Latest news with #AravalliGreenWallProject
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Aravalli projects to promote eco-tourism, create jobs for locals: Haryana forest minister
Haryana environment, forest and wildlife minister, Rao Narbir Singh, has said that the aim of jungle safari and Aravalli Green Wall Projects in the Aravalli region is to promote eco-tourism and conserve biodiversity, wildlife and provide employment opportunities to locals. The Aravalli range is one of the oldest mountain ranges in India and is spread across Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi, covering an area of 1.15 million hectares, the minister said, adding that the central government has entrusted Haryana with the responsibility of implementing the Aravalli Green Wall Project and developing the jungle safari. The minister said that this project was earlier under the tourism department, but as per the directions of chief minister Nayab Singh Saini, it has now been handed over to the forest department. 'Through this project, afforestation of indigenous species and soil health will be improved, besides recharging groundwater and preserving biodiversity. The project will not only benefit Haryana's environment but also provide employment to locals who will be known as 'Van Mitras',' he said.
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Business Standard
09-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Best of BS Opinion: Economic shifts, environmental hopes, policy crossroads
Here are the best of Business Standard's opinion pieces for today Abhijeet Kumar New Delhi In a significant move to stimulate economic growth, the Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee reduced the policy repo rate by 50 basis points to 5.5 per cent and the cash reserve ratio by 100 basis points in phased stages, injecting ₹2.5 trillion into the banking system. While inflation eased to 3.2 per cent in April, the MPC shifted its stance from 'accommodative' to 'neutral,' indicating limited room for future rate cuts. The GDP forecast remains at 6.5 per cent, but the RBI stressed that achieving higher long-term growth would require structural reforms beyond monetary tools. Launched on World Environment Day, the Aravalli Green Wall Project aims to restore 700 km of degraded terrain across four states. Inspired by Africa's Great Green Wall, the plan involves reviving native flora and water bodies to enhance India's carbon sink. However, challenges remain due to ongoing illegal mining and encroachments. As our second editorial highlights, without stronger governance and interstate coordination, experts warn the project could falter, repeating past mistakes seen in the Western Ghats conservation efforts. In his column, Ajay Shah writes that India's economic prospects depend not just on rate cuts but on five strategic levers: trade liberalisation, soft monetary policy, structural reform, capital account liberalisation, and a weaker rupee. He notes that weak private investment and capital controls have stifled India's global competitiveness. While India benefits from geopolitical realignments like the China+1 shift, FDI inflows remain low. Trade deals with the UK and potential pacts with the US and EU offer an opportunity, but without bold reform, India risks falling short. Meanwhile, Sunita Narain cautions that India's EV transition is progressing too slowly to meet its climate and urban mobility goals. While electric three-wheelers show growth, adoption in other segments lags, and urban congestion worsens. She stresses that counting electric vehicles is not enough, cities must expand public transport, reduce private vehicle use, and align EV policy with air quality and mobility planning. Finally, Ted Widmer reviews John Hancock: First to Sign, First to Invest in America's Independence by Willard Sterne Randall, a biography that revives the legacy of the often-overlooked Founding Father. The book underscores Hancock's role in financing and steering the revolution, while also exploring the complexities surrounding his political and social legacy. Stay tuned!
Time of India
05-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
PM marks World Environment Day with a Sindoor sapling
NEW DELHI: On World Environment Day Thursday, PM Narendra Modi planted a Sindoor sapling at his residence and launched a special plantation drive in the capital as part of Centre's Aravalli Green Wall Project, which aims to reforest the 700-km mountain range that stretches from Delhi to Gujarat. The Sindoor sapling was gifted to him by a group of women during his recent visit to Kutch. The women, displaying remarkable courage, had helped Army rebuild an airfield during 1971 Indo-Pak war. Recalling his visit to Gujarat, the PM, in a post on X, said the Sindoor sapling represented for him bravery and inspirational role of women in the country. The PM planted a tree at Bhagwan Mahavir Vanasthali Park in the capital. CMs of all four Aravalli states, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, participated in the programme by planting trees in Aravalli districts falling under their respective jurisdiction.
India Gazette
05-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Gujarat CM calls for collective action to transform PM Modi's vision of 'ending plastic pollution' into mass movement
Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], June 6 (ANI): During the World Environment Day 2025 event held at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel called for collective efforts to transform the Prime Minister's vision of 'Ending Plastic Pollution' into a mass movement. The program, jointly organised by the Forest and Environment Department and the Gujarat Pollution Control Board, was graced by Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Mulubhai Bera and Minister of State Shri Mukesh Patel. CM Patel emphasised that World Environment Day is more than just an event; it is a day for everyone to pledge to end plastic pollution. He highlighted the ongoing nationwide campaign, 'One Nation, One Mission - End Plastic Pollution,' which has been active for the past 15 days under the leadership of the Prime Minister. The CM stated that development cannot come at the cost of the environment. The Prime Minister has envisioned sustainable development through environmental conservation. The CM stated that the spirit of environmental preservation has been deeply embedded in our culture since ancient times, reflected in the belief in seeing divinity in plants. He also shared details about the launch of the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0 campaign, which includes the development of 'Sindoor Van' in Ahmedabad and the creation of 'Matru Van' through the plantation of 4,000 saplings at the Secretariat premises in Gandhinagar. The CM expressed concern over the increasing environmental risks due to the easy and widespread use of plastic. He stated that plastic is one of humanity's significant inventions and has become an integral part of our lifestyle. However, single-use plastic poses a serious threat to the environment and future generations. The time has come to decide whether we want to leave the next generation a world filled with plastic or one that is free from plastic. As responsible citizens and civilised people, we must acknowledge the damage and serious risks posed by unnecessary plastic use, CM stated. The Chief Minister said that as part of the Aravalli Green Wall Project launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on World Environment Day, the state government aims to plant tree saplings over 19,225 hectares across seven districts of Gujarat, namely, Aravalli, Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, Mehsana, Panchmahal, Mahisagar, and Dahod. He highlighted that starting from this year's World Environment Day, the Prime Minister has introduced the four 'R's -- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Recover -- as a mantra for environmental protection. Shri Narendra Modi is a visionary leader who has consistently pioneered innovative approaches to environmental conservation and sustainable resource management both nationally and globally. Initiatives like 'One Sun, One Earth,' promoting renewable energy, the 'Net Zero' carbon emissions goal, 'Green Growth' for sustainable development, and 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' to preserve Earth's greenery are landmark programs that guide the nation towards a sustainable future. The Chief Minister added that the Prime Minister has emphasised environmental and nature conservation in our daily lives through initiatives like 'Catch the Rain' for groundwater recharge and 'Mission LiFE' for water sustainability. The Chief Minister mentioned the installation of cloth bag vending machines and plastic bottle crusher machines at various locations across the state and appealed to the public to use cloth bags. He said that by adopting small habits and efforts, like using cloth bags and carrying steel bottles for water, we should initiate the change ourselves. On behalf of Gujarat, the Chief Minister congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian Armed Forces for the remarkable success of Operation Sindoor. He said that this operation firmly established the Prime Minister's 'Zero Tolerance Against Terrorism' policy globally. Additionally, on this year's World Environment Day, the Prime Minister has initiated a mission to make India free from plastic pollution with a strong commitment to 'End Plastic Pollution,' the Chief Minister added. On the occasion of World Environment Day, Forest, Environment, and Climate Change Minister Mulubhai Bera extended greetings and said that the day represents a collective resolve, a commitment to conservation, and a reflection of sensitivity towards nature. He noted that the theme for World Environment Day 2025 is 'End Plastic Pollution.'Mulubhai Bera observed that the reverence for nature has been deeply ingrained in Indian tradition since ancient times. Our Vedas contain verses advocating water conservation, and we follow the philosophy of seeing divinity in nature. As cited in the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says, 'Among trees, I am the Peepal tree; among animals, I am the lion.' Even today, women observe Vat Savitri Vrat and worship the banyan tree, reflecting the unbreakable bond between nature and Indian culture. He said this nature-centric culture is India's unique strength. He stated that the observance of World Environment Day is a timely opportunity to introspect, renew our thinking, and adopt environment-friendly practices. Guided by the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Gujarat continues to take proactive steps for environmental protection and conservation. Initiatives such as Mission LiFE, MISHTI Yojana, and Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam have helped increase public awareness and instilled a collective sense of environmental responsibility. The minister cautioned that the same modern conveniences that have simplified life have also led to grave environmental challenges, most notably, the menace of single-use plastic. He explained that such plastic renders soil infertile, pollutes rivers and oceans, and ultimately returns to our food chain in the form of microplastics. In response, the Forest and Environment Department has undertaken several focused initiatives to curb plastic pollution. As part of the plastic-free campaign, awareness drives are being conducted across forest areas, religious places, tourist destinations, and schools to educate people about eco-friendly alternatives. Under the leadership of the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), 646 plastic processing units, 7 waste-to-energy plants, and 5 co-processing cement plants are operational across the state. Innovative solutions like reverse vending machines, cloth bag vending ATMs, and eco-friendly Prasad boxes are further reinforcing the state's commitment to environmental conservation. Minister of State for Forest and Environment Mukesh Patel also extended greetings to the citizens and mentioned that Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel had formally launched the state-wide Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign and tree plantation drive under the Matruvan initiative. Referring to last year's efforts under the same campaign, he highlighted that 17.50 crore trees were planted in Gujarat, making it the second-highest contributor in the country in terms of total plantations. He further raised concerns about the growing health implications of plastic pollution, pointing out that traces of microplastics are now increasingly being found in food. As part of the ongoing state-wide environmental campaign that began on May 22, more than 1.5 lakh citizens have actively participated in over 2,500 events, including beach and garden clean-up drives. These efforts have led to the collection and proper disposal of more than 6 lakh kilograms of plastic waste. Shri Mukesh Patel added that Gujarat has remained a pioneer in encouraging alternatives to single-use plastic. GPCB has approved over 225 units manufacturing compostable plastic alternatives and around 40 units producing cloth and paper bags. He urged all citizens to commit themselves and their families to eliminating plastic from daily use, adding that only such a collective pledge can lead to a truly plastic-free planet. As part of the World Environment Day celebrations, CM Bhupendra Patel visited an exhibition featuring innovative projects and startups working in the areas of plastic recycling and reuse. He interacted with the participants and encouraged them for their contributions towards sustainability. A documentary was also screened covering key topics such as Best Practices in Plastic Waste Management in Gujarat, the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign, and other awareness activities conducted in the lead-up to World Environment Day. In Surat, strategic MoUs were signed between the Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) and its member units for effluent trading, in the presence of the Chief Minister. Additionally, Shri Bhupendra Patel virtually inaugurated, laid foundation stones, and launched a total of 11 diverse development and environment-related projects. The programme was attended by Gandhinagar North MLA Ritaben Patel, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister MK Das, GPCB Chairman RB Barad, Principal Secretary of the Forest and Environment Department Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary RC Meena, Municipal Administrative Commissioner Sushri Remya Mohan, Head of Forest Force AP Singh, and PCCF Wildlife Jaypal Singh. Senior officials and staff from the Forest Department and GPCB, along with representatives of environmental NGOs, also took part in the event.(ANI)
The Hindu
05-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Modi launches initiatives to shape cleaner, greener future for Delhi
DELHI Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off electric buses in the national capital and planted a sapling at Bhagwan Mahavir Vanasthali Park on Thursday as part of a broader mission to build a 'clean and green Delhi' and rejuvenate the Aravali mountain range. Mr. Modi was accompanied by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) V.K. Saxena, both of whom reiterated their commitment to sustainable urban development and environmental conservation on World Environment Day. 'Flagged off electric buses under an initiative of the Delhi government aimed at boosting sustainable development and clean urban mobility. Additionally, this will improve ease of living for the people of Delhi,' Mr. Modi posted on X. The Prime Minister said the special planting initiative under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign was part of the government's efforts to reforest the Aravali range under the Aravalli Green Wall Project. 'Will address concerns' Highlighting that the Aravali range — one of the planet's oldest ranges that spans Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi — faces pressing environmental challenges, he said the government was committed to addressing them. 'Our focus is to rejuvenate areas linked with this range. We are going to work with the respective local administrations and going to emphasise things such as improving water systems, curbing dust storms, stopping eastward expansion of the Thar desert and more,' the Prime Minister said. 'In the Aravali range and beyond, in addition to the traditional planting methods, we will encourage new techniques, especially in urban and semi-urban areas where there are space constraints. Plantation activities will be geo-tagged and monitored on the Meri LiFE portal,' Mr. Modi said. At a separate event at Bharat Mandapam, Ms. Gupta called for a complete shift from plastic use in daily life. 'We need to free our lifestyle from plastic use. We have included plastic in our everyday life and now the situation is such that even our blood has plastic particles, which have become the cause of cancer and other diseases,' she said. 2.10 cr. saplings planted Mr.Saxena said over 2.10 crore saplings have been planted across the Capital by various agencies. He said that 30 wetlands and water bodies are being developed along the Yamuna floodplains, where seven lakh saplings have already been planted as part of ecological restoration efforts. He termed the government's dust mitigation plan a key step in combating air pollution. On clearing of landfill sites, he said 75 lakh metric tonnes of waste were already processed. The waste segregation machines rose from 12 to 75, raising daily capacity from 7,000 to 25,000 tonnes, he said.
