VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html 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 ‘All her teammates were crying’: Father recalls Indian team’s support after Yastika Bhatia’s injury as batter scores historic century at Lord’s UP horror: 16 days after wedding, newlywed woman found dead in river; family alleges dowry harassment Spot unsafe food? FSSAI wants you to report it | India News Malayalam actor SI Rajasekharan passes away at his Kottayam residence; cause of death unknown Who are Jannik Sinner’s parents? Meet dad Johann and mom Siglinde While Jeff Bezos was sitting in the passenger seat writing Amazon’s business plan in 1994, his wife MacKenzie Scott was driving them on a 2,000-mile road trip across US in a borrowed car Jul 12, 2026, 17:34 IST England’s ‘Bazball’ era under Brendon McCullum: 27 wins, two draws, but no Ashes or India series win Four top-10 firms add Rs 93,000 crore in mcap despite weak market; HDFC Bank, Airtel lead gains A second pregnancy changes the brain in a different way from the first, new research suggests ‘He forced his way in’: Delivery agent entered flat, flashed at Bengaluru woman; arrested after act caught on cam Nigel Farage’s approval rating hits new low amid funding row as Count Binface steals spotlight in Clacton bypoll Chandigarh hit-and-run: Speeding Mercedes hits 2 outside nightclub; driver flees India declared 1-day national mourning after demise of former Qatar emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani NEW DELHI: India declared one day of national mourning on the demise of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, father of current Qatar ruler Qatar, announced the ministry of external affairs on Sunday.”Government of India has declared one-day national mourning tomorrow, 13 July 2026, as a mark of respect for His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani , Father Amir of the State of Qatar, who passed away today. The National Flag will be flown at half-mast on the day of mourning throughout India on all buildings where the National Flag is flown regularly and there will be no official entertainment on the day,” said the MEA.PM Modi had expressed condolences calling the former emir “a visionary leader”. “We feel profound sadness at the death of the Father Emir of the State of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. He was a visionary leader who guided Qatar to great levels of development and prosperity. We also remember him as a true friend whom I had the honor of meeting during my last visit to Qatar in February 2024,” the PM had said.Read more: PM Modi mourns death of former Qatar emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al ThaniSheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former Emir of Qatar who ruled the Gulf nation from 1995 to 2013, died at the age of 74. He came to power after deposing his father in a bloodless palace coup. In June 2013, Sheikh Hamad became one of the few Gulf rulers to voluntarily abdicate, handing power to his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. His decision was said to be an effort to ensure a smooth generational transition and prepare the country for future leadership.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosWatch: 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 CampOperation Lotus In Kashmir? 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