VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Sagittarius Horoscope Today, July 13, 2026: Don’t hurt any female through careless speech or rude behaviour “The image matches classical descriptions of Gayatri in the Silpasastras,” said archaeologist Ramesh Yadav BHOPAL: Wrong goddess. Wrong identity. Wrong for over 900 years. But a missing veena and a digital deep dive supplied the mantra as a silent stone goddess spoke her true name.A striking 12th-century sculpture from Dhar in southwestern Madhya Pradesh, long worshipped in scholarship as Saraswati, has now been identified as goddess Gayatri, transforming a familiar museum treasure into one of India’s rarest known images of the deity who personifies the Gayatri Mantra and Vedic wisdom.Fresh digital documentation and high-resolution 3D mapping of the red sandstone sculpture at Bhopal’s State Museum helped archaeologists decode iconographic clues that had escaped notice for centuries.What emerged was more than a corrected museum label. It restored a forgotten chapter of India’s sacred art. “The image matches classical descriptions of Gayatri in the Silpasastras,” said archaeologist Ramesh Yadav, associated with the directorate of archaeology, archives and museums.Missing veena proves sculpture is of Gayatri, not of SaraswatiArchaeologist Ramesh Yadav said, “The four-armed goddess sits in lalitasana, holding a rosary, lotus and the Vedas. A finely carved hamsa (swan) beside her symbolises sacred wisdom, while celestial garland bearers affirm her divinity. Together, these attributes identify the deity as Gayatri rather than Saraswati.”It was what the sculptor left out that became the clincher. “From the Gupta period (320–550 CE) onwards, Saraswati is almost invariably shown with a veena,” said historian and archaeologist BK Lokhande. “This image has none. Instead, she holds the Vedas and a lotus exactly as described in Srimad Devi Bhagavata Purana and the Silpasastras. Images of Gayatri are exceptionally rare. While Gayatri, Savitri and Saraswati all embody knowledge, the iconography leaves little doubt that this is Gayatri.”Unearthed in Dhar, capital of the Parmar dynasty (9th to 14th century), the sculpture carries distinct Western Chalukyan influence in its graceful modelling and ornamentation while faithfully reflecting classical descriptions of Gayatri. Rigveda preserves Gayatri Mantra, Satapatha Brahmana celebrates Gayatri as the fountainhead of sacred knowledge, while later Puranas revere her as Vedamata, Mantramata, Brahmavidya and Jaganmata.The rediscovered icon is becoming the poster image for MP’s digital heritage mission. Archaeology commissioner Madan Kumar Nagargoje said authenticated 3D models and digital platforms would allow people to study one of India’s rarest Gayatri images.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Black Magic, Cow Urine’: Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader’s Daughter-In-Law Makes Shocking Allegations’I Lock Up Religion When…’: Annamalai Confirms ‘We The Leaders’ Will Become Political PartyWatch: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Drives Road Roller, Destroys Seized Drugs’1 Indian Missing’: MEA Condemns Attack On Vessel Carrying Indian Crew Off Oman Coast’Do I Have To Ask Trump?’: Omar Abdullah Launches Attack At Modi Govt Over Jammu-Kashmir StatehoodBJP Rejects Omar Abdullah’s ‘Operation Lotus’ Allegation, Demands Proof Or Public ApologyHapur Woman Critical After Allegedly Drinking Acid From Sealed Water Bottle; Police Launch ProbeElection Commission Updates Form 6 With New SIR DeclarationIndian Army Plans To Induct 450 Carl Gustaf M4 Rocket LaunchersDelhi To Get Its First Solar Tree At Secretariat; Pilot Project May Expand Across The City123PhotostoriesThese 4 signs are said to have the highest IQWomen over 30, especially mothers, face these 5 common health problems: Doctor says early prevention can make all the differenceTrying for a baby? This one dental habit could make a difference”Scrambled egg mein crush…aur phir”: Raj Thackeray shares his unique Egg recipe loved by his father and Bal ThackerayForget crash diets and health hacks: Cardiologist reveals 5 simple daily habits that can transform your health, one day at a timeTop 3 eggs in the world and the right way to consume themnside Sudesh Lehri’s luxurious 4-BHK Mumbai home: A private studio, home theatre and moreWhy seemingly healthy young Indians are collapsing without warning: Doctors explain how AEDS can mean the difference between life and deathKate Middleton ditched soft neutrals for a show-stopping red look at Wimbledon 20265 late-night drinks that help support healthy blood sugar, according to dietitians123Hot PicksAgniveer result 2026DU UG Admissions 2026Vietnam boat accidentSonam Wangchuk Hunger strikeIslam makhachevKarnataka Bus newsBengaluru delivery boyKolkata Mosque prayersHamad bin Khalifa Al ThaniTop TrendingUFC 329 HighlightsNHL Player InjuryErling Haaland FatherFIFA World Cup 2026Chhattisgarh Student MurderTS EAMCET Phase 1 seat allotmentRamesh MhatreDelhi NCR rainGurgaon EncounterIran war Oil companies plan expanding 10-kg LPG cylinder sales Scorpio Horoscope Today, July 13, 2026: Avoid unnecessary debate Liquor gangs go to war in ‘dry’ Bihar, 3 dead in 4 days The accused has been identified as Vijay Mallikarjun Kamath BENGALURU: A routine parcel delivery turned into a frightening ordeal for a 27-year-old Bengaluru food vlogger after a delivery agent allegedly forced his way into her washroom and flashed her.Based on the woman’s complaint about the episode on Saturday, police arrested the agent, identified as 22-year-old Vijay Mallikarjun Kamat, a native of Belagavi district. Kamat has told investigators he had entered her washroom as he needed to relieve himself but denied having “exposed” himself.Before filing the complaint, the woman shared a video on Instagram recounting her plight. The agent arrived at her home to deliver a parcel and then asked if he could use her washroom. “I politely refused multiple times and told him that I do not allow strangers inside my home. Even when he said it was an emergency, I suggested that he ask the male neighbours next door instead,” she posted.According to the woman, the agent removed his slippers and forcibly entered her flat. “Living alone, I feared for my safety. To protect myself, I switched on my phone camera, kept my main door open, and stood near the entrance throughout.”But what happened next left the woman “completely shaken”. “When he came out of the washroom, he exposed his private parts to me. I felt violated, humiliated, and completely unsafe in my own home,” she said, adding the video was shared to create awareness.Flipkart disclosed that it had fired Kamat. “As soon as the matter came to our attention, we terminated the engagement of the delivery partner,” Flipkart said in a statement.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Black Magic, Cow Urine’: Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader’s Daughter-In-Law Makes Shocking Allegations’I Lock Up Religion When…’: Annamalai Confirms ‘We The Leaders’ Will Become Political PartyWatch: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Drives Road Roller, Destroys Seized Drugs’1 Indian Missing’: MEA Condemns Attack On Vessel Carrying Indian Crew Off Oman Coast’Do I Have To Ask Trump?’: Omar Abdullah Launches Attack At Modi Govt Over Jammu-Kashmir StatehoodBJP Rejects Omar Abdullah’s ‘Operation Lotus’ Allegation, Demands Proof Or Public ApologyHapur Woman Critical After Allegedly Drinking Acid From Sealed Water Bottle; Police Launch ProbeElection Commission Updates Form 6 With New SIR DeclarationIndian Army Plans To Induct 450 Carl Gustaf M4 Rocket LaunchersDelhi To Get Its First Solar Tree At Secretariat; Pilot Project May Expand Across The City123PhotostoriesThese 4 signs are said to have the highest IQWomen over 30, especially mothers, face these 5 common health problems: Doctor says early prevention can make all the differenceTrying for a baby? This one dental habit could make a difference”Scrambled egg mein crush…aur phir”: Raj Thackeray shares his unique Egg recipe loved by his father and Bal ThackerayForget crash diets and health hacks: Cardiologist reveals 5 simple daily habits that can transform your health, one day at a timeTop 3 eggs in the world and the right way to consume themnside Sudesh Lehri’s luxurious 4-BHK Mumbai home: A private studio, home theatre and moreWhy seemingly healthy young Indians are collapsing without warning: Doctors explain how AEDS can mean the difference between life and deathKate Middleton ditched soft neutrals for a show-stopping red look at Wimbledon 20265 late-night drinks that help support healthy blood sugar, according to dietitians123Hot PicksAgniveer result 2026DU UG Admissions 2026Vietnam boat accidentSonam Wangchuk Hunger strikeIslam makhachevKarnataka Bus newsBengaluru delivery boyKolkata Mosque prayersHamad bin Khalifa Al ThaniTop TrendingUFC 329 HighlightsNHL Player InjuryErling Haaland FatherFIFA World Cup 2026Chhattisgarh Student MurderTS EAMCET Phase 1 seat allotmentRamesh MhatreDelhi NCR rainGurgaon EncounterIran war ‘To hold Iranian forces accountable’: US launches fresh strikes on Iran as tensions flare over Hormuz attacks Libra Horoscope Today, July 13, 2026: Quiet money grows better than noisy money How a New York construction scare exposed the challenges of converting offices into homes | File photo: Strait of Hormuz NEW DELHI: India has condemned the attack on commercial vessel GFS Galaxy off the coast of Oman, which had 11 Indian nationals on board, of whom 10 were rescued, but one remains missing.The Cyprus-flagged tanker was hit apparently by an Iranian strike for ignoring instructions to follow what it called an approved route on the Strait of Hormuz. Oman’s maritime authority said it rescued 23 crew members but one was missing.”Our Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and proactively coordinating with Omani authorities in the ongoing search and rescue operation. We thank Omani authorities for their support,” said govt in a statement.Government also said that continuing incidents of attacks on commercial shipping were deeply worrisome. It reiterated the call for immediate de-escalation of tensions, and the conclusion of negotiations for a diplomatic solution.‘Stop targeting commercial shipping, civilian infra’Government said, “The targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end, and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through international waterways in the region, in keeping with international law, must be restored at the earliest.”US ambassador to India highlighted a social media post by the US Central Command in which it said it had launched the third round of strikes this week against Iran after Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces “blatantly” attacked GFS Galaxy. “A civilian crew member is missing and the vessel is unable to continue the journey due to an onboard fire and significant engine room damage,” said the CENTCOM.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Black Magic, Cow Urine’: Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader’s Daughter-In-Law Makes Shocking Allegations’I Lock Up Religion When…’: Annamalai Confirms ‘We The Leaders’ Will Become Political PartyWatch: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Drives Road Roller, Destroys Seized Drugs’1 Indian Missing’: MEA Condemns Attack On Vessel Carrying Indian Crew Off Oman Coast’Do I Have To Ask Trump?’: Omar Abdullah Launches Attack At Modi Govt Over Jammu-Kashmir StatehoodBJP Rejects Omar Abdullah’s ‘Operation Lotus’ Allegation, Demands Proof Or Public ApologyHapur Woman Critical After Allegedly Drinking Acid From Sealed Water Bottle; Police Launch ProbeElection Commission Updates Form 6 With New SIR DeclarationIndian Army Plans To Induct 450 Carl Gustaf M4 Rocket LaunchersDelhi To Get Its First Solar Tree At Secretariat; Pilot Project May Expand Across The City123PhotostoriesThese 4 signs are said to have the highest IQWomen over 30, especially mothers, face these 5 common health problems: Doctor says early prevention can make all the differenceTrying for a baby? This one dental habit could make a difference”Scrambled egg mein crush…aur phir”: Raj Thackeray shares his unique Egg recipe loved by his father and Bal ThackerayForget crash diets and health hacks: Cardiologist reveals 5 simple daily habits that can transform your health, one day at a timeTop 3 eggs in the world and the right way to consume themnside Sudesh Lehri’s luxurious 4-BHK Mumbai home: A private studio, home theatre and moreWhy seemingly healthy young Indians are collapsing without warning: Doctors explain how AEDS can mean the difference between life and deathKate Middleton ditched soft neutrals for a show-stopping red look at Wimbledon 20265 late-night drinks that help support healthy blood sugar, according to dietitians123Hot PicksAgniveer result 2026DU UG Admissions 2026Vietnam boat accidentSonam Wangchuk Hunger strikeIslam makhachevKarnataka Bus newsBengaluru delivery boyKolkata Mosque prayersHamad bin Khalifa Al ThaniTop TrendingUFC 329 HighlightsNHL Player InjuryErling Haaland FatherFIFA World Cup 2026Chhattisgarh Student MurderTS EAMCET Phase 1 seat allotmentRamesh MhatreDelhi NCR rainGurgaon EncounterIran war Indian Air Force: IAF ranks 3rd-most powerful air force in world, stays ahead of China for 5th straight year: WDMMA rankings Leo Horoscope Today, July 13, 2026: Don’t force anything dramatic ‘Wife moved in with another man’: Depressed father electrocutes 2 kids, self in Tamil Nadu File photo: Ram Temple in Ayodhya LUCKNOW: The SIT probing the alleged theft of donations to Ayodhya’s Ram temple has identified nine critical procedural and security lapses that collectively enabled the alleged large-scale embezzlement.The findings suggest that the theft was not the consequence of a single loophole but of the near-total breakdown of the prescribed safeguards governing the handling and counting of donations.The first line of defence collapsed as the counting personnel were not frisked while entering or exiting the cash-counting hall. The investigation found that the mandatory pocketless uniforms prescribed for the counting staff were never enforced.Adding to the security breach, employees were allowed to carry personal belongings into the counting room despite explicit restrictions aimed at preventing the removal of cash or the introduction of unauthorised items. Investigators said that instead of maintaining separate accounts for each donation box, cash from various hundis was mixed before counting, making reconciliation of individual collections impossible.Compounding this, no denomination-wise inventory, vouchers, or certification records were prepared during the counting process. The absence of detailed documentation meant there was no verifiable record of how much currency of each denomination had been received, counted or deposited, making subsequent audits ineffective.The probe found that biometric attendance of the counting personnel was not effectively implemented, which undermined accountability and made it difficult to conclusively establish who was present during each counting session.The SIT found that these lapses did not operate in isolation but reinforced one another, effectively dismantling every layer of financial and physical security.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorPathikrit ChakrabortyWhen not covering crime, he reads fiction, roams around the dark alleys of the city in the dead of night. An MA (English Litt) from University of Lucknow, Pathikrit loves to speak French, well at least a smattering of it. He did his graduation in French language. A recipient of the Road Safety Fellowship of the United Nations, Pathikrit drives cautiously and advises others to do that too.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Black Magic, Cow Urine’: Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader’s Daughter-In-Law Makes Shocking Allegations’I Lock Up Religion When…’: Annamalai Confirms ‘We The Leaders’ Will Become Political PartyWatch: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Drives Road Roller, Destroys Seized Drugs’1 Indian Missing’: MEA Condemns Attack On Vessel Carrying Indian Crew Off Oman Coast’Do I Have To Ask Trump?’: Omar Abdullah Launches Attack At Modi Govt Over Jammu-Kashmir StatehoodBJP Rejects Omar Abdullah’s ‘Operation Lotus’ Allegation, Demands Proof Or Public ApologyHapur Woman Critical After Allegedly Drinking Acid From Sealed Water Bottle; Police Launch ProbeElection Commission Updates Form 6 With New SIR DeclarationIndian Army Plans To Induct 450 Carl Gustaf M4 Rocket LaunchersDelhi To Get Its First Solar Tree At Secretariat; Pilot Project May Expand Across The City123PhotostoriesThese 4 signs are said to have the highest IQWomen over 30, especially mothers, face these 5 common health problems: Doctor says early prevention can make all the differenceTrying for a baby? This one dental habit could make a difference”Scrambled egg mein crush…aur phir”: Raj Thackeray shares his unique Egg recipe loved by his father and Bal ThackerayForget crash diets and health hacks: Cardiologist reveals 5 simple daily habits that can transform your health, one day at a timeTop 3 eggs in the world and the right way to consume themnside Sudesh Lehri’s luxurious 4-BHK Mumbai home: A private studio, home theatre and moreWhy seemingly healthy young Indians are collapsing without warning: Doctors explain how AEDS can mean the difference between life and deathKate Middleton ditched soft neutrals for a show-stopping red look at Wimbledon 20265 late-night drinks that help support healthy blood sugar, according to dietitians123Hot PicksAgniveer result 2026DU UG Admissions 2026Vietnam boat accidentSonam Wangchuk Hunger strikeIslam makhachevKarnataka Bus newsBengaluru delivery boyKolkata Mosque prayersHamad bin Khalifa Al ThaniTop TrendingUFC 329 HighlightsNHL Player InjuryErling Haaland FatherFIFA World Cup 2026Chhattisgarh Student MurderTS EAMCET Phase 1 seat allotmentRamesh MhatreDelhi NCR rainGurgaon EncounterIran war Virgo Horoscope Today, July 13, 2026: Let affection show through ordinary kindness ‘Victims had life jackets on but were trapped under boat’: Vietnam tragedy eyewitnesses claim crew negligence, treatment delays Gemini Horoscope Today, July 13, 2026: This is a strong day for business people ‘Asked mom for Rs 6,000 before their last conversation’: Mystery shrouds Hyderabad student’s death in Finland The report shows ‘girdawari’ was completed on time in less than half of India NEW DELHI: With deficit monsoon causing worry among policymakers over kharif sowing, the latest report by the statistics ministry has revealed severe gaps in the agriculture data collection system tracking crop acreage and food production.The grassroots field data is used by Commission for Agriculture Costs and Prices (CACP) to calculate production costs and shape national advance estimates, which govt uses to decide critical food security interventions, such as imposing export bans, adjusting import duties or releasing emergency buffer stocks to curb inflation.At the national level, the report shows that “girdawari”, which is the foundational block of crop statistics and refers to official crop enumeration inspections conducted by village revenue officers, was completed on time in less than half of the country.Instances of non-completion of “girdawari” in 2023-24 in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Punjab, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal were “alarmingly high”, resulting in timely completion in only 43% sample villages during early kharif, 46% during late kharif, 48% during rabi and 33% during summer, the report said.”Suitable action needs to be taken by the respective state authorities to ensure timely completion of ‘girdawari’ in all the states,” said the report titled Review of Crop Statistics System released last week.Besides, it noted that 63% of village maps, which are essential to trace altered plots and land-use boundaries are 20 years old, indicating they may not accurately represent the changes that would have taken place due to construction and urbanisation. “Use of outdated maps leads to problems of identification of survey numbers… regular updation of maps is essential,” said the report.In West Bengal and Puducherry, all villages had maps that were last updated more than two decades ago, while it was 99% in Odisha, 98% in Uttarakhand, 94% in Assam, 93% each in Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand. In contrast, merely 5% villages in Gujarat had maps updated more than 20 years old.The report also found that the crop-cutting experiments (CCEs), which are the scientific foundation used to evaluate average yields and calculate final food output, were being conducted by untrained staff, who were assigned this task by the revenue officers. The overall number of CCE was estimated at around 1.2 million in 2023-24As much as 40% CCEs in Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh were carried out by untrained personnel, while in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal more than 10% CCEs were conducted by junior staff, the report said.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Black Magic, Cow Urine’: Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader’s Daughter-In-Law Makes Shocking Allegations’I Lock Up Religion When…’: Annamalai Confirms ‘We The Leaders’ Will Become Political PartyWatch: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Drives Road Roller, Destroys Seized Drugs’1 Indian Missing’: MEA Condemns Attack On Vessel Carrying Indian Crew Off Oman Coast’Do I Have To Ask Trump?’: Omar Abdullah Launches Attack At Modi Govt Over Jammu-Kashmir StatehoodBJP Rejects Omar Abdullah’s ‘Operation Lotus’ Allegation, Demands Proof Or Public ApologyHapur Woman Critical After Allegedly Drinking Acid From Sealed Water Bottle; Police Launch ProbeElection Commission Updates Form 6 With New SIR DeclarationIndian Army Plans To Induct 450 Carl Gustaf M4 Rocket LaunchersDelhi To Get Its First Solar Tree At Secretariat; Pilot Project May Expand Across The City123PhotostoriesThese 4 signs are said to have the highest IQWomen over 30, especially mothers, face these 5 common health problems: Doctor says early prevention can make all the differenceTrying for a baby? This one dental habit could make a difference”Scrambled egg mein crush…aur phir”: Raj Thackeray shares his unique Egg recipe loved by his father and Bal ThackerayForget crash diets and health hacks: Cardiologist reveals 5 simple daily habits that can transform your health, one day at a timeTop 3 eggs in the world and the right way to consume themnside Sudesh Lehri’s luxurious 4-BHK Mumbai home: A private studio, home theatre and moreWhy seemingly healthy young Indians are collapsing without warning: Doctors explain how AEDS can mean the difference between life and deathKate Middleton ditched soft neutrals for a show-stopping red look at Wimbledon 20265 late-night drinks that help support healthy blood sugar, according to dietitians123Hot PicksAgniveer result 2026DU UG Admissions 2026Vietnam boat accidentSonam Wangchuk Hunger strikeIslam makhachevKarnataka Bus newsBengaluru delivery boyKolkata Mosque prayersHamad bin Khalifa Al ThaniTop TrendingUFC 329 HighlightsNHL Player InjuryErling Haaland FatherFIFA World Cup 2026Chhattisgarh Student MurderTS EAMCET Phase 1 seat allotmentRamesh MhatreDelhi NCR rainGurgaon EncounterIran war Hormuz crisis: Iran hit triggers fears of fuel supply disruption Quote of the day by Ho Chi Minh: ‘Write in such a way that you can be understood by both the young and the old, by men as well as women’ and why simple words have the power to change the world Jaan Kumar Sanu hospitalised after testing positive for COVID-19; shares health update from hospital bed: ‘China se aaya mera dost’ Cancer Horoscope Today, July 13, 2026: Avoid arguments, especially in front of others Vietnam tragedy: Day after death of 15 Indians, speedboat captain held IMD on Sunday predicted “subdued rainfall activity” over the plains of north-west and west-central India NEW DELHI: India’s monsoon has weakened again after a week of good showers slashed the nationwide rainfall deficit from 40% at the end of June to 14% by July 9. The current dry phase has widened the overall nationwide shortfall to 18% on Sunday, which could increase further next week.IMD on Sunday predicted “subdued rainfall activity” over plains of north-west and west-central India, and over south Peninsular India during the next six-seven days.The dry spell could undermine last week’s gain in sowing activity. All major crops still have lower sown area than at the same time last year, mainly because the monsoon core region-where farming depends heavily on seasonal rains for sowing due to limited irrigation-continues to face a large rainfall deficit.Rain predicted this week but it won’t make up monsoon deficitAs of Sunday, 15 states, including Bihar, Jharkhand, Punjab, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh reported a deficit of 20% and more (up to 73%) in the overall cumulative (June 1-July 12) monsoon rainfall.Region-wise, east and northeast India recorded a huge deficit of 37% due to weak rainfall activity in Bihar, Jharkhand and five northeastern states.Though the Met department predicted “heavy to very heavy” rainfall over north-east India, Bengal and Bihar over next 2-3 days, and “isolated heavy falls” over east Uttar Pradesh over next 4-5 days, this will not be enough to fill the gap resulting from a weak monsoon in a strong El Nino year.El Nino is a naturally occurring climate phenomenon of above-average sea-surface temperatures in central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. It is invariably associated with a weak monsoon and a harsher summer in India. This climatic event occurs every two to seven years.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorVishwa MohanVishwa Mohan is Senior Editor at The Times of India. He writes on environment, climate change, agriculture, water resources and clean energy, tracking policy issues and climate diplomacy. He has been covering Parliament since 2003 to see how politics shaped up domestic policy and India’s position at global platform. Before switching over to explore sustainable development issues, Vishwa had covered internal security and investigative agencies for more than a decade.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Black Magic, Cow Urine’: Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader’s Daughter-In-Law Makes Shocking Allegations’I Lock Up Religion When…’: Annamalai Confirms ‘We The Leaders’ Will Become Political PartyWatch: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Drives Road Roller, Destroys Seized Drugs’1 Indian Missing’: MEA Condemns Attack On Vessel Carrying Indian Crew Off Oman Coast’Do I Have To Ask Trump?’: Omar Abdullah Launches Attack At Modi Govt Over Jammu-Kashmir StatehoodBJP Rejects Omar Abdullah’s ‘Operation Lotus’ Allegation, Demands Proof Or Public ApologyHapur Woman Critical After Allegedly Drinking Acid From Sealed Water Bottle; Police Launch ProbeElection Commission Updates Form 6 With New SIR DeclarationIndian Army Plans To Induct 450 Carl Gustaf M4 Rocket LaunchersDelhi To Get Its First Solar Tree At Secretariat; Pilot Project May Expand Across The City123PhotostoriesThese 4 signs are said to have the highest IQWomen over 30, especially mothers, face these 5 common health problems: Doctor says early prevention can make all the differenceTrying for a baby? This one dental habit could make a difference”Scrambled egg mein crush…aur phir”: Raj Thackeray shares his unique Egg recipe loved by his father and Bal ThackerayForget crash diets and health hacks: Cardiologist reveals 5 simple daily habits that can transform your health, one day at a timeTop 3 eggs in the world and the right way to consume themnside Sudesh Lehri’s luxurious 4-BHK Mumbai home: A private studio, home theatre and moreWhy seemingly healthy young Indians are collapsing without warning: Doctors explain how AEDS can mean the difference between life and deathKate Middleton ditched soft neutrals for a show-stopping red look at Wimbledon 20265 late-night drinks that help support healthy blood sugar, according to dietitians123Hot PicksAgniveer result 2026DU UG Admissions 2026Vietnam boat accidentSonam Wangchuk Hunger strikeIslam makhachevKarnataka Bus newsBengaluru delivery boyKolkata Mosque prayersHamad bin Khalifa Al ThaniTop TrendingUFC 329 HighlightsNHL Player InjuryErling Haaland FatherFIFA World Cup 2026Chhattisgarh Student MurderTS EAMCET Phase 1 seat allotmentRamesh MhatreDelhi NCR rainGurgaon EncounterIran war Who are Jude Bellingham’s parents? Inside Denise and Mark Bellingham’s role in shaping the England star Quote of the day by Alexander the Great: ‘An army of sheep led by a lion is better than an army of lions led by a sheep’ and how a leader who controls fear, controls the battlefield Surplus power generated during solar hours is fed into the grid and drawn back at night NEW DELHI: What do Lucknow, Nagpur, Surat, Varanasi and Ernakulam districts have in common? These smaller urban centres are contributing to the country’s energy transition, with a growing number of households opting for rooftop solar systems to meet their daytime electricity needs and reduce monthly power bills. Surplus power generated during solar hours is fed into the grid and drawn back at night, bringing electricity bills down to zero in many cases.These districts, along with several other tier-II and tier-III centres such as Jalgaon, Amravati and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar in Maharashtra; Junagadh, Mahesana and Bhavnagar in Gujarat; Thrissur, Kollam and Alappuzha in Kerala; and Ganganagar in Rajasthan, are among the top 50 districts in the country for rooftop solar adoption.Interestingly, metropolitan cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata do not figure even among the top 100 districts. Govt’s ambitious Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, launched by the ministry of new and renewable energy in Feb 2024 to promote rooftop solar and provide up to 300 units of free electricity a month to one crore households, has made rapid progress and will remain in force till March 2027.36.3 Lakh Units Installed Across Country, Benefiting 44 Lakh HouseholdsSo far, 36.3 lakh rooftop solar systems have been installed, benefiting more than 44.1 lakh households. Of the scheme’s Rs 75,021 crore outlay, over Rs 25,000 crore has been released as subsidy. For rooftop solar systems of up to 3 kW, the Centre provides a subsidy of Rs 78,000, while several states have announced additional incentives.Officials said more than 60% of installations are in the 3-4 kW category. Gujarat, Maharashtra, UP, Rajasthan, Kerala and Assam are among the leading states in adoption.Officials said states such as UP and Kerala run effective outreach programmes, reflected in the scheme’s popularity. “States have formed discom- and district-level teams to create awareness about cleaner and cheaper sources of energy. Adoption in such states is definitely higher,” an official said.Ministry officials said the programme has gathered “unprecedented” momentum, with nearly three lakh installations completed every month on average. While uptake has been strongest among households with independent homes and sufficient rooftop space, efforts are now focused on bringing group housing societies under the scheme to expand its urban reach.A single rooftop solar installation in a housing society can meet the electricity needs of multiple households as well as common facilities.Govt is also promoting the utility-led aggregation (ULA) model to accelerate renewable energy adoption among low-income and vulnerable households. Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, Bihar, Kerala, J&K, Tripura, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Delhi are adopting the model. The ULA model is designed for frugal consumers and households receiving free or subsidised electricity who are unable to install rooftop solar systems because of financial or structural constraints. The ministry has set a target of covering 30 lakh households under the model.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorAtul MathurAtul Mathur is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India with over 27 years of experience in journalism. Based in Delhi, he has spent much of his career reporting on governance, public policy and politics, churning out researched, data-driven stories that impact daily lives. Atul is known for investigative depth and strong human-interest narratives as he strives to bring clarity and context to complex issues. He currently tracks the energy sector, writing on power, renewable energy, coal and mines.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Black Magic, Cow Urine’: Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader’s Daughter-In-Law Makes Shocking Allegations’I Lock Up Religion When…’: Annamalai Confirms ‘We The Leaders’ Will Become Political PartyWatch: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Drives Road Roller, Destroys Seized Drugs’1 Indian Missing’: MEA Condemns Attack On Vessel Carrying Indian Crew Off Oman Coast’Do I Have To Ask Trump?’: Omar Abdullah Launches Attack At Modi Govt Over Jammu-Kashmir StatehoodBJP Rejects Omar Abdullah’s ‘Operation Lotus’ Allegation, Demands Proof Or Public ApologyHapur Woman Critical After Allegedly Drinking Acid From Sealed Water Bottle; Police Launch ProbeElection Commission Updates Form 6 With New SIR DeclarationIndian Army Plans To Induct 450 Carl Gustaf M4 Rocket LaunchersDelhi To Get Its First Solar Tree At Secretariat; Pilot Project May Expand Across The City123PhotostoriesThese 4 signs are said to have the highest IQWomen over 30, especially mothers, face these 5 common health problems: Doctor says early prevention can make all the differenceTrying for a baby? This one dental habit could make a difference”Scrambled egg mein crush…aur phir”: Raj Thackeray shares his unique Egg recipe loved by his father and Bal ThackerayForget crash diets and health hacks: Cardiologist reveals 5 simple daily habits that can transform your health, one day at a timeTop 3 eggs in the world and the right way to consume themnside Sudesh Lehri’s luxurious 4-BHK Mumbai home: A private studio, home theatre and moreWhy seemingly healthy young Indians are collapsing without warning: Doctors explain how AEDS can mean the difference between life and deathKate Middleton ditched soft neutrals for a show-stopping red look at Wimbledon 20265 late-night drinks that help support healthy blood sugar, according to dietitians123Hot PicksAgniveer result 2026DU UG Admissions 2026Vietnam boat accidentSonam Wangchuk Hunger strikeIslam makhachevKarnataka Bus newsBengaluru delivery boyKolkata Mosque prayersHamad bin Khalifa Al ThaniTop TrendingUFC 329 HighlightsNHL Player InjuryErling Haaland FatherFIFA World Cup 2026Chhattisgarh Student MurderTS EAMCET Phase 1 seat allotmentRamesh MhatreDelhi NCR rainGurgaon EncounterIran war Taurus Horoscope Today, July 13, 2026: Don’t try to win every point Parag Agrawal, whom Elon Musk removed as Twitter CEO, says he found Microsoft’s Satya Nadella inspiring: ‘I thought of wanting to …’ Aries Horoscope Today, July 13, 2026: Earned money is strong money today Thailand fire horror: At least 27 dead after midnight blaze tears through Bangkok pub Scientists just created a Black Hole-like energy system in a lab without moving anything, recreating a 50-year-old theory that could transform future communication and quantum technology File photo: Vehicles lie damaged after a flash flood triggered by a cloudburst sweeps through the area, in Pahalgam (Picture credit: PTI) SRINAGAR: Cloudburst-triggered flash floods in Jammu & Kashmir’s Pahalgam inundated hotels and huts, and damaged roads, power infrastructure, and agricultural fields along Overa stream on Saturday evening, sparking panic among locals and tourists in around 11 villages.Around 20 hotels suffered heavy damage, while the cloudburst completely washed away a 100-metre stretch of a road.“I was inside a hotel when the floodwater suddenly gushed in. The hotel owner and his staff rushed to our rooms and evacuated us to safety. I am surprised that we survived,” a tourist from Nagpur said.Another tourist said it was around dinner time when the floodwater began rushing into the hotel. “Everything happened within a few minutes. The hotel staff broke open a rear exit and led us to safety. We didn’t know what was happening until we reached a nearby village,” the tourist said.National Conference MLA Altaf Kaloo said, “Around 11 villages have been severely affected. The road to the area has been cut off, the water supply has been disrupted, and there is no electricity.”An official said, “The area falls outside the jurisdiction of Pahalgam Development Authority.”PDP leader Iltija Mufti questioned, “Why have hotels been allowed to be constructed in the flood channel over the past few years?”Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Black Magic, Cow Urine’: Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader’s Daughter-In-Law Makes Shocking Allegations’I Lock Up Religion When…’: Annamalai Confirms ‘We The Leaders’ Will Become Political PartyWatch: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Drives Road Roller, Destroys Seized Drugs’1 Indian Missing’: MEA Condemns Attack On Vessel Carrying Indian Crew Off Oman Coast’Do I Have To Ask Trump?’: Omar Abdullah Launches Attack At Modi Govt Over Jammu-Kashmir StatehoodBJP Rejects Omar Abdullah’s ‘Operation Lotus’ Allegation, Demands Proof Or Public ApologyHapur Woman Critical After Allegedly Drinking Acid From Sealed Water Bottle; Police Launch ProbeElection Commission Updates Form 6 With New SIR DeclarationIndian Army Plans To Induct 450 Carl Gustaf M4 Rocket LaunchersDelhi To Get Its First Solar Tree At Secretariat; Pilot Project May Expand Across The City123PhotostoriesThese 4 signs are said to have the highest IQWomen over 30, especially mothers, face these 5 common health problems: Doctor says early prevention can make all the differenceTrying for a baby? This one dental habit could make a difference”Scrambled egg mein crush…aur phir”: Raj Thackeray shares his unique Egg recipe loved by his father and Bal ThackerayForget crash diets and health hacks: Cardiologist reveals 5 simple daily habits that can transform your health, one day at a timeTop 3 eggs in the world and the right way to consume themnside Sudesh Lehri’s luxurious 4-BHK Mumbai home: A private studio, home theatre and moreWhy seemingly healthy young Indians are collapsing without warning: Doctors explain how AEDS can mean the difference between life and deathKate Middleton ditched soft neutrals for a show-stopping red look at Wimbledon 20265 late-night drinks that help support healthy blood sugar, according to dietitians123Hot PicksAgniveer result 2026DU UG Admissions 2026Vietnam boat accidentSonam Wangchuk Hunger strikeIslam makhachevKarnataka Bus newsBengaluru delivery boyKolkata Mosque prayersHamad bin Khalifa Al ThaniTop TrendingUFC 329 HighlightsNHL Player InjuryErling Haaland FatherFIFA World Cup 2026Chhattisgarh Student MurderTS EAMCET Phase 1 seat allotmentRamesh MhatreDelhi NCR rainGurgaon EncounterIran war Jammu and Kashmir: 3 publishers held for books in school libraries praising separatists File photo: J&K CM Omar Abdullah and US President Donald Trump SRINAGAR/JAMMU: Jammu & Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah sharpened his attack Centre over delay in restoring statehood, asking Sunday whether he should “go to Donald Trump” after BJP politicians allegedly dismissed protests in J&K, assembly and outside Parliament as futile.“Our patience is running out. First they said statehood won’t come by raising it in assembly, then not by protesting in J&K. Now they say we won;t get it at Jantar Mantar either. Should I go to Donald Trump at White House to seek J&K’s statehood?” Omar asked at a rally in Jammu.National Conference will launch a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 20, first day of Parliament’s monsoon session, saying it has waited nearly two years after assembly elections and “enough is enough”.Recalling PM Narendra Modi’s assurance at Katra, Omar said: “If it is Modi’s promise, it should be honoured.” He said every demand for a timeline draws only one reply — “at the appropriate time” — without any indication of when that would be.Omar said NC would continue its campaign through democratic means until statehood is restored, adding that protest outside Parliament was aimed only at securing a promise made “in our own country”.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Black Magic, Cow Urine’: Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader’s Daughter-In-Law Makes Shocking Allegations’I Lock Up Religion When…’: Annamalai Confirms ‘We The Leaders’ Will Become Political PartyWatch: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Drives Road Roller, Destroys Seized Drugs’1 Indian Missing’: MEA Condemns Attack On Vessel Carrying Indian Crew Off Oman Coast’Do I Have To Ask Trump?’: Omar Abdullah Launches Attack At Modi Govt Over Jammu-Kashmir StatehoodBJP Rejects Omar Abdullah’s ‘Operation Lotus’ Allegation, Demands Proof Or Public ApologyHapur Woman Critical After Allegedly Drinking Acid From Sealed Water Bottle; Police Launch ProbeElection Commission Updates Form 6 With New SIR DeclarationIndian Army Plans To Induct 450 Carl Gustaf M4 Rocket LaunchersDelhi To Get Its First Solar Tree At Secretariat; Pilot Project May Expand Across The City123PhotostoriesThese 4 signs are said to have the highest IQWomen over 30, especially mothers, face these 5 common health problems: Doctor says early prevention can make all the differenceTrying for a baby? This one dental habit could make a difference”Scrambled egg mein crush…aur phir”: Raj Thackeray shares his unique Egg recipe loved by his father and Bal ThackerayForget crash diets and health hacks: Cardiologist reveals 5 simple daily habits that can transform your health, one day at a timeTop 3 eggs in the world and the right way to consume themnside Sudesh Lehri’s luxurious 4-BHK Mumbai home: A private studio, home theatre and moreWhy seemingly healthy young Indians are collapsing without warning: Doctors explain how AEDS can mean the difference between life and deathKate Middleton ditched soft neutrals for a show-stopping red look at Wimbledon 20265 late-night drinks that help support healthy blood sugar, according to dietitians123Hot PicksAgniveer result 2026DU UG Admissions 2026Vietnam boat accidentSonam Wangchuk Hunger strikeIslam makhachevKarnataka Bus newsBengaluru delivery boyKolkata Mosque prayersHamad bin Khalifa Al ThaniTop TrendingUFC 329 HighlightsNHL Player InjuryErling Haaland FatherFIFA World Cup 2026Chhattisgarh Student MurderTS EAMCET Phase 1 seat allotmentRamesh MhatreDelhi NCR rainGurgaon EncounterIran war Pm-Uday Scheme: Delhi CM requests Rs 100 crore for PM-UDAY scheme: Why it matters The Emir of Dubai owns a 63,000-acre estate in Scotland, but the Sheikh has visited his multi-million-dollar property only five times in 20 years because it doesn’t have enough bedrooms Madhya Pradesh’s housing assistance scheme for ST students: Check eligibility, benefits & application process | Horoscope Today: Daily astrological predictions for July 13, 2026 No 12-team WTC yet, 40-over ODI talk remains just that at ICC meet India on brink of historic Lord’s Test victory after Yastika Bhatia’s record-breaking century How Putin runs his war machine from a Tokyo high-rise: Report ‘I used to watch it from sidelines’: Erling Haaland reflects on life-changing FIFA World Cup after England heartbreak NHL Trade Rumor: Utah Mammoth and San Jose Sharks emerge as top landing spots for $59M Winnipeg Jets’ goalie Two giant Asian praying mantis species are spreading across Europe, helped by climate change and urbanisation, and scientists warn they are threatening pollinators, frogs and lizards Picture a bank vault the size of Madhya Pradesh. Inside it sits not gold bullion or govt bonds, but clean water, breathable air, pollination services, flood barriers, carbon blocks, and medicinal plants — a portfolio of natural assets worth roughly $2.5 trillion every single year. Now imagine that this vault does not appear on any national balance sheet, that its contents are routinely given away for free, and that the state periodically sanctions its demolition to make room for mines and motorways.That, in essence, is what India does with its forests. A new peer-reviewed study published in Environmental and Sustainability Indicators has — for the first time at a comprehensive national scale — put hard numbers on what India’s forests are actually worth. The findings should disturb every finance ministry official, every forest officer, and every citizen who has wondered why the govt keeps approving the conversion of green cover into concrete.Taming a jungle of dataThe study by M Balasubramanian from the Institute for Social and Economic Change (Isec) along with colleagues from the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Charles Darwin University in Australia, drew on 45 valuation studies published between 2000 and 2024. Every estimate was standardised to 2023 US dollar prices. This was challenging given that some studies valued a single medicinal plant species in one forest patch while others attempted national-level assessments.“We applied meta-regression analysis, a technique borrowed from several research that pools results across heterogeneous studies and uses statistical controls to identify what is really driving the variation in reported values. The covariates included GDP per capita, population density, forest cover, the type of ecosystem service being valued, and the valuation method employed,” Balasubramanian told TOI.The model explained 74% of the variation in reported total ecosystem service values, a respectable fit for such a noisy dataset. The result: India’s forests deliver ecosystem services worth an average of $31,001 per hectare per year. Across the country’s roughly 8,27,000 sqkm of forest and tree cover, that compounds to approximately $2.5 trillion annually. For context, India’s entire GDP in 2023 was about $3.7 trillion. The forests generate invisible wealth equivalent to nearly two-thirds of the formal economy, and virtually none of it is counted.Which forests carry the most weight?Not all forests are created equal, and the study breaks the numbers down by forest type in ways that should directly inform land-use decisions.Tropical dry deciduous forests, the extensive, seasonally leafless woodlands that blanket large swathes of central and peninsular India, top the league table at approximately $703 billion per year. Their sheer extent is the primary driver: these forests cover nearly 2,81,000 sqkm. Per hectare, their value has actually risen from $22,400 in 2019 to $25,045 in 2023, even as their area has contracted.Tropical thorn forests, the scrubby semi-arid woodlands of Rajasthan and the Deccan, punch well above their ecological weight at a per-hectare value of over $1,58,000, largely because of the irreplaceable services they provide in preventing soil erosion and desertification in regions with no alternative vegetation. Alpine forests and pastures in the Himalayan zone are valued at $1,11,539 per hectare, reflecting their central role in regulating water flows for rivers that irrigate the breadbasket of northern India. Mangrove forests, perennially under threat from coastal development, contribute $58.5 billion per year in services that include cyclone buffering, fishery nurseries, and coastal erosion prevention. The 2020 Cyclone Amphan, which caused catastrophic damage to coastal Odisha and Bengal, offered a live demonstration of what happens when these natural defences are eroded.Invisible services that matter mostOne of the study’s most important findings concerns which category of services contributes most to total forest value. The instinctive answer — timber and other products people can sell — turns out to be wrong.The meta-regression shows that regulating services carry the strongest statistical relationship with reported total ecosystem values. Carbon sequestration, water purification, flood regulation, climate stabilisation, pollination: these functions are worth more, in aggregate, than the timber and non-timber forest products that typically drive forest policy. “Cultural services like ecotourism, spiritual significance, recreation, the preservation of biodiversity as intrinsic heritage, come second by our standardised coefficients, ahead of provisioning services,” Balasubramanian said.This matters because current policy is largely calibrated to the inverse priority. Compensatory Afforestation Fund payments for diverted forest land are calculated on formulae that have historically struggled to capture regulating and cultural service values. The Net Present Value charged for forest diversion similarly under-represents the full economic cost.GDP paradox & population pressureThe study’s statistical model surfaces a striking paradox at the heart of India’s development trajectory. Higher GDP is positively associated with reported forest ecosystem service values, but the relationship is not statistically significant. The authors suggest the link likely operates through increased investment in conservation and green infrastructure rather than any automatic market mechanism.Population density tells a darker story. A 1% increase in population density is associated with an 11.3% decrease in the value of forest ecosystem services, a large and statistically meaningful effect. The mechanism is direct: denser populations mean more agricultural encroachment, more illegal felling, more fragmentation, more infrastructure cutting through forest corridors. India’s population density of 464 people per sqkm, against a global average of roughly 60, places it under enormous structural pressure on its remaining forests.Nor does forest cover alone guarantee value. The study finds no statistically significant relationship between the quantity of forest cover and reported ecosystem service values. What matters is quality: forest health, biodiversity richness, management regime, and the specific services each forest type provides. “A monoculture plantation counts as forest cover in official statistics but delivers a fraction of the ecosystem services of a natural mixed-species stand,” Balasubramanian explained.Accounting gap & how to close itThe core policy argument of the paper is straightforward: until the economic value of forest ecosystem services is incorporated into national income accounting and project-level appraisal, India will continue to systematically under-price decisions that destroy natural capital.The authors call for adoption of the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) framework, which the UN has developed precisely for this purpose and which countries including the UK, Netherlands, and Australia have begun implementing. In practical terms, this would mean that when a state govt proposes to divert 500 hectares of tropical dry deciduous forest for a new expressway, the economic appraisal would need to include the foregone $12.5 million in annual ecosystem services — permanently.“India is not starting from zero. CAMPA, the Green India Mission, REDD+ projects, and various state-level Payment for Ecosystem Services experiments all represent institutional infrastructure that could be scaled and sharpened. What is missing is the systematic valuation evidence to anchor these schemes, evidence that our study now begins to provide,” Balasubramanian said.India’s forests are not a cost to be managed. They are an asset to be stewarded — one generating $2.5 trillion in annual returns that the nation’s accountants have yet to learn to see.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorChethan KumarChethan Kumar is a Senior Assistant Editor with the Times of India. Aside from specialising in Space & Science, he has reported extensively on varied topics, with special focus on defence, policy and data stories. He has covered multiple elections, too. As a young democracy grows out of adolescence, Chethan feels, there are reels of tales emerging which need to be captured. To do this, he alternates between the mundane goings-on of the Common Man and the wonder-filled worlds of scientists and scamsters, politicians and soldiers. In a career spanning nearly 18 years, he has reported from multiple datelines — Houston, Florida, Kochi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Sriharikota (AP), NH-1 (J&K Highway), New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Raichur, Bhatkal, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, to name a few — but is based out of Bengaluru, India’s science capital that also hosts the ISRO HQ.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’I Lock Up Religion When…’: Annamalai Confirms ‘We The Leaders’ Will Become Political PartyWatch: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Drives Road Roller, Destroys Seized Drugs’1 Indian Missing’: MEA Condemns Attack On Vessel Carrying Indian Crew Off Oman Coast’Do I Have To Ask Trump?’: Omar Abdullah Launches Attack At Modi Govt Over Jammu-Kashmir StatehoodBJP Rejects Omar Abdullah’s ‘Operation Lotus’ Allegation, Demands Proof Or Public ApologyHapur Woman Critical After Allegedly Drinking Acid From Sealed Water Bottle; Police Launch ProbeElection Commission Updates Form 6 With New SIR DeclarationIndian Army Plans To Induct 450 Carl Gustaf M4 Rocket LaunchersDelhi To Get Its First Solar Tree At Secretariat; Pilot Project May Expand Across The CityBig Setback To Mamata Banerjee As Loyalist Anubrata Mandal Joins Ritabrata-Led Rebel Camp123PhotostoriesWomen over 30, especially mothers, face these 5 common health problems: Doctor says early prevention can make all the differenceTrying for a baby? This one dental habit could make a difference”Scrambled egg mein crush…aur phir”: Raj Thackeray shares his unique Egg recipe loved by his father and Bal ThackerayForget crash diets and health hacks: Cardiologist reveals 5 simple daily habits that can transform your health, one day at a timeTop 3 eggs in the world and the right way to consume themnside Sudesh Lehri’s luxurious 4-BHK Mumbai home: A private studio, home theatre and moreWhy seemingly healthy young Indians are collapsing without warning: Doctors explain how AEDS can mean the difference between life and deathKate Middleton ditched soft neutrals for a show-stopping red look at Wimbledon 20265 late-night drinks that help support healthy blood sugar, according to dietitians9 traditional steamed breakfast dishes of India and their calories123Hot PicksAgniveer result 2026DU UG Admissions 2026Vietnam boat accidentSonam Wangchuk Hunger strikeIslam makhachevKarnataka Bus newsBengaluru delivery boyKolkata Mosque prayersHamad bin Khalifa Al ThaniTop TrendingUFC 329 HighlightsNHL Player InjuryErling Haaland FatherFIFA World Cup 2026Chhattisgarh Student MurderTS EAMCET Phase 1 seat allotmentRamesh MhatreDelhi NCR rainGurgaon EncounterIran war Orlando Bloom says this daily practice helps him find peace amid fame, pressure and public life Patronage can’t stop transfers: Manohar Lal on CPWD posting culture | India News An excavator undertakes the filling of Harahi pond in Darbhanga Supreme Court has agreed to intervene in a case of alleged encroachment of three iconic water bodies in the Bihar town following a petition by a civil society groupDarbhanga sits at the heart of Mithilanchal, the mythic land of Sita that forms part of Bihar’s northeast. It is a region rich in lore and timeless rituals. And central to those rituals are lakes and ponds, by whose banks people mark and commemorate every landmark from birth to death. Central as the water bodies are to its community life, many of them are facing a slow death. The plight of three such lakes has now prompted an intervention by the Supreme Court itself.The apex court usually refrains from entertaining matters related to local issues and asks petitioners to approach high courts. But it agreed to examine the case in which the petitioners have accused the govt itself of posing a threat to the three water bodies – Ganga Sagar, Digghi, and Harahi, which were built by three local kings and have been around for nearly a millennium – by launching a ‘beautification’ project under the Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation (BUIDCO).A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta has sought an explanation from Bihar govt over the BUIDCO plan. Locals say the govt’s plan to fill parts of the ponds to construct kiosks, restaurants, and pavements is nothing but encroachment in the guise of “beautification”. Eklavya Prasad, who has worked extensively on the conservation of water bodies said “the govt is causing irreversible damage to the ponds in the name of beautification”.Deciding to act on their concerns, a group of retired academics, environmentalists, and citizens under the banner of Talab Bachao Abhiyan (TBA) said in their plea that the filling of ponds violates orders passed by National Green Tribunal (NGT), high court, and Supreme Court itself. The petitioners want the removal of all encroachments around the ponds, and their restoration “to their original position as depicted in the maps of the years 1868 and 1960”.Narayan Chaudhary, who heads TBA and has spent decades fighting legal battles to save water bodies, said the crisis of the Darnbhanga ponds has been unfolding for years, but authorities did not recognise it. “Per the District Gazetteer of 1964, Darbhanga – once called the ‘city of ponds’ – had 350 ponds. The Darbhanga Nagar Nigam now puts the figure at less than 100. That means around 250 ponds have disappeared in 60 years. Now, the govt itself is filling historic ponds in violation of Wetland Rules and judicial orders. Per official records, the three ponds spread over 253 bighas, but more than 25% of the area is under encroachment,” he said.Slamming the BUIDCO project, retired professor of botany Vidya Nath Jha said it would lead to the death of the ponds. “Filling parts of the water bodies will destroy biodiversity and the self-cleaning capacity maintained by insects and aquatic life,” he told TOI.Mithilanchal has a long tradition of constructing ponds as a water management system suited to its flood-prone, riverine landscape. Districts like Madhubani had over 10,000 ponds and Darbhanga around 9,000. These ponds serve as vital rainwater harvesting structures and recharge groundwater, mitigate floods by storing excess water, and provide water during droughts.Sayed Shamim Ahmad, who came to the city as a student in 1964 and retired as a professor, talks of the larger loss that occurs when a pond is filled. “During my PhD research in 1980, I had mapped 108 wetlands where 88 types of birds, including migratory ones, used to come. More than 60% of the wetlands have now vanished. Ponds have gone, groundwater is depleting, and a water crisis is looming. It is high time the govt gave priority to the preservation of water bodies,” he said.The concerns of experts and members of civil society speak to a larger phenomenon visible across Bihar. Per the 2025 water bodies census, the total number of water bodies in Bihar is 36,856, a 19% drop from the 2019 census.As Darbhanga waits on SC to save its water bodies, environmentalist Prasad underlined the issue at stake. “The govt needs to know that revival and preservation is not just about physical structures – it requires maintaining the entire ecosystem, water quality, biodiversity, and making people connect with the ponds. Filling ponds for commercial activity may draw crowds, but will ultimately damage them. Community involvement in preservation is essential to prevent flooding and sustain groundwater levels,” he said.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Black Magic, Cow Urine’: Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader’s Daughter-In-Law Makes Shocking Allegations’I Lock Up Religion When…’: Annamalai Confirms ‘We The Leaders’ Will Become Political PartyWatch: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Drives Road Roller, Destroys Seized Drugs’1 Indian Missing’: MEA Condemns Attack On Vessel Carrying Indian Crew Off Oman Coast’Do I Have To Ask Trump?’: Omar Abdullah Launches Attack At Modi Govt Over Jammu-Kashmir StatehoodBJP Rejects Omar Abdullah’s ‘Operation Lotus’ Allegation, Demands Proof Or Public ApologyHapur Woman Critical After Allegedly Drinking Acid From Sealed Water Bottle; Police Launch ProbeElection Commission Updates Form 6 With New SIR DeclarationIndian Army Plans To Induct 450 Carl Gustaf M4 Rocket LaunchersDelhi To Get Its First Solar Tree At Secretariat; Pilot Project May Expand Across The City123PhotostoriesThese 4 signs are said to have the highest IQWomen over 30, especially mothers, face these 5 common health problems: Doctor says early prevention can make all the differenceTrying for a baby? This one dental habit could make a difference”Scrambled egg mein crush…aur phir”: Raj Thackeray shares his unique Egg recipe loved by his father and Bal ThackerayForget crash diets and health hacks: Cardiologist reveals 5 simple daily habits that can transform your health, one day at a timeTop 3 eggs in the world and the right way to consume themnside Sudesh Lehri’s luxurious 4-BHK Mumbai home: A private studio, home theatre and moreWhy seemingly healthy young Indians are collapsing without warning: Doctors explain how AEDS can mean the difference between life and deathKate Middleton ditched soft neutrals for a show-stopping red look at Wimbledon 20265 late-night drinks that help support healthy blood sugar, according to dietitians123Hot PicksAgniveer result 2026DU UG Admissions 2026Vietnam boat accidentSonam Wangchuk Hunger strikeIslam makhachevKarnataka Bus newsBengaluru delivery boyKolkata Mosque prayersHamad bin Khalifa Al ThaniTop TrendingUFC 329 HighlightsNHL Player InjuryErling Haaland FatherFIFA World Cup 2026Chhattisgarh Student MurderTS EAMCET Phase 1 seat allotmentRamesh MhatreDelhi NCR rainGurgaon EncounterIran war