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Category: Environment

  • Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath leads 35cr tree plantation drive

    Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath leads 35cr tree plantation drive

    Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday stressed the critical importance of tree plantation, warning that indiscriminate felling could trigger water shortages and food grain crises.

    “A single tree absorbs and retains thousands of litres of water. Rivers remain perennial only where there are forests or a large number of trees,” Adityanath said after planting a Maulsari sapling along the Tal Ring Road near RKBK as part of the Paudharopan Mahayagya 2026 campaign themed ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’.

    He noted that environmental imbalance disrupts rainfall patterns, harming farmers, and called on every citizen to not only plant but also protect saplings to restore ecological balance.

    The state government has set an ambitious target of planting 35 crore saplings in a single day, supported by over 57 lakh nurseries. Adityanath said robust protection measures have already led to visible increases in forest cover.

    “Expressing gratitude is a hallmark of Indian culture. Through large-scale tree plantation, we can secure a brighter future for generations to come,” he added.

    Adityanath also admired the scenic beauty of Ramgarh Tal and took a selfie at the site.

    Present on the occasion were MP Ravi Kishan Shukla, Mayor Dr. Manglesh Srivastava, MLC Dr. Dharmendra Singh, and other BJP leaders and councillors.

  • Uttar Pradesh to plant 35 crore saplings on July 12

    Uttar Pradesh to plant 35 crore saplings on July 12

    Uttar Pradesh will launch a massive plantation drive on July 12, aiming to plant 35 crore saplings in a single day as part of the state’s Vriksharopan Mahabhiyan 2026 campaign, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Friday.

    Reviewing preparations via video conference, the CM said the Uttar Pradesh plantation drive was intended to function as a public movement rather than a routine government exercise, with success measured by sapling survival rather than volume planted alone, an official statement said.

    The state has set a target of raising green cover to 15% by 2030 and 20% by 2047, the statement said. To meet that goal, authorities plan to plant 35 crore saplings annually over the next five years, a pace they say could help absorb nearly 72 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.

    The CM directed departments to complete verification of plantation sites, ensure sapling availability, carry out geo-tagging and arrange irrigation ahead of the drive. He called for participation from citizens, students, farmers, elected representatives and voluntary organisations.

    Officials from the departments of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Rural Development, Agriculture, Horticulture, Panchayati Raj, Revenue and Urban Development presented their action plans during the review.

    The CM also directed that beneficiaries of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme be linked to the campaign, and said a mix of fruit-bearing, shade-giving, medicinal and timber species should be planted.

    State data show Uttar Pradesh added about 3.38 lakh acres of forest and tree cover between 2017 and 2023, with total cover rising to 9.96% from 9.18% over that period. The state has planted 242 crore saplings since 2017, compared with 51.48 crore between 2009 and 2016, according to the review.

    The campaign also includes several themed initiatives — Mission Chhaya, Samaras Van, Samriddhi Van, City Van, Kapi Van, Maharshi Charak Aushadhi Van, Urja Van, Pauranik Van and Aviral Dhara Van — designed to support biodiversity, reduce heat stress and promote agroforestry across the state.

  • HCLFoundation expands My Clean City for sustainable waste management

    HCLFoundation expands My Clean City for sustainable waste management

    HCLFoundation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Urban Development Department of Uttar Pradesh to advance sustainable waste management practices in Hardoi, Prayagraj, and Agra under the Swachh Bharat Mission.

    The partnership will focus on strategic planning, pilot projects, policy reforms, and IT-enabled solutions to strengthen urban sanitation across the three cities.

    As part of the My Clean City initiative, HCLFoundation flagged off 10 E-drain carts and 10 E-garbage loaders donated to Hardoi Nagar Palika Parishad and unveiled three reverse vending machines.

    The Foundation is also undertaking city beautification through wall art and developing model markets and wards in Hardoi.

    “My Clean City is a citizen-led program aimed at reclaiming urban spaces with technology inclusion and innovative solutions. This partnership will strengthen efforts in Agra, Hardoi, and Prayagraj—our three new expansion cities in FY26,” said Alok Varma, Project Director, Samuday and My Clean City, HCLFoundation.

    Anuj Kumar Jha, Secretary, Urban Development Department and State Mission Director, Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), Government of Uttar Pradesh, welcomed the collaboration, saying it will accelerate urban sanitation, strengthen waste management practices, and create replicable models for city transformation.

    Launched in 2018, My Clean City has sensitized nearly 750,000 citizens, trained over 100,000 stakeholders, managed 22,000 plus tons of waste, and engaged more than 3,500 school students through its Waste Champions Club in Noida and Greater Noida.

  • Godawan revival: Qutub Minar lights Up for India’s rare Bustard

    Godawan revival: Qutub Minar lights Up for India’s rare Bustard

    One of India’s most iconic monuments became a canvas for conservation on World Environment Day as the story of the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard, known locally as Godawan, was projected onto Delhi’s Qutub Minar. The large-scale installation highlighted the bird’s gradual revival amid decades of decline.

    Once a contender for India’s national bird, the Godawan had faded from public consciousness as its numbers dwindled across the country’s grasslands. Recent developments, however, signal growing recognition and renewed hope for the species’ survival.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi spotlighted the Godawan in the 133rd episode of Mann Ki Baat, praising India’s wildlife conservation efforts. In May, Rajasthan observed its first state-level Godawan Day on May 21 to boost awareness.

    A public tribute supported by Godawan Estuary Premium Water aimed to enhance ecological literacy around one of the world’s rarest birds and its revival. The event brought together conservationists, local communities, private partners and government agencies.

    “What makes this effort encouraging is the coming together of multiple stakeholders with a shared commitment towards conservation,” said Kedar Shrimal, president of Gramodaya Samajik Sansthan in a statement.

    “This growing spirit of collaboration is helping build greater awareness, stronger ecosystems, and renewed hope for the future of the species.”

    Conservation efforts have intensified through scientific intervention and community participation. Initiatives include restoring native grasslands, fencing nesting sites, improving water availability, captive breeding programmes and predator management. Local Bishnoi community members have played a key role in monitoring and protecting breeding grounds.

    Encouraging signs emerged in May with new hatchlings from breeding and hatchery programmes in Rajasthan, supported by specialised transport for relocating eggs and chicks when needed.

  • Balrampur Chini launches Bioyug Green Command 2026 to drive India’s bioplastics revolution

    Balrampur Chini launches Bioyug Green Command 2026 to drive India’s bioplastics revolution

    Balrampur Chini Mills Limited (BCML) formally launched Bioyug Green Command 2026 on Friday, marking World Environment Day with a first-of-its-kind platform aimed at accelerating India’s bioplastics revolution and reducing the nation’s dependence on conventional petroleum-based plastics.

    The launch, held in collaboration with the Lucknow Cantonment Board, was presided over by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as chief guest, signalling growing government support for bio-based indigenous manufacturing as a strategic national priority.

    The event formalised a landmark collaboration between Balrampur Bioyug and the Lucknow Cantonment Board following an earlier memorandum of understanding and BCML’s first institutional order for compostable polylactic acid (PLA)-based products. PLA, derived from sugarcane, is a fully organic bioplastic that breaks down within 180 days and converts into compost rather than waste.

    Speaking at the launch, BCML Chairman and Managing Director Vivek Saraogi said India stood at a defining moment where economic growth and environmental responsibility must advance together.

    “Through Bioyug Green Command 2026, we are bringing together government, industry, institutions and communities to accelerate this transition and demonstrate how innovation-led solutions can contribute meaningfully to a cleaner, greener and more self-reliant India,” Saraogi said.

    Executive Director Avantika Saraogi framed the shift to biomaterials as an economic opportunity as much as an environmental necessity.

    “The last century belonged to oil and petrochemicals; the next can belong to farmers and fields,” she said. “The materials of the future will not only be mined from beneath the earth but cultivated above it, through the power of agriculture.”

    Addressing the gathering, Defence Minister Singh drew attention to the accelerating public health toll of microplastics, citing scientific research indicating that approximately 350,000 people die globally each year due to microplastic exposure, with plastic particles now detectable in the blood of newborns.

    Singh highlighted the national security dimension of the transition to bioplastics, noting that India’s existing 20% ethanol blending programme had shielded the domestic economy from supply chain disruptions triggered by recent West Asian geopolitical turbulence.

    “By generating resources from our sugarcane, rice, and organic waste, we will strengthen our security framework,” Singh said. “While fulfilling our environmental obligations, we can become a self-reliant, bio-based economy.”

    Two high-level panel discussions formed a centrepiece of the programme. The first, titled “Mandate to Market: Unlocking the Bioplastics Value Chain in Uttar Pradesh,” examined policy support and market opportunities required to scale bioplastics adoption. The second, “From Mess to Mission: Bioplastics for Defence,” explored sustainable material integration within defence establishments.

    A parallel highlight was the felicitation of meritorious ITI girl students from Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, participating in the “Building Skills. Transforming Futures” initiative — a women-focused 3D printing training programme using Bioyug PLA, run by Balrampur Foundation in partnership with ITI Mohammadi.

    BCML, one of India’s largest integrated sugar companies, is currently developing the country’s first PLA plant with a capacity of 80,000 tonnes per annum. The company operates ten sugar factories across Uttar Pradesh with an aggregate crushing capacity of 80,000 TCD.

    The event drew participation from over 2,000 stakeholders spanning government, industry, academia, defence, and civil society.

    Bioyug Green Command 2026 is anchored in the proposition that “the future of materials is grown, not drilled,” positioning India’s agricultural base as the foundation of its emerging circular bioeconomy.

  • PM Modi highlights India’s green cover expansion on World Environment Day

    PM Modi highlights India’s green cover expansion on World Environment Day

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday marked World Environment Day by highlighting how his government’s initiatives over the past decade have driven expanding green cover and boosted populations of several animal species across India.

    In a post on X, Modi applauded citizens’ collective efforts, backed by science, innovation and policy, in improving the environment. He described the day as a reminder to reaffirm commitment to sustainable growth and environmental protection.

    “Some of India’s key successes include expanding green cover and a rise in the population of several animals,” Modi said.

    The Prime Minister pointed to notable conservation achievements, including recovery programmes for the Great Indian Bustard, snow leopards, sloth bears and cheetahs. He also credited the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative with adding nearly 119,000 hectares of forest cover annually.

    Guided by the principle of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’, the government will continue its Mission LiFE efforts toward a cleaner, greener and more sustainable planet, he added.

    World Environment Day, observed annually on June 5, was established by the United Nations Environment Programme in 1973 and remains one of the largest global platforms for environmental awareness. Azerbaijan is hosting the 2026 celebrations.

  • SOS India launches massive tree plantation for World Environment Day

    SOS India launches massive tree plantation for World Environment Day

    SOS Children’s Villages India has launched a nationwide sapling plantation drive, planting more than 5,000 saplings to mark World Environment Day, engaging children, caregivers, and local communities in environmental conservation efforts.

    The initiative, aligned with this year’s theme “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future,” spans 32 SOS Children’s Villages and multiple Family Strengthening Programme locations from Jammu & Kashmir to Tamil Nadu and Gujarat to Assam.

    The plantations include a mix of fruit-bearing, medicinal, native, and climate-resilient species such as neem, moringa, mango, gooseberry, guava, lemon, jackfruit, and custard apple.

    “Environmental sustainability is closely linked to child well-being and community resilience. Through this plantation drive, we aim to contribute to a greener future,” said Sumanta Kar, CEO, SOS Children’s Villages India.

    He added that every sapling planted represents a commitment to future generations and a healthier planet.

    Latur recorded the highest number with over 2,000 saplings, while Shillong focused on medicinal and wild edible species through partnerships with local stakeholders. Several locations prioritised fruit-bearing and indigenous varieties to support both ecological restoration and community well-being.

    SOS Children’s Villages India has partnered with local institutions and government bodies to enhance community participation in this World Environment Day initiative.

  • Marico calls for boosting India’s circular economy via waste innovation

    Marico calls for boosting India’s circular economy via waste innovation

    Environmental challenges spanning waste management, agriculture, and clean technology are creating significant opportunities for India’s circular economy, according to Suranjana Ghosh, Head of Marico Innovation Foundation.

    India generates an estimated 350 million tonnes of agricultural waste annually, much of which holds substantial industrial and economic potential if converted into valuable resources rather than discarded.

    “Environmental challenges today are increasingly interconnected… Across sectors, we are seeing growing evidence that environmental challenges can be addressed through practical solutions,” Ghosh said.

    She emphasised that sustainability is now viewed as an opportunity to create economic value, citing innovations that convert crop residue into sustainable materials, fuels, and industrial inputs, alongside waste-to-value technologies that strengthen recycling ecosystems.

    “More than innovation itself, the challenge today is creating the right conditions for adoption. Access to markets, industry partnerships and implementation support will be critical,” Ghosh added.

    As World Environment Day 2026 focuses on climate action, Ghosh called for translating innovation into measurable outcomes to build a USD 2 trillion circular economy that could generate 10 million jobs by 2050.

    “India does not lack innovative solutions… the focus must be on translating innovation into measurable outcomes that strengthen circularity, improve resource efficiency, and create long-term impact,” she said.

  • MakeMyTrip to transform Dilli Haat INA renovation with DTTDC pact

    MakeMyTrip to transform Dilli Haat INA renovation with DTTDC pact

    MakeMyTrip Foundation, the social impact arm of India’s largest online travel company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC) to transform the Dilli Haat INA renovation — upgrading infrastructure at one of the capital’s most iconic open-air cultural markets.

    The partnership targets three key areas at the 30-year-old craft bazaar: greener landscaping, upgraded promenade lighting to extend evening footfall, and hygiene improvements to washroom facilities — changes designed to serve the hundreds of artisans from across India who depend on the haat as a primary marketplace.

    The announcement aligns with Delhi’s broader push to develop a night-time tourism economy.

    “Dilli Haat-INA is a perfect example of an evening destination that supports our vision,” said Rekha Gupta, Chief Minister of Delhi, adding that the government is committed to positioning Delhi as a leading global destination.

    “We are also focused on building a strong night tourism economy that allows visitors to experience the city well beyond sundown.”

    Art, Culture and Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra described the market as a meeting point between artisans who bring crafts from across the country and visitors who come to experience India’s heritage.

    “Collaborations like this one with MakeMyTrip Foundation help us deliver tangible improvements on the ground,” Mishra said.

    DTTDC Managing Director Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, said improved lighting would be critical as Delhi scales its evening tourism offering, making the haat more inviting for families well into the night.

    For MakeMyTrip Foundation, the Dilli Haat INA renovation marks a first step into urban cultural tourism, following a decade of work in afforestation, mangrove plantation along the Gujarat coast, and community-based tourism in the Himalayas.

    “Our aim here is not only to enhance the visitor experience but also to contribute to making this space more sustainable,” said Rajesh Magow, Co-Founder and Group CEO of MakeMyTrip and Managing Trustee of the Foundation.

    Dilli Haat-INA, located in south Delhi’s INA colony, has operated for over three decades as a permanent crafts fair hosting artisans from every state, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.

  • EBG Foundation launches Sambhav Hai to build carbon-neutral villages across India

    EBG Foundation launches Sambhav Hai to build carbon-neutral villages across India

    EBG Foundation launched Sambhav Hai on Earth Day, a nationwide rural sustainability programme spearheaded by EBG Group Founder and Chairman Dr Irfan Khan, targeting carbon-neutral villages across India through a phased, data-driven framework that begins with the adoption of Charla Thanda village in Telangana’s Nalgonda district.

    The initiative marks one of the most ambitious grassroots climate programmes announced in India this year, with a Rs 30 crore allocation for its first phase covering 50 villages, expanding to 150 villages in Year 2 and scaling to 750 villages in Year 3 with government institutional support. The programme aims to reduce carbon emissions by 10 to 20 percent within the first year, progressing toward full carbon neutrality within three years.

    “Real change cannot come from isolated interventions. With Sambhav Hai, we are building a model where environmental sustainability, economic progress, and community ownership go hand in hand. Our aim is to empower villages with the tools, data, and accountability systems they need to lead their own transformation and contribute meaningfully to India’s climate goals,” said Dr Irfan Khan, Founder and Chairman, EBG Group

    At Charla Thanda, on-ground interventions have already begun with household-level data mapping to establish a comprehensive climate and resource baseline. The programme will focus on improving access to safe drinking water, strengthening groundwater recharge systems and implementing structured waste segregation and composting solutions. Afforestation drives and regenerative land practices will run in parallel, with local volunteers trained to sustain efforts over the long term.

    The village is being developed as a live demonstration of the Foundation’s Minus One Village model — a replicable blueprint designed to be scaled across regions and geographies.

    “Sambhav Hai’s success will be tracked through a robust framework that integrates water, energy, waste, food and land systems, along with carbon footprint metrics under the Minus One Village model. This ensures that the impact is measurable, accountable, and scalable across geographies.” — Suresh Goyal, Additional Director, EBG Foundation

    “What began as a simple idea has evolved into a powerful movement for large-scale transformation. By placing villages at the centre of climate action and bridging the gap between policy and on-ground implementation, Sambhav Hai creates a pathway for communities to actively lead India’s journey towards environmental resilience.” — Ranjitha M, Additional Director, EBG Foundation

    In parallel with its phased village rollout, the Foundation said it would initiate work across multiple states as part of a broader national expansion, extending the programme’s footprint beyond Telangana into a pan-India rural sustainability movement.