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.
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, climate, culture and heritage, as well as the commitment of local communities who have lived in harmony with nature for generations. An official statement quoting the Chief Minister said on Sunday, "The state government is committed to protecting and conserving Himachal Pradesh's rich natural and cultural heritage and fragile ecology in the era of climate change, while ensuring harmony between developmental activities and nature." The Spiti Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve spans a geographical area of 7,770 sq. km, covering the entire Spiti Wildlife Division (7,591 sq. km) and adjoining parts of the Lahaul Forest Division, including Baralacha Pass, Bharatpur, and Sarchu (179 sq. km). Situated at altitudes ranging from 3,300 to 6,600 meters, the Reserve falls within the Trans-Himalaya biogeographic province of the Indian Himalaya. The reserve is structured into three zones: 2,665 sq. km core zone, 3,977 sq. km buffer zone and 1,128 sq. km transition zone. It integrates Pin Valley National Park, Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandratal Wetland, and the Sarchu Plains, representing a unique cold desert ecosystem shaped by extreme climate, topography and fragile soils. The region is ecologically rich, harbouring 655 herbs, 41 shrubs, and 17 tree species, including 14 endemic and 47 medicinal plants central to the Sowa Rigpa and Amchi healing tradition. Its wildlife includes 17 mammal species and 119 bird species, with the snow leopard as a flagship species. Other notable species include the Tibetan wolf, red fox, ibex, blue sheep, Himalayan snow cock, golden eagle and the bearded vulture. With more than 800 blue sheep, Spiti Valley alone provides a strong prey base for large carnivores. Amitabh Gautam, PCCF (Wildlife), said, "This recognition firmly places Himachal's cold deserts on the global conservation map. It will enhance international research collaboration, promote responsible eco-tourism to support local livelihoods, and strengthen India's efforts to build climate resilience in the fragile Himalayan ecosystems."
Dehradun/New Delhi, Jun 8 (PTI) Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi on Sunday visited forward posts in Uttarakhand's Garhwal region and reviewed the operational and administrative readiness of the forces deployed in the region, officials said. During his interaction with members of the troops there, he emphasised the importance of maintaining high standards of operational preparedness and constant vigilance. "The Army Chief interacted with troops guarding the frontiers and commended them for their unwavering dedication, resilience, and professionalism," according to a an official statement. The ...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 >
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 >
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 >
Udhagamandalam: Residents of Ajjoor village in Ooty taluk have sought the intervention the Nilgiris collector to stop an eviction exercise initiated by the forest department. In their petition to collector Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru, the villagers have stated that the Badaga village was established 300 years ago, and currently, at least 300 agrarian families reside there. At least 100 members, including women, of the village gathered in front of the Nilgiris collectorate on Monday to hand over the petition to the collector. "Recently, we have been asked to vacate the land under old survey numbers ...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 >
New Delhi [India], September 26 (ANI): In a first-of-its-kind initiative, a select group of young Indians are set to journey from the digital arena of a quiz to the icy heights of Siachen--the world's highest battlefield, according to a press release from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. This unique exposure visit, spearheaded by the Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, offers the youth a rare opportunity to experience leadership, resilience, and nation-building at one of the most challenging frontiers of India. Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ...Read More >
Kochi (Kerala), September 12 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh is steadily emerging as a model for mountain urbanisation, with development efforts focused on sustainability and climate resilience, PWD and Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh said on Friday. Addressing the Conclave on 'Sustainable Urbanisation and Climate-Resilient Development, ' Singh said that Himachal, being one of the most ecologically sensitive regions, requires a distinct model of urban growth that balances development with environmental conservation. According to the official statement, the Minister stated that Himachal ...Read More >
Kochi (Kerala), September 12 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh is steadily emerging as a model for mountain urbanisation, with development efforts focused on sustainability and climate resilience, PWD and Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh said on Friday. Addressing the Conclave on 'Sustainable Urbanisation and Climate-Resilient Development, ' Singh said that Himachal, being one of the most ecologically sensitive regions, requires a distinct model of urban growth that balances development with environmental conservation. Also Read | PM Narendra Modi Launches Gyan Bharatam Portal, Says 'Need ...Read More >
MADURAI: Likening the custodial murder of Ajith Kumar in Tiruppuvanam to an 'organised crime by police where the state kills its own citizens,' Madras high court lambasted the Tamil Nadu police and said the action against the perpetrators should be more stringent than in normal murder cases.A division bench of Justice S M Subramaniam and Justice A D Maria Clete pointed to 44 external injuries on the person of Ajith Kumar and said no part of the body was spared by the delinquent cops. "Even an ordinary murderer would not have inflicted such kind of injuries," the bench said on Tuesday.The natur ...Read More >
Patna, Aug 1 (PTI) Healthcare services were affected at AIIMS-Patna on Friday as resident doctors went on an "indefinite strike" in protest against the alleged high-handedness of Sheohar MLA Chetan Anand. According to a press statement issued by the Resident Doctors' Association (RDA), AIIMS-Patna, on Friday, "The RDA expresses deep disappointment and anguish over the lack of action by the administration following the violent and traumatic incident that occurred on Wednesday, when MLA Chetan Anand, his wife and their armed guards breached hospital security, physically assaulted staff, and thr ...Read More >
Chennai: Chief minister M K Stalin wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday demanding immediate withdrawal of Union govt's decision to exempt mining of atomic, critical, and strategic minerals from public consultation."Public hearings are a mandatory safeguard for ecology, livelihoods and democracy. I urge you to roll back this memorandum and ensure that such important policy decisions are first discussed in Parliament and with the States," Stalin wrote. Voices of opposition against Union govt's move grew in TN with other parties and environmental outfits joining in.In his letter, Stali ...Read More >
New Delhi: In a significant step toward promoting sustainable agriculture and water management in India, the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have signed an agreement worth $300,000 to be initially implemented in four Indian states. With this agreement, FAO aims to enhance water use efficiency through smart irrigation for climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable development, Takayuki Hagiwara, FAO Representative in India told ETV Bharat in New Delhi. India currently faces significant water stress due to depleting groundwater re ...Read More >
New Delhi: Traffic in central Delhi will be affected on Thursday as the traffic police has issued an advisory due to the Janmashtami and Tazia processions.According to police, the traffic movement in Paharganj is likely to be affected from 1.30pm in view of the shobha yatra for Janmashtami and the Tazia procession.The Janmashtami procession will start from Mandir Shri Banke Bihari Ji in Paharganj's Sangatrasan Bazar and pass through Desh Bandhu Gupta Road, Chuna Mandi, Main Bazar, Munja Chowk and Arakashan Road. The Tazia procession will start from Ajmeri Gate and proceed through Pul Paharganj ...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 >
NEW DELHI, Aug 13: The climate change-driven worst-ever deficient rainfall in Meghalaya has taken a toll on its famed golden-hued heritage crop Lakadong turmeric. Recent studies by the Meghalaya Climate Change Centre identified Laskein as one of the state's 25 blocks where this turmeric farming is facing "high" or "very high" risk from climate pressures. According to the studies, farmers are struggling with extreme weather events such as unpredictable rainfall, poor soil health, and increased pest attacks. Nearly 14,000 farmers across 43 villages, who grow Lakadong turmeric on about 1,753 h ...Read More >
Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], June 29 (ANI): Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene in saving Jaipur's Dol Ka Badh forest from destruction. The Rajasthan government plans to convert the forest into a commercial hub, featuring a Prime Minister's Unity Mall, a Fintech Park, and hotels, which would involve cutting down approximately 2,400 trees. Sanjay Singh, in a letter to PM Modi, mentioned that the project is against the 'ideology' of PM Modi's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' mission and would harm the natural form and ecological balance of the area, exacerbat ...Read More >
ITANAGAR, 1 Jul: Forest officials in Arunachal Pradesh have discovered a new species of flowering plant, Begonia nyishiorum, in the high-altitude forests of East Kameng district. The species was documented during a challenging expedition by the Seppa Forest Division. Its discovery was recently published in the prestigious international journal Novon: A Journal for Botanical Nomenclature, on 23 June. Named in honour of the Nyishi tribe, the plant stands out for its unique crimson-fringed petioles, an identifying feature not seen in any other Asian begonia, sources in the state Forest Departme ...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 >
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 >
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 >
ITANAGAR, 2 Jul: Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Wednesday claimed that the frontier state holds the distinction of being India's largest carbon sink, an ecological powerhouse playing a pivotal role in combating climate change and aiding the country's march toward net-zero emissions. In a social media post as part of his administration's 'Pema 3.0 - Year of Ref-orms and Growth' campaign, Khandu highlighted that Arunachal Pradesh contributes a remarkable 14.38 percent to India's total carbon sequestration. With an impressive 79 percent forest cover, the state currently boasts a carbon stock of ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 12 (ANI): In a remarkable decision taken at the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee, India's official nomination for 2024-25 cycle, 'Maratha Military Landscapes of India' got inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, becoming India's 44th property to receive this recognition. This global accolade celebrates India's enduring cultural legacy, showcasing its diverse traditions of architectural brilliance, regional identity, and historical continuity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, along with Chief Minister of Mahar ...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 >
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has said that the day is not far when the entire Himachal Pradesh may vanish in thin air from the map of the country as it flagged the ecological imbalance in the state. The top court also remarked, "God forbid this doesn't happen". A bench comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan said, "The situation in the state of Himachal Pradesh has gone from bad to worse. The severe ecological imbalance and other environmental conditions have led to serious natural calamities over a period of years". "This year also hundreds of people perished in the floods and lan ...Read More >
Hyderabad: Chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Sunday appealed to the poor living in the periphery and buffer zones of the Musi River and other water bodies in the city to cooperate with the govt in completing the Musi rejuvenation project and protect other water bodies, primarily to save their lives, property, and household items, including educational certificates, which have been washed away in floods caused by cloudbursts linked to climate change."Due to drastic climate changes, especially after Covid-19, not only Hyderabad and Telangana, but also states in North India are experiencing 40 to ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Debrigarh wildlife sanctuary on Friday recorded an increase of 129 Indian bison in the summer census in just a few months, bringing their total count to 788. In the winter census, their number was 659.This time, Debrigarh, the lone sanctuary in the state with a rich bison density, recorded 60 herds, compared to 52 herds in the last census.The 788 gaurs include 315 juveniles (less than two years old) and 128 newborns (less than three months old). The juveniles constitute 40% of the total population."Due to the increase in population, herds keep drifting, with female adults leading ...Read More >
Mandsaur (Madhya Pradesh): The adult male Caracal was spotted in the camera surveillance system of Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, within the Bhanpura-Garot assembly constituency area, along the Chambal River, on Thursday night. This records as the first confirmed sighting of the species in a protected area of the state in several years. Caracals, known locally by the same name, are extremely shy, nocturnal carnivores, renowned for their exceptional agility and speed. Weighing between 7-18 kilograms, these wild cats prefer dry, bushy, rocky terrain and open grasslands. The species is curr ...Read More >
Shillong, Jul 12: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday emphasised the need to balance ecological preservation with developmental aspirations, particularly in states like Meghalaya. Speaking at an interactive session in Shillong, she acknowledged that the climate crisis has intensified to the extent that even the best meteorological tools struggle to predict weather patterns accurately. "Extreme weather events have become the norm. Flash floods and intense rains, which used to be spread across months, are now occurring in a single day, causing immense damage to people and pro ...Read More >
SRINAGAR, July 18: In a significant step towards enhancing the disaster resilience and preparedness, the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir conducted a high-level workshop on the Incident Response System (IRS) today. The workshop was attended by Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, Principal Secretary Home and DMRR&R, Chandraker Bharti, senior Administrative Secretaries, Divisional Commissioners, Heads of Departments and National Disaster Management experts including Brigadier Kuldip Singh (Retd), Former Senior Consultant, Ministry of Home Affairs. In his opening remarks, the Chief Secretary unde ...Read More >