National
Union Environment Minister Calls for Community-Driven Restoration of Aravalli Range to Fight Desertification
“We should establish ideal nurseries in every village. Why opt for imported varieties when we can enhance our surroundings with local species?” the minister stated, inspiring people to promote native flora through plantation initiatives and the development of region-specific nurseries.
At a national workshop organized by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change at the Arid Forest Research Institute (ICFRE-AFRI) in Jodhpur, Yadav expressed concern over the considerable land undergoing desertification in India. He linked this issue to human-induced degradation, primarily due to unsustainable agricultural methods such as excessive urea usage and indiscriminate pesticide application.
To address these challenges, he emphasized the need for community-driven restoration programs, supported by government initiatives like Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, Matri Van, and Amrit Sarovar. These programs illustrate how grassroots movements can significantly contribute to reversing environmental harm.
Yadav underscored the vital role of the Aravalli mountain range, which spans 700 kilometers across 29 districts and acts as a natural barrier against desertification. He called on citizens to support the Green Wall Project launched earlier this year, aimed at combating desertification and drought through mass afforestation along the Aravalli belt.
To motivate participation, the minister shared his personal practice of gifting one plant to officers at the village and district levels, encouraging them to multiply that effort by planting a hundred more, thus creating a Matri Van (mother forest) in each constituency he visits.
Yadav also stressed that ecological restoration extends beyond tree planting alone. “Every villager should play a role in reforesting grazing or barren lands, not just by planting trees but also by restoring grasslands. This effort will help reintroduce birds, animals, and even microorganisms,” he noted, emphasizing that each species, from the smallest to the largest, is crucial in revitalizing ecosystems.
National
MBBS Student Alleges She Was Drugged, Raped by Friend in Delhi Hotel
New Delhi: An 18-year-old MBBS student has accused a 20-year-old male friend of drugging and sexually assaulting her at a hotel in Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar area. The alleged incident took place on September 9, police officials said.
According to the complaint, the accused, who is also a medical student, invited the woman to “Hotel Apple” on the pretext of spending time together. Once there, he allegedly gave her a drink laced with drugs and then raped her.
The survivor told police that the accused recorded obscene videos and took pictures during the assault. He later threatened to make the content viral if she reported the incident.
The woman, a native of Jind in Haryana, is currently staying at the hostel of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College in Rohini, Delhi.
Based on her complaint, police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. A search is underway to locate and arrest the accused, officials added.
In a separate case earlier this month, a school manager in Uttar Pradesh was arrested for allegedly raping a Class 8 student. In February, a tuition teacher in Delhi’s CR Park area was accused of repeatedly raping a 15-year-old student over three years and threatening her with blackmail.
National
8 Patients Dead In Jaipur Hospital Fire
Jaipur: Eight patients died after a fire broke out at the trauma centre of the state-run Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur late Sunday night.
Officials said the blaze started in the storage area of the Neuro ICU, possibly due to a short circuit. There were 11 patients in the ICU at the time. Smoke quickly spread, causing panic among patients and staff.
Hospital workers and attendants tried to rescue patients, even moving them out on their beds. Firefighters controlled the blaze in about two hours.
Families of the victims alleged that hospital staff ignored early warnings about smoke and fled during the fire.
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and other ministers visited the hospital to review the situation and assured a detailed probe into the incident.
National
75-Year-Old Man Marries 35-Year-Old, Dies Before Honeymoon
Uttar Pradesh: A 75-year-old man who remarried in search of companionship died barely hours after his wedding, sparking shock and speculation in his village.
The deceased, identified as Sangruram, a resident of Kuchhmuchh village in Jaunpur district, had been living alone after losing his first wife a year ago. With no children, he supported himself through farming. Despite advice from relatives against remarriage, Sangruram wed 35-year-old Manbhavati, a resident of Jalalpur area, on Monday, September 29.
The marriage was first registered in court, followed by traditional rituals at a local temple. According to Manbhavati, the couple spent most of the wedding night conversing, as Sangruram assured her that she would take responsibility for the household while he would “take care of the children.”
However, by the next morning, his health deteriorated suddenly. He was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
The unexpected death has triggered varied reactions in the village. While some residents believe it to be a natural occurrence given his age, others have expressed suspicion about the circumstances.
Relatives, including nephews residing in Delhi, have halted funeral rites until their arrival. They have also raised questions about whether a police inquiry or post-mortem examination will be conducted before the cremation.
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding further investigation.
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