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.
New Delhi: Reminding Centre and the states that earning revenue should not be prioritised over the ecology and environment, Supreme Court has expressed deep concern over uncontrolled constructions and inflow of tourists in Himachal Pradesh, saying the day is not far when the Himalayan state may vanish from the map of the country if remedial action is not taken on time. A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadev said that in recent years, the state witnessed many natural disasters, and it is humans, not nature, who are responsible for floods, continuous landsliding of mountains and soil, collapsing of houses and buildings, and road subsidence in which hundreds of people perished. These disasters are man-made and it is not right to blame nature for it, the court said. It appealed to Centre and the state government to intervene and stem the rot on an urgent basis.Revenue can't be earned at cost of environment: SCSC said, "Nature has given abundant beauty to the state of HP... Taking advantage of this natural beauty, the government started constructing four-lane roads to promote it as a tourist destination. To build these roads, heavy machinery and explosives materials were used according to various reports to cut the mountains, due to which the natural balance of the place has started to deteriorate.""We want to impress upon state government and Union of India that earning revenue is not everything. Revenue cannot be earned at the cost of the environment and ecology. If things proceed the way they are as on date, then the day is not far when the entire state of HP may vanish into thin air from the map...," it said."The pace of infrastructure development in Himachal has intensified in recent years, driven by the twin goals of connectivity and tourism... In many cases, hill slopes are cut steeply, unscientifically, without adequate stabilisation measures, and natural watercourses are obstructed or diverted. This not only alters the local hydrology but also makes the terrain more vulnerable to landslides and flash floods."The 2023 and 2025 monsoon season, for example, saw widespread devastation in the Kullu, Mandi, Shimla and Chamba districts, partly attributed to such unscientific construction. Despite having been an environmentally rich state, its own people are today responsible for such blind pursuit of development, to their own detriment," the court said.
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], December 11 (ANI): A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delegation, led by senior leaders, met Himachal Pradesh Governor Pratap Shukla recently to submit a comprehensive 106-page memorandum titled "Kachcha Chittha". The document, which alleges rampant corruption and administrative failures in the two years of Congress rule under Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, aims to hold the state government accountable for what the BJP describes as a period of "unprecedented mismanagement and destruction." Speaking to the media after meeting the Governor, Himachal Prade ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jan 12 (IANS) The Adani Group has announced a planned investment of Rs 60,000 crore to expand the group's power plants in Raipur, Korba, and Raigarh in Chhattisgarh. The Chief Minister's Office on Sunday posted on X the details of the meeting and the planned investment. The CMO also posted pictures of the meeting. "In a meeting with the Honourable Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, announced a planned investment of ₹60,000 crore to expand the group's power plants in Raipur, Korba, and Raigarh," the CMO's post said. The ...Read More >
Hit by economic slowdown and poor infrastructure, industrialists from Jharkhand's key industrial districts -- East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum, and Seraikela-Kharsawan -- are looking to the newly formed state government for revival and support. The industrial zones of Adityapur, Gamharia, Kandra, and Chandil have been grappling with inadequate infrastructure, including poorly maintained roads, lack of bridges, erratic water supply, and unreliable power. Entrepreneurs in these regions hope the new administration will address these issues and work toward improving the state's industrial ecosystem ...Read More >
BusinessWire India Noida (Uttar Pradesh) [India], December 11: Comprehensive insurance policies are very helpful for two-wheeler owners as they protect them from financial losses incurred on their own vehicles and also cover third-party liability. Because of its all-round nature, many refer to them popularly as 'package' insurance. However, in India, many people do not opt for comprehensive two-wheeler insurance as the government has not made it compulsory. However, it is highly recommended that two-wheeler owners get one, and we have covered the reasons for this in this guide. How are Comp ...Read More >
Uttarakhand (Dehradun) [India], May 19 (ANI): The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for heavy rain in the hilly districts of Uttarakhand, effective today and tomorrow. In light of this warning, the Uttarakhand Police have issued a safety advisory for pilgrims undertaking the Chardham Yatra. Pilgrims are advised to exercise caution while travelling, consider the weather conditions, and call 112 in case of any emergency." Authorities are working to ensure public safety and minimise disruptions," said the police authorities. In light of the forecast, the Uttarakh ...Read More >
Aizawl, June 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) All the government and private schools in Mizoram remained closed on Monday due to heavy rains that triggered landslides, rockfalls, and waterlogging in different parts of the mountainous state, officials said. A senior official of the School Education Department said that Deputy Commissioners of all 11 districts issued separate notifications closing the schools on Monday as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of the students. After the beginning of the current spell of heavy rain, earlier, schools were closed across the state for two days on May 29 a ...Read More >
BUDAUN: A court hearing a plea of a Hindu outfit, which had sought permission to worship at Jama Masjid Shamsi here claiming it was a temple, on Tuesday asked the Muslim side to complete their arguments by December 10. Arguing his case, the lawyer for Shamsi Shahi Jama Masjid Intezamia Committee and Waqf Board Asrar Ahmed questioned the locus standi of the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha to file the petition in the matter. Urging the court to dismiss the plea, the counsel submitted that the mosque is about 850 years old. He stated that there is "no existence of a temple" there and worship by Hin ...Read More >
The overall development of the country is not possible without the development of agriculture and farmers. The nation's economy can be strengthened by the development of agriculture, fishery production, and livestock, President Droupadi Murmu said on Thursday. Gracing the convocation ceremony of the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology at Bhubaneswar, she said agriculture is facing new challenges such as natural disasters, adverse effects of climate change, decreasing per capita farm ...Read More >
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed 18 teams across Maharashtra for rapid rescue and relief operations, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted above-normal monsoon rainfall this year, with urban areas like Mumbai already showing signs of strain, Mid-day reported. Between May 25 and 26, NDRF teams responded to emergencies in Pune, Solapur, and Satara. While local agencies managed to rescue nine people in Baramati and Indapur, NDRF teams were redirected to Phaltan in Satara and Kurubavi in Solapur. In Solapur, a team carried out a midnight rescue operati ...Read More >
New Delhi, June 1 (IANS) The PM SVANidhi scheme, which started off as a micro-credit scheme during the Covid-19 pandemic, to help the street vendors and small businesses survive and sustain their ventures in trying times, has another side to it. Many beneficiaries, who got funds under this scheme, utilised it to build lasting enterprises, [...] Andhra launches efforts to evacuate Telugus stranded in Sikkim Amaravati, June 1 (IANS) The Andhra Pradesh government has initiated measures for the evacuation of Telugu families stranded in Sikkim due to floods and landslides. The state government sa ...Read More >
Delhi is facing worsening pollution and erratic weather patterns, with the air quality regularly reaching dangerous levels. This is partly due to climate change, with temperature rises and unpredictable rainfall patterns caused by global warming. The industrial revolution has played a significant role, contributing to the rise in global temperatures. The effects are already being felt, with 2024 witnessing record-breaking heat in India. Despite this, there is little action from society or leadership, with courts repeatedly stepping in to address issues like pollution and farm fires. The need f ...Read More >
Heavy rains across Tamil Nadu have led to school closures in several districts, including Chennai, on Thursday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert, predicting moderate rains and light thunderstorms in parts of the state. Rainfall figures show significant precipitation in multiple areas. Meanwhile, Northern India braces for a cold wave beginning December 9, with the IMD forecasting plunging temperatures in Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.Schools acros ...Read More >
Heavy rains lashed Thoothukudi and surrounding areas in Tamil Nadu on Sunday, causing severe waterlogging in several localities. The IMD predicts the formation of a low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal, which is expected to intensify and move towards the Tamil Nadu coast, bringing further rainfall across the state in the coming days.Several parts of Thoothukudi and adjoining areas witnessed severe waterlogging on Sunday as heavy rains continued to lash parts of Tamil Nadu. Visuals showed water ...Read More >
A severe cold wave, comparable to the intensity of summer heat, is expected to sweep across West Bengal. How long will these frigid conditions persist? A severe winter is approaching, with temperatures expected to drop sharply across West Bengal. The Meteorological Department has forecast a cold wave from December 13 to 15, marking the onset of intense winter conditions. Dry weather is likely to persist until December 18, accompanied by northerly winds sweeping across the state. Light fog is ex ...Read More >
Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal's hunger strike enters its 17th day. His health is critical. The Supreme Court urges dialogue between the government and Dallewal. Dallewal demands MSP guarantee and other farmer-centric issues. He has written an open letter to the Prime Minister. Farmers' organizations continue their protests at the Punjab-Haryana border.The Supreme Court on Friday expressed serious concern over the deteriorating health of Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who ...Read More >
Kolkata: On the 13th day of teachers' protest outside Bikash Bhavan, the protesting teachers split among themselves and formed a new platform. At least 2,500 protesters stood by the chief minister, as stated in a press conference by education minister Bratya Basu on Monday. Reacting to a question from media, Basu said in Titagarh, "I will trust those who have written to me expressing their faith in the chief minister."The new organisation formed was named the West Bengal Untainted Teachers Associ ...Read More >
Hyderabad, Dec 4 (VOICE) The earthquake that hit Telangana on Wednesday morning was the second earthquake of over 5 magnitude on the Richter Scale in the region in the last 55 years.According to the National Center for Seismology, an earthquake of 5.3 magnitude was felt at 7.27 a.m. on Wednesday with Medaram in Mulugu district of Telangana as the epicentre. The region experienced an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.7 on April 13, 1969, with Bhadrachalam as the epicentre. According to scientists, both earthquakes were linked to the Godavari rift valley, which is a fault zone. The tremors on ...Read More >
Kochi: The High Court has directed the Kerala state government to convince the central government that the state deserves more assistance for the Wayanad landslide disaster. The division bench also expressed its readiness to mediate between the central and state governments in this regard. According to the latest figures, the state disaster relief fund holds around Rs 700 crore, but only Rs 61 crore is available for expenditure, as reported by the amicus curiae. Kerala: Court orders inclusion of abetment charges against police officers in Dalit youth suicide case The Kerala state government ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has held the Aircraft Act was "a complete code" to deal with the safety and security of civil aviation and aerodromes whereas the state police could only forward probe material to the authorised officer to decide on lodging a complaint. The significant verdict, ruling out any significant role of state police in dealing with the airport violations cases, came from a bench comprising Justices A S Oka and Manmohan on an appeal of the Jharkhand government. The state government challenged the Jharkhand High Court judgement which quashed the FIR against BJP MPs Nishika ...Read More >
Hyderabad: With the early onset of pre-monsoon showers, farmers across Telangana have started their agricultural activities ahead of schedule. However, the agriculture department is facing strong criticism for failing to provide adequate fertilizers and seeds necessary for the current season. According to officials, there is a significant shortfall in the availability of essential inputs like urea and cotton seeds, which may negatively impact crop planning and productivity across the state. Also Read: Madhuri Dixit Recalls 'Hum Aapke Hain Koun' Magic with Salman Khan as Monsoon Arrives For ...Read More >
In a big win for the Uttar Pradesh government, the Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the validity of land acquisition initiated by Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) for the integrated development of the Yamuna Expressway and its adjoining areas in Gautam Budh Nagar. Rejecting a batch of appeals and the cross-appeals filed by the landowners and YEIDA, a Bench comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and Sandeep Mehta said that the objective of the acquisition was to integrate land development with the Yamuna Expressway's construction, thereby promoting overall growth and serving t ...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 >
Minimum night-time temperatures in the region have risen to between 20°C and 22°C, marking a significant change from the cooler weather previously experienced. (READ MORE BELOW) Hyderabad is experiencing a unique weather spell this winter, as the city and its surrounding districts find themselves in the midst of an extended monsoon season. Despite the seasonal shift to winter, the city has been facing conditions more typical of the monsoon months. With temperatures hovering well above the usual winter lows, residents of Hyderabad and neighboring areas can expect a week of continued rain, clou ...Read More >
Dehradun: A person, who completes his age of 59 years and 6 months, can now apply for an old age pension on the social welfare department's pension portal. The applicants will start receiving pension from the end of the month in which he completes the age of 60 years following the approval of his application form. This is meant to ensure that the elderly people can get the benefits of old age pension on time. The department launched a campaign to identify the eligible person for the pension According to Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Neeraj Khairwal, his department launched a month-l ...Read More >
Chandigarh, Jan 17 (PTI) Ten more farmers sat on a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri protest site in solidarity with Jagjit Singh Dallewal, whose indefinite fast in support of various demands of the farmers led to further deterioration of his health on the 53rd day. Besides Dallewal, 111 farmers from Punjab have been sitting on an indefinite fast for the past three days. Farmers, under the banner of the SKM (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 last year, after security forces did not a ...Read More >
Kolkata, May 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) A single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court, on Friday, barred the Bidhannagar Police from taking any coercive action, including arrest, against "untainted" or "genuine" teachers who have been named in FIRs for protesting in front of the state education department headquarters. The teachers have been protesting after losing their jobs following a Supreme Court order last month. These teachers, both in secondary and higher secondary sections, have been protesting in front of the state education department headquarters, demanding immediate publication of th ...Read More >
Bengaluru, 26th May 2025: The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) will convene the 38th Meeting of the Central Apprenticeship Council (CAC) on 26th May 2025 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The Council, reconstituted in October 2024 under the chairmanship of Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Hon'ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), MSDE, plays a pivotal role in advising the Government on key policies related to apprenticeship training across the country. The last CAC meeting was held in June 2021. Since then, India's apprenticeship landscape has evolved considerably -- with over ...Read More >
(CNN) -- India's financial capital and one of its largest cities has experienced its wettest May in more than a century, with the unusually early arrival of the monsoon season causing a ferocious weekend downpour that turned roads into rivers and flooded a newly inaugurated underground train station. Mumbai, a city of more than 12 million, has recorded more than 400 millimeters of rainfall this month so far, according to data from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), with much of the downpour arriving late last weekend. The deluge caused chaos and delays across transport networks, inc ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 3 (ANI): Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday expressed her sorrow over the havoc wreaked by Cyclone Fengal in south India including Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Offering her condolences to those who lost their loved ones, Vadra appealed to the Congress workers to work with the administration in relief work amid the crisis. "Deeply saddened by the devastation caused by Cyclone Fengal in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. My prayers are with those who have lost loved ones and those facing immense loss and hardship. I appeal to all Congress workers to join hands with ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 3 (ANI): The Delhi High Court has issued a notice in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the alleged unlawful construction of Urban Extension Road II through the village pond land in Goyla Khurd, located in the Southwest District of Delhi. The construction, which took place between 2018 and 2024, is visible in Google satellite images and raises concerns about the loss of natural resources crucial for environmental sustainability, especially as the city grapples with pollution, heatwaves, groundwater depletion, and climate change, plea stated ...Read More >