Andhra government launches clean cooking drive at AWCs
The project, led by the Department of Women and Child Welfare, is aligned with the Union Government's 'Go Electric' campaign and the National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP), spearheaded by the Ministry of Power, Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), and Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL).
The official launch will take place on Thursday, June 5, in Vijayawada to mark World Environment Day. Minister for Women, Child Welfare and Tribal Welfare, G Sandhya Rani and others will formally inaugurate the programme.
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Hans India
a day ago
- Hans India
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Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said on Sunday that protecting nature and environment is not merely a government initiative but the responsibility of every citizen. "Amid continuous development, we must not forget that the basis of life lies in nature and trees. Issues like climate change, irregular rainfall and rising temperatures can only be addressed through large-scale tree plantation and their protection, which is essential for securing our future," he added. The Chief Minister said that the state government has set a target of planting 2.1 crore saplings under several campaigns, to be achieved with collective efforts. He was addressing the 76th state-level Van Mahotsav organised at Seonsar in Kurukshetra district. Earlier, he laid the foundation stone of the Saraswati Wetland Reservoir, Saraswati Flora and Biodiversity Conservation Park and Saraswati Jungle Safari. He also released the 'Triphala' booklet. On this occasion, the Chief Minister planted saplings to give a message of environmental protection. He also unveiled the Haryana wildlife map, Kurukshetra wildlife map, and five books prepared by the Forest Department. Chief Minister Saini said that the 76th Van Mahotsav is not just an event, but a symbol of gratitude towards nature, responsibility and a resolve to ensure a happy future for generations to come. "This is the third event in the series of this year's state-level Van Mahotsav celebrations. Various programmes are also being held at the district level across the state, with active participation from local people and students." He added that Van Mahotsav means a festival of forests, a tribute to nature, and an expansion of greenery. "It reminds us that trees are not just a source of wood but the foundation of life." He said that "while we are moving ahead rapidly in the race for modernity, Van Mahotsav reminds us not to exploit nature but to learn to coexist with it". Recognising the importance of trees, the state government has launched several plantation drives, which have yielded positive results, the Chief Minister added. Many plans have been formulated to increase forest cover, CM Saini said. He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi also launched a unique campaign, "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam", on June 5, 2024, on World Environment Day at the Buddha Jayanti Park in Delhi. In the first phase of this campaign, a target of planting 1.6 crore saplings in Haryana was set, but the state exceeded the target by planting 1.87 crore saplings. This year, on June 5, the second phase of "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" began, with a target of 2.1 crore saplings. "Since October 2014, about 18 crore saplings have been planted in the state." The state government has also started special schemes to promote urban forestry so that greenery can be increased in cities. In addition, strict measures have been taken to prevent illegal felling of trees and to protect wildlife. The Forest Department has been instructed to be more proactive in this direction. To make society more sensitive towards forests and wildlife, facilities such as jeep safaris and children's study tours have been arranged at Kalesar. The 'Green Aravalli Action Plan' has also been launched in southern Haryana. This joint project of the Central and state governments will be implemented in the Aravalli hills of four states, including Haryana, covering 29 districts, five of which are in Haryana.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- The Hindu
All 354 villages in Dakshina Kannada declared Open Defecation Free Plus
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The Hindu
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- The Hindu
BBMP pins hopes on climate clubs despite slow start
The Bengaluru Climate Action Clubs (BCAC) initiative, launched by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), began with a flyer campaign that saw the registration of over 700 educational institutions. However, the programme has struggled to sustain the interest of these institutions. Launched on June 6 by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to mark World Environment Day, the initiative is aimed at establishing climate action clubs in schools and colleges across the city, engaging students in sustainability efforts. Its primary focus is to instill environmental responsibility among children through activities and challenges related to climate issues. As of Tuesday, 754 clubs have been formed across educational institutions, but only 117 are actively functioning, according to BCAC data. This is an improvement from the first week of July, when only 70 clubs were active. Of those, representatives from 50 clubs participated in a meeting held on July 2. Suraj S.K., a local climate action and civic engagement fellow working on the project, remains optimistic that participation will grow as the initiative expands to more institutions. Several activities are planned to strengthen the clubs and support their effective implementation. Seven sectors The BCAC operates under seven broad sectors outlined in the Bengaluru Climate Action Plan (BCAP), with each sector focusing on a different aspect of the climate crisis. These include waste management, energy, green planning, transportation, air quality, water, and disaster management. Within these categories, clubs are expected to identify specific problems and devise action plans to tackle them. For example, under the energy category, a club might set a goal to reduce electricity bills by identifying areas of excessive power use and creating a plan to curb wasteful energy consumption. Implementing such plans would directly address climate-related challenges. According to Mr. Suraj, similarly, each category offers various opportunities to identify issues and formulate solutions, which is the core idea behind BCAC. 'When we look at it individually, the reduction in a school's power consumption may seem marginal. But if thousands of schools implement the same measures, the overall energy savings could be significant,' Mr. Suraj explained. For now, the clubs have been asked to focus on just four sectors: energy, water, greening, and waste management. 'Greening' involves using unused land within school campuses to plant saplings and increase green cover. BBMP officials believe the programme will gain momentum once active clubs begin implementing their action plans and contributing to change. While participation is entirely voluntary, the BCAC plans to encourage involvement by recognising and awarding clubs that successfully implement their initiatives. Institutions such as MES Prof. B.R. Subba Rao College, Cambridge School, and BGS PU College currently have active climate action clubs.
