In Uttar Pradesh, one of the largest sugarcane-producing states, Red Rot and Top Borer diseases have severely impacted yields. Heavy and untimely rainfall and flooding in certain districts have further worsened the situation, spreading the infections to unaffected crops, reducing both sugarcane production and recovery rates.
The programme will train 400 underprivileged youths in apparel and textile industry skills, creating self-employment opportunities. Participants from various SECL operational areas can opt for either residential or non-residential training.
Eligible projects include warehouses, silos, cold chains, logistics facilities, and smart precision agriculture infrastructure. Loan applicants must contribute at least 10 per cent of the project cost, and an entity can apply for up to 25 projects, each eligible for a loan of up to Rs. 2 crore.
With the successful completion of more than 68,000 Sarovars ahead of schedule, the government has now launched the second phase of Mission Amrit Sarovar. This phase will emphasise ensuring sustainable water availability and climate resilience, with community participation (Jan Bhagidari) being the core focus.
The report is based on extensive discussions with state government officials from over 20 states and union territories, vice-chancellors and senior academics from 50 SPUs, and chairpersons of several state higher education councils.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC) has launched several schemes targeting pollution control, afforestation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable resource management.
The program is being implemented through convergence with the National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), which is providing financial support for the initiative.
The developments in Nepal illustrate a familiar tension across many democracies: the challenge of establishing effective self-regulation and accountability mechanisms without creating tools that could be used to constrain critical reporting.
India’s experience offers a transferable lesson: organic waste streams, when systematically collected and processed, can simultaneously advance sanitation, energy access, climate mitigation and rural-urban linkages.