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.
Berhampur: The mating season of Olive Ridley turtles has begun near Rushikulya river mouth in Odisha's Ganjam district, even as the administration stepped up patrolling to keep away poachers. Berhampur Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Sunny Khokkar said many pairs of turtles were seen in the area, and mating might pick up in the last week of December. Nesting of turtles usually takes place for 45 days after mating. After mating, female turtles lay eggs by digging pits in the sand and return to the sea, with the hatchlings emerging 45-50 days later. Olive Ridley turtles are likely to turn up in large numbers this year and mass nesting may take place in the third week of February, he said. It may be recalled that a record number of over 9.04 lakh turtles had laid eggs in around a seven-km-long beach stretch from Bateswar to Gokharakuda in two phases of the mass nesting last year. As many as 6,98,698 turtles had laid eggs from February 16-23 in the first phase, while 2.05 lakh turtles laid eggs in the second phase from March 16 to 23, sources said. Meanwhile, patrolling has been intensified in the sea for protecting the mating Olive ridley turtles from poachers. During patrolling, two mechanised fishing trawlers from Andhra Pradesh have been seized for illegal fishing in the area. The government has banned fishing by mechanised trawlers within 20 km from the coast from November 1 to May 31 as the turtles congregate for mass nesting during the period. The forest department has also held a coordination meeting with fishermen, seeking their cooperation during the mating, nesting and hatching.
Mumbai: The birth of three penguin chicks at Mumbai's Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and Zoo has sparked an unexpected row not over their care, but their names. BJP functionary Nitin Bankar from the Byculla Assembly constituency has objected to the chicks being given English names, insisting they be named in Marathi instead. The BMC is expected to respond by June 10, after which Bankar will decide his next move. Speaking to The Free Press Journal, Bankar said, "When penguins were brought from abroad, we accepted that their names would be in English. But these chicks were born on the soil of M ...Read More >
Berhampur (Odisha), Jun 6 (PTI) Environmental activist Medha Patkar on Saturday appealed to the people of Odisha for protection of Rushikulya river. The government planned to construct a dam in the river Pipalapnaka under Sorada block in the district. While participating in the Save Rushikulya river movement in Ganjam district, she said, "Rivers may be small or big, but they are our mother. We have to protect the rivers from attacks." She attended a meeting were organised by the Rushikulya Banchao Kriyaanusthan Committee (RBKC) and the Centre for Climate Justice, spearheading the agitation a ...Read More >
Kolkata: Thirty-four fishermen from Kakdwip in two fishing trawlers were allegedly detained by the Bangladesh Navy in the early hours of Monday for allegedly crossing into Bangladeshi waters while fishing in the Bay of Bengal. According to sources, the two trawlers -- FV Jhor and FV Mangalchandi -- were intercepted about 77 nautical miles from the Fairway Buoy of Mongla Port in Bangladesh.Bangladesh media reported that a Bangladesh Navy patrol vessel spotted the trawlers fishing within their exclusive economic zone and detained the crew along with the boats and fishing equipment. The fishermen ...Read More >
New Delhi: Three Indian citizens vanished mysteriously in Tehran. Darkness closed in as hope seemed lost. A ruthless Pakistani gang with potential links to ISI snatched them away, casting a shadow of fear. But relentless Indian diplomats refused to back down. Against all odds, a daring rescue mission ignited. Now, the captives are free, and a chilling game of espionage comes to light. The Punjab-based trio - Amritpal Singh from Hoshiarpur, Jaspal Singh from SBS Nagar and Hushnapreet Singh from Sangrur - had landed in Iran on May 1. Promised a clandestine route to Australia via Dubai and Tehra ...Read More >
Guwahati/Morigaon, Jun 6 (PTI) The flood situation in Assam continued to be critical with over 5.6 lakh people reeling under the deluge in 16 districts, an official bulletin said on Friday. The toll in this year's floods and landslides stands at 21, with two more deaths reported on Thursday. Also Read | Thane Shocker: Wife Booked for Hurling Hot Oil on Autorickshaw Driver During Fight Over Domestic Issues in Kalyan. Wildlife has also been affected with nearly 70 per cent of the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Morigaon district facing inundation, an official said. The Regional Meteorological ...Read More >
Kolkata, July 5 (SocialNews.XYZ) The West Bengal unit of BJP, under the leadership of its new State party President Samik Bhattacharya is making all efforts to ensure a political rally in the state, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing it, before Trinamool Congress's annual Martyrs' day rally in Kolkata on July 21. An insider from the state committee of BJP said that the week before July 21, the Prime Minister is scheduled to go for an election campaign in Bihar where the Assembly polls are scheduled later this year. "We are trying hard so that the Prime Minister can spare some time ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 12 (ANI): Assam Chief Minister Hemanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday, inaugurated India's first Aqua Tech Park in Sonapur, Assam, with an aim to boost fish production. Additionally, this will help in generating earning opportunities in the state of Assam. Also Read | Air India Plane Crash: AAIB Report Preliminary, We Can't Say Anything Definite at This Point, Says MoS Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol (Watch Video). "India's first Aqua Tech Park inaugurated in Sonapur, Assam. Dedicated the Aqua Tech Park,a first of its kind in India which will greatly boost fish production an ...Read More >
Kolkata, July 15: As many as 34 fishermen, mostly hailing from the coastal belt of Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, have been detained by the Bangladesh administration after their fishing trawlers allegedly crossed the international waters and entered the neighbouring country's coastline. As per information communicated to the West Bengal government, the incident took place late on the night of July 13, and the matter was communicated to the Indian and the West Bengal administration officially by the Bangladesh government on Tuesday morning. Tamil Nadu: 8 Indian Fishermen ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Former head of Air India and chairman of the Railway Board Ashwani Lohani is the new Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML) director. The official order for his appointment was issued on Wednesday. A 1980-batch officer of the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineering (IRSME), Lohani is known for turning around various organisations during his illustrious career. Following his retirement from IRSME service, he joined the GMR Group as the CEO. According to the order dated June 4, his appointment to the post of director, Prime Ministers Museum and Library in the rank and pa ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Revenue minister Suresh Pujari on Saturday said Odisha would not be allowed to follow the lawless path in sand operations like it is in Bihar and West Bengal, while responding to the recent assault of an additional tehsildar in Kaptipada block, Mayurbhanj district, by the sand mafia. He promised stringent action against the sand mafia regardless of their connections, while speaking to mediapersons here on Saturday."The Kaptipada incident represents a serious escalation in conflict between law enforcement and the sand mafia. The attack on officers performing their enforcement dutie ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 29 (PTI) The Congress on Sunday attacked the Centre and Rajasthan governments over the reported plan to redraw the boundaries of the Sariska Tiger Reserve for the reactivation of over 50 mining operations, saying the move would be "ecologically devastating". The opposition party also said that with the Rajasthan and Union environment ministers both being from Alwar, this "double engine" cannot be supporting such a move. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh shared on X a media report which claimed that a plan to redraw the boundaries of Rajasthan's ...Read More >
TIRUCHY: Tamil Nadu fishers who have been facing frequent arrests on charges of crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) at the Palk Strait would soon get a good news as the bilateral talks between India and Sri Lanka has witnessed positive approach and negotiations are being made to solve the mid-sea issues faced by the Indian fishermen particularly those who are from Tamil Nadu. Palk Street is a narrow strip of water separating Tamil Nadu and the Northern Province of Sri Lanka and the Gulf of Mannar, where the controversial Katchatheevu is situated. Sources revealed that fo ...Read More >
Guwahati: The flood situation across Assam continues to be critical, with over 5.6 lakh people in 16 districts reeling under the severe flood, an official bulletin confirmed on Friday. The cumulative death toll from this year's floods and landslides has now climbed to 21, following two more fatalities reported on Thursday. Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge! The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) bulletin stated that floodwaters are currently submerging 57 revenue circles and 1,406 villages, impacting a total of 5,61,644 individuals ...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 >
Colombo, June 29 (Daily Mirror) - The Sri Lanka Navy seized an Indian fishing boat and apprehended eight Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters north of Mannar, during a special search operation conducted early this morning. The North Central Naval Command spotted a group of Indian fishing boats engaging in illegal fishing, trespassing into Sri Lankan waters in the early hours of today and deployed its Inshore Patrol Craft to drive away the Indian fishing boats from island waters, north of Mannar, the Sri Lanka Navy said. The navy seized one Indian boat and apprehende ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: The death toll of workers from Odisha in the explosion at the chemical factory in Telangana rose to nine, with authorities confirming the identity of one more person using DNA-based analysis, an officer said on Saturday. The latest victim of the factory blast was identified as Purna Chandra Sahu, a native of Sukarpada in Cuttack district, said Pritish Panda, Officer on Special Duty (OSD), Directorate of Odisha Parivaar. With his death, a total of nine persons from Odisha were killed in the powerful blast at a pharmaceutical plant in Pashamylaram in Telangana's Sangareddy distric ...Read More >
Mumbai: Net profit of Nifty 50 companies at the aggregate level is expected to increase 4.6% year-on-year while revenue may increase 4.5% for the June 2025 quarter. Net profit is likely to show single-digit year-on-year growth for the first time in at least nine quarters amid an anticipated poor performance by select companies, including Tata Motors, IndusInd Bank and Coal India. The sample's revenue is expected to grow in single digit for the fourth consecutive quarter reflecting persistent muted demand scenario. Select companies from metals, pharmaceuticals, cement, banking and finance and ...Read More >
Pune: Hospitals in Pune have started reporting an increase in dengue cases among children following recent heavy rainfall and intermittent showers. Conditions are now ripe for mosquito breeding, experts said, as they warned citizens to ensure there's no waterlogging or stagnant pools near homes and offices. "Dengue is typically seen first in children as they often play outside," said Dr Sagar Lad, a senior neonatologist and pediatric intensivist at Jehangir Hospital and Sahyadri Hospital, Shastrinagar. Dr Lad said he's seen at least three children admitted for dengue this week, with all of the ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: The State Vigilance sleuths on Saturday conducted simultaneous raids at seven locations of Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) Susil Kumar Panda of Ganjam block following allegations of possession of assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. Vigilance sources said the raids were carried out by a team led by six Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), seven inspectors and other supporting staff following search warrants issued by the Special Judge, Vigilance, Berhampur. The searches were conducted at seven places spread across Ganjam and Puri districts. During the ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of five Odia labourers who lost their lives in a devastating explosion at Sigachi Industries Limited's pharmaceutical factory in Telangana's Sangareddy district. The deceased labourers are Rajnala Jagan Mohan from Ganjam, Lagnajit Duari from Cuttack's Tigiria, Manoj Raut from Balasore, Dolagobinda Sahu from Jajpur, and Chaitu Bhatra from Nabarangpur. According to reports, three other Odia workers, Sameer Padhi from Ganjam, Chandan Kumar Naik from Bhadrak, and Neelambar Bhadra f ...Read More >
Berhampur: Environmental activist Medha Patkar Saturday appealled to the people of Odisha for protection of Rushikulya river. The government planned to construct a dam in the river Pipalapnaka under Sorada block in the district. While participating in the Save Rushikulya river movement in Ganjam district, she said, "Rivers may be small or big, but they are our mother. We have to protect the rivers from attacks." She attended a meeting were organised by the Rushikulya Banchao Kriyaanusthan Committee (RBKC) and the Centre for Climate Justice, spearheading the agitation against the constructio ...Read More >
Puri: Despite travel uncertainties due to recent conflicts in some parts of the world, people from Europe and elsewhere have reached Puri to witness the annual Ratha Yatra of the sibling deities.As non-Hindus are not allowed inside the 12th-century Jagannath Temple, the Ratha Yatra provides a rare opportunity for devotees across the world to see the deities in their full glory atop their majestic wooden chariots."Back home, we are surrounded by uncertainty and fear. But here, I found peace. I came because this is my only chance to see Lord Jagannath. He comes out for the whole world. This is v ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Authorities on Saturday confirmed the death of one more worker from the state in the blast at the Sigachi Industries' unit in Telangana, taking the toll of Odisha workers to nine. The deceased was identified as Purbachandra Sahoo, a native of Sukarpada in Cuttack.Initially, four workers from Odisha were confirmed to have died in the explosion, which occurred earlier this week, with five others reported missing. Subsequent DNA testing confirmed the deaths of four more workers on Thursday, and another on Saturday.CM Mohan Charan Majhi has announced ex gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh ea ...Read More >
Tirupati/Chittoor: After chilli and tobacco farmers, mango growers are now in focus as YSRCP chief Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy looks to raise the political heat in the state. A bumper mango yield this year has brought little joy to farmers, who are struggling with falling prices. Despite the state government's swift action, announcing subsidies and deploying officials to assist distressed farmers, the issue has turned political. Looking to capitalise on the unrest, Jagan will visit Bangarupalem market yard on July 9 to console mango farmers. In fact, the government claims that Andhra Pradesh's pr ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar, June 5 (UNI) Odisha has achieved an unprecedented investment of about Rs. 1.5 lakh crore in the last five months, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said. Majhi, who laid the foundation stone for projects worth over Rs. 28,000 crore covering 12 industries during his visit to Ganjam district on Thursday, said that the ambitious goal set for Odisha's bright future will be fulfilled. He added that the foundation stone for industries worth Rs. 70,000 crore was laid in Jajpur Kalinga Nagar. On Wednesday, the foundation stone for industries worth Rs. 50,000 crore was laid in Dhenkanal. ...Read More >
Berhampur: Environmental activist Medha Patkar on Saturday joined the Save River Rushikulya movement in Ganjam district and called for safeguarding natural resources, including rivers and forests."The rivers, whether small or big, are our mother. We have to protect them," said the 71-year-old while addressing gatherings at Potalampur, near Chhatrapur and Berhampur.The meetings were organised by Rushikulya Banchao Kriya-anusthan Committee (RBKC) and the Centre for Climate Justice, spearheading an agitation against the construction of a dam over Pipalapnaka river under Sorada block in the distri ...Read More >
Mumbai: An article by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi terming the 2024 state assembly polls as 'match-fixing' stirred a political controversy in Maharashtra. Statement Of Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the Congress leader was insulting the voters and Ladki Bahins of Maharashtra. He said, "Rahul Gandhi has accepted his defeat in Bihar. As long as Rahul Gandhi keeps giving himself false assurances, his party can never win". Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule's Statement Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule criticised Gandhi, saying his party w ...Read More >
Victoria/New Delhi, June 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) India on Friday handed over the spares for Seychelles Defence Forces a day after Indian Navy's stealth frigate INS Teg arrived at Seychelles' Port Victoria on a five-day operational port call marking another milestone in India's strategic outreach in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Captain Vikas Guleria, INS Teg's Commanding Officer handed over the spares for Seychelles Defence Forces to the country's Chief of Defence Forces Major General Michael Rosette at ceremony held onboard INS Teg. High Commissioner of India, Kartik Pande was also present on t ...Read More >
Mumbai: Hooliganism under the guise of Marathi pride will not be tolerated in the state, CM Fadnavis warned on Friday. He said police had registered an FIR and taken action in the Mira Road incident where a businessman was beaten up by MNS workers for not knowing Marathi.Speaking to the media, Fadnavis said beating up someone over language was wrong. "We are Marathi and are proud of the language. Insisting that a person speak in Marathi is not wrong, but beating up a businessman because he does not know it is wrong. Our Marathi-speaking people are doing business in different states, and if the ...Read More >
Namsai (Arunachal Pradesh) [India], July 9 (ANI): Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein has launched the Nadi Utsav 2025 at Namsai in a bid to conserve aquatic life and restore fish populations in the river systems. As part of the initiative, 30,000 fingerlings of various fish species, including Rohu, Catla, Mrigal, Grass Carp, Labeo Gonius, and Labeo Kalbasu, were released into the Marua, Teang, and Namtenga rivers on Tuesday. The release also included endangered local freshwater species such as Pavi, Pahum, and Palao, with the goal of restoring their populations in the riveri ...Read More >