Latest news with #KKasturirangan
Time of India
01-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Expedite final ESA, ESZ notifications for Western Ghats, NGT tells Centre
Kochi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to expedite the process and publish the final notifications of ecologically sensitive areas (ESAs) and zones (ESZs) in the Western Ghats, particularly in states such as Kerala and Karnataka, where urgent action is warranted. The southern bench of NGT, while hearing a suo motu case on the 2024 Wayanad landslides, expressed concern that nearly a year had passed since the disaster, but little progress had been made on the notifications. Landslides in the Meppadi hills on July 30, 2024had buried entire villages — Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala and Noolpuzha — under massive debris, claiming 298 lives and causing extensive damage to property. The counsel for the environment ministry submitted that the final ESZ notification would be issued before August. The case has been posted for further hearing on Aug 11. Kerala govt has demarcated 8,711.98 sq km as ESA across 98 villages and submitted the details to the Centre. Idukki district accounts for the highest number of such villages (28), followed by Palakkad (13), Wayanad (12) and Malappuram (10). During the hearing, the NGT observed that the Western Ghats is a significant geological formation along India's west coast. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Birla Evara 3 and 4 BHK from ₹ 1.75 Crore* Birla Estates Learn More Undo As the cradle of biological evolution, the Ghats support a population of around 50 million people, with high population density in some areas. It emphasised the need to conserve and protect the region's unique biodiversity, while allowing for sustainable and inclusive development, especially in areas prone to or highly susceptible to landslides. The NGT noted that comprehensive studies conducted by Madhav Gadgil and K Kasturirangan may be relied upon. It urged the MoEF&CC to prioritise states such as Kerala and Karnataka and to ensure the early publication of the final ESA and ESZ notifications. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
Indian Express
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Revamped Green India Mission: A matter of vulnerable ecosystems and livelihoods
The government's decision to revise the Green India Mission (GIM) and focus on restoring vulnerable landscapes, such as those in the Aravalli range, the Western Ghats and the Himalaya, is welcome. Framed in 2014 during the last days of the UPA government, the mission is not only crucial to meeting India's climate commitments, it is also important for biodiversity conservation and food and water security. The initiative has resulted in an appreciable increase in the country's tree cover. However, it has been criticised for taking a plantation-centred approach and not doing justice to the mission's broader goal of ecological revival. The GIM's revised document attempts to course correct. Especially salient is its emphasis on zeroing in on micro-climatic zones through 'regionally conducive best practices'. This initiative should be combined with addressing another concern of the original GIM, which has largely remained on paper — creating income-generating opportunities for people who rely on these ecosystems. The Western Ghats, the Aravalli range and the Himalayan region face various challenges including deforestation, human-wildlife conflicts and changing rainfall patterns. Infrastructure development and unregulated tourism have added to their vulnerabilities. Last year, the catastrophic landslide in Wayanad underlined that the depletion of green cover and erratic rainfall had made the area susceptible to disasters. The new GIM document also notes that the Western Ghats ecosystem has degraded due to the felling of trees and illegal mining. Similarly, several studies have shown that the destruction of large chunks of the Aravalli ecosystem — especially its hills — has brought the Thar Desert close to the National Capital Region and this desertification has aggravated the area's pollution problem. The restoration of most ecological hotspots in the country has been trapped in the environment-development binary. In 2011, a panel chaired by ecologist Madhav Gadgil underlined the need to regulate developmental activities in the entire 1,60,000 sq km stretch of the Western Ghats. Its recommendations were met with resistance across the political spectrum. The suggestions of the K Kasturirangan panel have also remained on paper. Similarly, illegal quarrying has persisted in the Aravalli range despite several SC orders, including as late as May 29. The problem is also that green initiatives have rarely taken people along. The challenge for the revamped GIM will, therefore, be to find ways to sustain and improve people's livelihoods while enhancing ecological security.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Uttar Pradesh schools directed to teach students about former ISRO chief Dr K Kasturirangan
LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh government has directed all the Basic Education schools to tell students about the achievements of former ISRO chief Dr K Kasturirangan, who died on April 25 at 84. The state on Monday directed all Basic Council schools and Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas to share information about Kasturirangan's life, his scientific achievements, and contributions to educational reforms during morning assemblies, an official statement said. The schools were asked to display his portraits in schools and encourage students to adopt his life values, it said. Kasturirangan set India on the path to becoming a global force in space science and also played a transformative role in reshaping the education sector. The initiative is a part of the government's mission to raise the quality of education at every level and to ignite in students a curiosity for science, mathematics, and innovation, the directive said. Basic Education Minister Sandeep Singh said, "With the demise of the great scientist and chief architect of National Education Policy 2020 , Dr K Kasturirangan, the nation has lost a unique education thinker and nation builder. His life is a source of inspiration for all of us." "We aim to transform every school in Uttar Pradesh into a laboratory of scientists, where every child dreams of becoming the next Kasturirangan," he added. Kasturirangan, who died in Bengaluru, was the Chairperson of the drafting committee on the New National Education Policy (NEP), and had also served as the Chancellor of the Jawaharlal Nehru University and Chairman of the Karnataka Knowledge Commission . For real-time updates, follow our AP SSC 10th Result 2025 Live Blog.
Indian Express
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Former Isro chief K Kasturirangan cremated with full honours in Bengaluru
A steady stream of friends, former colleagues from the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), and political leaders across party lines came to the Raman Research Institute (RRI) in Bengaluru to pay homage to Dr K Kasturirangan Sunday. Kasturirangan, 84, who served as the Isro chairman from 1994 to 2003, passed away Friday, and his cremation was held at Hebbal Sunday afternoon with full state honours. After Nobel laureate C V Raman and radio astronomer Professor V Radhakrishnan, it was the third instance when the mortal remains of a noted scientist were kept at RRI. Karnataka Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, state Home Minister G Parameshwara, former Karnataka CM B S Yediyurappa, and former Union law minister Veerappa Moily were among those who paid their last respects to Kasturirangan. Speaking on the occasion, Shivakumar said, 'Dr Kasturirangan's contributions cannot be matched and there will never be another scientist like him. Soon, the Karnataka government will hold discussions and plan ways that will keep his name and scientific contributions immortal.' Former Isro chiefs A S Kiran Kumar, K Sivan, and S Somanath were among the dozen space scientists, along with other academicians, scientists and researchers who had gathered at RRI on the day. The visionary scientist had been ailing for the last two years due to age-related complications. After his condition deteriorated last month, he had been under palliative care at home. Kasturirangan served at Isro for over three and a half decades — a turbulent time for the Indian space agency amid several international restrictions, including access to cryogenic technology. Under Kasturirangan's leadership, Isro also embarked on a path of self-reliance and began planning for the big missions like Chandrayaan. Kasturirangan later became a member of Rajya Sabha, and then a member of the erstwhile Planning Commission. He also served the government in several other advisory capacities — he either headed or was part of committees that advised the dispensation on a range of issues, including higher education, technology, as well as environment.
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Science
- Time of India
With fond memories, Kasturirangan's colleagues, mentees bid him farewell
1 2 Bengaluru: Eminent scientist-administrator K Kasturirangan , who passed away at his Bengaluru residence Friday morning, was cremated with state honours here Sunday. Before his final journey, his body was kept in state for several citizens and dignitaries from various walks of life, scientists and his former colleagues to pay their respects at Raman Research Institute. They recalled his love of Carnatic music , cricket, and casual chitchats. A person with a broader perspective on life, science, and service, he built lasting relationships across all walks of life. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru TK Alex, former director of UR Rao Satellite Centre, who worked with Kasturirangan at Isro in 1988, said, "From project director to Isro chairman, I saw him rise. A perfectionist, yet remarkably approachable — always jovial and respectful, regardless of one's grade, age, or status. Even among 18,000 people, he recognised individual passions; he encouraged my love for writing. I often joked with him, saying, 'Sir, if I sit with you for half an hour, I'll learn a new English word and its perfect usage'." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Discover Affordable Medical Insurance Options for Seniors in the Philippines 2025 LocalPlan Search Now Undo "He loved cricket and music; he often attended music festivals and was deeply rooted in the rich cultural traditions of Travancore. Music was something he definitely loved," Alex recalled. Jayaraman V, former director of National Remote Sensing Centre, Isro, said, "Despite holding high-ranking positions, he always maintained humility and made sure the hierarchy was no barrier to free intellectual exchanges. He was always a mentor, guiding me to further my education." MK Sridhar, chancellor, Chanakya University, who worked with Kasturirangan in framing the National Education Policy , said, "I must have visited his house hundreds of times, and each time, I was welcomed with warmth, food, and his ever-present smile. He always conducted meetings with such warmth and light that we were able to achieve great things. On a personal level, our conversations went beyond work — we shared feelings, aspirations, and ideas, and he consistently inspired and cared for us. His impact on my life is unforgettable." DEEP IMPACT Dr Brindha Sitaram, founder-director, Centre of Psycho-Oncology for Education and Research We once struggled to fund a psychoneuroimmunology study. In a casual conversation, I mentioned it to him, and he immediately said, 'Send me the proposal'. I was planning to seek foreign funding, but he insisted, 'Let's try here.' In no time, he connected with the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad director and APJ Abdul Kalam, then DRDO chief, to arrange support. He even left the proposal with Kalam on his way to Moscow, saying, 'Let's see what can be done.' I wondered how cancer research and defence were related, but he simply said, 'We'll find a way.' True to his word, the funding came through. That's the simplicity and greatness of the man, always ready to help everyone Dharmendra Pradhan, minister of education The passing of Kasturirangan is not just a great loss for our nation but for humanity itself. He was not only a brilliant scientist but also a noble and compassionate soul. I had the privilege of working closely with him in the education sector — his loss is deeply personal to me. He was a true visionary; he believed in wide consultation and travelled across the country, engaging with people from every corner to shape public policy. The best tribute we can offer him is by remaining steadfast in our commitment to the education reforms, he so passionately envisioned
