Latest news with #ForestResearchInstitute
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Harela festival kicks off with target to plant 5 lakh saplings
Dehradun: The Harela festival, a traditional celebration rooted in the agricultural heritage of Uttarakhand's Kumaon region, began on Wednesday. Symbolising prosperity, fertility and the onset of the sowing season, this year's festivities continue with the theme 'ek paed maa ke naam' (plant a tree in Mother Earth's name) — a call to repay our debt to nature by planting trees. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the festival by planting a Rudraksh sapling at the Gorkha Military Intermediate College in Dehradun. He also distributed soil health cards for 24 forest divisions, developed by the Forest Research Institute. Highlighting the state's environmental initiatives, Dhami said, "Through the Spring and River Rejuvenation Authority (SARRA), over 6,500 water sources have been conserved and 3.12 million cubic meters of rainwater harvested." The state forest department has set a target of planting at least five lakh saplings during the festival — three lakh in Garhwal and two lakh in Kumaon — across 2,400 designated sites. Forest minister Subodh Uniyal said the state has maintained a nearly 80% sapling survival rate over the past three years. Principal chief conservator of forests Samir Sinha said by Wednesday, at least 8.13 lakh saplings had been planted. Agriculture minister Ganesh Joshi also announced that the agriculture and horticulture departments aim to plant 15 lakh fruit tree saplings.
Time Out
4 days ago
- Time Out
UNESCO just announced 26 new World Heritage Sites
Listen up, everyone. UNESCO's new World Heritage sites just dropped. In efforts to identify, preserve and protect cultural heritage spots across the world, UNESCO, aka the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, crafts lists of World Heritage Sites that hold 'outstanding value to humanity'. These sites combine the preservation of human history, nature and culture, offering generations the opportunity to learn from the past, appreciate the present and create a better future, all while travelling to some astounding locations. And now, after the body's 47th session held this month at its Paris HQ, 26 new World Heritage sites have been added to the list. Among the newcomers are the Mount Mulanje Cultural Landscape in Malwai, a curved and lush terrain in southeast Africa with one of the largest inselburgs (which are isolated rock hills) in the world, Mount Mulanje. According to UNESCO's description, the Yao, Mang'anja, and Lhomwe Indigenous peoples who live in Mount Mulanje's surrounding areas use rituals to honour the land's abundance and sacredness, reflecting the importance of spiritual and ecological harmony between people and nature. Germany's Bavarian Palaces of King Ludwig II also made the list this year, and have been open to the public, preserved as museums, since his death in 1886. Each a personal retreat for Ludwig, these palaces, Linderhof, Schachen, Herrenchiemsee and Neuschwanstein impressively blend the era's romantic architecture with the country's natural landscapes. Picture white castles rising from deep, green forests, alfresco fountains with mountainous backdrops and even an intimate stage built in a manmade cave called the Venus Grotto. Other new Heritage Sites include Italy's domus de janas, or 'fairy houses' in Sardinia, the Megaliths of Carnac and of Morbihan in France, the Minoan Palatial Centres of Crete in Greece and Gola-Tiwai Complex of Sierra Leone, consisting of the Gola Rainforest National Park and the Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary. These are UNESCO's 26 new World Heritage Sites for 2025 Cambodian Memorial Sites: From centres of repression to places of peace and reflection, Cambodia Cavernas do Peruaçu National Park, Brazil Coastal and Marine Ecosystems of the Bijagós Archipelago – Omatí Minhô, Guinea-Bissau Cultural Heritage Sites of Ancient Khuttal, Tajikistan Diy-Gid-Biy Cultural Landscape of the Mandara Mountains, Cameroon Faya Palaeolandscape, United Arab Emirates Forest Research Institute Malaysia Forest Park Selangor, Malaysia Funerary Tradition in the Prehistory of Sardinia – The domus de janas, Italy Gola-Tiwai Complex, Sierra Leone Maratha Military Landscapes of India, India Megaliths of Carnac and of the shores of Morbihan, France Minoan Palatial Centres, Greece Mount Kumgang – Diamond Mountain from the Sea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea Mount Mulanje Cultural Landscape, Malawi Møns Klint, Denmark Murujuga Cultural Landscape, Australia Petroglyphs along the Bangucheon Stream, Republic of Korea Rock Paintings of Shulgan-Tash Cave, Russian Federation Sardis and the Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe, Türkiye The Archaeological Ensemble of 17th Century Port Royal, Jamaica The Colonial Transisthmian Route of Panamá, Panama The Palaces of King Ludwig II of Bavaria: Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, Schachen and Herrenchiemsee, Germany The Prehistoric Sites of the Khorramabad Valley, Iran (Islamic Republic of)) Wixárika Route through Sacred Sites to Wirikuta (Tatehuarí Huajuyé), Mexico Xixia Imperial Tombs, China Yen Tu-Vinh Nghiem-Con Son, Kiep Bac Complex of Monuments and Landscapes, Vietnam
India.com
05-07-2025
- India.com
Need A Break? 5 Dehradun Mindfulness Spots Everyone's Talking About!
The capital city of Uttarakhand called Dehradun enjoys its Himalayan foothold to provide tranquil surroundings for mindfulness practices. With its dense vegetation and calm settings and holy atmosphere Dehradun presents many locations which allow people to explore nature and achieve relaxation. People who want peace have a range of excellent mindfulness spots throughout Dehradun. 1. Robber's Cave (Guchhupani) Guchhupani, which is locally recognized as Robber's Cave, exists as a natural underground structure that blends hills with a flowing stream. People can meditate and practice mindfulness at this venue since its peaceful environment is enhanced by calming water sounds. Sitting or walking beside the stream gives you an opportunity to concentrate on your breath while soaking in natural relaxation. The extraordinary geological shape of the cave creates an aura of curiosity which effectively guides individuals toward self-knowledge. 2. Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple finds its place within thick woods to serve as a sacred Hindu Shiva temple. The temple gets its name due to droplets of water descending upon the Shivlinga that resides within its cave. People seeking peace will find this holy place becomes the ideal location for realizing mindfulness. Many people experience deep thoughts after hearing both the water dripping sounds and religious chants at this location. The quiet atmosphere enables both stillness of the mind and blessed spiritual connection. 3. Forest Research Institute (FRI) Visitors of the Forest Research Institute campus find this establishment impressive in its design along with providing seclusion. The expansive property stretches across 450 acres while providing landfilled gardens backed by tall trees surrounding expansive grounds. Visitors who walk on the institute's paths with trees of past centuries can enhance their attention while projecting mental clarity. An environment of fresh air accompanied by bird singing gives people the space to practice walking meditation and mindful breathing. 4. Malsi Deer Park The Shivalik Range foothills provide a perfect backdrop for Malsi Deer Park which presents breathtaking mountain views to its small group of visitors. Visitors can view different types of deer and observe wildlife at the park which offers spaces for purposeful animal observation. Recognition of how animals move and behave helps people develop both presence and awareness without any form of judgment. The park's scenic charm creates an ideal space where people can practice yoga sessions and silently connect with nature as they meditate. 5. Sahastradhara Sahastradhara stands out due to its thousand-fold spring and offers patients healing properties through its sulfur-rich waterfall waters. People find complete relaxation of both their physical shape and mental state because of the mineral-rich waters combined with the falling river streams. Mindful moments at Sahastradhara require people to notice water temperature sensations when they put their feet into cold pools while also listening to the sounds of flowing streams. The atmosphere at Sahastradhara becomes enchanting because of its misty landscape and rocky geology which deepens the experience of feeling grounded. Why Dehradun Is Perfect for Mindfulness Practices As a location that situates itself between the Himalayan ranges and the Doon Valley Dehradun naturally supports mindfulness activities. The city offers pure air and dense foliage and relaxed speed of activity which results in calm mental states. The combination of spiritual elements and natural scenery at these locations acts as a catalyst for improving the practice of mindfulness. Tips for Practicing Mindfulness in Dehradun The early hours of the day are preferred for visiting such places because they offer quietude over peak-time crowds. Electronic devices should be set to silent mode or should entirely be left behind to disconnect digitally. Every sensory detail matters so focus on the visual elements together with auditory and scent detections and physical touchpoints to maintain full mental presence. You must follow all rules and traditions of the area especially when visiting religious sites such as Tapkeshwar Temple and Mindrolling Monastery. Wrapping Up Dehradun features different sites that invite visitors to pursue mindfulness and recovery of their inner self. Visitors can discover various attractions between Robber's Cave's mystical charm and Tapkeshwar Temple's spiritual sacredness. All nature lovers will find satisfaction at these locations which serve different mind and nature needs. Practicing mindfulness techniques during your travels will turn typical activities into life-changing experiences. Fill your necessities and embark into Dehradun to discover your inner peace and equilibrium.
Japan Today
01-07-2025
- Science
- Japan Today
Policymakers often ignore forest regeneration in fight against climate change, research finds
A drone views shows fallen trees in a secondary forest where farmers (not pictured) were in the last stages of clearing land as soybean farming expanded in the Amazon, in Santarem, Para state, Brazil. By Stefanie Eschenbacher Naturally-regenerating forests are often ignored by policymakers working to curb climate change even though they hold an untapped potential to rapidly absorb planet-warming carbon from the atmosphere, scientists write in a new research paper. These so-called secondary forests, which have regenerated themselves after being razed, often for agriculture, can help bring the world closer to the net-zero emissions target needed to slow global warming, the research published in the journal Nature Climate Change shows. That is because these young forests, which are made of trees between two and four decades old, can remove carbon from the atmosphere up to eight times faster per hectare than forests that were just planted, they found. It comes as companies worldwide are raising millions of dollars to regrow forests from scratch to generate carbon credits they can sell to polluting industries seeking to offset their greenhouse gas emissions. Secondary forests, on the other hand, are often not allowed to regenerate themselves for long enough to benefit the climate, either because they are cleared or because they fall prey to fires or pests. Across the tropics, they found, only 6% of secondary forests reach two decades of regrowth. "It's a constant cycle of deforestation," said Nathaniel Robinson, one of the authors and a scientist at the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry. He added that their vulnerability "is likely tied to policy loopholes." Robin Chazdon, a research professor at the Forest Research Institute of the University of the Sunshine Coast, in Australia, who was not involved, said the refined evaluation of the global carbon mitigation potential of regrowing forests had important implications that could shape new climate policy. Last week, Reuters revealed how a loophole in the Amazon Soy Moratorium, an agreement signed by the world's top grain traders that they would not buy soy grown on recently deforested land, has allowed Brazilian farmers to market soy grown in razed secondary forests as deforestation-free. The Moratorium, like many conservation policies around the world, protects old-growth rainforests, but not regrown ones. In the Brazilian Amazon, half of secondary forests are cleared within eight years of regrowing, the scientists found. "The most rapid and largest carbon removal comes from these young secondary forests," said Susan Cook-Patton, a reforestation scientist at The Nature Conservancy, and one of the authors. But, she added, these forests "just aren't often appreciated." © Thomson Reuters 2025.
India.com
01-07-2025
- India.com
Dehradun In The Rain Looks Like a Dream — Here Are The Best Places To Capture It
The capital city of Uttarakhand, Dehradun, transforms into a natural beauty as its monsoon season transforms the entire town into lush green landscapes. During rainy months this city in Doon Valley embraces its true beauty between the Himalayas mountain ranges and lush forest environment. The city becomes a photographic haven because of its fresh climate and morning mist combined with its colorful plant life. The following list offers the best locations in Dehradun for monsoon photography that will deliver spectacular visual results. 1. Robber's Cave (Guchhupani) The local community in Dehradun knows Robber's Cave by its name Guchhupani while the residents consider it to be a top attraction. When the monsoon arrives the cave demonstrates its complete transformation as streams gush through the stone walls with beautiful waterfalls. Sunlight beams through the thick plants as water continues to move which generates enchanting light patterns that attract photographers of landscape images. The natural rock formations together with the peaceful environment at this location enable photographers to create beautiful capturing of natural beauty. 2. Sahastradhara Sahastradhara stands as a top camera destination for photographers throughout the wet season because of its meaning as 'thousand-fold spring.' This natural spring stands out because of its mineral-rich water flowing from sulfur source caves made of limestone. Rains deepen the greenery of the area's vegetation as the waterfalls gain increased power which transforms the setting into an unreal spectacle. When photographing these waterfalls at Sahastradhara photographers should use wide-angle lenses to show their expansive grandeur or narrow down their focus to the interesting features of the limestone formations. 3. Tiger Falls Tiger Falls stands near Chakrata village while remaining about two hours away from Dehradun by car. This waterfall stands among the highest in the region because it reveals spectacular views during and after rainy seasons. The waterfall descends more than 300 feet into air while being enveloped by forested hills and rising mist. Taking pictures of flowing motion during Fall requires slow shutter speed to produce enchanting surreal images. The landscape's natural greenery as well as the sporadic rainbows enhances this site's attractiveness. 4. Forest Research Institute (FRI) The Deer Forest Research Institute campus in Dehradun has achieved nominee status from UNESCO World Heritage Sites while presenting exquisite photography opportunities. During monsoon the site presents a magical combination of colonial architecture with neat landscaped areas and tall trees. Photographers can take advantage of the wet scenarios to shoot macro and architectural photographs throughout pathways and leaves while shadow patterns emerge across the environment. The ideal time to photograph the misty environment surrounding the institute occurs during early morning hours. 5. Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple The sacred Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple exists within deep forests as water droplets fall from cave ceiling onto a Shivling. When monsoon arrives the temple grounds transform into verdant surroundings as the water drips produce a holy ambience. This site appeals to photographers who want cultural and natural photography opportunities together. The photographically interesting difference between old temple architecture and lush green surroundings produces strong visual impact. 6. Malsi Deer Park Malsi Deer Park sits on the edges of Dehradun as a jaunty little zoo establishment. The monsoon season transforms Malsi Deer Park into a lush colorful wildlife sanctuary that is home to many flourishing members of nature. Deer feed in wet grassy fields which create a perfect image of the Shivalik Hills landscape. Wildlife aficionados can capture authentic images of peacocks along with rabbits and different creatures in their natural wilderness environment. Wildlife photographers benefit from the misty wet early mornings accompanied by gentle illumination that creates ideal photo conditions in the rainy period. 7. Lachhiwala The relaxing picnic area of Lachhiwala rests at a 25 kilometer distance from Dehradun city. The Song River waters feed artificial pools at this site which creates a peaceful environment for visitors during the rainy season. The area transforms into increased Sal forest density which produces multiple shooting chances for nature photographers. When light reflects from the tranquil pools it creates a mirror effect that stands out strongly in photo images. The combination of drizzling weather and fog enhances the mystical charm throughout the whole environment. Bonus Tip: Exploring Local Villages Picture-taking opportunities during monsoon exist specifically in the rural areas near Dehradun. Live rural Indian traditions become visible through the region's mountain and rain-related terrain while the houses and farm terraces create proper rural scenes. The practice of documenting how villagers spend their days makes your photography project more authentic. Conclusion Dehradun's monthly metamorphosis produces effects that seem enchanting. The city presents photographers with many options to photograph between its various features including natural waterfalls as well as mystical caves together with colonial buildings and calm parks. The photographic sites presented here provide both professional photographers and amateur enthusiasts with opportunities to generate impressive visual storytelling elements. Protect your equipment by bringing waterproof gear so you should also welcome unpredictable weather conditions because they could result in the capture of memorable shots. Capture the enchanting beauty of Dehradun during the rainy season by packing your camera then charging your batteries.
