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.
From Varkala Cliffs to Meghalayan Caves: 7 New Indian Sites Join UNESCO Tentative List India's heritage map just got richer. Seven new sites from across the country have been added to UNESCO's Tentative List of World Heritage Sites, taking India's total to 69 properties under consideration. The new inclusions highlight India's extraordinary geological and natural diversity, ranging from ancient rock formations to unique coastal landscapes. India's Growing UNESCO Heritage Presence The Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO announced the update on X (formerly Twitter), noting that the additions reflect India's strong "commitment to the preservation and conservation of its rich cultural heritage." The statement also highlighted why the addition of the properties to the list is important, stating, "Addition to the Tentative List is a mandatory requirement before the inscription of any property on the World Heritage List. We thank the Archaeological Survey of India for its diligent work." With these addition the Tentative List now features 49 cultural sites, 17 natural sites, and three mixed sites. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) played a key role in compiling the submissions, with officials emphasizing that inclusion on the Tentative List is the first step before final inscription as a World Heritage Site. The 7 New Sites on India's Tentative List The newly added sites fall under the natural category and represent a wide variety of landscapes: 1. Deccan Traps at Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar - Maharashtra's volcanic basalt formations. 2. Geological Heritage of St Mary's Island Cluster - Columnar basalt rocks in Udupi, Karnataka. 3. Meghalayan Age Caves - Iconic caves of East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya. 4. Naga Hill Ophiolite - A rare geological feature in Kiphire, Nagaland. 5. Erra Matti Dibbalu - Red sand dunes of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. 6. Tirumala Hills - Sacred natural heritage site in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. 7. Varkala - Coastal cliffs and formations in Kerala. Why It Matters With these additions, India continues to showcase its rich blend of culture, spirituality, and natural wonders on the world stage. A stronger UNESCO presence not only boosts global recognition but also drives conservation efforts and supports sustainable tourism for future generations.
NEW DELHI: Axiom-4 crew members, including Shubhanshu Shukla, were welcomed with hugs and drinks as they stepped into the International Space Station on Thursday. The newly launched spacecraft -- the fifth in the Dragon series and named Grace -- successfully completed a soft docking with the International Space Station at 4.01pm while orbiting above the North Atlantic Ocean."At 6:31 am EDT (4:01 IST) on Thursday, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft docked to the International Space Station for the fourth private astronaut mission to the orbiting laboratory, Axiom Mission 4," the National Aeronautics ...Read More >
GURGAON: The investigation into the murder of a 25-year-old former international tennis player, allegedly by her father, has revealed a sudden deterioration in their relationship. The apparent reason was a disagreement over the academy she ran near their house, but the roots clearly run deeper. The father, who claims to have spent Rs 2 crore on his daughter's tennis career, told interrogators he was troubled by questions about her "character" that some of his associates had raised.Deepak Yadav, who shot Radhika at their house Thursday morning, had allegedly been insisting for two weeks on her ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 12 (SocialNews.XYZ) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed delight over the inclusion of the 'Maratha Military Landscapes' in the UNESCO World Heritage List, marking the country's 44th property to receive this prestigious recognition. India is currently a member of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for the term 2021-25. Taking to X, PM Modi said, "Every Indian is elated with this recognition. These 'Maratha Military Landscapes' include 12 majestic forts, 11 of which are in Maharashtra and 1 is in Tamil Nadu." Highlighting the significance of the Maratha Empire, ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 12 (ANI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday extended his congratulations to the followers of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj following the recognition of 12 forts associated with the Maratha king as UNESCO World Heritage sites. 'I congratulate the followers of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on this historic achievement. I express my gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for nominating these forts for UNESCO recognition. I am confident that these forts will now attract more tourists, and our glorious history will be known across the globe, ...Read More >
Mumbai: The whole of Maharashtra and India rejoiced on Friday as 12 majestic forts associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (11 in Maharashtra and one in Tamil Nadu) were inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. While PM Modi and other senior leaders welcomed the announcement, MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday urged the government to act responsibly and ensure strict conservation measures. Last evening, UNESCO announced that it has accorded the status of World Heritage Sites to 12 forts built by Maharashtra's beloved and greatest King Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, naming it 'Maratha Mili ...Read More >
Gingee Fort is fortified with high walls, deep moats, and hidden passageways ShowQuick Read Summary is AI-generated, newsroom-reviewed The fort is located in Viluppuram district and spans three rocky hills with strong fortificationsIts origins date to the 9th century with additions by Cholas, Vijayanagara, Marathas, Mughals, French, BritishRajaram Chhatrapati used Gingee Fort as a key Maratha resistance outpost during the 17th-century siege Did our AI summary help? Let us know. Chennai: Ta ...Read More >
Jaipur, Sep 14 (PTI) Senior litterateur Dr Jitendra Kumar Soni was presented with the Hindi Sewa Award on Sunday by the language and library department of the Rajasthan government here. The award ceremony took place on Hindi Diwas at the Sawai Mansingh Medical College, where Dr Soni received the award in the art, culture, and tourism category. It was presented to him by Deputy Chief Minister Premchand Bairwa. Dr Soni has published approximately fifteen original, translated, and edited works in Hindi and Rajasthani. He has also been honoured with the 'Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar' from the S ...Read More >
VISAKHAPATNAM: Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar inaugurated Andhra Pradesh's first Super ECBC (Energy Conservation Building Code) compliant building at Sagar Nagar in Visakhapatnam on Friday. Terming it a landmark in sustainable infrastructure, he emphasised the government's commitment to energy efficiency and green design in public facilities. The facility will serve as a national-level training hub for power sector staff. He urged power utilities to expedite 20 lakh rooftop solar connections, targeting 10,000 in each Assembly segment. He reaffirmed nine-hour uninterrupted power for agri ...Read More >
India added another feather to its cultural cap as the Maratha Military Landscapes of India have been officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The announcement was made on July 12 during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee in Paris, marking a major milestone in recognising the Maratha Empire's military ingenuity and fortification architecture.This inclusion brings India's tally of UNESCO-recognised heritage sites to 44, spanning cultural, historical, and natural import ...Read More >
Katra (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], July 13 (ANI): In an initiative aimed at fostering spirituality and preserving cultural heritage, the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, during its 75th Meeting held under the chairmanship of Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, approved the dedication of five newly constructed temples to the public in the month of July along with the construction of five additional temples in District Reasi. According to a release, as part of this initiative, the Shrine Board has formally dedicated the five temples today at each location in distinct villages acro ...Read More >
Ahmedabad: Eight years after earning the Unesco tag as India's first World Heritage City, Ahmedabad is chasing another global title -- host of the 2030 Commonwealth Games (CWG). On Wednesday, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), at its Special General Meeting, placed the city among the top contenders -- a move widely seen as a dress rehearsal for the bigger prize: the 2036 Olympics.Ahmedabad's bid is anchored by the Rs 6,000-crore Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave -- a 236-acre, Olympic-grade complex being developed through a state-AUDA public-private partnership. Scheduled for completi ...Read More >
Guwahati, Sept 14: The new generation remembers Bhupen Hazarika mostly through his songs, but his biography Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika by Sahitya Akademi awardee Anuradha Sarma Pujari seeks to highlight the varied genres of his creativity. "It is unfortunate that today's youth believe he was just a singer. My book aims to bring forth the many facets of this genius so that they understand his philosophy and the wide spectrum of his work," Pujari told PTI. Written in Assamese, the book was released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the centenary celebrations on Saturday and will be translate ...Read More >
Shimla, Sep 28 (SocialNews.XYZ) Himachal Pradesh's Spiti Valley in Lahaul-Spiti district has been recognised as India's first Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO's prestigious Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme. The recognition was formally conferred during the 37th International Coordinating Council (MAB-ICC) meeting held in Hangzhou, China, from September 26 to 28. With this inclusion, India now has 13 Biosphere Reserves in the MAB Network. This feat has been made possible due to the efforts of the state government, which has consistently highlighted the region's unique ecology, ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 14 (ANI): Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi on Monday criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for "politicising" the inclusion of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's 12 forts in UNESCO's World Heritage List. UBT's Rajya Sabha MP said that while inclusion of the forts is a cause for the celebration for the whole of Maharashtra, the BJP should have also released a joint statement along with the other political parties to celebrate Maratha history. Also Read | Double Murder Shocks Delhi: 2 Best Friends Die After Stabbing Each Other in Khyala, Police Pro ...Read More >
External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar emphasized that an Atmanirbharta mindset is crucial for navigating global instability and building a developed India (Viksit Bharat). He highlighted India's rich cultural heritage and the resilience of its people as key strengths. Dr. Jaishankar asserted that self-reliance is essential for boosting self-confidence and resilience in an unpredictable world. Dr S Jaishankar, Union Minister of External Affairs, on Wednesday said that Atmanirbharta mindset i ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 8 (PTI) Since 2018, 15 sites across eight countries in sub-Saharan Africa have earned a UNESCO tag, and four new nominations from African countries will be examined at the ongoing session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) in Paris, Director General of the UN organisation, Audrey Azoulay, said. The spirit of the World Heritage Convention is also to reflect the "diversity and equal dignity of cultures" throughout the world. Yet, 27 States Parties still have no sites inscribed, she said in her address at the opening ceremony of the 47th session of the WHC on Monday. "As you k ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 11 (PTI) 'Maratha Military Landscapes', representing extraordinary fortification and military system envisioned by the Maratha rulers, was on Friday inscribed on the coveted UNESCO World Heritage List, the UN body announced in a post on X. The decision was taken during the ongoing 47th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) being held in Paris. "New inscription on the @UNESCO #WorldHeritage List: Maratha Military Landscapes of India, #India," UENSCO said. The nomination for UNESCO tag was for the 2024-25 cycle. Its 12 components are - Salher Fort, Shivneri Fort, Lohga ...Read More >
India now has 44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These were the first The World Heritage Committee met for the first time in 1978, marking the beginning of identifying global sites of "outstanding universal value". The inaugural session marked the beginning of the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites, an initial list of 12 sites across seven countries, including the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador, the historic centre of Quito, Ethiopia's Simien National Park, and Senegal's Island of Gorée. To make it to the list, a site must meet at least one of ten detailed selection criteria. These criteria rang ...Read More >
New Delhi, Aug 22 (UNI) A staggering Rs 42.68 crore of taxpayers' money had to be spent on senior advocates, including Abhishek Manu Singhvi and others, to contest as many as 542 "frivolous and false" cases filed against him during the previous UPA regime, said union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. Speaking at his residence with Women Journalist Welfare Trust (WJWT), the Minister stressed that such politically motivated litigations not only burden individual public representatives but also drain resources from the exchequer that could otherwise be channelled into de ...Read More >
Kolkata, June 28: A political slugfest has erupted in West Bengal after a woman accused Padma Shree awardee monk Kartik Maharaj, who is posted with the Murshidabad unit of Bharat Sevashram Sangha, of allegedly raping her 12 times for six months in 2013. As per the police complaint lodged by the woman, Kartik Maharaj raped her multiple times 12 years ago promising her a job at a local school. The ruling Trinamool Congress is highlighting the issue in a major way and accusing the BJP of being silent on it since the accused monk had been reportedly close to the saffron party. The woman accusin ...Read More >
Mumbai, July 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said that the UNESCO's move to grant World Heritage Site status to 12 forts, including 11 from Maharashtra and one from Tamil Nadu is a matter of great pride for the entire Maharashtra and the country. In a statement, CM Fadnavis said: "Eleven forts in Maharashtra including Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Panhala, Shivneri, Lohagad , Salher, Sindhudurg, Swarnadurg, Vijaydurg, Khanderi and Gingee fort in Tamil Nadu have been declared as World Heritage Sites. These forts built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is a ...Read More >
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], July 14 (ANI): Russian woman Nina Kutina and her two children were rescued by Gokarna Police and processed by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Bengaluru before being sent back to a rescue centre in Tumakuru. Kutina, who had been living with her daughters in a cave near Gokarna, defended her lifestyle and rejected the claims made about her situation. You give already a lot of lying information. We have big experience to stay in natural, in jungle, and we were not dying, and I did not bring my children, my daughters to die in jungle. They did ...Read More >
Chennai: Preliminary investigations attribute the fire on the goods train near Tiruvallur to a possible spark from overhead electrical equipment (OHE) igniting fuel leaking from a derailed wagon.The incident paralysed services on the busy Chennai-Arakkonam route and left nearby residents engulfed in thick black smoke. The disruption left thousands of rail passengers stranded, many of whom were unable to get updates as railway helplines went unanswered for hours. The train carrying diesel from Chennai Harbour to Walajah Road Siding was exiting Tiruvallur station around 5.30am on Sunday, when a ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 14 (ANI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, with other leaders of the Mahayuti alliance celebrated the inclusion of 12 forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the UNESCO World Heritage List. At the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee, India official nomination for 2024-25 cycle, Maratha Military Landscapes of India got inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, becoming India 44th property to receive this recognition. Speaking about the inclusion of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj forts ...Read More >
Jammu, Jul 18 (PTI) Senior officials of the Jammu and Kashmir government reviewed the arrangements for the smooth conduct of the 13-day-long Budha Amarnath pilgrimage in Poonch district that will begin on July 28. Deputy Inspector General of Police Tejinder Singh reviewed security in Poonch and stressed ensuring the safety of the devotees. "The first batch will depart from the Bhagwati Nagar basecamp in Jammu on July 28, moving towards the Mandi tehsil in Poonch in a regulated convoy amid full security arrangements," a spokesperson said. Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar and Inspec ...Read More >
PM to address around 1,100 participants from across the country on Friday With the Rs 400-crore Gyan Bharatam project, the government is aiming to create an institution on the lines of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for the preservation and interpretation of India's manuscripts. "What ASI is for monuments, Gyan Bharatam will be for manuscripts," said Union Culture Secretary Vivek Aggarwal, addressing reporters in New Delhi on Wednesday ahead of the launch of a three-day conference begi ...Read More >
Chennai, July 13 (SocialNews.XYZ) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed joy over the inclusion of Gingee Fort in the prestigious list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Taking to social media, CM Stalin wrote: "Delighted that #GingeeFort, famously known as the 'Troy of the East', has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Maratha Military Landscapes of India. This majestic hill fortress now joins Tamil Nadu's proud list of #UNESCO sites including the Great Living Chola Temples, the monuments at Māmallapuram, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway and the Western Ghats. A p ...Read More >
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], July 14 (ANI): Russian woman Nina Kutina and her two children were rescued by Gokarna Police and processed by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Bengaluru before being sent back to a rescue centre in Tumakuru. Kutina, who had been living with her daughters in a cave near Gokarna, defended her lifestyle and rejected the claims made about her situation. 'You give already a lot of lying information. We have big experience to stay in natural, in jungle, and we were not dying, and I did not bring my children, my daughters to die in jungle. They di ...Read More >
Jaipur, Jul 19 (PTI) A gang, allegedly involved in the adulteration of coal imported from the US, was busted by the Rajasthan Police, leading to the arrest of an individual, a senior official said on Saturday. The gang was adulterating high-quality coal (petcoke) imported from the US, cheating cement and steel factories out of crores of rupees through this illegal operation, Additional Director General of Police (Crime) Dinesh MN said. A team from the Crime Investigation Branch had been gathering intelligence about the theft of petcoke for some time. They were told by informants about several ...Read More >
Madhya Pradesh has received the "Best Tourism State of the Year" award at the Travel and Tourism Conclave in New Delhi. The state's tourism department has been recognized for its efforts in improving infrastructure, enhancing accessibility, and promoting its cultural and natural attractions, aiming to establish it as a leading global tourist destination. Read less Great news for Madhya Pradesh! The beautiful destination has been honored with the prestigious "Best Tourism State of the Year" award at the Travel and Tourism Conclave and Awards in New Delhi. This is an impressive award in the tou ...Read More >