Latest news with #Annapurna
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
World Environment day 2025: Bridging tradition and technology for a sustainable future
Dr. Annapurna Boruah is a renowned academic, geoscientist, energy exploration expert, and social entrepreneur. She actively contributes to various initiatives, including the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG)'s I-HAV program, the Ministry of Education's Innovation Cell, WWICCI, AAPG, and more. Her impact on the academic field is evident through her extensive publications. Alongside her professional achievements, Dr. Annapurna is a folk dancer, trained in Sattriya classical dance, a proficient classical singer, and a state-level debater. In "Times of Terra" featured in The Times of India, Dr. Annapurna shares her insights, stories, and solutions that strive to create sustainability and equity for all. LESS ... MORE As the world observes World Environment Day on June 5, 2025, under the theme 'Beat Plastic Pollution,' it is a moment to reflect on our environmental journey—from ancient traditions to modern innovations. Traditional Wisdom: A Legacy of Environmental Stewardship India's rich cultural heritage offers profound insights into sustainable living. India's eco-friendly traditions include using leaf plates (patravali), clay pots for cooking and storing water, and cow dung as natural fuel and disinfectant. Sacred groves (devrai) preserve biodiversity, while festivals like Makar Sankranti use biodegradable kites. These age-old practices reflect a deep respect for nature and sustainable living. Traditional homes are built with mud and bamboo, naturally regulating temperature. These customs showcase sustainable living, long before modern environmentalism emerged. India's rich tapestry of environmental activism is woven with stories of communities and individuals who have stood resilient in the face of ecological challenges. In 1730, in the village of Khejarli, Rajasthan, 363 Bishnoi villagers laid down their lives to protect a grove of Khejri trees from being felled by the Maharaja's men. This selfless act, led by Amrita Devi, became a symbol of unwavering commitment to environmental conservation. In the 1970s, the Chipko movement emerged in Uttarakhand as villagers, led by women like Gaura Devi, embraced trees to prevent their felling. The movement's slogan, 'Ecology is permanent economy,' coined by Sunderlal Bahuguna, resonated globally. A 5,000-kilometer trans-Himalaya march by Bahuguna further galvanized support, leading to a 15-year ban on tree felling in the region. In 1979, 16-year-old Jadav Payeng began planting bamboo on a barren sandbar in the Brahmaputra River. Over decades, his solitary efforts transformed the area into a lush forest spanning over 300 hectares, now known as Molai Forest. Home to diverse wildlife, including elephants and rhinos, Payeng's dedication showcases the profound impact of individual action on environmental restoration. In the 1970s, the proposed construction of a hydroelectric dam threatened the pristine Silent Valley rainforest in Kerala. Activists, including poet Sugathakumari and ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali, rallied against the project. Their efforts culminated in a High Court ruling halting the deforestation, preserving the valley's rich biodiversity. Initiated in 1985 by Medha Patkar, the Narmada Bachao Andolan opposed the construction of large dams on the Narmada River. The movement highlighted the displacement of indigenous communities and environmental degradation. Despite challenges, it brought global attention to the socio-environmental costs of large-scale development projects. In the 1980s and 1990s, the proposed Tehri Dam in Uttarakhand faced opposition due to concerns over seismic risks and ecological impact. Activist Sunderlal Bahuguna's fast unto death drew national attention, leading to a government assurance to review the project. While construction continued, the movement underscored the need for sustainable development practices. Philosophical traditions like the Vedic hymns in the Rigveda and Atharvaveda celebrate Earth (Bhumi) as the mother of all beings, emphasizing living in harmony with nature . Such principles resonate with modern environmental ethics, highlighting the timeless relevance of these teachings. Across the globe, various cultures have intertwined spirituality with environmental consciousness. In Taoism, concepts like 'wu wei' (non-action) and animism promote living in balance with nature. These diverse traditions collectively underscore a universal truth: sustainable living is deeply rooted in cultural and spiritual values. Despite these rich traditions, the modern world grapples with environmental degradation. Despite these rich traditions, the modern world faces serious environmental problems. For example, India generates over 3.5 million tonnes of plastic waste every year, and only about 60% of it is recycled. Cities like Delhi and Mumbai struggle with air pollution—Delhi often ranks among the world's most polluted cities. Water bodies like the Yamuna River remain heavily polluted due to industrial waste and untreated sewage. According to the World Bank, India is among the top 5 countries most affected by climate change. These issues show that despite our heritage, urgent action is needed to protect the environment today. Advancements in technology offer promising solutions to environmental issues. In the realm of transportation, electric vehicles (EVs) are at the forefront of reducing carbon footprints. Smart technologies, such as AI-based predictive maintenance and IoT-enabled charging infrastructure, enhance the efficiency and sustainability of EVs, making them a viable alternative to traditional vehicles . Globally, innovations like hybrid wind-solar systems and offshore floating wind turbines are revolutionizing renewable energy generation. These technologies maximize energy production while minimizing space usage, crucial for urban environments . India, too, is making strides in renewable energy. As of October 2024, the country's cumulative renewable energy capacity reached 203.18 GW, marking a 13.5% increase from the previous year. With a target of 500 GW by 2030, India is positioning itself as a leader in sustainable energy . Innovations tackling plastic pollution include biodegradable plastics made from seaweed or corn starch, plastic-eating enzymes like PETase, and upcycling waste into products. Technologies such as ocean-cleanup devices, waste-to-fuel plants, and digital recycling platforms like Recykal are transforming plastic waste management and promoting a more sustainable, cleaner environment. Several Indian startups are leading the fight against plastic pollution. Zerocircle, creates biodegradable packaging from seaweed that dissolves in soil or water. EcoKaari upcycles plastic waste into handmade bags and accessories using traditional looms, blending sustainability with livelihood creation. In Kerala, the DROP project by Munambam fishers has recovered over 22,000 kg of ocean plastic by collecting waste caught in fishing nets. Additionally, Bioyug On Wheels promotes biopolymer use through India's first mobile awareness campaign. These innovations show how creativity and community can offer real solutions to the plastic crisis. A Call to Action: Integrating Tradition with Innovation World Environment Day serves as a reminder that environmental conservation is not a modern concern but a timeless value. By integrating traditional wisdom with contemporary technology, we can forge a path toward a sustainable future. As Mahatma Gandhi aptly stated, 'Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed'. Let this principle guide our actions as we strive to protect and preserve our planet for generations to come. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Free Malaysia Today
5 days ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Nepal celebrates 75th ascent anniversary of Mount Annapurna
Great cormorants flying above the Mount Machhapuchhre (left) and Annapurna mountain range, in Pokhara, some 200 km west of Kathmandu on Jan 22, 2020. (AFP pic) POKHARA : Nepal celebrated on Tuesday 75 years since the first ascent of Mount Annapurna, the 10th highest peak in the world, led by French climber Maurice Herzog. Herzog reached the 8,091-metre summit with his compatriot Louis Lachenal and Nepali guide Sonam Walung Sherpa, on June 3, 1950 without oxygen – causing a sensation around the world. It was also the first successful ascent of any mountain above 8,000 metres. About 200 people gathered at the base camp of Annapurna to commemorate the anniversary on Tuesday. They clapped as golden statues of all three climbers were unveiled and placed traditional scarves around their necks. 'This is a historic event', Him Bahadur Gurung, a local official of Annapurna Rural Municipality told AFP. 'Maurice made Nepal renowned to the world by climbing Annapurna, at a time when people didn't know… it could be an adventure'. Dozens also took part in a 42.5km marathon – downhill – from Annapurna Base camp. 'We are thankful to Herzog for opening doors for tourists here who have helped develop our village,' said Radha Gurung, 40, a local resident. Herzog described his arrival at the summit as the most exquisite moment of his life. Annapurna is a dangerous and difficult climb, and the avalanche-prone Himalayan peak has a higher death rate than Everest. Since then, over 400 people have reached the top of Annapurna. On his return to France, Herzog was feted like a film star. Three years after their climb, Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary stepped onto the top of Everest for the first time. Herzog died in France in 2012 aged 93.
Business Recorder
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Business Recorder
PM hails mountaineer Naila for her remarkable feat
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday commended Pakistani mountaineer Naila Kiani for her remarkable achievement in scaling Kanchenjunga, the world's third-highest peak at 8,586 metres. Kiani's ascent of Kanchenjunga on Friday has made her the first Pakistani woman to summit 12 of the world's 14 peaks towering above 8,000 metres, a significant milestone confirmed by the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP), which organises various global expeditions. Prime Minister Sharif praised Kiani's success, calling it an inspiration and highlighting the growing presence of Pakistani women in challenging sports like mountaineering. 'Pakistanis are making their country proud in every field of sports. It is particularly encouraging to see Pakistani women making records in such a difficult and demanding sport,' he added. Kiani's remarkable achievements include summiting some of the most formidable peaks in the world, including Mount Makalu (8,485m), Broad Peak (8,047m), Annapurna (8,091m), K2 (8,611m), Lhotse (8,516m), Gasherbrum I (8,068m), Gasherbrum II (8,035m), Nanga Parbat (8,125m), Mount Everest (8,849m), Manaslu (8,156m), and Cho Oyu (8,201m). With this latest feat, Kiani is now on the verge of joining an exclusive group of just 17 women worldwide who have conquered all 14 eight-thousanders. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hans India
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
Two from Bengaluru to represent India at the 2028 Paralympics
Bengaluru: Karnataka Para Boccia Association, in collaboration with Boccia India, hosted a Boccia Awareness Event and a live Boccia Demonstration Match at ITC Windsor on Sunday. The event aimed to promote Boccia, a Paralympic sport designed for athletes with severe physical disabilities. The main objective of the event was to introduce Karnataka's two para athletes, Annapurna Krishnamurthy and Gayathri HM, who will represent India at the 2028 Paralympics to be held in Los Angeles. Both based in Bengaluru, 42 year old Annapurna is an international Boccia Champion and Gayathri, 22, holds national and world titles in the sport. The event was inaugurated by Meenakshi Krishna Byregowda, Indian National Congress Member and Social Activist. In attendance were Shikha Dadha, State President, Karnataka State Para Boccia Association, Ashok Bedi, Chairman, Boccia Sports Federation of India, Kamala Priya, IRAS, Dr Satyanarayana Mysore, Vice President, Manipal Hospital, Jayaprakash, Actor, Ashok Ranka, Trustee, Jain Hospital. Over 60+ para athletes from across the state were a part of the event, which also featured a live Boccia match to showcase the skills required for the game. Commenting on the event, State President, Karnataka State Para Boccia Association, Shikha Dadha said, 'We are deeply committed to nurturing and promoting Boccia in Karnataka by creating grassroots support, building the right infrastructure and providing dedicated mentorships to all the players that are part of our association. Our para athletes have exceptional skills and the ability to make a mark in this game, and Annapurna and Gayathri are shining examples of that. Our aim is to build a robust Boccia ecosystem in the state to support many more such athletes over the next few years' The Indian National Congress Member and Social Activist, Meenakshi Krishna Byregowda said, 'It's a proud moment to see our very own players from Karnataka achieve excellence in this sport and represent our country on the world stage. Boccia is not just a game, it's an opportunity for us to create avenues where differently-abled individuals can showcase their talent and abilities. Boccia opens up a world of possibilities for people with severe disabilities, and it's heartwarming to see organizations like Karnataka Para Boccia Association and Boccia India work towards creating the right support system for our para athletes. This is the true reflection of a society that is inclusive and empathetic' The Chairman, Boccia Sports Federation of India, Ashok Bedi said, ' 'At Boccia India, our vision is to create opportunities and inspire future generations to take up the sport. Boccia is a powerful tool for building a more inclusive society and empowering our para athletes. India has incredible talent, and our goal is to identify players from remote corners of the country and provide them with the support they need to flourish in this sport.'
BBC News
13-05-2025
- BBC News
Why the mighty Himalayas are getting harder and harder to see
I grew up in Nepal's capital watching the Himalayas. Ever since I left, I've missed sweeping, panoramic views of some of the highest mountain peaks on time I visit Kathmandu, I hope to catch a glimpse of the dramatic mountain range. But these days, there's usually no main culprit is severe air pollution that hangs as haze above the it's happening even during the spring and autumn months, which once offered clear skies. Just last April, the international flight I was in had to circle in the sky nearly 20 times before landing in Kathmandu, because of the hazy weather impacting visibility at the hotel I checked in at was at a reasonable height from which mountains are visible on a clear day – but there was no such day during my two-week from the major vantage point of Nagarkot, just outside Kathmandu, all that could be seen was haze, as if the mountains did not exist."I no longer brand the place for views of 'sunrise, sunset and Himalayas' as I did in the past," said Yogendra Shakya, who has been operating a hotel at Nagarkot since 1996."Since you can't have those things mostly now because of the haze, I have rebranded it with history and culture as there are those tourism products as well here."During an earlier trip a year ago, I was hopeful I would be able to see the mighty Himalayan peaks on a trek in the mesmerising Annapurna region – but had hardly any luck there either. Scientists say hazy conditions in the region are becoming increasingly intense and lasting longer, reducing visibility is formed by a combination of pollutants like dust and smoke particles from fires, reducing visibility to less than 5,000m (16,400ft). It remains stagnant in the sky during the dry season - which now lasts longer due to climate to September is the region's rainy season, when Monsoon clouds rather than haze keep the mountains covered and visibility March to May and October to November were the best times for business because that was when skies remained clear and visibility was with rising temperatures and a lack of rain, and worsening air pollution, the spring months are now seeing thick haze with low visibility. Those conditions are beginning as early as December. 'No sighting means no business' Lucky Chhetri, a pioneering female trekking guide in Nepal, said hazy conditions had led to a 40% decrease in business."In one case last year, we had to compensate a group of trekkers as our guides could not show them the Himalayas due to the hazy conditions," she addedAn Australian tourist who has visited Nepal more than a dozen times since 1986 described not seeing the mountains as a "major let-down"."It wasn't like this 10 years ago but now the haze seems to have taken over and it is extraordinarily disappointing for visitors like me," said John KC, the provincial chair of the Trekking Agents Association of Nepal in the western Gandaki province, says the trekking industry is in deep trouble."Our member trekking operators are getting depressed because no sighting of the Himalayas means no business. Many of them are even considering changing professions," he told the BBC. On the Indian side, near the central Himalayas, hoteliers and tour operators say haze is now denser and returns quicker than before."We have long dry spells and then a heavy downpour, unlike in the past. So with infrequent rain the haze persists for much longer," said Malika Virdi, who heads a community-run tourism business in the state of Ms Virdi says tourists are persistent - with many who didn't catch the mountain range returning to try their luck western Himalayas in Pakistan have been relatively less affected by the haze because the mountains are relatively far from locals say that even the ranges that were once easily visible from places like Peshawar and Gilgit are often no longer seen."The sheet of haze remains hanging for a longer period and we don't see the mountains that we could in the past," said Asif Shuja, the former head of Pakistan's environmental protection agency. Hazes and dust storms increasing South Asian cities regularly top lists of places with highest levels of air pollution in the health across the region has been badly impacted by the toxic air, which frequently causes travel disruption and school and industrial emissions, dust from infrastructure construction and dry gravel roads as well as the open burning of waste are major sources of air pollution is compounded by soot from massive forest fires - which are increasing due to a longer dry season - and the burning of crop residues after the harvest by farmers in northern India, Pakistan and conditions keeping warmer air above cooler air trap these pollutants and limit vertical air movement - preventing pollution from dispersing."Hazes and dust storms are increasing in South Asia, and this trend is projected to continue due to climate change and other factors," Dr Someshwor Das from the South Asia Meteorological Association told the 2024, the number of hazy days recorded at the airport in Pokhara, a major tourism hub in western Nepal, was 168 - up from 23 in 2020 and 84 in 2021, according to Nepal's department of hydrology and meteorology. Experts believe the Himalayas are probably the worst affected mountain range in the world given their location in a populous and polluted could mean the scintillating view of the Himalayas could now largely be limited to photographs, paintings and postcards."We are left to do business with guilt when we are unable to show our clients the mountains that they pay us for," said trekking leader Ms Chhetri."And there is nothing we can do about the haze."
