Is India Winning the War Against Pollution? The fight for cleaner air and water intensifies as the nation grapples with the escalating impacts of climate change. From the devastating floods in Assam to the alarming rise in air pollution levels in Delhi, environmental challenges demand urgent action. This week saw crucial discussions on sustainable agriculture and renewable energy sources at the India Climate Change Conference, highlighting the government's commitment to tackling deforestation and promoting biodiversity conservation. But are these efforts enough? Experts warn of looming water scarcity and the need for stricter regulations on industrial emissions. The future of India's environment hangs in the balance, demanding collective responsibility and innovative solutions. Explore Abtak.com for in-depth analysis and the latest updates on environmental policies, climate activism, and the ongoing struggle for a sustainable India. Discover how you can contribute to a greener tomorrow.
Shocked Otters Club members claimed this was a familiar monkey and a friendly one. A member recalled seeing the monkey at a breakfast table, where he was sitting days ago Renowned writer Sarayu Ahuja was bitten on her left arm by a langur at the upscale Otters Club in Bandra West on Wednesday morning when she was having coffee with friends. Sarayu Ahuja said that she was having coffee with some friends at the club, when the monkey came and sat on the table. "Sighting the monkey was not a surprise; it has been spotted at the club quite often," she added. The Otters Club moved quickly contacting Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW). Shocked Otters Club members claimed this was a familiar monkey and a friendly one. A member recalled seeing the monkey at a breakfast table, where he was sitting days ago. The Khar Gymkhana, too, had witnessed a monkey on the club premises around a month and a half ago. Here's how to respond if a monkey attacks you or enters your home: 1. How to prevent monkeys from entering your surroundings? According to experts, this is not an easy task as monkeys are a part of urban biodiversity and the food chain. However, keeping premises clean, managing edible garbage and not feeding or entertaining them at all helps stave them off. Bamboo scaffolding should be removed as soon as repair work is done so that monkeys don't get easy access to homes as they are creatures of habit. Apart from scaffolding, they use gas pipelines to gain access to kitchens and drain pipes to enter other spaces. 2. What to do if a monkey invades your space? Make sure you secure yourself, children and elders. Allow it to go away on its own by giving way. Keep calm. Do not scare, entertain or provoke. 3. What is immediate medical care if a monkey bites/attacks you? One must immediately clean the area with antiseptic lotion and rush to the nearest doctor. Precautionary tetanus and anti-rabies vaccines are necessary if one is scratched or bitten. 4. What happens if a rogue monkey is trapped? Any primate trapped amid a conflict situation is first medically and psychologically examined for behaviour triggers. Most of the time, it is the element of surprise or confrontation that causes them to attack. Animals showing unusual behaviour are sent to rescue centres for lifetime care and those which have the scope are rehabilitated.
New Delhi (ABC Live): India's latest biodiversity milestone deserves close attention. According to a Press Information Bureau release dated 31 March 2026, India has issued 3,561 Internationally Recognized Certificates of Compliance (IRCCs) under the Nagoya Protocol, out of a global total of 6,311. As a result, India's share stands at 56.43%, which makes the claim that it accounts for "over 56 per cent" of all such certificates mathematically correct. In addition, the same release says that only 34 of 142 countries registered on the ABS Clearing-House have issued any IRCCs so far. At first gla ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Darjeeling's Makaibari Tea Estate will have an Oberoi hotel by 2030. EIH Ltd, parent company of Oberoi, Monday announced signing of a management agreement for a luxury resort at one of the world's oldest and most storied tea estates that was established in 1859. The 1,236 acres (500-hectare) estate includes one of the world's oldest functioning tea factories - constructed entirely of wood, bamboo and cast iron.This is part of EIH's robust expansion plan, with a development pipeline of 29 upcoming hotels and luxury cruisers scheduled to open by 2030. These projects across India and s ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 15 (PTI) Two people died and four others were injured after a fire broke out at a house in east Delhi's Old Govindpura area on Tuesday evening, an official said. Police have identified the deceased as Tanveer (28) and Nusrat. A call was received at Jagatpuri police station at 8.46 pm regarding a fire incident at Band Gali, Old Govindpura, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara) Prashant Gautam said. When a police team reached the spot, it found that 10 people were trapped inside a residential building that caught fire, the DCP said. With the help of police personnel and fir ...Read More >
Silchar: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday visited the flood-ravaged districts of Hailakandi and Sribhumi in the Barak Valley. He assured affected residents of providing timely disbursement of rehabilitation grants and swift repair of damaged infrastructure.This marks Sarma's second visit to the flood-hit region within four days, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Speaking to the media in Sribhumi after inspecting multiple relief camps, the CM said, "Flood-related problems may persist till July. I will return before Durga Puja to ensure that roads and infrastructure ar ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 15 (PTI) South Asia has achieved its highest-ever immunization coverage for children, with notable progress in India and Nepal, according to new data released on Tuesday by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF for 2024. India reduced its number of zero-dose children -- those who have not received a single vaccine -- by 43 per cent, from 1.6 million in 2023 to 0.9 million in 2024. Nepal achieved a 52 per cent reduction, from 23,000 to 11,000, a WHO statement said. Pakistan also recorded its highest-ever DTP3 (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) coverage at 87 per cent. Ho ...Read More >
Bareilly (UP), Jul 17 (PTI) A teacher from Bahedi district, who went viral recently after reciting a poem mentioning Kanwar Yatra, approached the police on Thursday stating a threat to his life from anti-social elements. A case has been registered at Bahedi police station based on a complaint from Dr Rajneesh Kumar Gangwar, a teacher at MGM Inter College in the district. According to Circle Officer Arun Kumar Singh, Gangwar's complaint says that ever since his recitation of the poem 'Tum Kanwad Lene Mat Jana, Gyaan Ka Deepak Jalaana' (You don't go get Kavad, light the lamp of knowledge inste ...Read More >
In a remarkable achievement, India has reduced the number of children missing all vaccinations by an impressive 43% within a single year, according to recent data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. The updated figures for 2024 reveal that India lowered its zero-dose children count from 1.6 million in 2023 to 0.9 million in 2024. Highlighting regional success, UNICEF's South Asia Director Sanjay Wijesekera praised the improvement. Neighboring Nepal and Pakistan also showed prog ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 15 (UNI) India has made significant strides in childhood immunisation, achieving a 43% reduction in the number of zero-dose children to .9 million in 2024 against 1.6 million the previous year, according to a joint statement by World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF here. This development comes as part of a broader regional success, with South Asia reaching its highest-ever levels of immunisation coverage, said the statement. As per the report, 92% of infants in the region received their third dose of the Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTP) vaccine in 2024 -- a two p ...Read More >
Guwahati, November 27 (IANS): Union Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Wednesday underscored the northeastern region's legacy, cultural diversity, and natural wealth emphasising its rich cuisine, crafts and biodiversity while inaugurating the 12th edition of the four-day long International Tourism Mart (ITM) in Assam's Kaziranga. Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister said that the ITM is a remarkable opportunity for the northeast India to showcase its rich culture and diversity to the world, adding that the event also offers a platform for people from across the g ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 15 (PTI) South Asia has achieved its highest-ever immunization coverage for children, with notable progress in India and Nepal, according to new data released on Tuesday by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF for 2024. India reduced its number of zero-dose children -- those who have not received a single vaccine -- by 43 per cent, from 1.6 million in 2023 to 0.9 million in 2024. Nepal achieved a 52 per cent reduction, from 23,000 to 11,000, a WHO statement said. Also Read | Jharkhand Shocker: 20-Year-Old Man Slits Throat of Teenage Wife for Chatting With Youths in J ...Read More >
Mumbai, April 2: A poignant video capturing a monkey's grief at the funeral of an 85-year-old woman has gained widespread attention across social media, highlighting a years-long bond between the wild animal and its human caretaker. The woman, identified as Parvatamma, passed away on Monday, March 30, due to age-related illnesses. During her final rites, one of the monkeys she had spent years feeding appeared to openly mourn, hugging her body and refusing to leave her side. Punch the Monkey Viral Video: Abandoned Baby Macaque's Favourite Djungelskog Orangutan Plushie Toy Goes out of Stock Glo ...Read More >
New Delhi, June 28 (SocialNews.XYZ) Even as the latest Lancet paper marked India among eight countries with a high burden of zero-dose children, those who had never received a routine childhood vaccine, the Union government on Saturday said that the country's large population size, and high vaccination coverage rate must be considered when making such comparisons. The government noted that "India's antigen-wise immunisation coverage surpasses global averages across all antigens". In other words, the vaccination strategy deployed in India is targeted against antigens, which can trigger an imm ...Read More >
Mysuru: Mysuru district has seen a significant rise in dog bite cases in the last six months. The district reported 9,428 dog bite cases from Jan to June this year. The department of health has stepped up efforts to raise awareness against dog bite cases like rabies, a notified fatal viral disease that poses a serious public health concern.According to sources, of the 9,428 dog bite cases reported in the district, 1,763 cases were children between 1 and 12 years old, 840 were adolescents between 13 and 18 years old, and 6,825 were people above 18 years old. They underwent treatment in govt-run ...Read More >
Chennai: Madras high court has clarified that private self-financing medical colleges are required to pay only a stipend, and not a full salary, to in-service govt doctors pursuing postgraduate or super-specialty courses under the govt quota.A division bench of Justice R Subramanian and Justice K Surender passed the order while partly allowing a batch of appeals moved by Karpaga Vinayaga Medical College and others. They challenged a single judge's order that directed private colleges to pay salaries to in-service doctors studying in their institutions.The appeals were moved based on a GO dated ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 19 (PTI) The Regional Medical Research Centre in Bhubaneswar, under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has developed an advanced malaria vaccine that can prevent plasmodium falciparum infection in individuals and minimise community transmission. The ICMR Delhi has invited Expressions of Interest (EoI) from eligible organisations, companies and manufacturers enthusiastic about the Transfer of Technology for commercial production of "a recombinant chimeric multi-stage malaria vaccine (AdFalciVax) against plasmodium falciparum". The pre-clinical validation of this te ...Read More >
EIH Limited, the flagship company of The Oberoi Group announced the signing of a management agreement for an Oberoi luxury resort at the Makaibari Tea Estate in Darjeeling on Monday. One of the world's oldest and most storied tea estates, established in 1859, Makaibari is celebrated for its dramatic Himalayan vistas, lush primary forests and rare biodiversity. The 1,236 acres (500-hectare) estate includes one of the world's oldest functioning tea factories - constructed entirely of wood, bamboo ...Read More >
New Delhi, March 31 (SocialNews.XYZ) India's bioeconomy is approaching the $200 billion mark, which is a significant milestone in its evolution with a strong policy push and growing innovation pipeline signalling the next phase of growth, according to a report released on Tuesday. The report by Endiya Partners said that the nation's bioeconomy has expanded sharply from around $10 billion in 2014 to over $195 billion in 2026, now contributing nearly 5 per cent to the GDP. India, long recognised as the 'Pharmacy of the World' for supplying nearly 20 per cent of global generics and over 60 per ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Come Saturday and people can whistle into Srinagar on a train as Northern Railway has notifed regular Vande Bharat Express services between Katra and the city. PM Narendra Modi will flag off the first passenger train to the Kashmir Valley on Friday from Katra.The service will be operational for six days a week with no train on Wednesday, railways said. More trains would be deployed depending on demand at a later stage, officials added. From Saturday, a pair of Vande Bharat trains will operate on the Srinagar-Katra-Srinagar route with an intermediate halt at Banihal. Journey time wil ...Read More >
Bengaluru: Congress national general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala Monday kicked off a feedback-cum-review exercise in Karnataka, aimed at evaluating the performance of the govt led by chief minister Siddaramaiah and to quell murmurs of dissent.The move also comes amid speculation of a change at the helm and a cabinet reshuffle, but Surjewala firmly denied any connection to changes at the top."This is purely an organisational exercise," Surjewala said. "Unlike what is being projected -- which is a figment of the media's imagination -- these meetings are not to collect feedback for a change ...Read More >
Dr. Mujahid Gilani (Senior Kashmiri Leader): Long before 14 August 1947, people of Jammu and Kashmir had voted in favour of Pakistan even before the division of Sub-Continent. They gave their decision over vehemently to become to join Pakistan as its Muslim majority province. In the backdrop of global situation, we must realize that people of Jammu and Kashmir are struggling for maintaining their lives. Their ratio of population in Jammu and Kashmir which was over 98 % in 1947 has been reduced and it is around 69%. The world has promised to Kashmiris to resolve Kashmir dispute through right to ...Read More >
Kolkata: Two Class 9 students at south Kolkata's Nava Nalanda School were injured on Monday morning -- one of them seriously -- after a portion of a sliding glass window from a fifth-floor classroom came crashing down on them as they were queuing up for assembly on the ground floor. The incident occurred at 7.05am, minutes after the students had entered the Southern Avenue campus. Around 170 of them, from classes 8 and 9, were in the assembly line when the window, from Classroom 503, fell down. Srinjoy Roy, one of the two boys who were injured, said they were praying with their eyes closed, ...Read More >
BENGALURU: Plastic waste management continues to be a challenge for the authorities: Plastic materials are often passed off as biodegradable items, while at the household level. the way plastic items are handled is a concern. The Union government banned single-use plastic and issued directions to encourage other recyclable items on July 1, 2022. It was part of Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021. The government issued a notification for the ban on August 12, 2021. However, there has been little impact on ground. Experts say that despite awareness, people continue to use plastic bo ...Read More >
Navi Mumbai: Raigad police beefed up security along the coastline after the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Delhi informed the ICG at Murud in Raigad district that a suspicious 'Pakistani' fishing boat has been spotted in the Arabian Sea about 3 nautical miles near Korlai Fort in Murud taluka on Sunday around 9pm. However, after a police probe, it was learnt that it was not a boat but a fishing net buoy or floater, which is attached to a fishing boat to keep the net afloat. The buoy had accidentally detached from some fishing boat and drifted away about five months ago, said Raigad superintendent of ...Read More >
Kolkata: The city has relived its connect with Jane Goodall, a British primatologist and conservationist known for her work on chimpanzees in East Africa, who passed away on Wednesday. Goodall, the pioneer of primate ethology, had visited Alipore zoo in Jan 2007. While some of her suggestions, that she had documented in the Jane Goodall Institute report after a visit to the zoo on Jan 19, 2007, were later implemented by the zoo, in some cases, wildlife campaigners believe, the zoo has a lot of ground to cover.After her visit to the enclosures of chimpanzees, big cats, sloth bears, a variety of ...Read More >
Srinagar, June 28: The Jammu & Kashmir Forest Department has achieved a remarkably high score of 92.97% for Dachigam National Park in Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) exercise, conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change. Minister for Forest, Ecology & Environment, Javed Ahmed Rana, has praised the officers of the Wildlife Department for this outstanding achievement in conservation of protected areas in ecologically sensitive Jammu and Kashmir. He referred to the accomplishment as a benchmark to be emulated in ot ...Read More >
Lucknow: Highlighting the impact of a consumption-driven society on humans, animals, and environment as was evident during Covid-19 pandemic, President Droupadi Murmu called upon doctors and researchers to allow compassion and empathy to guide their work, especially in their service to animals.Awarding 24 medals and degrees to 576 graduates at the 11th convocation ceremony of the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly on Monday, the President recalled her own connection with nature and spoke about the bond between humans and animals."This relationship is much like that of a fa ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) Delhi PWD and Water Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh on Saturday promised a complete transformation of the capital's ageing water infrastructure within a year, blaming decades-old pipelines and previous government negligence for the ongoing water crisis. During a visit to D-Block Gole Market, Gurudwara Flats in Rakabganj, and Type-II Flats in Sarojini Nagar, Singh highlighted the alarming state of Delhi's water pipelines. "There are places in Delhi where pipelines are 40 to 80 years old. People are drinking polluted water because no upgrades were ever made," h ...Read More >