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Time of India
5 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
4 rare tiger beetle species spotted for first time in UP's Dudhwa Tiger Reserve
Tiger beetles are small, colourful, fast runners with sharp eyesight. PILIBHIT: A 15-day field survey at Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR) in July has led to the discovery of 19 tiger beetle species—four of them rare and never recorded before in Uttar Pradesh. This marks a significant addition to India's insect biodiversity. The study was carried out by Vipin Kapoor Sainy from DTR and Rohit Ravi from WWF-India, under the guidance of Bengaluru-based wildlife group ROAR. Their findings were officially documented, confirming the presence of Lophyra mutiguttata, Rhytidophaena limbata, Cicindela cyanea , and Cylindera venosa —species whose known range has now been extended by over 400 km. 'These beetles, often called the tiny tigers of the insect world, are fierce predators in their microhabitats and help control harmful insects,' said Sainy. He added that of the 245 tiger beetle species found in the Indian subcontinent, nearly half are endemic. Tiger beetles are small, colourful, fast runners with sharp eyesight. They're known for their hunting prowess—adults chase prey while larvae lie in wait from burrows. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is this legal? Access all TV channels without a subscription! Techno Mag Learn More Undo The insects live for about a year and have two main breeding cycles, depending on species and climate. WWF biologist Rohit Ravi explained that their role as apex predators makes them important indicators of ecosystem health. Field director H Rajamohan welcomed the discovery, saying, 'Our conservation efforts must go beyond tigers and elephants. Every species matters, even the lesser-known ones like tiger beetles. We will continue supporting such scientific research.'
Hans India
02-08-2025
- Science
- Hans India
Nineteen tiger beetle species found in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve
Lakhimpur KheriBiodiversity-rich Dudhwa Tiger Reserve has been found to be home to 19 species of tiger beetle insects, with four of them discovered for the first time in Uttar Pradesh, a recent survey recorded. The survey was carried out under the 'Tiger Beetle India Fest 2025' organised for the first time by Tamil Nadu-based NGO, Rhopalocera and Odonata Association of Rajapalayam (ROAR). The tiger beetle is a fast, predatory insect known for its vibrant, metallic colours and agile hunting skills. It derives its name from its tiger-like style of chasing and hunting its prey. Vipin Kapoor Sainy, field biologist and outreach programme head at DTR, who carried out a survey in Dudhwa along with WWF-India project officer Rohit Ravi, said, 'The survey for documentation of tiger beetles in Dudhwa was just the second survey in Uttar Pradesh, with the earlier survey reported to have been carried out in 1980.' Sainy added that 'the survey resulted in the discovery of 19 species of tiger beetles in Dudhwa, four species, namely 'Lophyra mutiguttata', 'Rhytidophaena', 'Cicindela cyanea' and 'Cylindera venosa' had never been recorded earlier in Uttar Pradesh,' he said. Sainy said, 'The tiger beetle quest highlighted Dudhwa's remarkable biodiversity, reaffirming it as one of India's premier biodiversity hotspots, where even the smallest creatures like tiger beetles were celebrated and documented.' Elated with the discovery, Field Director Dr H Rajamohan said conservation was not restricted just to charismatic megafauna like tigers and rhinos but to the other smaller species. The discovery of 19 species under the Tiger Beetle India Fest reflected their commitment to documenting and protecting the lesser-known yet ecologically significant species, he added. Deputy Director, DTR Jagdish R, said the documentation of 19 species of tiger beetle highlighted the hidden diversity thriving within Dudhwa's rich ecosystems. The tiger beetle quest was not merely a science event, but a collaborative effort to draw attention towards arthropods often overlooked, he added. V Sharan, Founder Director of ROAR and organiser of the Tiger Beetle India Fest 2025, said he was sceptical about the event as not many citizen scientists or nature observers were familiar with tiger beetles. 'However, the amount of response received and the kind of information collected through the fest had highlighted its success,' he added.
News18
30-07-2025
- Business
- News18
India's Green Steel Demand Set To Surge 40-Fold By 2050: Report
The EY Parthenon report projects a dramatic rise in India's green steel demand — from negligible levels today to 4.49 million tonnes by FY2030, and further to 73.44 MT by FY2040. Green steel demand in India is projected to skyrocket to 179 million tonnes by FY2050 from the negligible levels currently, driven by rapid infrastructure growth, booming construction, and a climate-conscious auto sector, according to a new EY Parthenon report. Released in collaboration with WWF-India and CII-Green Business Centre, with support from the India Green Steel Coalition (IGSC), the report titled 'Unlocking Green Steel Demand: An Assessment of India's Automotive, Infrastructure and Construction Sectors' outlines how India's green transition in steel could become both an environmental and economic imperative. Green Steel Demand to Reach 179 Million Tons by FY2050 The report projects a dramatic rise in India's green steel demand — from negligible levels today to 4.49 million tonnes by FY2030, and further to 73.44 million tonnes by FY2040, before touching 179 million tonnes by FY2050. The construction sector is expected to lead the initial uptake, followed by infrastructure and automotive segments. As of now, construction and infrastructure together account for 78% of India's steel consumption, which currently stands at 136 million metric tonnes. This figure is expected to rise to 390 million tons by FY2050, reflecting India's urbanisation push and infrastructure goals. 'Moving to green steel is no doubt a big shift—it comes with its challenges, but also opens up huge opportunities for India's industrial sector," said Kapil Bansal, Partner – Energy Transition and Decarbonization, EY Parthenon. Green steel, typically made using hydrogen-based Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) or electric arc furnaces powered by renewables, currently comes at a premium. The report pegs the green steel premium at around $210 per tonne, resulting in modest cost hikes — 4.1% for automotive, 3.7% for construction, and 5.2% for infrastructure. However, this premium is expected to fall below 1% by 2035-2040, as green hydrogen becomes cheaper and production scales up. In contrast, conventional steel, produced via the blast furnace-basic oxygen furnace (BF-BOF) route, is likely to become significantly more expensive as carbon pricing kicks in. Traditional steel prices could rise 81% by 2050, from today's $660 per tonne to $1,193 per tonne, under escalating carbon tax regimes. CBAM Could Cost Indian Exporters Over Rs 19,000 Crore by 2030 The report flags the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) as a major concern for Indian steel exporters. With India's average emission intensity at 2.5 tonnes of CO₂ per tonne of steel, compared with the EU benchmark of 1.28 tonnes, exporters could be taxed heavily if carbon intensity is not lowered. Without urgent decarbonisation, Indian steel exports could incur CBAM-related taxes of Rs 19,277 crore by 2030, eroding global competitiveness. Strategic Roadmap: What Needs to Be Done The study outlines clear recommendations for policymakers, the steel industry, and major steel-consuming sectors: Government End-Use Sectors (Construction, Infra, Auto) While hydrogen-based DRI and scrap-fed electric arc furnaces powered by renewable energy are considered the future of green steel, India currently lacks the scale to meet projected demand. The report warns of a looming supply-demand gap, unless massive investments are made in green steel infrastructure, innovation, and raw material supply chains. As India eyes 500 million tonnes per annum of steel capacity by 2047, aligning with climate commitments under the Paris Agreement, the green steel transition is not just an environmental goal — it's an economic necessity. 'What once felt like a nice-to-have for sustainability is fast turning into a business must-have," Bansal noted, underscoring how rising carbon costs and shifting global norms are pushing green steel into the mainstream. With decisive action from all stakeholders — government, industry, and end-users — India could emerge not just as a steel powerhouse, but as a leader in sustainable industrial transformation. About the Author Mohammad Haris Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at He writes on various issues related to personal finance, markets, economy and companies. Having over a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris More Stay updated with all the latest business news, including market trends, stock updates, tax, IPO, banking finance, real estate, savings and investments. Get in-depth analysis, expert opinions, and real-time updates—only on News18. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : steel industry view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 30, 2025, 12:10 IST News business » economy India's Green Steel Demand Set To Surge 40-Fold By 2050: Report 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.
Time of India
29-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India's green steel demand to soar to 179 mt by 2050: EY Parthenon
New Delhi: India's demand for green steel is set for exponential growth, reaching about 179 million tonnes by FY50, according to a latest EY Parthenon report developed in collaboration with WWF-India and CII-Green Business Centre, with support from the India Green Steel Coalition . According to the report, the surge will be driven by the country's rapidly growing automotive, infrastructure, and construction sectors, as they pivot toward sustainable manufacturing practices. 'Moving to green steel is no doubt a big shift… Right now, the cost may look high, but that's changing quickly. With carbon pricing on the rise and green hydrogen getting cheaper, what once felt like a nice-to-have for sustainability is fast turning into a business must-have,' said Kapil Bansal, Partner - Energy Transition and Decarbonisation, EY Parthenon . The report added that based on an emission intensity benchmark of below 0.5 tonnes CO₂ per tonne of crude steel, the analysis estimates that green steel demand — currently negligible — will rise significantly to 4.49 million tonnes by FY30. The construction sector is expected to lead adoption with 2.52 million tonnes, followed by infrastructure at 1.5 million tonnes and automobiles at 0.48 million tonnes. By FY40, total demand is projected to nearly triple to 73.44 million tonnes. The study also reveals that India's current steel consumption stands at 136 million metric tonnes, with the construction and infrastructure sectors collectively accounting for 78 per cent of finished steel demand. This figure is expected to rise to 390 million tonnes by FY50. The EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) could significantly impact Indian steel exporters. Without decarbonisation, Indian exporters could face CBAM-related taxes amounting to ₹19,277 crore by 2030 — putting global competitiveness at risk. Currently, the green steel premium results in modest increases in production costs across sectors, about 4.1 per cent for automotive manufacturing, 3.7 per cent for construction projects, and 5.2 per cent for infrastructure development. However, these impacts are projected to fall below one per cent by 2035-2040 as the green steel premium diminishes, added the report.
The Hindu
27-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Moulika Arabhi on shaping India's environmental laws
The next in the monthly series by WWF-India that highlights niche and unconventional green careers through the stories of well-known personalities from the field of environment and conservation Some of our deepest values take root in childhood. For me, it began in the lush green spaces of the Air Force Academy in Hyderabad, a peaceful space where native flowering trees thrive, and bird songs are more common than traffic noise. The constant presence of rich biodiversity instilled in me the value of coexisting with Nature and sparked a desire to conserve it from a young age. Law wasn't an accidental choice. In the late 1990s, I pursued the five-year Integreated LLB (Hons.) from Andhra University, Visakhapatnam. Environmental law wasn't offered as a subject then. We only touched upon it briefly through laws like the Air Act and the Water Act. This early exposure sparked my interest and I found myself drawn to issues around natural resources, governance, and sustainability. Inspiration Reading Down to Earth magazine during my student years only deepened that curiosity and made me aware about environmental concerns. This led me to apply for an internship at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) in Delhi. What began as a three-month internship turned into several transformative years, as I was introduced to the grassroots dimensions of environmental justice and met inspiring figures like Rajendra Singh, the 'Waterman of India'. My early work in the development sector focused on human rights, gender, and natural resource management and gave me valuable field exposure and insights into how laws play out in real life. Soon, I began engaging with questions around sustainable development, governance, and how law could be used as a tool to promote environmental responsibility. This eventually led me to the field of environmental law, not just as an academic subject, but as a dynamic and evolving space where real impact was possible. Connecting environment and law I advise other organisations, develop curricula, teach at multiple institutions, and conduct training for forest officers, civil servants, and members of the judiciary. Through the Centre for Environmental Law (CEL), WWF-India, we've tried to strengthen environmental law education in the country. I've designed and launched several online courses such as the Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Law and Policy, developed jointly with National Law University, Delhi, and the LL.M. in Environmental Law, Energy and Climate Change, in collaboration with O.P. Jindal Global University, which have opened new avenues for students to pursue specialised legal careers in environmental issues. What makes this journey rewarding is the ability to work for the voiceless wildlife and ecosystems that cannot advocate for themselves. One of the most exhilarating cases I followed was the Nyamjang Chhu case in Arunachal Pradesh, where the return of the endangered Black-necked Crane to its threatened breeding ground, just in time for the final court hearing, led to the halting of a hydropower project. It was as though Nature itself had spoken! I often say that environmental law is not something that can be practised in isolation. You need to bring in science, economics, politics, even ethics. One of the biggest challenges is how to communicate complex environmental issues to diverse stakeholders; from communities to corporations to judges. That's where law can act as a bridge. To anyone considering a green career in law, I'd say: identify problems but focus equally on creating solutions. Use your skills to advocate, to innovate, and to act. Our generation has done its part but it's your voice that will shape the future. Be that voice for the voiceless. The writer is Advisor at the Centre for Environmental Law (CEL), WWF-India, and Academic Advisor to WWF-India and National Law University Delhi's environmental law programmes.
