Latest news with #ForestandEnvironment
Hans India
4 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Rajasthan tops the nation in major mineral block auctions
Jaipur: Rajasthan has achieved a historic milestone in the mining sector, emerging as the top state in the country in the auction of major mineral blocks. According to the auction provisions notified by the Central government in 2016, a total of 500 major mineral blocks have been allotted across India so far, out of which 103 - more than 20 per cent - have been allotted in Rajasthan alone. Remarkably, 64 of these were auctioned in the last 18 months during the current government's tenure. The state government is now actively working to bring these blocks into operation to boost investment, revenue generation, and employment opportunities. In line with the Chief Minister's vision, the state has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against illegal mining. The Mines Department has implemented a transparent and effective mechanism for exploration, block delineation, and timely auctions. Within three months of the new government assuming office, 15 blocks were auctioned via the MSTC portal, followed by a record 34 blocks in 2024-25. As of July 2025, 15 more blocks have already been auctioned, with the process for another 12 currently underway. Rajasthan has also recorded a sharp rise in royalty revenue, collecting Rs 9,228 crore in 2024-2025, 24 per cent more than the previous year, said officials. To fast-track the operationalisation of auctioned blocks, the Mines Department has launched a coordination platform in July involving key departments such as Revenue, Forest and Environment, the Indian Bureau of Mines, and the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA). A Post-Auction Facilitation Cell has also been set up to streamline administrative approvals. The department has set a target to operationalise 10 new mines by November-December this year. Rajasthan's auction model has also received national acclaim for its transparency and effectiveness. In January, the Union Ministry of Mines awarded Rajasthan the first prize for its outstanding performance in mineral block auctions at the Third Conference of State Mining Ministers held in Konark, Odisha. To date, 77 mining leases and 26 composite licenses have been issued, covering minerals like limestone (75 blocks), iron ore (11), base metals (5), manganese (3), gold (2), siliceous earth (4), potash (2), and garnet (1). With these developments, Rajasthan is fast emerging as a national leader in responsible and high-impact mining governance.
New Indian Express
18-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Odisha to conduct fresh survey to identify new habitats for gharials
BHUBANESWAR: Celebrating 50 years of 'Project Crocodile' in the state, the Odisha government on Tuesday announced to conduct a fresh survey to identity new potential habitats for gharial species of the reptile, population of which has been revived from the brink of extinction in the Mahanadi river system, after decades of struggle. The report 'Back from the brink - Conserving the Gharials of Mahanadi', released by the Forest, Environment and Climate Change department on the day as part of the celebration, stated that the comprehensive survey is proposed to re-evaluate existing threats, assess changes in river physiography, and identify potential new habitats for gharials. Study of wild gharials - both adults and hatchlings - is also necessary to monitor their breeding dynamics, courtship, nesting, hatchling behaviour, maternal guarding, and dispersal patterns, the report underlined. Genetic study is also crucial for long-term survival of gharials in the Mahanadi river, it added. Forest and Environment minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia said, Odisha has successfully revived and sustained crocodile populations in the state over the last 50 years. 'Our state is home to all three species of Indian crocodiles - saltwater, mugger and gharial, and currently, we are focusing on maximising the population of the critically endangered gharial in the Mahanadi through a dedicated Species Recovery Programme,' he added.
India Gazette
05-06-2025
- General
- India Gazette
Uttarakhand CM Dhami plants Sita Ashoka sapling under 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign at his CMO residence
Dehradun (Uttarakhand), June 5 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday planted a Sita Ashoka sapling at the Chief Minister's residence on the occasion of World Environment Day as part of the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, according to the release statement. On this occasion, the Chief Minister called upon the state's people to participate in this holy work and serve nature while respecting their mother. This campaign is dedicated to maternal respect and environmental protection, in which every person is encouraged to plant a tree in their mother's name. Forest and Environment Minister Subodh Uniyal and Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan also participated in the event by planting trees. Earlier today, Dhami greeted people on World Environment Day and urged them to participate in the 'Ek Ped Maa ke Naam' (One tree in the name of mother) by planting at least one tree and protecting the environment. ' 'Conservation of nature and environment is both our cultural heritage and responsibility. Under the leadership and guidance of the respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign has been started to promote environmental conservation,' Dhami said in a post on X. 'Let us all promote this campaign and plant a tree in the name of Mother and ensure our participation in environmental protection,' his post added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Ek Ped Maa ke naam, an initiative that combines environmental conservation with a tribute to mothers, on June 5, 2024, exactly one year ago. According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, at least 80 crore saplings were planted between June and September, through collaborative efforts from government agencies, local communities, and various stakeholders. The Prime Minister also greeted people today, urging them to deepen their efforts to protect the planet and complimenting people working at the grassroots level for environmental conservation. (ANI)
New Indian Express
26-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Telangana welfare minister urges underprivileged parents to prioritise education
HYDERABAD: Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Sunday urged parents from underprivileged backgrounds to prioritise their children's education, assuring them that the government is committed to supporting educational needs. He emphasised that the state government is following the path laid down by social reformer Mahatma Jyotirao Phule. The transport minister, along with Forest and Environment Minister Konda Surekha, Fisheries Corporation Chairperson Mettu Sai and several other leaders, attended a special screening of Phule, a 2025 Hindi biopic directed by Anant Mahadevan, organised in the city. Speaking to the media after the screening, Ponnam Prabhakar pledged to facilitate the dubbing of the film into Telugu for the benefit of Telugu-speaking audiences, acting on the suggestion of Prof Kancha Ilaiah. He reiterated that education is the most powerful tool to break the cycle of poverty and stressed the importance of educating the girl child and empowering women.
The Hindu
08-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Tree protection Act needs to be amended: Khandre
Minister for Forest and Environment, Eshwar B. Khandre, on Friday favoured the need to amend The Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act, 1976 in order to take strict action and impose higher fines on those who illegally cut down trees on government land, forests, and roadsides. Speaking at a Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) Monthly Management Review (MMR) meeting on Thursday, Mr. Khandre said that even the Supreme Court had objected to the cutting down of large numbers of trees. 'In view of global warming and climate change, it is the responsibility of all to protect trees,' he said. The Minister pointed out that recently there had been instances of public outrage over the approval given to cut down hundreds of trees in the name of development. 'In this regard, permission should not be granted for unnecessary tree cutting,' he said. On encroachment of forestland, he said that there should be zero tolerance and anyone who had encroached forest land after 2015 must be evicted without leniency. He also instructed officials to provide information about encroachments, evictions, and actions taken in the last two years.
