieties are generally dioecious, meaning the female plants have the fruit and benefit from having male plants pollinate them, says Damon Abdi of the Hammond Research Station at Louisiana State University's agricultural center. Zone: 6 to 9 Mature size: 15 to 30 feet tall x 8 to 25 feet wide Care requirements: Full sun to part shade; acidic, well-draining soil |
Meski Β· 1 year ago
Italian Cypress Trees
A wonderful evergreen tree for creating a natural fence, Italian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) has a very upright, tall and narrow form with attractive blue-green foliage. Keep in mind that mites, bagworms, and root rot can be common issues when growing Italian cypress, says Abdi. This tree generally does better in drier climates. Zone: 7 to 10 Mature size: 40 to 70 feet tall x 3 to 6 feet wide Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil |
Meski Β· 1 year ago
Leyland Cypress Trees
This quick-growing tree is often used for hedges or privacy screens and looks incredible in backyards. Leyland cypress (Cupressus Γ leylandii) typically has attractive blue-green foliage, but some cultivars are more yellow in color, says Abdi. It's susceptible to a wide range of pests, so it may be higher maintenance than other fast-growing evergreens. Zone: 6 to 10 Mature size: 60 to 70 feet tall x 10 to 15 feet wide Care requirements: Full sun; tolerates a range of soil conditions |
Meski Β· 1 year ago
Dahoon Holly Trees
Dahoon holly (Ilex cassine) is an upright grower that produces red berries. "Like other hollies, this is dioecious," says Abdi. If you grow this holly tree in your yard, be sure to protect the roots, especially after planting, as they are quite sensitive. Zone: 7 to 11 Mature size: 20 to 30 feet tall x 10 to 15 feet wide Care requirements: Full sun to part shade; moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter |
Meski Β· 1 year ago
Yoshino Cherry Tree (Prunus x Yedoensis)
You can enjoy gorgeous cherry blossoms in your own yardβno spring trip necessary. A seasonal stunner, the Yoshino cherry tree produces a profusion of white-pink blossoms on bare branches and has a faint almond fragrance. "This tree, also known as the Japanese flowering cherry, is the main event at many cherry blossom festivals around the world," says Nicole Shah, a gardener and co-founder of Garden Girls. "In summer, you will enjoy the tree's vase-shaped canopy and glossy green leaves." |
Meski Β· 1 year ago
Mexican Buckeye (Ungnadia Speciosa)
The Mexican Buckeye is a beautiful deciduous tree with multiple trunks that displays a profusion of aromatic, light pink or mauve-hued flowers. "It blooms from late spring through summer, and during this time, its leaves turn into a captivating deep bronze hue," says Thomas. "The tree's exquisite blooms also serve as a host for a wide variety of butterflies, enhancing the beauty of your garden." |
Meski Β· 1 year ago
White Dogwood (Cornus Florida)
No matter the season, the white dogwood is ready to put on a show. "In spring, it produces white flowers," says Shah. The blooms, which are a mainstay from March through May, are actually "bracts" or modified leaves featuring small blooms at the center. These are a thick, creamy white with a golden-green bud; pink spots tend to appear on the tips of each petal. |
Meski Β· 1 year ago
Bottlebrush (Callistemon Rigidus)
Also referred to as Callistemon trees, bottlebrush trees are characterized by their peculiar and fuzzy bright red flower spikes that resemble, well, a bottlebrush! Thomas says that this eye-catching tree is one of his absolute favorites since it feels uniquely different from other flowering trees and plants. "The leaves of Callistemon rigidus are narrow, lance-shaped, and grow up to 4 inches long. They have a leathery texture and are dark green in color, providing a beautiful contrast to the tree's showy flowers," Thomas says. "The bottlebrush-like flower spikes of Callistemon rigidus are about 3 to 4 inches long, and bloom in shades of pink to red." |
Meski Β· 1 year ago
Flowering Crabapple (Malus 'Royalty') Trees
For a real garden showstopper, look no further than the gorgeous flowering crabapple. The Royalty variety produces purple-meets-crimson flowers, which are striking all on their own. The addition of a deep, dark foliage adds more richness of color. Sherlock says that the flowers and fruits produced by the tree are very attractive to bees and wildlife. Their size makes them a great focal point of any garden, though they're a particularly great pick for smaller yards. The seeds of these trees are quite easily locatedβinside the fruits they produce, of courseβbut note that they can take about three to five years to produce flowers. It's well worth the wait if you have the patience. |
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