Work on first phase of jungle safari in the Aravalis to begin soon: Haryana Minister
Mr. Rao made the remark after meeting Union Power and Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal and Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav in Delhi to discuss the project.
The project would give a new identity to the National Capital Region in the direction of a green and sustainable environment, said the Minister, adding that it would be developed in four phases.
'Green tourism'
'Of the total project area, 2,500 acres will be developed in the first phase. The project will play an important role in promoting green tourism as well as conservation of wildlife,' said Mr. Rao.
With the aim of equipping the project with world-class facilities and adopting the best model in its construction, the Minister said that he, along with Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and Mr. Lal, had recently visited the 'Vantara' Jungle Safari in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
This visit provided important support in understanding the technical, structural, and conservation-based aspects of the project, he said.
BJP's poll promise
The project, which is spread across Gurugram and Nuh districts of the State, was one of the poll promises made by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in its manifesto last year.
However, it has faced stiff opposition ever since it was first mooted. A group of 37 retired Indian Forest Service officers had written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this year demanding that the project be scrapped. They argued that the project's aim was to simply increase tourist footfall and not conserve the mountain range.
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News18
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- News18
Bengal Police Start Helpline For Migrant Workers From State Facing Harassment Elsewhere, BJP Slams Move
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Additionally, we are launching a dedicated helpline at 9147727666, available exclusively via WhatsApp. Users can send their information, including their name and address. Each case will be verified, and we will coordinate with the relevant state authorities to take appropriate action," the department said. The statement emphasised that while police verification is being streamlined across various states, this helpline will expedite communication and verification processes, facilitating quicker intervention for affected migrant workers. The Bengal government has been proactive in addressing migrant workers' welfare. A Migrant Workers' Welfare Board exists in the state, with an estimated 22 lakh migrant workers from Bengal across India. However, the current situation involves specific issues related to identity verification, making the police helpline crucial at this moment. In December 2023, the state government launched the Karmasathi (Parijayee Shramik) initiative, which includes a toll-free helpline (1800-103-0009) and a 24-hour call centre to support migrant workers. This initiative also established registration infrastructure at railway stations and block offices under the Migrant Workers' Welfare Scheme, 2023, to ensure the safety and well-being of workers across the country. Government sources indicate that the situation calls for immediate action due to the rising instances of harassment and identity checks faced by migrant workers in other states. The police helpline is seen as an essential tool for families to seek immediate help and assistance. Mamata Banerjee Raises Concerns Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has consistently voiced her concerns about the increasing number of Bengalis allegedly being detained or harassed in various states, particularly those ruled by the BJP. This issue first gained prominence when Bengali workers were allegedly detained in Odisha, accused of being Bangladeshi nationals despite having valid Indian identification. Similar alleged instances have been reported in Haryana, where approximately 237 workers were detained, and in Rajasthan, where between 300 and 400 workers were similarly accused. Banerjee said, 'Is it a crime to speak in Bengali?" She announced plans to launch a language movement on July 27, starting from Birbhum, to protest against what she describes as a cultural and linguistic assault on Bengali speakers. BJP Hits Back The TMC government has strongly criticised the 'ongoing harassment" of Bengali-speaking workers, claiming it is politically motivated. Trinamool leaders argue that this is part of a larger agenda to target Bengalis in BJP-ruled states, aiming to label them as Bangladeshis. However, the Bharatiya Janata Party has dismissed these claims, accusing the TMC of trying to legitimise Rohingya migrants as potential voters. The BJP argues that the TMC's language movement is a political strategy to garner support among certain voter segments rather than a genuine concern for migrant workers' welfare. BJP's Suvendu Adhikari said, 'This post is entirely politically motivated. It has been shared to confuse and disturb Bengali people living in different parts of India for work, intending to cause panic. Indian Bengalis and Hindu refugees across India are not facing any problems. However, Hindu Bengalis living in West Bengal often become victims of harassment by the police. To those people and to Indian Hindus coming from other states, no matter what language they speak, if they are residing in any district of West Bengal for work and are harassed by the police (Mamata's police), please send me the details via email. I will provide full assistance. My email ID is – adhikarisuvenduwb1@ 'Additionally, I request any concerned citizens of West Bengal, if they come across any Rohingya Muslims or Bangladeshi Muslim infiltrators residing in any district of West Bengal, to kindly send the information to my email ID. I will ensure that this information reaches the proper authorities," he said. About the Author Kamalika Sengupta Kamalika Sengupta is the Editor (East) at CNN-News18 / focusing on politics, defence, and women's issues. She is a seasoned multimedia journalist with over 20 years of experience reporting from More First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Extension of President's rule in Manipur will undermine democratic spirit, people don't want it: Congress
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The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Healing Manipur: on Manipur and President's Rule
The imposition of President's Rule, once a frequent and politically motivated tool of the Centre, has declined considerably since the 1990s. This welcome shift is a consequence of S.R. Bommai, the landmark judgment, the rising influence of regional parties in national politics, and public revulsion to its misuse. In recent years, its application has become rare, reserved for genuine constitutional breakdown or severe internal security challenges, such as in Manipur. On Friday, President's Rule was extended there by another six months, from August 13. But few would contest the extension, as the Centre is struggling to find a durable solution to the ethnic conflict. Following the resignation of N. Biren Singh and the fall of the BJP government, there has been a discernible but fragile calm. A crackdown on militant groups that had operated with impunity has reduced open violence, and some families displaced since May 2023 have begun to return home. However, these positive developments are overshadowed by the unbridged and deep-seated ethnic schism between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities. The landscape of Manipur is still carved up by buffer zones, rigidly segregating communities. The political chasm is just as stark: Kuki-Zo groups are resolute in their demand for a separate administration, while hardline Meitei organisations persist with a narrative that brands fellow citizens as 'outsiders'. Administrative steps, particularly those that reiterate de-weaponisation and a defanging of militant groups acting for ethnic interests, must continue. They not only break the aura of impunity with which these groups function but will also encourage moderates to raise their voices for reconciliation. During Mr. Singh's tenure, prominent civil society activists seeking to halt the conflict by critiquing the biased nature of governance were hounded. But the administrative measures to improve the rule of law must be supplemented by political gestures. The BJP enjoyed support in the valley and the hills when it was elected, but has been unable to bridge the ethnic hostility. This is largely because the party's national leadership has shown little inclination to treat the issue urgently, leaving it to civil servants and security forces to tackle the problem. While the continuation of President's Rule might seem inevitable in Manipur, its success should not be measured by the absence of violence alone. The Centre's responsibility is to foster political conditions to bridge the ethnic divide, but that responsibility must be shared. Political parties and civil society groups must defy the hardliners and begin the painstaking work of reconciliation. The future of a peaceful Manipur will be written by the initiative of committed political actors willing to transcend ethnic divisions and work toward the genuine healing of their fractured society.
