Latest news with #Pilibhit
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Hotels rake in moolah as Indians hit the road for impulsive trips
NEW DELHI: A room at Pilibhit House-IHCL SeleQtions hotel in Uttarakhand's Haridwar this month or the next costs more than Rs 30,000 per night, according to an online travel platform. Despite the high price tag, the boutique hotel is experiencing a "significant" rise in last-minute, and impromptu bookings, said hotel manager Vikas Nagar. He said improved highway infrastructure is encouraging more travellers to choose Haridwar, situated on the banks of the Ganges, for a short, and drivable getaway. A rising number of Indians are taking to self-driving trips and road trips not just domestically but overseas as well. Rajesh Magow , co-founder and group CEO of MakeMyTrip said the interesting shift being observed in leisure travel by road in recent times is the emergence of newer demand centres near metro hubs across the country. Road connectivity is improving every year, effectively bringing destinations closer with reduced driving hours, he said, adding while Jaipur and Agra continue to attract travellers from Delhi, the driving time to destinations like Dehradun, Rishikesh and Ajmer has 'significantly' reduced. "Similarly, while Mysuru remains a popular choice from Bengaluru, destinations such as Coorg, Wayanad, and Kabini have become more accessible due to improved connectivity, and the reduced driving time to Nagpur from Mumbai has also made it easier to plan road trips to Nashik and the Vidarbha region." Radisson Hotel Group is witnessing a steady uptick in bookings at its properties located within a comfortable driving distance from major cities, particularly in destinations like Karjat, Shimla, Lonavala, Mussoorie, and Saputara, said Nikhil Sharma, MD and COO of South Asia. The trend is not limited to India alone. Romil Pant, VP and head of holidays at Thomas Cook (India) said Australia, New Zealand, and the UK are emerging as key preferences not just for dramatic landscapes but also for the ease they offer Indian travellers with right-hand driving and English road signages. He said customers are increasingly combining stretches like Australia's Great Ocean Road or New Zealand's South Island circuits with stays in boutique vineyard estates, countryside lodges and national park accommodations. "These itineraries often include multiple stops, such as wine regions like Hunter and Barossa, scenic detours into rainforest zones or geothermal sites." S.D. Nandakumar, president and country head of holidays and corporate tours at SOTC Travel said wider availability of intuitive navigation apps, digital mapping, and road-trip platforms has also increased comfort in self-navigated travel. Despite some core areas of Ranthambore being closed to travellers currently, the Bookmark Resorts Jogi Mahal Ranthambore was fully occupied last weekend, said Ashish Vohra, cofounder and CEO of Justa Hotels & Resorts.
Time of India
16-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Climate change threatens Gharial habitat as UP marks 50 yrs of project crocodile
Pilibhit: Climate change is emerging as a major threat to India's critically endangered gharial, even as Uttar Pradesh marks 50 years of Project Crocodile on Crocodile Day with the largest population of the species in the country. The gharial (Gavialis gangeticus)—a fish-eating crocodilian with a slender snout—once thrived across 80,000 sq km of the Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Mahanadi River systems. Decimated by habitat loss, poaching, and fishing-net entanglements, the species now survives in just 14 fragmented river stretches across India and Nepal. Although decades of conservation efforts—including the 1975 launch of Project Crocodile—spurred a modest recovery, the impending impacts of climate-driven habitat shifts demand a comprehensive strategy overhaul. A new study by Indian and international researchers used species-distribution models to project gharial habitat suitability under future climate scenarios. The results are striking by 2080, suitable habitat could grow by 36%–145%, even under both moderate and extreme warming projections. Uttar Pradesh emerges as the most promising region, poised to host the largest gharial population. Madhya Pradesh could become a new safe haven, with potential for over 31,000 sq km of suitable habitat. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Assam, Uttarakhand, and Bihar also show encouraging trends, while eastern states like Manipur, Jharkhand, and Arunachal Pradesh—previously devoid of gharials—may soon offer refuge. "This year marks 50 years since Project Crocodile began in UP," said Anuradha Vemuri, principal chief conservator of forests (Wildlife), Uttar Pradesh. "With around 270 adult gharials in the Chambal, Ghaghara, Gandak, and Ganga rivers—out of a national total of approximately 650—UP ranks first in the country, based on this year's census." Conversely, Odisha is expected to lose all suitable gharial habitat under future climates, and Rajasthan may also see declines. UP itself may experience an initial dip in habitat suitability before eventual recovery. The study highlights annual rainfall and precipitation seasonality as the key factors determining habitat viability—reflecting the species' need for exposed sandbanks during dry seasons for breeding and nesting. Notably, the geographic centre of suitable habitat is shifting eastward, mirroring wider climate-driven changes in river systems. "Habitat fragmentation is projected to increase—patches may rise by up to 96%—yet their overall aggregation remains stable," explained Dr Shailendra Singh, IUCN specialist group member involved in the research. "This offers some hope for connectivity and gene flow. Still, threats such as sand mining, pollution, and competition with the mugger crocodile persist. Gharials typically avoid human interaction, so increasing overlap with human-used areas—and with muggers—may heighten risks for both species. " The researchers recommend ground surveys in newly suitable zones, particularly the Brahmaputra and Mahanadi basins, prior to any reintroduction. They also advocate for designating these areas as protected zones, enhancing ecological monitoring, and partnering with local communities through awareness initiatives and compensation programs. "We've received the report and are reviewing it closely," added Anuradha Vemuri. "It will guide our next steps for gharial conservation and population growth in the state."
Time of India
24-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Sugar industry slams centre over stagnant ethanol prices
Pilibhit: The Indian sugar industry has voiced frustration over the Centre's failure to revise ethanol prices in line with the cabinet-approved formula that links rates to the annually updated Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane. Since 2014-15, ethanol prices for sugarcane juice and B-heavy molasses had been aligned with FRP—a mechanism reaffirmed by the cabinet for the 2022-23 ethanol supply year. Under the model, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) were expected to reflect ethanol price changes in retail fuel prices to ensure transparency. However, industry bodies say this formula has been ignored in 2023-24 and 2024-25. Despite an 11.5% hike in FRP—from Rs 305 to Rs 340 per quintal—ethanol prices remained unchanged. With FRP expected to rise to Rs 355 in 2025-26, producers are left uncertain about future pricing. "This disconnect is discouraging for ethanol producers," said Deepak Ballani, Director General of the Indian Sugar and Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA). "Despite the govt's target of 30% ethanol blending by 2030, stagnant prices are eroding industry confidence." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Prices of ethanol derived from sugarcane juice have remained fixed at Rs 65.6 per litre, and B-heavy molasses-based ethanol at Rs 60.7, since 2023-24. Meanwhile, ethanol from maize is priced significantly higher at Rs 71.8 per litre—despite comparable quality—further frustrating sugar producers. The gap has contributed to a sharp fall in sugar diversion for ethanol production , dropping from 38 lakh tons in 2022-23 to 21.5 lakh tons in 2023-24. "The sugar industry has invested nearly Rs 40,000 crore to double its distillation capacity to 850 crore litres annually," Ballani said. "But without price revisions, this growth is unsustainable." He added that restoring a structured pricing mechanism would not only stabilise the sector but also strengthen India's renewable energy efforts and help cut fuel imports.
