Latest news with #Ujjwala
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Diversify critical mineral supply chain or face disruption, warns IEA
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The International Energy Agency IEA ) on Monday cautioned that the concentration of critical mineral mining and processing in a few hands could affect global prices and supplies, while also suggesting that India should incentivise green mobility to reduce its vulnerability to high oil prices."The world is entering a stage where the trade flows are not necessarily based on established WTO rules, but it is a different context. When we look at critical minerals, which are key for energy transition, but also key for defense, AI, manufacturing, chips, we are seeing a major concentration. This is a worry, because we at the IEA believe that the best energy security policy is diversification... my appeal to all the countries around the world (is to) try to diversify mining, refining and processing of key critical minerals otherwise, we may have unintended consequences of supply disruptions," IEA executive director Fatih Birol said after a meeting with commerce & industry minister Piyush is the most important miner and processor of critical minerals such as lithium and the trade war has raised fears of supply disruptions and price increase as the US mounts pressure on about the transition to electric vehicles and the need to offer incentives, he said: "Countries, especially those which import oil, should consider incentives for electric cars to reduce imports... depending on the countries, the financial balances in some countries can be more generous. In some countries less generous, but there is a need, at least for the time being, to support the consumers in terms of buying their first electric cars. India should look at the electrification of mobility very closely, because currently we have low oil prices... If India wants to have an upper hand in terms of domestic oil trajectories, electric cars are one of the key solutions."He also said the economics supports EVs. "In many countries, electric cars and commercial cars have the same prices. "Plus, in most countries around the world, if not all, driving one kilometer of a car is cheaper with electricity than the oil prices, unless oil prices go below $50 (a barrel). Sooner or later, electric cars will be dominating the streets."Birol was all praise for India's green energy transition as well as initiatives such as Ujjwala and LED bulbs. "In India, there was $1 investment in clean energy, there was $1 investment in fossil fuel. Today, for every $1 going to fossil fuels there is $4 for clean energy. India is a huge, huge, huge success story... This is good for India's economy, good for India's energy security and good for the world."(With TOI inputs)
Time of India
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Diversify critical mineral supply chain or face disruption: IEA
The International Energy Agency (IEA) on Monday cautioned that the concentration of critical mineral mining and processing in a few hands could affect global prices and supplies, while also suggesting that India should incentivise green mobility to reduce its vulnerability to high oil prices. "The world is entering a stage where the trade flows are not necessarily based on established WTO rules, but it is a different context. When we look at critical minerals, which are key for energy transition, but also key for defense, AI, manufacturing, chips, we are seeing a major concentration. This is a worry, because we at the IEA believe that the best energy security policy is diversification... my appeal to all the countries around the world (is to) try to diversify mining, refining and processing of key critical minerals otherwise, we may have unintended consequences of supply disruptions," IEA executive director Fatih Birol said after a meeting with commerce & industry minister Piyush Goyal. China is the most important miner and processor of critical minerals such as lithium and the trade war has raised fears of supply disruptions and price increase as the US mounts pressure on Beijing. Asked about the transition to electric vehicles and the need to offer incentives, he said: "Countries, especially those which import oil, should consider incentives for electric cars to reduce imports... depending on the countries, the financial balances in some countries can be more generous. In some countries less generous, but there is a need, at least for the time being, to support the consumers in terms of buying their first electric cars. India should look at the electrification of mobility very closely, because currently we have low oil prices... If India wants to have an upper hand in terms of domestic oil trajectories, electric cars are one of the key solutions." He also said the economics supports EVs. "In many countries, electric cars and commercial cars have the same prices. "Plus, in most countries around the world, if not all, driving one kilometer of a car is cheaper with electricity than the oil prices, unless oil prices go below $50 (a barrel). Sooner or later, electric cars will be dominating the streets." Birol was all praise for India's green energy transition as well as initiatives such as Ujjwala and LED bulbs. "In India, there was $1 investment in clean energy, there was $1 investment in fossil fuel. Today, for every $1 going to fossil fuels there is $4 for clean energy. India is a huge, huge, huge success story... This is good for India's economy, good for India's energy security and good for the world."
Time of India
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Electric cars key to India's energy independence, says IEA chief
Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads India should prioritize electric vehicle (EV) adoption to reduce its dependence on oil imports and strengthen energy security, International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Fatih Birol said on Monday after a meeting with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal."India should look at the electrification of mobility very closely because currently we have low oil prices, but the country is definitely at the mercy of some key oil producers," Birol warned. "If India wants to have the upper hand in terms of domestic energy trajectories, electric cars are one of the key solutions."The IEA chief highlighted the rapid global shift toward electric vehicles, noting that electric car sales have surged from just 3 per cent of total car sales four years ago to 25% this year. "One out of four cars sold today is electric," he said. "This is mainly because electric cars are getting cheaper, slowly but surely."In many countries, electric and conventional vehicles now carry similar price tags, while operating costs favour EVs. "In most countries around the world, driving one kilometre costs less with electricity than with oil, unless oil prices fall below $50," Birol predicted that electric vehicles will eventually dominate global transportation. "The world is going to see that sooner or later, electric cars will be dominating the streets."Birol praised India as "one of the drivers of the global clean energy transition," particularly highlighting the country's solar energy achievements. "India has achieved a huge success story, especially on the solar front, and this is good for India's economy and its energy security," he IEA executive director also commended India's LED bulb program, calling Minister Goyal its architect and describing it as "one of the most successful programs in the history of energy transition." The initiative has made India's electrification system more cost-effective and environmentally also praised the Ujjwala program for bringing clean cooking solutions to hundreds of millions of households and for its efforts to provide electricity access to Indian concerns about the energy transition's supply chain, Birol warned of growing concentration in critical mineral mining and processing. "We are seeing major concentration. This is a worry because we at the IEA believe that the best energy security policy is diversification," he concentration of critical minerals--essential for energy transition, defense, and chip manufacturing--poses "serious risk for the years to come," he warned. Birol urged all countries to diversify mining, refining, and processing of key critical minerals to avoid potential supply oil-importing nations like India, Birol recommended government incentives to accelerate electric vehicle adoption. "Countries importing oil should consider giving incentives to electric cars to reduce imports from different parts of the world," he emphasized the importance of supporting consumers in purchasing their first electric vehicles, noting that countries must avoid falling behind in the electric car concerns about potential trade conflicts affecting the energy transition, Birol maintained that diversification remains the best strategy for ensuring energy security in an increasingly electrified world.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Diversify critical mineral supply chain or face disruption: IEA
PARIS: The International Energy Agency (IEA) on Monday cautioned that the concentration of critical mineral mining and processing in a few hands could affect global prices and supplies, while also suggesting that India should incentivise green mobility to reduce its vulnerability to high oil prices. "The world is entering a stage where the trade flows are not necessarily based on established WTO rules, but it is a different context. When we look at critical minerals, which are key for energy transition, but also key for defense, AI, manufacturing, chips, we are seeing a major concentration. This is a worry, because we at the IEA believe that the best energy security policy is diversification... my appeal to all the countries around the world (is to) try to diversify mining, refining and processing of key critical minerals otherwise, we may have unintended consequences of supply disruptions," IEA executive director Fatih Birol said after a meeting with commerce & industry minister Piyush Goyal. China is the most important miner and processor of critical minerals such as lithium and the trade war has raised fears of supply disruptions and price increase as the US mounts pressure on Beijing. Asked about the transition to electric vehicles and the need to offer incentives, he said: "Countries, especially those which import oil, should consider incentives for electric cars to reduce imports... depending on the countries, the financial balances in some countries can be more generous. In some countries less generous, but there is a need, at least for the time being, to support the consumers in terms of buying their first electric cars. India should look at the electrification of mobility very closely, because currently we have low oil prices... If India wants to have an upper hand in terms of domestic oil trajectories, electric cars are one of the key solutions." He also said the economics supports EVs. "In many countries, electric cars and commercial cars have the same prices. "Plus, in most countries around the world, if not all, driving one kilometer of a car is cheaper with electricity than the oil prices, unless oil prices go below $50 (a barrel). Sooner or later, electric cars will be dominating the streets." Birol was all praise for India's green energy transition as well as initiatives such as Ujjwala and LED bulbs. "In India, there was $1 investment in clean energy, there was $1 investment in fossil fuel. Today, for every $1 going to fossil fuels there is $4 for clean energy. India is a huge, huge, huge success story... This is good for India's economy, good for India's energy security and good for the world." Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
India Today
4 days ago
- Health
- India Today
In tiger territory, LPG and toilet emerge as big lifesavers
"I feel much safer now. Because of an LPG connection and a toilet at home, we aren't encountering tigers or other wild animals these days in the jungle," says Pavithra S of Asthuru village in Karnataka's Chamarajanagar from Soolekobe village says an LPG connection has reduced her trips to the forest for firewood and, thereby, risks of encounters with wild animals. "Earlier, I made 10 trips a month to the forest for firewood. Now it's just one or two trips," the 30-year-old villager and Sooleke are villages inside the Malai Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary. Both Pavithra and Govindamma have benefited from the LPG connection provided by Holematthi Nature Foundation, a Karnataka-based Maharashtra's Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, toilets under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural) have helped bring down incidents of man-animal conflict and casualties, say experts. Experts believe the same is unfolding in Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, Uttarakhand's Corbett Tiger Reserve and other wildlife forest officials, conservationists and wildlife experts tell India Today Digital how an LPG connection and a toilet at home have helped bring down deaths in attacks by wild animals, even as the overall toll of tiger attacks has increased in India, corresponding with the rising tiger population in the country. Under the Ujjwala scheme, the government provides free connection and subsidised LPG they narrate is how two centrally sponsored schemes – the LPG-providing Ujjwala Yojana and the toilet-building Swachh Bharat Mission – are scripting a success story in faraway forest there is a lack of government data, say experts, there is anecdotal evidence in government, acknowledging the impact, has ordered the construction of toilets on priority in villages within eco-sensitive zones in was after a request from wildlife biologist and conservationist Sanjay Gubbi, whose Holematthi Nature Foundation has over the years witnessed how LPG connections and toilets have helped save focus on toilets and LPG to dissuade villagers from venturing into secluded areas of forests is nothing new for foresters, and there have been state-specific projects as well. However, the Ujjwala and Swachh Bharat schemes seem to be turning out to be pan-India is indeed a silver has seen a spurt in deaths due to tiger attacks, especially since has been an alarming spike in May with 24 people dying in tiger attacks, against 16 lives lost in the same period in IN TIGERS AND TIGER-HUMAN CONFLICTS IN INDIAIndia has 3,682 tigers in the wild, which is 70% of the world's wild tiger population, according to the tiger estimation of 2022. The country has added 1,456 tigers since in itself is a turnaround poaching and habitat loss left tigers on the brink of extinction in India, which led Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to launch Project Tiger in 1973. India had just 1,800 tigers Tiger became a roaring on that, India, in 2010, set a target of doubling its tiger population by 2022, which it achieved by 2018 – with 4 years to the tiger population has increased, jungles have forest cover in India reduced by 92,989 sq km between 2011 and 2021, of which 46,707.11 sq km was lost inside Reserve Forest Areas, according to the Forest Survey of India. Between 2014 and 2024, tiger attacks in India resulted in 621 human deaths, with Maharashtra accounting for the majority of these fatalities. (Image: Getty) With the carrying capacity of forests exceeded, and human activities extending deep inside jungles, the incidents of human-tiger conflicts have seen a big rise. What has made matters worse is the condition of corridors, which connect wildlife habitats and have turned reserves into tiger high tiger density in these fragmented spaces could also be leading to fights among the animals over territory and prey base, forcing out some big cats into fringe areas that see more human to central government data, more than 600 people were killed in tiger attacks in the country between 2014 and 2024, an average of 60 deaths annually. Deaths increased after 2022, correlating with a growing tiger TOILETS ARE SAVING LIVES FROM TIGERS IN TADOBA, CORBETT AND PILIBHITShalik Jogwe, a conservationist and tour operator, from Maharashtra's Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, says that tiger attacks on people, especially women, have gone down since 2015 after the Swachh Bharat toilet scheme was implemented."Women in forest villages used to choose secluded spots to relieve themselves, which saw early morning attacks by tigers," says attacks can be prevented if tigers stay inside jungles and people can be kept away from tiger territory. That is what mitigation efforts are directed Tadoba-based conservationist counts four main reasons behind human-wildlife conflict in forest areas — farming, cattle grazing, minor forest produce (MFP) collection and open defecation."In Tadoba, entire villages would go to relieve themselves in the open earlier. Now, all houses have toilets," says non-timber forest produce collection for sale is a seasonal affair, venturing inside the jungle for firewood and open defecation was a year-round problem, he and ecotourism expert Imran Khan says that both toilets and LPG connections are likely to have helped reduce man-wildlife conflicts in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh by reducing the movement of locals into tiger habitats."Ninety-five percent of the conflicts take place within tiger habitats, which extend all the way into the periphery of the villages. Movement of villagers into high-tiger-density habitats either in Corbett Tiger Reserve or Pilibhit Tiger Reserve is the major cause of man-animal conflict," says Khan. A resident of a village inside MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka's Chamarajanagar district with her free LPG hotplate and cylinder. A resident of one such village said the LPG connection had reduced the number of trips she had to make deep inside the forest for firewood. (Credit: Holematthi Nature Foundation) advertisementDECADES-OLD KNOWLEDGE IMPLEMENTED NOWThat toilets and alternatives to firewood can help reduce human-wildlife conflict isn't a recent Bhartari, a veteran wildlife expert and former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests of Uttarakhand, says, "Toilets have been a priority for interventions since Uttarakhand's statehood."He says the allocation of four percent of the budget in the community tourism plan for Agora village in Uttarkashi district in 2005 emerged as the most beneficial investment a decade later."Toilets play a crucial role in addressing human-wildlife conflicts in specific locations. However, they are just one component of a broader strategy," says strategies, the expert says, include regularly clearing bushes along pathways, eliminating invasive species in village areas, ensuring adequate outdoor lighting, and proper disposal of food a state with high tiger numbers and tiger-attack deaths, has worked for a decade to reduce forest dependency in villages within and around protected areas. Jitendra Ramgaonkar, the Chief Conservator of Forests (wildlife) of Chandrapur, where the Tadoba Tiger Reserve is located, cites Maharashtra's Shyamaprasad Mukherji Jan Van Yojana, which offers Rs 25 lakh grants to forest villages to reduce reliance on forests for livelihood, firewood, or defecation."There has been a big reduction in incidents and deaths where people going to collect firewood or to defecate were attacked by tigers and leopards since the scheme was started in 2015. This is despite a three-time increase in tiger numbers," Ramgaonkar tells India Today HAVE BROUGHT BEHAVIOURAL CHANGES AMONG TRIBALSDoddathayamma, a 40-year-old from Jayammanadoddi village in Chamarajnagar district, says earlier she would frequently hear of fatal attacks by animals, especially by elephants. Such news, she says, has become rare since villagers got LPG connections and Sanjay Gubbi of NGO Holematthi, which works with villagers like Doddathayamma, says there is a lack of nationwide data on these issues."However, at the sites where we work, we have scientifically documented an 85% decrease in per capita firewood usage after alternative energy sources were provided," Gubbi tells India Today forester Jitendra Ramgaonkar says toilets and the safety attached to them have brought about a behavioural change in people."Tribal people who earlier used to go to forests to defecate despite having toilets at home are now using the toilets after seeing that it is safer and protects them from being attacked by tigers and leopards," he might be crucial in preventing attacks by leopards in Uttarakhand's hill districts like Pauri Garhwal and Singh Bargali, Deputy Director, The Corbett Foundation, says leopards are often drawn to human settlements in search of small livestock and occasionally attack children."Providing proper toilet facilities can play a crucial role in reducing human-leopard conflicts in Uttarakhand," he says. Govindamma (L) of Soolekobe village, who received an LPG connection, and Pavithra S of Asthuru village, who got both an LPG connection and a toilet, say their lives are safer now, after the Karnataka-based NGO helped them. (Images: Holematthi Nature Foundation) WHY VILLAGERS STILL VENTURE DEEP INTO FORESTSIf villagers like Govindamma receive LPG cylinders, why do they still need to go into forests and risk encounters with wild animals?Both Jogwe and Khan, the conservationists from Tadoba and Corbett, say that though LPG connections have helped, the villagers aren't getting the number of refills as there is the question of livelihood through the sale of non-timber forest products like honey and tendu leaves. At times, villagers also collect firewood to sell in the expert Bhartari shares an incident from a meeting in Sankar village of Almora district to explain that there is no magic bullet for the issue of human-animal village meeting was held to extend support to Kamla Devi, who had survived a tiger attack in the neighbouring Jameriya village. Both the villages are in the buffer zone of Corbett Tiger women from the Rachnatmak Mahila Manch stated, "Hum jangle jana chhod denge; hum jangle se ghas lana chhod denge; par ye jo hamari dahleej par guldar aur baagh aa rahe hain, unka hum kya karein?"The villagers said they were willing to stop venturing into the forest, but what do they do about the leopards and tigers that are reaching their doorsteps?"There is no one or simple answer to their question. A greater understanding of the conflict through research, detailed planning, and site-specific actions is necessary to effectively address such situations," says conflict is a species-specific issue in sanctuaries that are all unique in their own way, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Small steps like providing toilets and LPG cylinders help in a big way, but they will need to be supplemented with site-specific action."Tigers have adapted to living with human beings and now, it is high time that humans too learn to live with tigers," says Corbett-based Watch
