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Business Standard
a day ago
- General
- Business Standard
India aims to plant over 100,000 saplings across 58 tiger reserves
India is aiming to plant more than 100,000 saplings across 58 tiger reserves, as part of the country's wildlife conservation initiative. With Madhav National Park in Madhya Pradesh being declared a tiger reserve last March, India currently has a total of 58 tiger reserves. Speaking at the National Zoological Park in New Delhi on Global Tiger Day, Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav on Tuesday announced the launch of a nationwide tree plantation drive. This will involve planting over 100,000 saplings across all 58 tiger reserves, making it one of the largest such campaigns in the world. Madhya Pradesh has nine tiger reserves; Maharashtra has six; Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have five each. As part of the initiative, each tiger reserve will plant 2,000 saplings of indigenous plant species in degraded areas to promote habitat restoration and strengthen the ecological foundations essential for tiger conservation. Forest nurseries at three locations in the Aravalli landscape were also inaugurated. These will serve as key resources for afforestation using native species and for fostering long-term ecological resilience. Aimed at eliminating the use of all single-use plastics within tiger reserves, a 'Plastic-Free Tiger Reserves' campaign was also launched. Emphasising the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) launched by India to protect the seven big cats found globally, Yadav informed that 24 countries have already agreed to join this effort, with the IBCA headquarters to be based in India. Yadav called upon the youth to live a life of determination, patience and humility, and to contribute to society through conservation efforts under Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment). India's wildlife conservation efforts involve a multi-pronged approach, including the establishment of protected areas like national parks and sanctuaries, species-specific conservation projects like Project Tiger and Project Elephant, and community engagement initiatives. These efforts aim to protect biodiversity, mitigate threats such as habitat loss and poaching, and promote sustainable practices. As of the 2023 tiger census, India is estimated to have 3,682 tigers. About 30 per cent of them are considered to be living outside tiger reserves.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
The milestone ICJ opinion on climate obligations is not just a verdict from afar, but a compass
For once, a ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague is making waves in Hyderabad. In a rare instance of policy resonance, the advisory opinion on climate change delivered by the 15-judge panel of the ICJ on July 23 has sparked conversation far beyond decision-makers in India. The ICJ's unanimous declaration of climate change as an existential threat is being discussed not only in think tanks in Delhi and boardrooms in Mumbai, but also among environmentally conscious students in Patancheru, Telangana, where I teach public policy. The case was initiated by Vanuatu, a Pacific island nation with a population of just 3,00,000. In March 2023, it led a coalition of small island states to secure consensual approval from the United Nations General Assembly to ask the ICJ two questions: What are states legally required to do to address climate change, and what are the consequences if they do not fulfil these duties? Over 130 countries joined as co-sponsors. India did not join, but it did not oppose it either. This cautious posture reflects India's complex position in global climate diplomacy. India's hesitation did not stem from disinterest. Rather, it reflected clear-eyed realism. As a developing nation still working to ensure universal access to electricity, healthcare, and employment, India undertakes a difficult balancing act. Unlike industrialised countries, India has not benefited from centuries of fossil fuel-powered growth. Although its total emissions are rising, per capita emissions remain among the lowest globally. Many households still rely on biomass for cooking and face irregular power supply. Despite these constraints, India has taken ambitious climate actions. By 2030, it aims for half its electricity to come from renewables. Emissions intensity has declined, afforestation has expanded, and electric buses now run in several Indian cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. India leads the International Solar Alliance and the Mission LiFE campaign promoting sustainable consumption. During its G20 presidency, it ensured that climate finance remained in the global spotlight. These are not peripheral gestures. They are structural shifts. By any fair measure, India has done more with less. By contrast, Canada emits seven times more per capita and continues to expand its oil sands production. Australia, a major coal exporter, sets modest domestic targets while profiting from global emissions. Considering historical responsibility, economic capacity, and present-day ambition, India's efforts stand out. Yet, the sweeping ICJ opinion, though not legally binding, will have consequences for India. It draws not only on climate treaties but also on the United Nations Charter, customary international law, the law of the sea, and human rights law. The Court affirms that states have obligations to prevent environmental harm, reduce emissions, adapt to climate impacts, and cooperate internationally. These duties are no longer moral appeals. They carry legal weight. The Court also ruled that climate change violates rights to life, health, and housing. States must act based on the best available science, adopt ambitious national plans, and may be legally compelled to strengthen them. Failure to act could invite claims for climate damage. Subsidies for polluting fuels are now within legal scrutiny. The opinion does not just outline obligations, it opens the door to legal consequences. For communities that have long suffered without recourse, this is a potential game changer. It affirms the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. India has long argued that those who contributed most to climate change must do more to address it. The ICJ has now given that argument legal grounding. It will bolster developing countries in global negotiations. Yet, the new legal terrain raises at least three public policy challenges for India. First is legal preparedness. Indian courts already interpret the right to a healthy environment as part of the right to life. The ICJ ruling may spur a wave of litigation demanding stronger climate action or even compensation. The Indian state could also face lawsuits from within or from affected neighbouring island states. Anticipating such claims will be vital for legal and policy stability. Otherwise, a torrent of litigation could emerge without clear legal standards. Second is enforcement. India's environmental laws are strong on paper but patchy in practice. Pollution control agencies remain underfunded and compliance varies widely across different states and sectors. The ICJ has reinforced the importance of due diligence. Strengthening regulatory capacity must now become a national priority. Third is the issue of fossil fuel subsidies. These remain crucial for economically vulnerable households, especially for cooking gas and kerosene. But they also delay the shift to cleaner alternatives. The ICJ opinion, including the separate declaration appended by Judge Dalveer Bhandari of India, makes clear that subsidies have legal as well as fiscal implications. India must rethink how it provides support to the poor without locking them into polluting fuels. That will demand both financial resources and policy innovation. The diplomatic challenge lies in aligning climate ambition with fairness. India must continue taking climate action while defending the context of its development needs. Climate justice must not become a new form of injustice. The milestone ICJ opinion is not just a verdict from afar, but a compass. It signals the end of voluntary climate ambition and invites all countries to chart a harder, but fairer course. For India, the challenge now is to align duty with dignity and ambition with justice. The writer is former permanent representative of India to the United Nations, and dean, Kautilya School of Public Policy, Hyderabad
NDTV
4 days ago
- Science
- NDTV
NCERT Curriculum To Highlight Operation Sindoor, Chandrayaan Missions And More
New Delhi: Operation Sindoor, Mission LiFE, and Indian space missions, including Chandrayaan, Aditya L1, and Shubhanshu Shukla's recent International Space Station (ISS) mission, will soon be a key part of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) curriculum, according to Education Ministry sources. Two modules are currently under development. The first module is designed for students of Classes 3 to 8, while the second is intended for Classes 9 to 12. Each module will span approximately eight to 10 pages and will showcase key milestones in India's military and strategic journey with a particular emphasis on how Operation Sindoor was executed as a response to the Pahalgam terror attack. "The idea is to educate young minds about India's military power, the decisive actions taken to safeguard the nation's sovereignty, and how defence, diplomacy, and coordination between ministries play a role in national security," a senior official in the ministry said. While specific operational details will remain classified, Operation Sindoor will be used as a key case study to illustrate India's strategic strength. Sources also said that a module on the horrors of partition will also be introduced, offering students a historical perspective on the traumatic legacy of India's independence and the resilience shown in the years that followed. The modules will also chart India's rise as a global space power, detailing landmark missions such as Chandrayaan, Aditya L1, and the recent milestone of Indian Air Force Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, Axiom Mission 4 reaching the ISS. This coursework is intended to spark scientific curiosity and motivate students. In addition to military achievements, the modules will also include content on Mission LiFE -- the flagship programme of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Students will be introduced to this mission's significance in combating climate change and promoting ecological balance. "The modules aim to provide a comprehensive view of India's progress across sectors-from defence to diplomacy, from sustainable development to space exploration," the official added. The Education Ministry has not announced an official launch date yet, but the modules are expected to be introduced in schools soon after completion.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Students to learn about Operation Sindoor's military triumph in new NCERT module
NEW DELHI: In a move to familiarise schoolchildren with India's military prowess and technological advancements, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is developing a special educational module on ' Operation Sindoor '. The content, currently under preparation, will soon be released and integrated into school learning for Classes 3 to 12, sources in the education ministry confirmed on Saturday. The upcoming module -- spread across 8 to 10 pages -- will be structured in two parts to cater to different age groups. The first segment is designed for students from Classes III to VIII, while the second will be tailored for those in Classes IX to XII. Officials involved in the process said the initiative is intended to instil awareness among students about India's defence capabilities, scientific progress, and its growing stature in national and global security. Operation Sindoor, which showcased India's strategic and operational readiness, is being framed within the larger narrative of national pride and resilience. The module will highlight key moments from the operation and emphasise India's ability to defend its interests, including recent setbacks suffered by Pakistan. Apart from detailing the military achievements, the module will include sections on related national themes. Students will be introduced to Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), which promotes sustainable living practices; The Horrors of Partition, offering a historical lens on the trauma of India's division in 1947; and India's rise as a space power, tracing its journey from Chandrayaan missions to the Aditya L1 solar observatory. The module will also feature the story of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who recently became the first Indian to visit the International Space Station. His voyage is being positioned as a symbol of India's forward march in space exploration, intended to inspire the next generation. NCERT sources said the content will be written in an accessible style appropriate for the respective age groups, combining historical context with present-day achievements and future aspirations. The move is part of the broader national curriculum efforts under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to integrate patriotic and contemporary themes in school education.
Mint
4 days ago
- Science
- Mint
Operation Sindoor to feature in NCERT Class 3–12 books, curriculum to include Shubhanshu Shukla, ISRO too: Report
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) will soon introduce a module on Operation Sindoor. Two modules are currently in development, one for Classes 3rd to 8th and another for Classes 9th to 12th. An 8-10 page module will detail India's achievements and armed forces. The goal is to educate students about India's military strength, ANI reported. Students will also learn about Mission LiFE, the horror of partition, India's rise as a Space Power, ranging from Chandrayaan to Aditya L1 and insights from Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla on the International Space Station, it added.
