Latest news with #BDP
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Community Leaders Launch Education Center to Address Needs in SC's "Corridor of Shame"
BDP Foundation Funds After-School Mentoring, Counseling, Meals SUMMERTON, S.C., May 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Rural Clarendon County, SC, is marked by flat, sandy roads mixed with ashes of pain but today lead to new hope for generations of impoverished young students. On Saturday, May 24, the Briggs, DeLaine, Pearson Foundation (BDP) will host an open house from 11 am to 4 pm for its new, 4,000 sq. ft. Education Center at 9355 Alex Harvin Hwy. in Summerton, SC. The center will provide after-school mentoring, homework help, vocational opportunities, counseling, and nutritious meals for students of all ages. Partners include Classic Remodeling & Construction, CPI Security, the S.C. Education Alliance and Clemson University's "Call Me MiSTER" Foundation. BDP Board Chairman Marguirite DeLaine, a retired SC teacher who grew up in Clarendon, says support is desperately needed for the region's challenged school system. The new center is next door to Dr. Rose H. Wilder Elementary and Scotts Branch High School. Students are 95% African American, most of whom are eligible for free lunch programs and live in poverty. Scotts Branch ranks at 40% in mathematics proficiency and 63% in reading in S.C. The region is the epicenter of S.C.'s I-95 "Corridor of Shame," the title of a shocking 2005 PBS documentary that exposed decaying schools, inadequate funding, failing test scores and generational despair. When asked what has changed in the 20 years since the documentary, DeLaine shakes her head, "nothing." With one exception: "Hope reigns," she says. "There is potential in every student," she says. "Our faith and possibilities keep us going. They always have. We have a tradition of rolling up of our sleeves, addressing education ourselves, instead of throwing up our hands." In the 1950's and 60's, persistent calls for improved schools met with violence, job losses, evictions, and intimidation. The home and church of community leader Rev. J.A. DeLaine (Marguirite's uncle) were burned to rubble. But today, meaningful change is underway, says DeLaine. BDP's board consists of educators and professionals, many of whom were raised in Clarendon. Objectives of BDP programs include improving test scores, raising education standards, and creating pathways out of poverty. "We are the pebble thrown into a pond," she says. "The ripples of this work will spread in all directions." BDP Foundation BDP was founded in 1993 to memorialize the Briggs v. Elliott legal challenge to bring quality education to the region. The 1953 case was the first of its kind to argue the constitutionality of racially segregated schools. It became the cornerstone of legal arguments for Brown v. Board of Education, which won a U.S. Supreme Court landmark decision in 1954. Today, the foundation honors its legacy with the launch of a new Education Center to mentor, teach and feed local students. Links: BDP Foundation SC Education Alliance Call Me MiSTER Corridor of Shame Contact: Marguirite DeLaine, 919-612-6154, 395297@ Or, J. Dean Foster – 843-810-0346, 395297@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE BDP Foundation
Indian Express
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
NGO proposes to allow partial development of private land in Pune's Bio Diversity Park area
As the Maharashtra Government takes up a study determine ways to conserve the hills in Pune city reserved as a Bio Diversity Park (BDP), the NGO Pune Paryavaran Manch has appealed to the government to allow the owners of private land in the zone to develop at least 10 per cent of their land on condition of compulsorily planting trees in the remaining land. Though the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had passed a resolution reserving over 1,000 acres of land as BDP, the state government has not taken any decision with regard to it over the last 28 years due to objections raised by private landowners. Around 200 acres of this land is owned by government agencies while the remaining is private. There has been much deliberation about the land, with environmentalists and civil society groups pressing to maintain the green cover while the landowners cite the financial loss this entails for them. A lot of encroachment has also taken place on private and government-owned hilltops and slopes under the BDP. The state government has now appointed a committee under former bureaucrat Ramanath Jha to study the zone and make suggestions. The committee will hear landowners, environmentalists, and civil society members. 'It has been 28 years since the PMC passed a resolution to make the hills a BDP zone but the state government has not taken a final decision on it. The status of the land has changed a lot since then with most of it being encroached upon,' said Deepak Kudale, working president of the Pune Paryavaran Manch. He said if the PMC wants to acquire the land and retain it as BDP, then it cannot afford to do so either through cash or Transferable Development Rights (TDR) compensation. 'The best way is to retain the green cover, allowing at least 10 per cent construction on the land while making it compulsory to plant and grow trees. This will provide justice to landowners and enable the PMC to ensure green cover without spending money to acquire land,' said Kudale. Manch secretary Sudhirkaka Kulkarni said hill stations in the state are developed without any danger to the environment so there is no need for BDP in the city. The proposal to acquire land by giving 8 per cent TDR to landowners is not feasible as its processing fee is more than the compensation which the landowners will get, he said, adding that the government has to ensure the compensation should be as per market rates and under the Union government's stipulations. Those pressing on BDP reservation have neither planted trees or done anything on their own to protect the green cover of the city, said Kulkarni.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Burke Mountain now under ownership of Bear Den Partners
BURKE, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) – After a near-decade of government ownership, Burke Mountain Resort has new owners. Bear Den Partners announced 'a new era' for the slopes on Burke Mountain's website. Members of BDP include the Schaefer family, Burke Mountain Academy and the Graham family, who bought the area in 2000 to save it from shutting down. The resort reportedly sold for $11.5 million. In a release, BDP wrote that they plan to go after 'systemic issues' that have been ongoing problems at the mountain like 'ride lifts up, ride trails down, eat good food and sleep.' This purchase comes years after the EB-5 scandal, and the receivership which began in 2016. The EB-5 incident, in which foreign investors lost billions of dollars, is considered one of the biggest cases of fraud ever in Vermont. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Hills are city's soul, protect biodiveristy park reservations, demand citizens
1 2 3 4 5 Pune's hills are a treasured resource of biodiversity amid a rapidly developing concrete jungle. These green lungs play home to a host of living species, as well as aquifers that form a vital repository of groundwater for a large surrounding population. The hills are also key for carbon sequestration, ensuring the removal of CO2 from the atmosphere before it contributes to the greenhouse effect and global warming. But today, citizens say these hills are under threat. They have pointed out that a govt committee — set up to evaluate if hill areas protected by law can be opened up for construction — lacks the presence of environmental scientists, ecologists, and biodiversity experts. Residents said this absence makes the study group ineffective in addressing complex ecological issues, and demanded cancellation of the panel, while pushing for continued reservation of areas marked as 'biodiversity parks (BDP)' What is the BDP committee? by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo State govt has set up a six-member committee to re-examine hilltop and hillslope zones, as well as areas reserved as BDP within Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pune Metropolitan Regional Development Authority's (PMRDA) limits. BDP reservations were originally listed out in the development plans (DPs) of respective civic bodies. According to a govt resolution (GR) in April this year, the decision to form a committee was taken after govt received multiple requests that construction be permitted in such areas. The 'Jha Committee' is chaired by former IAS Rakesh Jha and includes the PMC commissioner, PMRDA metropolitan commissioner, joint director of city planning in Pune, PMC city engineer and deputy director of urban design at Pune's urban research unit. Member and PMC city engineer Prashant Waghmare told TOI, "We have had two meetings as of now, but the matter to go over is vast. We have asked for an extension of two months and are awaiting state govt's approval for the same." What are citizens demanding? The residents' demand is straightforward — they want green spaces protected at any cost. The hilltop and hillslope zones as well as BDP reservations are for eco-sensitive areas that support flora and fauna, include contiguous forest land and wildlife corridors, and house biodiversity heritage sites, many of which are part of the Unesco-protected Western Ghats. "Environmental considerations should take priority in any planning for these areas," said Ravindra Sinha, convenor of the Baner Pashan Link Road Residents' Welfare group. Citizens feel the current reservation on the hills must remain untouched and no percentage of construction should be allowed. "There has to be a certain percentage of open space per capita. Construction on hills will increase densification of the city," said advocate Madhavi Rahitkar, adding, "The reservation on hills is a part of a 2011 DP approved by state govt so it is a legal reservation and must not be de-reserved for petty reasons or for benefits of a particular lobby. If every inch of land is constructed upon, it is going to be a challenge. Any city needs open spaces to provide fresh air and improve ecological balance. While planning cities, money cannot be the only consideration." "The BDP reservation safeguards Pune's iconic green hills — a lifeline that gives us clean air and cooler temperatures. With increasing pollution, the growing impact of climate change, and unchecked pace of urbanisation, we are at a tipping point. Replacing forests with concrete would irreversibly damage the delicate ecosystem of the hills. Protecting these hills was a commitment made by state govt to Punekars. They must stand by it. Without its hills, Pune will lose its soul," said environmental activist and core-member of Green Pune Movement, Ameya Jagtap. History The movement to protect the areas marked under BDP reservation in Pune began in 2011, when citizens got together to rally against govt's decision to allow 4% construction on the hilltops and hillslopes mentioned in the urban DP. This drew attention to the need to protect the city's precious green lungs. "Back in 2011, no one was even talking about climate change. Our effort was just about protecting green spaces. Today, the need to protect them is more urgent. Pune is already witnessing a heatwave, and more construction will just make matters worse," said Ameya Jagtap, who has been mobilising the youth to protect the hills. Later, in 2015, the BDP reservations as marked in the DP were approved; in 2018, the Jain Committee set the rate of compensation to private landowners at 8% TDR if they gave up land marked under BDP reservation to govt; 10% if they did so within a year. The plan was that govt would purchase land from these private owners in return for compensation to protect these spaces. However, this did not happen, said activists. "After the initial decision to protect these spaces, govt had to monitor them via satellite imaging to curb illegal encroachments. This was not done. Anti-encroachment squads were also to be put in place. Govt has failed to implement laws. Even the committee set up today has no experts, so there is no guarantee that the ecological loss to the city will be correctly accounted for," former MP Vandana Chavan told TOI. She is one of the individuals spearheading the cause, along with urban planner Anita Gokhale Benninger and other activists. A consolidated citizens' group under the umbrella of Green Pune Movement has been leading the charge against de-reservation of BDP for the last 14 years. Gokhale Benninger said, "Govt must implement the law it approved itself in 2015. A 60:40 ratio must be maintained when planning a city — 40% natural environment and 60% built environment (which includes green spaces, too). Destroying this balance is dangerous." If construction is allowed on hills, there will be: 1. Loss of green cover, biodiversity 2. More construction means more concrete, which means higher temperatures 3. Loss of natural aquifers — a major water source 4. Construction and buildings require civic amenities like electricity, water and drainage, for which pipes will have to be laid and digging will become a constant 5. Loss of Pune's unique character ___________________________ Expert Quotes National policy states that 60% of any hilly area must be covered in vegetation and trees. The notion that forests and wildlife should be confined to protected areas is unacceptable. Pune is on the fringe of the Western Ghats and so, its greenery must be protected. However, that has not happened till date. The ARAI building on Vetal tekdi was built on reserve forest land; a large-scale building in Dhayari can also be seen on a hilltop. It is unacceptable. The hills are weakening and becoming fragile due to construction. The heat we are experiencing today is due to such unabated construction. Local changes in hilly landscape alongside climate change will only worsen things — Madhav Gadgil | Ecologist ______________________ There is no reason for concern in the reserve forest patches of the hills in Pune, as those cannot be claimed for construction. We can always stop any illegal activity occurring there. However, not everything green in Pune is a forest. What citizens must be concerned about are the areas not protected under forests. We do not have a say in suggesting or managing those areas. Such spaces can succumb to rampant construction — Senior forest official _______________________ Govt should take proactive steps to protect green spaces in Pune, rather than go back on assurances they have already made. Every DP prepared for the city focuses on preservation of green spaces. We have fought for the hills — the lungs of our city — to remain untouched and we will continue to do so. While govt is stating that they have received letters for construction, these are not available for public scrutiny. So, it is difficult to verify. We are already witnessing temperatures as high as 43°C so early in summer — if green spaces that help control this are lost, the city will only get hotter — Vandana Chavan | Former MP and Former Mayor of Pune _________________________ The BDP reservation safeguards a lifeline that gives us clean air, cooler temperatures, and a healthier lifestyle. We are at a tipping point. Replacing forests with concrete would irreversibly damage the delicate ecosystem of the hills. Protecting these hills was a commitment made by state govt. They must stand by it. Without its green hills, Pune will lose its soul — Ameya Jagtap | Environmental Activist and Core-member of Green Pune Movement -Inputs by Aditi Shekar
Indian Express
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Citizens step forward to protect hills from construction threat
Pune 's hills face increasing pressure from urban construction and citizens have stepped up to defend the city's natural green cover. The Green Pune Movement (GPM), a collective of residents, environmentalists, and experts, leads the opposition against any changes to the Bio-Diversity Park (BDP) reservations that protect Pune's hilltops and slopes. These hills—including ARAI, Taljai, Parvati, and Dighi—are essential to the city's ecological health. They help reduce temperatures, support biodiversity, recharge groundwater, and act as natural carbon sinks. However, despite a policy in place since 2015 and a compensation mechanism introduced in 2018, progress has stalled, raising concerns among citizens and experts alike. Former MP Vandana Chavan has questioned the government's inaction. 'Why did the government fail?' she asked. 'The need to stop construction on hills and their slopes and to legally protect hills as natural heritage has been recognised for quite some time now. Yet despite this policy being in place, the government has made no significant progress.' According to the government's policy, those already occupying the land would receive 8% transferable development rights (TDR), with an additional 2% for those who complied within a year. Still, activists claim that no real implementation has taken place. 'The hills are the lungs of the city, and without them, Pune might just become the next Delhi. Right now, the city isn't even among the top 40 most polluted cities — but if the hills are destroyed, we could easily find ourselves topping the pollution charts,' said Chavan. Concerns were further raised with the formation of a study group under retired IAS officer Ramanath Jha to review the status of construction on hill land. The group consists only of government officials, with no representation from experts, citizens, or environmentalists. 'It's a government committee formed for government purposes concerning the land. When we asked why the committee consists only of government officials, they responded by saying they would take opinions from stakeholders,' Chavan added. Ecologist and archaeologist Shayali Dhatar questioned the lack of outside representation. 'The committee formed on April 8 consists solely of government officials. Why hasn't anyone else been involved?' Activist Anita Gokhale Benninger emphasised the risks of altering the natural form of the hills, she said 'Preserving the integrity of the landform is crucial — if we don't, we risk facing disasters like the massive landslides seen in Kerala.' She also reminded authorities that the land had already been marked as cultural heritage. 'As per the town plan, this area has long been designated as cultural heritage — it's a settled matter. To mark off this land properly, the entire planning process would need to be revisited.' The Green Pune Movement has demanded that the government cancel the study group, fully implement the biodiversity park (BDP) reservation, and prevent any further construction on hilltops and slopes. The movement has also called for a dedicated monitoring squad, regular satellite mapping every six months as per Jain Committee recommendations, and the formation of a hill protection task force that includes citizen participation. Chavan pointed out that satellite mapping, as recommended, has only been done twice—once in 2005 and again in 2016—despite a six-month interval being suggested. 'Your stand must be, and will have to be, to save the city,' she told the government. 'Don't make the citizens of Pune suffer because of your failures.' Experts are backing the GPM's demands. Dr Prakash Rao, from the Symbiosis Institute in Lavale, said, 'Pune's hills are not just scenic backdrops; they are critical to the city's environmental health. They regulate temperature, support biodiversity, and help with groundwater recharge.' Dr Vaishali Thakur, from Fergusson College, highlighted their importance in maintaining ecological balance. 'These hills contribute to air purification, prevent soil erosion, and provide habitats for many species. They also offer educational and recreational value to the city's residents.' Dr Ankur Patwardhan from Abasaheb Garware College warned of broader consequences. 'Disruption of these habitats can lead to a cascade of ecological consequences. Conservation of these hills is critical for maintaining biodiversity and the services on which the city depends.' On the ground, citizens are voicing their fears. 'We come here every morning for walks and to enjoy the fresh air. If construction starts, we'll lose not just the trees but also the peace and the birdsong,' said Soniya Choudhary, 23, at ARAI Hills. Anupama Thakur, 78, who lives near Taljai Hills, said, 'Taljai is more than just a hill; it's a sanctuary for wildlife and a retreat for people. If buildings come up, where will these animals go?' In response to the government's move, GPM launched an online and offline signature campaign. Over 25,000 people have signed, and the petition will be submitted to the Pune Municipal Corporation to formally register public opposition. More than 9,000 citizens have also signed a separate petition demanding enforcement of no-construction zones and legal protection for the hills. The message from Pune's citizens is clear: they want action, not committees, and they are ready to fight for the future of their city's green spaces.
