Uttarakhand@25: 'Forests came before departments,' says Uttarakhand minister Subodh Uniyal; reiterates state's commitment to protect natural resources
Uttarakhand forest minister Subodh Uniyal reflects on the journey of preserving state's rich natural heritage under the leadership of chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami's as Uttarakhand completes 25 years since its formation.
In conversation with The Times of India for Uttarakhand@25, Subodh Uniyal emphasised the importance of reconnecting people with forests. 'Forests came first—before departments, laws or officials,' he stated. 'Damage began when we disconnected the public from forests. So, our first step was to make policies people-friendly.'
To tackle frequent forest fires, 572 Forest Fire Management Committees were formed in vulnerable hotspots.
Each committee, led by village heads, receives ₹30,000 annually and includes local stakeholders. This grassroots engagement fostered both accountability and awareness.
Uniyal also highlighted the ₹628 crore Herbal Mission, allowing cultivation of herbs across 500 Van Panchayats. 'We linked livelihoods to forests,' he said. 'With 11,230 Van Panchayats and 25 lakh people connected, this mission empowers communities and reduces pressure on natural forests.'
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
No annual fees for life
UnionBank Credit Card
Apply Now
Undo
Under the state's ecotourism policy, the Forest Department develops eco-destinations and hands them over to local Eco Development committees. Of the 62 identified sites, 32 are ready, aiming to generate employment for 2 lakh locals. 'Eighty percent of revenue goes to locals,' said Uniyal, making conservation economically viable.
These efforts align with CM Pushkar Singh Dhami's broader push for sustainable growth and public welfare. A key highlight of his tenure is the launch of House of Himalayas (HoH), an umbrella brand aimed at promoting handcrafted, authentic Uttarakhandi products. HoH not only preserves the state's cultural identity but also supports local artisans and creates employment opportunities.
As Uttarakhand steps into its next chapter, Uniyal's approach remains grounded in community participation, policy reform, and ecological responsibility.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
24 minutes ago
- Time of India
Trump tariffs leave costly China supply question unanswered
President Donald Trump 's recent flurry of trade deals have given Asian exporters some clarity on tariffs, but missing are key details on how to avoid punitive rates that target China's supply chains. Trump unveiled tariffs of 20% for Vietnam and 19% for Indonesia and the Philippines, signaling those are the levels the US will likely settle on for most of Southeast Asia, a region that ships $352 billion worth of goods annually to the US. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Finance Healthcare Product Management Technology others healthcare Management MCA Operations Management Degree Design Thinking Others CXO Data Science Cybersecurity Artificial Intelligence Data Analytics Digital Marketing Leadership MBA Public Policy Data Science Project Management PGDM Skills you'll gain: Duration: 9 Months IIM Calcutta SEPO - IIMC CFO India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 7 Months S P Jain Institute of Management and Research CERT-SPJIMR Fintech & Blockchain India Starts on undefined Get Details He's also threatened to rocket rates up to 40% for products deemed to be transshipped, or re-routed, through those countries — a move largely directed at curbing Chinese goods circumventing higher US tariffs. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Sleep Apnea Ruined My Life – Then I Found This Simple Trick Health Insight Undo But still unclear to manufacturers is how the US will calculate and apply local-content requirements, key to how it will determine what constitutes transshipped goods. Southeast Asian nations are highly reliant on Chinese components and raw materials, and US firms that source from the region would bear the extra tariff damage. That's left companies, investors and economists facing several unanswered questions about Trump's tariffs that appear aimed at squeezing out Chinese content, according to Deborah Elms, head of trade policy at the Hinrich Foundation in Singapore. Live Events 'Is that raw materials? All raw materials? Above a certain percentage?' she said. 'How about parts? What about labor or services? What about investment?' In an agreement with Indonesia last week, the White House said the two countries would negotiate 'rules of origin' to ensure a third country wouldn't benefit. The deal with Vietnam earlier this month outlined a higher 40% tariff rate for transshipped goods. And Thai officials, who have yet to secure a deal, detailed that they likely need to boost local content in exports to the US. Missing Details The Trump administration isn't providing much clarity on the matter right now. US officials are still working out details with trading partners and looking at value-based local content requirements, to ensure exports are more than just assembled imported parts, according to a person familiar with the matter, who didn't want to be identified discussing private talks. A senior Trump administration official also said this week that details on the approach to transshipment are expected to be released before Aug. 1, the deadline for when higher US tariffs kick in. Some factories are already adjusting their supply chains to comply with rules that will require more locally-made components in production. Frank Deng, an executive at a Shanghai-based furniture exporter with operations in Vietnam — and which gets about 80% of business from the US — said in an interview his firm is making adjustments as authorities appear to be more strictly enforcing country-of-origin rules. Vietnam has always had specific local content requirements for manufacturers, Deng added, including that a maximum of 30% of the volume of raw materials originates from China, and the value after production in Vietnam must be 40% higher than the imported raw materials. 'We've been struggling to meet all the standards so that we can still stay in the game,' Deng said. 'But I guess that's the only way to survive now.' For most of Southeast Asia, reducing the amount of Chinese-made components in manufacturing will require a complete overhaul of their supply chains. Estimates from Eurasia Group show that Chinese components make up about 60% to 70% of exports from Southeast Asia — primarily industrial inputs that go into manufacturing assembly. About 15% of the region's exports now head to the US, up about four percentage points from 2018. Local Content The US has become increasingly vigilant about China's ability to bypass US trade tariffs and other restrictions through third countries since Trump's first trade war in 2017. Thailand signaled its frustration over the lack of clarity for how much local content is needed in goods exported to the US to avert transshipment rates, but noted it will likely be much higher than a traditional measure of 40%. 'From what we've heard, the required percentage could be significantly higher, perhaps 60%, 70%, or even 80%,' Deputy Prime Minister Pichai Chunhavajira said July 14. 'Emerging countries or new production bases are clearly at a disadvantage,' he said, as their manufacturing capabilities are still at an early stage and must rely on other countries for raw goods. Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia have all taken steps this year to address Trump's concerns, increasing scrutiny of trade that passes through their ports including new rule-of-origin policies that centralize processing and imposing harsh penalties on transshippers. Developing nations may still struggle to enforce Trump's rules or comply with the rules if it means going up against China, their largest trading partner and geopolitical partner. 'The reality is it's not enforceable at all,' said Dan Wang, China director at Eurasia Group. 'Chinese companies have all kinds of ways to get around it and those other countries have no incentive to enforce those measures, or capacity to collect the data and determine local content.'
Time of India
28 minutes ago
- Time of India
Coldplay star's ex Gwyneth Paltrow becomes Astronomer's "spokesperson": Social media explodes
Astronomer, the AI/data ops startup that went viral for all the wrong reasons, has just dropped a bold PR move: Gwyneth Paltrow , ex-wife of Coldplay frontman Chris Martin , is playing the role of their temporary spokesperson. It's thought‑provoking, cheeky—and yes, it's totally capitalizing on the buzz. What happened (in case you missed it) It all started at a Coldplay concert on July 15. A Kiss Cam captured Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and HR head Kristin Cabot in a cozy moment. They quickly shied away, looking mortified. Chris Martin quipped on stage, 'Either they're having an affair or just really shy.' The internet explosion that followed led to resignations—and a full-on PR crisis. About a week later, Astronomer posted a video featuring Gwyneth Paltrow. She introduces herself calmly, saying: 'I've been hired on a very temporary basis to speak on behalf of the 300-plus employees at Astronomer.' She deadpans, 'Yes... Astronomer is the best place to run Apache Airflow,' turning the viral moment into a data‑tech pitch. It's like watching the calmest damage control ever. Netizens are calling it a PR masterstroke—'marketing jiu‑jitsu' that turned a viral scandal into brand awareness. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Up to 70% off | Libas Purple Days Sale Libas Undo One user said this was '10/10 PR recovery.' Social media lit up Social media lit up after news broke that Gwyneth Paltrow—yes, Chris Martin's ex—was hired as a temporary spokesperson by Astronomer, the data platform making headlines for all the wrong reasons. 'Astronomer picking Chris Martin's ex-wife as their spokesperson is diabolical marketing and a pretty entertaining crisis recovery move,' tweeted @mickeynegus, summing up the internet's collective jaw-drop. Meanwhile, @LloydMathias chimed in with a perfectly Goop-flavored take: 'Brilliant come back from @astronomerio using Gwyneth Paltrow as temp spokie. She cleverly cuts off Q&As: 'OMG what the actual f—' & 'How is your social media team holding—" to expertly shift focus back to brand. Masterful crisis recovery! Well played.' Who is Astronomer's CEO now? Astronomer's interim CEO, Pete DeJoy, has stepped in after Byron's resignation. He described the media attention as 'unusual and surreal,' adding that the scandal unexpectedly made Astronomer a household name in data automation. Paltrow's casting is ironic gold: she was married to Coldplay's Chris Martin. Now she's tongue-in-cheek fronting the company that got dragged into the drama. It's absurd—and hilarious. Astronomer turned a cringe kiss cam moment into a viral comeback—by starring Gwyneth Paltrow in the kind of eyebrow‑raising cameo we'd never see in traditional crisis PR.
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
Greening India's smart cities: From budgetary intent to scalable impact
The recent announcement of the Urban Challenge Fund in the Union Budget marks a pivotal shift in India's urban development strategy. By positioning 'Cities as Growth Hubs' and enabling 'Creative Redevelopment', the initiative reflects growing recognition that India's economic future, climate resilience, and overall livability will be shaped by our cities. Urban India already drives over 60% of the country's GDP, despite occupying just 3% of its land. By 2036, nearly 600 million Indians—close to 40% of population—will call cities home. The pace of urbanisation is not just rapid; it is transformative. In six years, annual housing completions in the top seven cities more than doubled, from 2.5 lakh units in 2018 to 5.3 lakh in 2024. Yet, demand for homes and infrastructure continues to rise, reflected in steep housing prices that have jumped from ₹5,500 to over ₹7,000 per square foot. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Product Management Finance Degree Data Analytics Leadership Public Policy Data Science Artificial Intelligence Technology healthcare Digital Marketing Project Management Design Thinking CXO MBA others Healthcare Others Cybersecurity Management Data Science PGDM Operations Management MCA Skills you'll gain: Product Strategy & Roadmapping User-Centric Product Design Agile Product Development Market Analysis & Product Launch Duration: 24 Weeks Indian School of Business Professional Certificate in Product Management Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Creating Effective Product Roadmap User Research & Translating it to Product Design Key Metrics via Product Analytics Hand-On Projects Using Cutting Edge Tools Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business ISB Product Management Starts on May 14, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Product Strategy & Competitive Advantage Tactics Product Development Processes & Market Orientations Product Analytics & Data-Driven Decision Making Agile Development, Design Thinking, & Product Leadership Duration: 40 Weeks IIM Kozhikode Professional Certificate in Product Management Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details But beneath this growth story lies a more sobering reality. As our cities expand to meet economic needs, they are also becoming fragile. Indian cities are warming 37% faster than the national average and are increasingly vulnerable to climate stress. The question is no longer how much we build—but how well. The future of India's urban transformation depends on how we plan, construct, and operate cities sustainably and inclusively. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 most beautiful women in the world Undo Early wins hint at India's green city potential Encouragingly, green urbanism is no longer peripheral. A combination of progressive state policies and shifting consumer preferences is beginning to reshape the development landscape. States have long offered supply-side incentives to developers—such as additional Floor Area Ratio (FAR) for green projects or fast-track approvals that shorten timelines by up to 20%. What's newer—and critical—is the emergence of demand-side measures. States like Maharashtra now incentivise homeowners directly, offering graded property tax rebates of up to 10% for buyers of platinum-rated green homes, with smaller rebates for gold and silver-rated buildings. This nudge is timely, as less than 10% of India's residential stock is green certified. Developers are also stepping up. Leading players are aligning with net-zero goals , not just in principle but through action. Lodha Group , for instance, has cut Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by over 80%. Yet, green urbanism is still the exception, not the norm For all the progress, India's urban form still reflects legacy models—car-centric layouts, unplanned sprawl, and reactive infrastructure. Many indicators remain below global benchmarks. In Delhi, India's largest public transit network serves only 18% of residents within a 500-metre radius of a station. Nationwide, over two-thirds of urban settlements lack formal master plans. Where plans exist, they often overlook peri-urban growth and climate risks. 40% of sanctioned urban planning posts remain unfilled. Live Events A few cities are breaking this mold. Surat, for instance, has adopted a regional plan, linking surrounding towns into a cohesive spatial and economic framework. But such examples remain rare. Globally, cities like Paris and Shanghai are embracing 15-minute city models—where daily needs are within walking distance. These approaches integrate nature-based planning and efficient infrastructure to boost livability and reduce emissions. Indian cities can adapt such models, especially in fast-growing fringes. The construction phase also needs attention. On-site emissions are largely unmonitored. Prefabricated and modular construction can reduce material waste by up to 50%. Electrifying on-site machinery, deploying low-cost sensors to monitor emissions, and shifting to renewable power sources are practical steps. Procurement norms can be updated to favor low-embodied-carbon materials. However, systemic barriers remain—such as fragmented value chains, limited awareness. Addressing these requires coordination—from updating contracting models to enabling innovation and improving transparency. Globally, cities are moving: Amsterdam will mandate 20% biobased homes by 2025, cutting emissions by 220,000 tonnes annually. Lastly, but most importantly, is the operations phase of buildings. Operational energy use contributes nearly 70% of total emissions over a building's lifetime. Addressing this segment is critical. Smart systems can significantly improve performance. From self-regulating HVAC and lighting to IoT-enabled energy tracking, these tools are already available. Passive features—natural ventilation, optimal insulation, and daylighting—can reduce reliance on mechanical systems. Upgrading to energy-efficient appliances and pumps offers both emissions and lifecycle cost savings. 'The Edge' in Amsterdam, often called the world's greenest office, uses 28,000 sensors, solar energy, and smart controls to generate more energy than it consumes. From pilots to playbooks: what needs to change The solutions are known. What's needed now is scale. India must move from pilot projects to a playbook for systemic transformation. That shift requires action across three fronts. Governments must adopt a whole-systems lens—aligning policies, funding, and institutional capacity toward green urbanism. Proven interventions should be scaled, and urban planning recruitment must be prioritised. Secondly, real estate developers also have a critical role to play in shaping climate-resilient, people-centric assets. This includes moving beyond isolated projects to building integrated, mixed-use communities—such as 15-minute neighbourhoods. Green development should be viewed not as a compliance requirement or CSR initiative, but as a strategic business opportunity like rental premium and operational cost savings. Lastly, citizens, too, have a role. By demanding access to public transit, green spaces, and efficient homes, they can influence policy and market behavior. The bottom line: India's urban shift is rapid, with growing focus on climate-smart planning and green construction. Scaling impact now needs strong policy, institutional capacity, and real implementation across the real estate value chain. The writers are Neetu Vasanta, India Leader - Travel, Cities & Infrastructure, BCG and Yashi Tandon, Lead Knowledge Analyst, BCG.
