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.
Mumbai: Environmentalists have vehemently opposed the proposed relaxation in sand extraction permissions and environmental clearances for residents near sandbeds in the draft Sand Mining policy (released on Jan 30, 2025). The policy, which awaits public hearing, has drawn significant criticism regarding its suggested amendments for local sand usage without following prescribed tender processes and environmental protocols. Awaaz Foundation's Sumaira Abdulali has consistently corresponded with the government for two decades regarding the detrimental environmental impact of manual sand mining at Kihim Beach and various waterways. She has documented erosion, mangrove destruction, saline water intrusion into groundwater and agricultural fields, and adverse effects on migratory birds and biodiversity. The draft policy contemplates permitting sand extraction within Gram Panchayat boundaries without tenders or environmental clearances, allowing traditional hand-to-hand transactions and removal of naturally accumulated sand from private agricultural lands. The draft Sand Mining policy, said Abdulali, considered, "In order to make sand readily available for local use and household use, the sand blocks within Gram Panchayat limits which will not be proposed for tender, and the sand blocks which do not receive environmental clearance, and the local people doing traditional businesses without auctioning in hand-to-hand manner. Removal of sand accumulated in private agricultural land due to natural or other reasons to make the agricultural land cultivable." The aforementioned proposed amendments for consideration might be utilised to permit extraction without following a tender process and without environmental safeguards, she emphasised. In 2023, the foundation highlighted unauthorised manual sand mining at Kihim and Awas Beaches, prompting intervention by the Alibag tehsildar. Abdulali noted that extracted quantities frequently exceed local requirements, with sand being commercially distributed despite "local use" claims. Anand Pendharkar, wildlife and marine biologist said the sand is a habitat for animal species such as turtles, crabs, fish, crocodiles as well as birds that are locally becoming extinct. "Indiscriminate removal can lead to endangering many of the species which are already critically endangered such as ghadiyal, all sea turtle species which can become locally extinct. Sand formation takes considerable time and is not a swift process. If the speed of removal and speed of formation do not correspond then it can lead to excessive flooding downstream. There must be an environmental impact assessment at every local site where the removal has been planned because impacts can be vastly different between catchment areas viruses other parts of the watershed," he said highlighting that the draft had considerable ambiguity in terms of sand excavation for local activities which could eventually be exploited for wrong purposes. According to him there are small beaches which are crucial in terms of agriculture and livelihood and if saline water gushes in, it will adversely affect the inhabitants. "Certain even smaller sandbars are so significant that if they disappear they can cause ecological imbalance e.g chilka lake sandbar," he added. Coastal ecologist Vivek Kulkarni said despite having a ban on such local use, it is rampantly continuing with one glaring example of a Malgund beach near GanpatiPule. "Locals exploit the natural resources along coastal villages with the mafia's involvement. Legitimising such a concession or relaxation should not occur at any cost. On the contrary, every such act should be scrutinised. And if at all to be permitted, certain areas be opened on royalty basis only after environmental studies and pre-deciding the limit for extraction," he said. "Such relaxations are particularly perilous in the context of the massive increase in developmental activities in areas surrounding Mumbai such as Alibag, where sand for the construction boom is in ever-increasing demand. Ironically, it is the natural scenic beauty and environment of these areas - which are being destroyed by insatiable sand mining used for the construction activities - for the enormous increase in demand for construction and development. We vehemently object to notification of the draft policy which allows sand extraction without conducting environmental impact assessment and formal auction procedures. Such a policy under the guise of local use and manual methods of extraction may encourage unregulated sand mining for commercial use in sensitive riverbeds or coastal areas, causing irreparable environmental damage," Abdulali added in her submission to the revenue and forest department.
Mumbai: In a move aimed at curbing illegal sand transportation, Maharashtra's Revenue Minister, ChandraShekhar Bawankule, informed the State Assembly that sand transportation across the state would now be allowed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This decision is part of a broader effort to reduce accidents caused by illegal sand mining and improve transparency in sand transportation. Bawankule was replying on the issue raised by Congress MLA Nana Patole in the state assembly "Currently, sand excavation is permitted only from 6 AM to 6 PM. However, sand stored during the day couldn't be transpo ...Read More >
Patiala: Punjab faces unprecedented pressure on its power grid, with electricity demand almost doubling over the past 12 years -- drawing parallels with a developing nation's industrial boom and raising fears of future grid stress. On July 5, the demand was highest ever, with peak load surging to 17,233 MW, almost double the 9,074 MW recorded in the year 2012-13. Officials associate this sharp rise with the state's intensifying domestic, industrial, and agricultural power usage -- during the summer sowing season particularly.The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) attributed the sur ...Read More >
Itanagar, Jun 7 (PTI) The flood situation in Arunachal Pradesh improved on Saturday with water levels of most rivers receding, even as 33,000 people in 24 districts remained affected, officials said. Twelve people lost their lives and one person went missing in rain-related incidents, including landslides, after the monsoon set in, they said. In its daily report, the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said 33,200 people in 215 villages remained affected due to floods and landslides in the state. The water levels of most major rivers and their tributaries were showing a receding trend o ...Read More >
To boost agroforestry and double farmers' income, the Centre has introduced model rules for tree felling on agricultural land. These rules aim to simplify permissions, promote sustainable land use, and align with climate goals. By registering on the National Timber Management System (NTMS), farmers can gain transparency and access better market prices for their timber, including international markets.The Centre has issued model rules for the felling of trees on agricultural land in a bid to promo ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is probing from all angles, including sabotage, in the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad that killed 274 people on board and on the ground last month, Minister of State (MoS) For Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said. Mohol said the black box of the Air India flight AI 171 that has been recovered is in AAIB's custody and will not be outside the country for a thorough assessment. The MoS was speaking at the Pune chapter of the Emerging Business Conclave. "It (plane crash) was an unfortunate incident. The AAIB has begun a full investig ...Read More >
Bhopal, Dec 11 (VOICE) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will launch 'Jan Kalyan Parv' on Wednesday on the completion of one year of his government. The BJP government in the state will organise a fortnight-long programme called 'Jan Kalyan Parv' to highlight the development works undertaken in the past year. Chief Minister Yadav has directed district administration to organise camps in blocks and gram panchayats to highlight the government's achievements. "The officers will meet people and make them aware of the state government's welfare schemes and ensure that those eligible get ...Read More >
Kendrapara (Odisha), Jan 14 (PTI) With the annual crocodile and migratory birds' headcount exercise getting underway, the Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha's Kendrapara district would remain shut for nine days from Tuesday. Several teams have been constituted to count the crocodiles and birds in the creeks, rivers, wetland sites and mangrove forests within the park and its nearby areas, an official said. Any form of human activity could disrupt the process, and that is why the national park will remain closed till January 22, he said. The restrictions for visitors will also prevent noise ...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 >
Srinagar- Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday said foreign countries were told clearly during the post-Operation Sindoor diplomatic outreach that in case of a fresh provocation, India would repeat its action. Speaking at a discussion at the Ahmedabad Management Association, Tharoor said Indian delegations which visited foreign countries in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor managed to convey that India acted with restraint and responsibility. "In other places, we actually were able to get some very high-placed people to say not only that they respected and supported India's right of self- ...Read More >
Navi Mumbai: In a tragic incident that has sparked outrage among environmentalists, a golden jackal was crushed to death by a speeding vehicle around midnight on Sunday near DPS Flamingo Lake, Nerul. The accident occurred on the service road parallel to Palm Beach Road, an area known for its rich biodiversity. According to a volunteer from the Wildlife Welfare Association (WWA), the jackal was hit on its back by an unidentified four-wheeler, leaving it badly mangled. The volunteer rushed to the spot after receiving a distress call around 12 a.m., but the animal could not be saved. The incide ...Read More >
New Delhi: The national capital may soon witness a second thriving habitat for leopards, signalling a remarkable ecological revival. However, to make this possible, it is crucial to gain the trust of local communities, who remain wary of the leopard's return due to unpleasant experiences in the past.Asola Wildlife Sanctuary, nestled within the Aravali ecosystem, has long supported a sustainable population of wild leopards. Recently, these apex predators have also been spotted in the Yamuna floodplain, particularly near villages adjacent to the biodiversity park. Since 2016, leopards have been ...Read More >
Srinagar, June 7: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, on Saturday, congratulated the University of Kashmir for getting an A++ grade in the NAAC inspection. The Lt Governor extended his heartiest congratulations to the Vice Chancellor, faculty, staff, and students of the University of Kashmir for attaining the prestigious A++ Grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), and securing an outstanding Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.68 on a seven-point scale. Calling it a proud moment for J&K UT, the Lt Governor said, "The A++ Grade places the Un ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: The Union environment ministry has issued model rules for felling of trees in agricultural land with the objective of supporting states and UT in simplifying regulatory frameworks and promoting agroforestry.It also asked states and UTs to examine the model rules and consider their adoption in order to enhance "ease of doing business" in agroforestry and incentivise farmers to integrate trees into their farming systems without facing undue procedural hurdles.The move will help pulp and paper industries, including newsprint production, besides encouraging farmers to opt for agroforest ...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 >
Bhubaneswar: The state cabinet, under the chairmanship of chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi, on Friday approved a comprehensive five-year biotechnology development scheme with an outlay of Rs 1,113.50 crore. The programme will be implemented from 2025-26 to 2029-30.The 'Development of Biotechnology' initiative, comprising 17 sub-schemes, aims to transform Odisha into a knowledge-driven bio-economy by leveraging the state's rich biodiversity and existing research infrastructure."This scheme will create a robust ecosystem for innovation, incubation and investment in the biotechnology sector," a ...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: 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 >
Vijayawada: The state government led by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has made significant strides in ensuring irrigation water for Rayalaseema, with Rs 3,890 crore allocated for the Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi project. During a review on Saturday at camp office, the Chief Minister evaluated major irrigation projects, including Handri-Neeva, Polavaram Left Canal, and north Andhra initiatives, alongside reservoir levels and water management strategies. Starting July 15, 3,850 cusecs of water will be released into the Jeedipalli reservoir under Phase-1 of the Handri-Neeva project, with ...Read More >
Jaisalmer, Jun 7 (PTI) To honour the armed forces following Operation Sindoor, a special tribute is taking shape in the border state of Rajasthan - rare Great Indian Bustard (GIB) chicks born under a conservation project in Jaisalmer have been named after key officers and significant milestones linked to the operation. Names like 'Sindoor', 'Atom', 'Mishri', 'Vyom', and 'Sophia' now resonate through the conservation centres at Sudasari and Sam, where science, strategy and national pride are working together to revive one of India's most endangered bird species. "By giving these chicks these ...Read More >
Mumbai, June 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) It was a belligerent, brilliant, and breathtaking performance from the Chennai Bulls, who were crowned the first ever champions of the Rugby Premier League, here in Mumbai, at the Shahaji Raje Bhosale Sports Complex. The Chennai Bulls thrashed the Delhi Redz by a scoreline of 41-0 in the final, to clinch the title. In fact, the margin of victory is the biggest across Season 1 of the GMR RPL. Meanwhile, the Hyderabad Heroes, who had finished top of the table in the league stage, came away with a third-place finish, after they won 17-12 against the Bengaluru Bra ...Read More >
NAGPUR: The Maharashtra government has pledged strict action against illegal sand mining along the Wardha River. Speaking during the monsoon session of the state legislature on Tuesday, revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule assured that officials showing laxity in curbing illegal excavation would face immediate suspension. To ensure accountability, drone surveys have been ordered to monitor sand mining sites. Bawankule said the state introduced a new sand policy on April 1, abolishing the earlier depot system and replacing it with an auction-based model, which has already begun generating ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Automatic weather stations (AWS) will be set up at block levels while automatic rain gauges (ARG) will be installed in every gram panchayat, as the state government Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sky-met Weather Services Pvt Ltd for implementation of Weather Information Network Data System (WINDS) project. According to sources, the project is expected to benefit not only farmers but also the broader sectors of insurance and disaster management as it would create a robust and real-time weather monitoring system. The agreement was signed in the presence of ...Read More >
Sikandar ka Muqaddar Controversy: A scene capturing the flamingos in the recently released Netflix movie has stirred a new row among environmentalists. As per a Free Press Journal report, the greens have alleged that the flamingo shot was captured from a close angle purportedly via a drone. The complaint was made to the Mangrove Cell with a request to take the issue in cognizance legally with the Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner, NRI Coastal police station and CIDCO. A part of the NatConnect Foundation's complaint stated that during the timeline 1:03:44 to 1:03:54 in the movie, a shot captured ...Read More >
Koraput, Dec 6 (PTI) Thirty-six-year-old Raimati Gheuria, a tribal woman from Odisha's Koraput district who has conserved 72 varieties of traditional rice and 30 types of millet has been conferred with an honorary doctorate by Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) for her remarkable contributions to agriculture. President Droupadi Murmu conferred the honorary doctorate to Raimati at the 40th Convocation of OUAT on Thursday. Raimati of Nuaguda village in Koraput district, affectionately known as 'Mandia Rani' or 'Millet Queen', has been known for her relentless efforts in pre ...Read More >
Mumbai: Drugs, gold and other expensive or illegal items are often seized from passengers during inspection at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, the country's financial capital. However, this time, customs officials seized as many as 48 poisonous snakes and 5 turtles from a passenger. Even the security guards were alarmed when it came to light that the passenger had been found with poisonous snakes. The passenger concerned had been to Thailand and had taken a flight from Bangkok on his way to India. At Mumbai's airport, customs found 48 poisonous snakes and five tur ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday announced an ambitious plan of planting 7.5 crore saplings across the state within a year. Speaking at the state-level celebration of World Environment Day at the OUAT Agriculture Education Hall in city, the CM emphasised the importance of public awareness and collective responsibility in protecting nature and ending plastic pollution. "A healthy environment is essential for a healthy society," he said.Addressing the rising threat of single-use plastic, the CM urged citizens to support a mass movement to eliminate plastic from daily li ...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 be ...Read More >
The Maharashtra government is set to install automated weather stations (AWS) in every village, expanding from the current revenue circle level, under the Union Government's WINDS project. This initiative aims to provide accurate, localized weather data to assist farmers, aid in disaster management, and support agricultural research.The Maharashtra government has decided to install automated weather stations (AWS) in every village across the state. This initiative is part of the Union Government ...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 >