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News18
5 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Bengaluru needs more parks like Lal Bagh, Cubbon: Minister Eshwar Khandre
Last Updated: Bengaluru, Aug 12 (PTI) Karnataka's Forest and Environment Minister Eshwar B Khandre said on Tuesday that centuries have passed since the creation of Lal Bagh and Cubbon Park and that Bengaluru needs more green spaces like them. He was inaugurating the first conference of the Karnataka Forest, Wildlife, and Climate Change Foundation at a private hotel here. 'Even after 150 years, there hasn't been another major park in Bengaluru like Lal Bagh or Cubbon Park," said the minister. Khandre highlighted the impacts of climate change and global warming on nature, and said increasing green cover is the only solution before us. 'Officials have been instructed to study how to increase green cover in Bengaluru city. While one person requires seven trees to live comfortably, the current situation in Bengaluru is that there is only one tree for every seven people," said the minister. He noted that with the capital's population nearing 1.5 crore, it is time for drastic measures. 'Corporate institutions should come forward and join hands to increase the city's green cover and prevent it from becoming a gas chamber like Delhi," he added. He said a private-public partnership would benefit projects like the biodiversity park being planned on a 153-acre site at Madappanahalli near Yelahanka. According to him, the estimated budget for the biodiversity park is nearly Rs 250 crore, which will stretch the resources of the state. 'So, corporate institutions can come forward and support us to make this a reality," he added. The park is being established in the land that was given to HMT in the 1960s to establish an industry. 'Now that the industry has shut down, the land in HMT's possession remains forested because it cannot be converted for any other purpose. The government is committed to reclaiming this land to establish another major park and a legal battle is underway for this purpose," he added. He also said the Congress-run state government's goal is to pursue sustainable development to meet today's needs without compromising the interests of future generations. 'While we talk about modernisation, development, and the nation's economic progress, we must also consider environmental protection, resource conservation, fuel savings, recycling, and controlling carbon emissions," added Khandre. Speaking at the event, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Meenakshi Negi said Karnataka Forest, Wildlife, and Climate Change Foundation's objective is to effectively utilise Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Corporate Environmental Responsibility (CER) funds for the protection and enhancement of forests, wildlife, and the environment. Renowned cricketer and Forest and Wildlife Ambassador Anil Kumble, philanthropist Rohini Nilekani, and musician Ricky Kej also participated in the event. PTI JR ADB view comments First Published: August 12, 2025, 17:30 IST 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.
Indian Express
10-08-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Chhattisgarh's latest scheme aims to get stray cattle off the roads
With the aim of stopping accidents due to the presence of cattle on roads, as well as to strengthen the rural economy, the Chhattisgarh government is set to launch Gaudham Yojana, where stray cattle will be kept in shelters and locals will get paid to graze and look after them, officials said. This initiative will also promote organic farming, fodder development and cow-based industries, they said. The Indian Express reported last year that 404 people had died and 129 were seriously injured after the vehicles they were travelling in crashed into animals, mostly cattle, in Chhattisgarh over a period of five and a half years. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said, 'The Gaudham Yojana will protect livestock and generate jobs in villages. Breed improvement efforts will help cattle produce more milk and make them more useful for agriculture.' Shahla Nigar, Agriculture Production Commissioner and Secretary, told The Indian Express that the scheme would ensure permanent shelter for stray cattle, getting them off the roads and preventing accidents. 'It will also ensure they do not stray into farms, damaging crops. We will also provide training for the production of cow dung and cow urine-based products, such as vermicompost, pest repellents, cow wood, gonoil, lamps, tooth powder and incense sticks, and help market them,' Nigar said. 'In the first phase, gaudhams (cow shelters) will be established in rural areas located along major national highways,' the officer said. Each gaudham will be able to house a maximum of 200 cattle, depending on capacity. Under the Gaudham Yojana, cowherds will receive a monthly honourarium of Rs 10,916, while cattle attendants will get Rs 13,126. Additionally, a fixed daily allowance will be provided for cattle fodder. Similar schemes had also been launched by the previous Congress-run government in the state. A government source said, 'This move by the BJP government is not only an attempt to revive and strengthen the incomplete and failed plan of the previous government, but also a concrete and politically significant initiative aimed at providing a permanent solution to the issue of stray cattle on roads. The Gaudham scheme is expected to boost both cattle protection and the rural economy in Chhattisgarh.' These Gaudhams will be established only on government land with secure fencing, cattle sheds, adequate water supply, and electricity, officials said.
Hans India
01-08-2025
- Hans India
Calcutta HC directs police to file case against civic body in Bengal on corruption charges
Kolkata: A single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court on Friday directed the West Bengal Police to start a probe against Trinamool Congress-run Asansol Municipal Corporation (AMC) on charges of demanding Rs 20 lakh from a factory-owner at Asansol against promises of not taking any action against any illegal construction. Besides directing the police to start the probe after filing a case against the municipal corporation authorities, the single-judge bench of Justice Gaurang Kanth also observed how the municipal corporation authority could demand such money, promising non-action even in case of illegal construction. He said that he will hear the matter again on August 4, and in the meantime, the police should start the probe after filing a case in the matter. The case goes like this -- when the owner of the factory sought permission for expansion of his factory, he was informed by the AMC authorities that a portion of the existing construction was illegal and hence would be demolished. Accordingly, July 5 was fixed as the date of the demolition. But the owner of the factory somehow could escape that demolition by paying a penalty of Rs 20 lakh to the municipal corporation authorities. However, the factory owner alleged that soon after that, a fresh demand for additional Rs 20 lakh was made to him by the municipal corporation authorities against assurance of non-action, even though any construction of the entity was illegal. Thereafter, the owner of the factory approached the bench of Justice Kanth in the matter, where his counsel alleged that the municipal corporation authorities had been demanding money in the name of the Asansol General Fund. The matter came up for hearing on Friday, and Justice Kanth raised the question on how a responsible municipal body could make such a demand against a promise of taking no action against any illegal construction. Thereafter, he directed the state police to start the probe into the matter after filing a case against the AMC authorities
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Waste piles up in Mohali, triggers mudslinging
1 2 Mohali: Overflowing garbage and deteriorating sanitation across Mohali have sparked a full-blown political storm, with leaders from all major parties — Congress, AAP, BJP, and SAD — engaging in a blame game, staging protests, and issuing sharp statements as the city struggles under mounting waste and public frustration. The crisis at the resource management centre (RMC) has turned into a political battleground. AAP councillor Sarabjit Singh Samana, son of local MLA Kulwant Singh, led a protest outside the RMC with a broom in hand, joined by residents demanding immediate action. Protesters shouted slogans against Congress mayor Amarjit Singh Jeeti Sidhu, holding him responsible for the worsening condition of cleanliness across the city. "Garbage is piling up everywhere. The rains have only worsened the situation, and public health is at risk," Samana said. Mayor Jeeti Sidhu hit back, accusing AAP of hypocrisy. "The AAP government controls the local bodies department. If Sarabjit Samana is genuinely concerned, he should ask his own government why they are not clearing pending agendas or releasing funds," the mayor stated. He added that repeated requests for more sanitation staff and resources had been ignored by the AAP-led state government. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like From Missing Every Conversation To Hearing Every Whisper With This $140 Device Top Trending News Today Learn More Undo The BJP also entered the fray, with district president Sanjeev Vashisht visiting the protest site and criticising both the Congress-run corporation and the AAP government. "While the mayor is nowhere to be seen, the people of Mohali are suffering. Both Congress and AAP are playing politics while the city drowns in filth," Vashisht said. Former Congress cabinet minister Balbir Singh Sidhu also weighed in, launching a scathing attack on the AAP MLA Kulwant Singh. "The MLA belongs to the ruling party. If he cannot get basic civic issues resolved despite being in power, he should resign. The people of Mohali deserve better," he said. Meanwhile, angry residents, facing uncollected garbage, stagnant water, and foul odours, expressed their dismay at the political drama. "Politicians from every party come here, shout slogans, and then leave. But the garbage remains," said BS Chawla, a resident of Phase 5. "We are the ones who suffer, while they fight among themselves." With the threat of disease outbreaks looming large, citizens have now appealed directly to MLA Kulwant Singh, chief minister Bhagwant Mann, and senior municipal officials to inspect the worst-affected areas and urgently deploy additional sanitation staff to prevent a public health crisis. As garbage continues to pile up and the monsoon adds to the mess, Mohali residents are demanding action over optics — real solutions instead of political stunts.
Indian Express
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Best MLA award winner, party's Dalit face: All about Shailesh Parmar, Congress's ‘interim' in-charge in Gujarat
Though tendering their resignation by owning moral responsibility for electoral defeats is nothing new for party chiefs, as a norm, the post-holders would wait for a word from the top leadership before relinquishing charge. In what can be seen as departure from the rule, Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Shaktisinh Gohil chose to leave the top job in the state party unit on his own on Monday by 'appointing' Shailesh Parmar, the party's Dalit MLA from the reserved Danilimda constituency in Ahmedabad city, as the in-charge of the party 'till the AICC appoints a new president'. This comes in the backdrop of the Congress's dismal performance in the Kadi and Visavadar bypolls. Gohil's decision has put Shailesh Parmar, 56, under renewed spotlight. Among the seniormost MLAs in the Gujarat Assembly, Shailesh Parmar has been winning the seat since 2012. Politics runs in the legislator's family as his father, the late Manharbhai (Manubhai) Parmar, was a formidable Dalit leader in Gujarat and a state minister in a previous Congress-run government. Before Danilimda, Shailesh Parmar also represented Shaher Kotda constituency, which was represented by his father till 1998. Though the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the seat in 2002, Shailesh Parmar wrested it back in 2007. In the last Assembly elections, Shailesh Parmar defeated the BJP's Naresh Vyas by a margin of over 13,000 votes. Shailesh Parmar is the party's deputy leader in the Assembly where the Congress's numbers have shrunk to 12. Shailesh Parmar has completed his Bachelor of Education from Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, Prayag, in Uttar Pradesh. By vocation, he is a farmer who is also involved in construction business. In the last Gujarat Assembly, Shailesh Parmar won the Best MLA award along with the BJP's Jitu Sukhadia. Shailesh Parmar had recently accompanied the team that represented Gujarat in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association meeting held at Sydney in November 2024. Besides Shailesh Parmar, Anirudh Dave from the BJP joined Speaker Shankar Chaudhary as observers.
