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News18
2 days ago
- General
- News18
World Nature Conservation Day 2025: This One Lifestyle Habit Could Help You Save The Earth
Last Updated: World Nature Conservation Day 2025 on July 28 urges global efforts for nature preservation. Discover India's green initiatives, powerful quotes, and how to get involved. World Nature Conservation Day 2025: The World Nature Conservation Day is observed annually on July 28, highlighting the need to preserve the planet, its natural resources and biodiversity. The day is celebrated to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote efforts to safeguard nature and its precious offerings with sustainable practices. As the threat to the environment increases amidst rising climate change, deforestation and pollution levels, World Nature Conservation Day underlines why protecting nature is essential for human beings' survival. World Nature Conservation Day 2025: History While the exact origin of the day is not clear, it is understood that World Nature Conservation Day gained prominence in the early 1970s with the rise of global environmental awareness practices and many nature conservation efforts. It has been celebrated across the world for several years, promoting awareness and efforts to protect nature from an increasing set of threats, including weather fluctuations, climate upheaval, natural disasters, deforestation, pollution and loss of biodiversity. Campaigns, workshops and various green activities are conducted across the globe to mark the celebrations for the World Nature Conservation Day, inspiring everyone to take time out from their busy lifestyles for nature conservation and save the resources provided by Mother Earth. In India, the Indian government has carried out key initiatives for environmental protection, including the National Mission for Green India (GIM), which focuses on safeguarding and sustaining India's dense forests that feature a host of species that deserve our care and attention. It also helps revive degraded forests in the country. Namami Gange Mission is another valuable government initiative for nature conservation, helping clean and rejuvenate the great Ganga River. It is an effort to address the rise of pollution levels inside it and protect the wetlands along the river. Under LiFE, people are encouraged to inculcate good habits to preserve nature and its ecosystem in their regular lifestyles, including no single-use plastic usage, saving water, reducing electricity consumption and recycling waste. One Lifestyle Change India Wants Everyone to Make Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) is part of the Indian government's broader push towards environmental protection and biodiversity. It's a concept introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at COP26 in Glasgow on 1st November 2021. World Nature Conservation Day 2025: Quotes 'Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed" – Mahatma Gandhi 'Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better" – Albert Einstein 'When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world" – John Muir 'Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people" – Franklin D. Roosevelt. view comments 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.
Rudaw Net
7 days ago
- Business
- Rudaw Net
UK smuggling sanctions target 10 individuals from Iraq, Kurdistan
Also in Iraq Iraq eyeing 'sustainable' diversification away from oil: PM advisor Diyala council seeks to block Qaratapa district upgrade Iraq's ruling coalition condemns drone attacks on Kurdistan Region Iraqi parliament fails to discuss drone attacks on Kurdistan Region A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Ten Iraqi nationals, including individuals from the Kurdistan Region, were sanctioned under a new United Kingdom sanctions regime targeting smuggling networks, the British consulate in Erbil said on Wednesday. The UK announced on Tuesday the launch of what it described as the world's first sanctions regime specifically aimed at smuggling gangs and their facilitators. 'The first designations under the regime, announced today, include 10 Iraqi nationals who have been exploiting and endangering vulnerable people, including from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and threatening the security of the UK and the KRI [Kurdistan Region of Iraq],' the UK consulate general in Erbil said in a statement seen by Rudaw. 'These sanctions are part of a wider effort, in coordination with international partners, including the KRG [Kurdistan Regional Government], to stop this cruel trade and promote regional and international stability,' it added. The new Global Irregular Migration and Trafficking in Persons (GIM) sanctions target individuals and organizations involved in smuggling and trafficking worldwide, including those who fund or enable such activities. Measures include travel bans, asset freezes, and restrictions on access to the UK's financial system. With these sanctions, the UK government does not have to rely on criminal or counter-terrorism laws. They require less evidence and do not involve the apprehension of the suspect. Criminal law also takes effect after a crime has been committed, while sanctions serve as a proactive tool to disrupt criminal activity and publicize the individuals involved. 'For too long, criminal gangs have been lining their corrupt pockets and preying on the hopes of vulnerable people with impunity as they drive irregular migration to the UK. We will not accept this status quo,' UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in a statement on Tuesday. 'That's why the UK has created the world's first sanctions regime targeted at gangs involved in people smuggling and driving irregular migration, as well as their enablers,' he added. The BBC reported the announcement following a protest outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in southeast England's Essex county. The protest was triggered by the arrest of an asylum seeker for alleged sexual assault. It also reported that around two dozen names of the first batch of targeted individuals will be announced. Per the UK consulate general's statement, it is clear that ten of the individuals are Iraqi nationals, including from the Kurdistan Region. AFP released the identities of some of them, including several with Kurdish names. 'The first targets will cover a range of wrongdoing, from the supply of small boats being used on cross-Channel journeys, to the trade in fake passports, as well as middlemen facilitating payments through Hawala networks, to the gang leaders themselves,' the British government's statement said. Hawala networks are an informal and trust-based system for transferring money across borders without physical transfer of money. Separately, the UK has signed a 'one in, one out' agreement with France, allowing the return of illegal migrants arriving from France in exchange for accepting a set number of legal asylum seekers from France subject to security checks, according to the BBC. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also recently reached agreements with France and Germany aimed at curbing the arrival of small boats. Thousands of people from Iraq and the Kurdistan Region take on perilous routes towards Europe on a yearly basis in hopes of escaping unemployment, political instability, and corruption. The UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) has previously worked with the KRG against organized crime. 'We maintain a positive relationship with law enforcement partners in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and work with them against a range of shared threats, including organised immigration crime," a spokesperson for the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) press office told Rudaw in November 2024. Kurdish criminal groups control the increasingly lucrative cross-Channel migration routes, according to the NCA, which said in its 2023 assessment that the groups are mainly based in northern Europe. Also in November last year, a French court sentenced 18 people, mostly Kurds from the Kurdistan Region, to prison terms of up to 15 years for operating a smuggling network that transported people across the English Channel. In May 2024, Kurdish police in Sulaimani arrested a Kurdish man accused of heading an organized crime group that smuggled people into the UK. The regime was previously outlined by foreign minister David Lammy in January.
Hans India
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Kavya raises illegal sand mining issue in Parliament
Hanumakonda: Duringa question-and-answer session in the Lok Sabha on Monday, Dr. Kadiyam Kavya raised concerns about the impact of illegal sand mining in the erstwhile Warangal district. In response, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), represented by Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, addressed the issue. The MP highlighted the environmental damage occurring along the Godavari riverbanks and questioned the Central government about the steps taken in this regard. She sought explanations whether any studies had been conducted on the environmental impact of illegal sand mining, the current status of forest restoration projects under the Green India Mission (GIM), protection measures for the Pakhal Lake Wildlife Sanctuary from encroachments and pollution and the allocation of funds in previous and current years for development of ecotourism in the Warangal forest areas. In his reply, Yadav confirmed that a study on the impact of illegal sand mining along the Godavari riverbanks had been completed. He stated that the government was providing policy and technical support to assist the State government initiatives. To regulate sand mining, he mentioned the release of the Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines (SSMMG) in 2016 and the Enforcement and Monitoring Guidelines for Sand Mining (EMGSM) in 2020. Regarding forest expansion under GIM) the minister noted that the State government had not yet submitted its proposal. Nevertheless, some projects were being implemented in Warangal district. In reference to protection of wildlife sanctuary, he explained the Central actions based on information provided by the Forest department. These actions include restoring encroached lands, registering cases under the Telangana Forest Act of 1967, planting saplings on reclaimed lands, preventing illegal entry into forests and establishing strict patrolling to stop wildlife hunting. He also said awareness programmes have been launched to prevent encroachments and poaching and the use of plastic around the Pakhal Lake has been banned. Under the Green Fund scheme, ₹274 lakh was allocated for restoration of Pakhal lake. Water samples from the lake are tested monthly under the supervision of the Telangana State Pollution Control Board. Guidelines for ecotourism in forest and wildlife areas were released in 2021.
New Indian Express
20-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
The need to balance industrial growth & farmers' interests
The State Government took a well-considered decision earlier this week to abandon its plan of acquiring 1,777 acres of fertile land for a proposed defence and aerospace park near the international airport on the outskirts of Bengaluru. The move provided relief to farmers who have fought a long and difficult battle to protect their livelihood. Their struggle was backed by many prominent scholars, scientists, artists, and public intellectuals. The move is unlikely to have any major impact on Karnataka's efforts to attract investors and its reputation as one of the most sought-after investment destinations in the country. However, the episode reemphasised the need for careful identification of lands to be acquired for industrial development, especially as the state strives to maintain the lead in the defence and aerospace sector while continuing to woo investors in other sectors as well. Land acquisition is always a challenge. But why identify a fertile farmland for industrial purposes and push farmers to protest? No doubt, industrial development is essential to spur economic activities and generate employment, but it should not be at the cost of protecting farmers' interests and ensuring food security. Even the government has often made that aspect clear. Pushback from farmers near Devanahalli and the subsequent decision taken by the government could influence similar demands from farmers in other places. While it may pose a challenge for authorities, it also highlights the need for a more consultative approach, from the time of identifying land, to avoid any conflict with farmers. As Karnataka makes great strides attracting investments, the demand for land will increase significantly. In the Global Investors Meet [GIM] held earlier this year under the leadership of Industries Minister MB Patil, the state secured commitments of approximately Rs 10.27 lakh crore, of which Rs 4.34 lakh crore have already been converted. The state is in the top position in the country in the defence and aviation industry, with 67% of all aircraft and helicopter manufacturing for defence services and 25% of India's aircraft and spacecraft industries based in Karnataka. The defence Public Sector Undertaking Hindustan Aeronautics Limited [HAL], being headquartered in Bengaluru, plays a pivotal role in providing a much-needed ecosystem and impetus for the growth in the sector. The presence of several DRDO facilities, multi-national firms, and many top-notch educational institutions also adds to the state's advantage.
India Today
15-07-2025
- Business
- India Today
Goa Institute of Management qualifies as first Indian b-school for Oxford finals
The Goa Institute of Management (GIM) has become the first Indian business school to reach the global finals of the 'Map the System' competition, held by the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship at the University of Oxford. The final event took place from July 3 to 6 at Oxford's Sad Business School.A total of 134 students from 50 institutions across 17 countries were selected after campus and national rounds. Over 1,750 participants entered the contest GIM team -- Aryan Rajpal, Shubham Das, Dhruv Bhagat, Aditi Naringe, and Yash Kabra, all PGDM second-year students, presented their project titled Mapping Access to Justice in India. It looked at deeper issues in India's legal system, beyond delays and studied how lack of infrastructure, old systems of thinking, and poor accountability affect justice team used tools like the Iceberg Model and causal loop diagrams to map the team also highlighted Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) as a practical, technology-driven solution to improve access to STUDENTS REACH OXFORD WITH JUSTICE RESEARCH PROJECTThe competition asked students to present research in written, visual, and oral forms. The focus was not on solving problems quickly but on understanding root GIM students were mentored by Professor Pravat Surya Kar, Professor Andy Silveria, and Prof. Karman project qualified for the global round after winning earlier stages at the institute Oxford, the students presented their findings before a panel of experts from academia, policymaking, and the social impact sector. The event also included workshops, speaker sessions, and networking with global Ajit Parulekar, Director of GIM, congratulated the team and said their work reflects the institute's efforts to promote systems thinking and problem-based it a turning point in their academic journey, the students said the contest helped them look beyond surface issues and understand complex systems behind everyday this recognition, GIM joins a growing list of Indian institutions gaining ground on global platforms in the area of social innovation and problem mapping.- Ends
