News for 'Ministry of Environmental Protection'

Middle East conflict nears nuke flashpoint, warns WHO; urges restraint

Middle East conflict nears nuke flashpoint, warns WHO; urges restraint

Rediff.com22 Mar 2026

Tedros said that the war in the Middle East has reached a perilous stage with strikes reportedly hitting the Natanz Enrichment Complex in Iran, and the Israeli city of Dimona, where a nuclear facility is located.

Paddy Bonus: Stalin Vs Sitharaman

Paddy Bonus: Stalin Vs Sitharaman

Rediff.com2 days ago

The finance ministry has clarified that its letter to state chief secretaries, urging them to align their bonus policy to promote pulses, oilseeds, and millets, was an advisory and not a directive. This clarification comes in response to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin's criticism, who called the advisory a 'treacherous act against farmers'.

Technical Issues Hinder India's Renewable Energy Goals, Says Official

Technical Issues Hinder India's Renewable Energy Goals, Says Official

Rediff.com6 days ago

A top government official says that while India has made significant progress in renewable energy, technical issues are hindering large-scale implementation. The government is working on solutions such as grid flexibilisation and battery storage.

Will Budget 2026 Fix The Customs-FTA Disconnect?

Will Budget 2026 Fix The Customs-FTA Disconnect?

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

Customs regimes can lead to labyrinthine legal disputes. Budget 2026 must recognise that an excessively defensive Customs posture can itself become a trade barrier, point out Mukesh Butani and Shankey Agrawal.

Modi govt 'nearly signed death warrant' for Aravalli Hills: Sonia Gandhi

Modi govt 'nearly signed death warrant' for Aravalli Hills: Sonia Gandhi

Rediff.com3 Dec 2025

Sonia Gandhi criticizes the Modi government's environmental policies, claiming they endanger the Aravalli hills and disregard environmental protection.

No one can 'touch' Aravalli, says SC; puts jungle safari project on hold

No one can 'touch' Aravalli, says SC; puts jungle safari project on hold

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

The Supreme Court has halted Haryana's jungle safari project in the Aravalli range until experts clarify the definition of 'Aravalli range,' citing concerns about environmental protection and potential damage to the eco-fragile area.

Aravalli definition on hold as SC orders expert review

Aravalli definition on hold as SC orders expert review

Rediff.com29 Dec 2025

The Supreme Court has kept in abeyance its previous verdict on the definition of the Aravalli hills and ranges and proposed a high-powered committee to examine the issue.

'Dr Gadgil Understood Environment's Impact On Mankind's Future'

'Dr Gadgil Understood Environment's Impact On Mankind's Future'

Rediff.com12 Jan 2026

'His report created a lot of negative reaction in Kerala and in a way, he was crucified for writing such a report.' 'I asked him, "Don't you feel frustrated?"' 'His reply was, "Have you read Bhagavad Gita Chapter2"?' 'He particularly mentioned verse 47, where Sri Krishna tells Arjuna, "Your duty is to work without thinking of the fruits you get".' "He said, "similarly, my duty was to do what best I could do without hoping for any rewards".'

SC to hear on Monday Aravalli Hills definition issue amid row

SC to hear on Monday Aravalli Hills definition issue amid row

Rediff.com28 Dec 2025

The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the controversy surrounding the definition of Aravalli hills and is scheduled to hear the matter. The court had previously accepted a uniform definition and banned fresh mining leases in the area.

Mining legal on 0.19% of area covered by Aravallis: Govt

Mining legal on 0.19% of area covered by Aravallis: Govt

Rediff.com22 Dec 2025

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav accuses the Congress of spreading misinformation regarding the new definition of the Aravallis and defends the government's commitment to protecting the mountain range while allowing limited, legal mining.

Modi presents 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' to King Charles

Modi presents 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' to King Charles

Rediff.com24 Jul 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a tree sapling to King Charles III as part of his 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' environmental initiative during their meeting at Sandringham Estate.

Steel industry flags price pressure from cheap imports

Steel industry flags price pressure from cheap imports

Rediff.com27 Oct 2025

Ahead of the key meeting called by the steel ministry with the industry captains on Monday to discuss the impact of rising steel imports, companies have raised the issue of cheaper 'substandard' inflows from China, Vietnam, and South Korea, saying they are setting the benchmark for domestic prices and squeezing the profitability of Indian producers.

Govt empowers COAS to call Territorial Army for help

Govt empowers COAS to call Territorial Army for help

Rediff.com9 May 2025

The central government has empowered the Army Chief to call out 'every officer and every enrolled person' of the Territorial Army (TA) to provide for essential guard or to be embodied to support or supplement the regular Army.

'Nothing Kills More People Than Air Pollution'

'Nothing Kills More People Than Air Pollution'

Rediff.com11 Nov 2025

'It is high time to recognise that this is the greatest issue India is confronting.' 'Even the BJP should be raising concerns because polluted air suffocates everybody's child.'

What India Plans to Focus On At COP30 Summit in Brazil

What India Plans to Focus On At COP30 Summit in Brazil

Rediff.com27 Oct 2025

'At COP30, the emphasis will be on unlocking climate finance, reinforcing the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, and building resilience through inclusive transitions and the mainstreaming of adaptation.'

ASI to host yoga at 81 sites, Amit Shah to attend near Ahmedabad

ASI to host yoga at 81 sites, Amit Shah to attend near Ahmedabad

Rediff.com21 Jun 2025

Also, as part of the IDY celebrations, entry to all ASI sites will be "free of cost" for the public on June 21, the ministry of culture said in a statement on Friday.

India not to blame for Pakistan's devastating floods: Experts

India not to blame for Pakistan's devastating floods: Experts

Rediff.com3 Sep 2025

Hydrology experts suggest that India cannot be directly blamed for the devastating monsoon flooding in Pakistan this year, citing greater destruction upstream of the border and lack of evidence for intentional action.

Dismantling environmental laws, endangering India

Dismantling environmental laws, endangering India

Rediff.com16 Feb 2015

India loses 333 acres of prime forest every day. Instead of working to conserve India's forests and water resources, the environment minister has set up a committee to 'dismantle' the five key laws that provide environmental protection.

Brahmaputra dam will help prevent disasters, meets industry norms: China

Brahmaputra dam will help prevent disasters, meets industry norms: China

Rediff.com23 Jul 2025

China defends its construction of a dam on the Brahmaputra river in Tibet, addressing concerns from India and Bangladesh about its potential impact on water flow and the environment.

'Where There Is So Much Infrastructure Creation, There Will Be Debt'

'Where There Is So Much Infrastructure Creation, There Will Be Debt'

Rediff.com26 Aug 2025

'We have created massive infrastructure in the past six years.'

Yamuna first: HC refuses to stop Majnu Ka Tila refugee camp demolition

Yamuna first: HC refuses to stop Majnu Ka Tila refugee camp demolition

Rediff.com2 Jun 2025

The court observed that protection of the floodplains aimed to secure the fundamental human right to a clean and healthy environment for Delhi residents and future generations.

India's first Buddhist CJI ruled against 'bulldozer justice'

India's first Buddhist CJI ruled against 'bulldozer justice'

Rediff.com14 May 2025

Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, India's 52nd chief justice and its first Buddhist one, has played a key role in shaping the judicial landscape, penning about 300 verdicts, including landmark rulings on constitutional issues, liberty, and perhaps most important against the executive's 'bulldozer justice'.

Lifestyle for environment likely to become national mission

Lifestyle for environment likely to become national mission

Rediff.com30 May 2025

Currently, the NAPCC has eight active missions across sectors like water, energy, and agriculture, aimed at addressing climate change.

China defends Brahmaputra dam, says project won't affect riparian states

China defends Brahmaputra dam, says project won't affect riparian states

Rediff.com27 Dec 2024

China has defended its plan to build the world's largest dam on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet, assuring that the project will not affect riparian states and safety issues have been addressed through decades of studies. The dam, estimated to cost USD 137 billion, has raised concerns in India and Bangladesh, but Chinese authorities maintain that the project has been thoroughly studied and safeguards are in place. The dam is part of China's efforts to develop clean energy and respond to climate change.

SC slams NGO for opposing Jayakwadi Dam solar project

SC slams NGO for opposing Jayakwadi Dam solar project

Rediff.com2 Apr 2025

The Supreme Court of India has dismissed a petition filed by an NGO challenging the construction of a renewable energy project at the Jayakwadi Dam in Maharashtra. The court criticized the NGO for opposing the project, stating that it would be detrimental to the country's progress if every project was resisted. The court also raised questions about the NGO's bona fides and funding, suggesting that it may have been influenced by a company that lost the tender for the project. The project, a floating solar power plant, was approved by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. The NGT had previously dismissed the NGO's plea, stating that it could not find any law prohibiting such activities in the eco-sensitive zone. The Supreme Court upheld the NGT's decision, finding no grounds to interfere.

Brics likely to focus on closer energy partnerships among members

Brics likely to focus on closer energy partnerships among members

Rediff.com22 Oct 2024

The 16th Brics Summit beginning Tuesday in Kazan, Russia, is expected to see more focus on creating a sharper energy policy for Brics that ensures closer partnership among members in both energy security and energy transition, official sources said. The same is expected to be a part of the Kazan declaration, currently being negotiated, they added.

'I Expect More Disasters To Happen'

'I Expect More Disasters To Happen'

Rediff.com16 Jun 2025

'Even one accident can cause problems for the entire coastal system.'

Reimagining environmental governance won't be easy

Reimagining environmental governance won't be easy

Rediff.com30 May 2019

Successive governments focused on altering the clearance processes but largely gave a pass to the second, and essential, element of environmental regulations for monitoring pollution levels and how industries followed conditions laid down for clearances.

Govt defends Great Nicobar project amid criticism, cites national interest

Govt defends Great Nicobar project amid criticism, cites national interest

Rediff.com26 Aug 2024

The central government's Great Nicobar development project, proposed around an unprecedented transhipment port, will be executed to keep environmental impact minimal, and is essential as it is of national importance, the government has said amid calls to abort the controversial project due to ecological concerns, the Centre said in an official statement.

Why Kerala Opposes Sand Sea Mining

Why Kerala Opposes Sand Sea Mining

Rediff.com19 Apr 2025

If as critics point out, the environmental impact assessment study was commissioned only after the auction process got underway with not all the stakeholders getting to know of it, then the government has already compromised the trust it could have enjoyed with Kerala's public including its coastal communities, points out Shyam G Menon.

Real estate could be exempted from central environmental rules

Real estate could be exempted from central environmental rules

Rediff.com13 Jul 2016

Urban ministry changes rule before public consultation by environment ministry

Gas chamber: Delhi chokes at 'alarming' AQI of 428

Gas chamber: Delhi chokes at 'alarming' AQI of 428

Rediff.com14 Nov 2024

'The pollution has increased. We are facing breathing problems and irritation in the eyes'

Modi 3.0 mantris off to quick start, priority for 100-day action plan

Modi 3.0 mantris off to quick start, priority for 100-day action plan

Rediff.com11 Jun 2024

Signalling both change and continuity, India's new government, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a third consecutive term, got into work gear on Tuesday with cabinet ministers and ministers of state filing into their respective offices to assume charge.

Steel recycle mandate for automakers on the anvil

Steel recycle mandate for automakers on the anvil

Rediff.com11 Sep 2024

The environment ministry is likely to soon issue regulations that will mandate automakers to recycle a specified percentage of steel from old vehicles, starting from the next financial year, according to people familiar with the matter. "We recently held a meeting with members of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam). "The final regulations are likely to be issued in the next 10 days," a government source informed.

Will budget for agri research get a big boost this year?

Will budget for agri research get a big boost this year?

Rediff.com28 Jan 2025

Several leading scientists, academicians, and agriculturalists have called for raising government support for research and development to make Indian agriculture future-ready.

Forest rights activist Alok Shukla gets 'Green Nobel'

Forest rights activist Alok Shukla gets 'Green Nobel'

Rediff.com30 Apr 2024

Forest and tribal rights activist Alok Shukla will on Friday receive the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize -- 2024 for successfully leading a community campaign that saved 4.45 lakh acres of biodiversity-rich forests from 21 planned coal mines in Chhattisgarh.

What's Driving Surge in Breast Cancer?

What's Driving Surge in Breast Cancer?

Rediff.com1 Nov 2024

Late-stage diagnosis is a major issue, with over 75 per cent of cases being detected at advanced stages (50 per cent at Stage 3 and 25 per cent at Stage 4). This significantly reduces survival rates.

Land acquisition process for cheetah safari near Kuno underway, says official

Land acquisition process for cheetah safari near Kuno underway, says official

Rediff.com17 Sep 2023

Environment ministry is organising various programmes at Sesaipura related to Project Cheetah.

Rs 5 crore NOT fine, but environmental compensation: NGT

Rs 5 crore NOT fine, but environmental compensation: NGT

Rediff.com11 Mar 2016

However, the NGT expressed its displeasure over the spiritual guru's statement that he 'will go to prison but not pay the fine' and said such a statement was not expected from a person with such high stature.

'Even If We Have To Die, We Won't Let This Port Come Up'

'Even If We Have To Die, We Won't Let This Port Come Up'

Rediff.com13 Sep 2024

'Modi knows the people here are opposed to this project, but he is using the might of government to push this port down our throats.'