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Thursday, 10 September 2026

First Regional Review Conference on Implementation of the Forest Rights Act Held in Bengaluru

Southern States apprise Ministry of Tribal Affairs of progress in disposal of claims, recognition of Community Forest Rights and Habitat Rights; time-bound roadmaps called for

Posted On: 10 SEP 2026 7:39PM by PIB Delhi

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), Government of India, convened the first Regional Review Conference on implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA) at Bengaluru, Karnataka, today, bringing together senior functionaries of the Tribal Welfare, Revenue and Forest Departments of the five Southern States, namely Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana, to review the status of implementation and deliberate upon a coordinated way forward.

Proceedings commenced with a Welcome Address by the Secretary, Scheduled Tribes Welfare Department, Government of Karnataka, who apprised the gathering of the objectives of the Conference and extended a formal welcome to the dignitaries and delegates, followed by a presentation of traditional tribal dance by artistes representing the tribal communities of Karnataka. This was followed by the Keynote Address of the Joint Secretary, MoTA, and the Special Address of the Secretary, MoTA. The Joint Secretary apprised the Conference that, as on 30 June 2026, over 54 lakh Individual Forest Rights (IFR) claims have been received nationally, with approximately 25.42 lakh titles distributed over nearly 238 lakh acres, while over 10 lakh claims remain pending and 19,845 Community Forest Rights (CFR) stand recognised; the Southern States were called upon to accord priority to time-bound disposal of pending claims, recognition of Community Forest Resource Rights and Habitat Rights of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), and incorporation of recognised rights in land records. In her Special Address, the Secretary, MoTA, underscored that recognition of rights must translate into tenure security, sustainable livelihoods and convergence with development schemes, leading to the empowerment of tribal communities. The Secretary called for greater attention to Community Forest Rights and Community Forest Resource Rights, noting their potential to strengthen Gram Sabha-led forest governance and community-based livelihoods, and referred to the recent joint advisory issued by MoTA and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change enabling integration of Community Forest Resource Management Plans with Forest Department working and management plans. Underlining that habitat rights of PVTGs embody living systems of culture, livelihood and traditional knowledge, the Secretary called for their recognition to be undertaken with sensitivity and active community participation.

The Director, FRA, MoTA, apprised the Conference of the national scenario of FRA implementation, with particular focus on progress made by the Southern States, covering issues such as pendency of claims, incorporation of Records of Rights, recognition of Habitat Rights, recognition of Community Forest Resource Rights (CFRR), and the support being extended by the Ministry in this regard. The Deputy Secretary, MoTA, thereafter apprised the Conference of the need for digitisation of FRA records and introduced the National-level FRA Portal, currently under development, and urged States to utilise the Portal and integrate their existing FRA records through Application Programming Interface (API).

State-wise Presentations

Officers of the five Southern States thereafter apprised the Conference of the status of FRA implementation in their respective States, as summarised below:

Karnataka: Of 2,95,176 applications received, 16,700 Forest Rights Titles have been distributed and 15,553 claims remain under verification; delay in constitution of Taluk and Zilla Panchayats has affected functioning of the Sub-Divisional and District Level Committees, and re-verification of rejected claims through 'Mahajaru' committees is under progress, with FRA beneficiary data being integrated with the State's FRUITS and Bhoomi platforms for scheme convergence.

Tamil Nadu: 15,838 titles issued in Phase-I stand digitised, while 41,692 fresh claims received under Phase-II are under verification, supported by a State-wide FRA Atlas, dedicated District FRA Cells and structured capacity-building of Forest Rights Committees.

Andhra Pradesh: As on 31 August 2026, 2,27,300 Individual and 1,225 Community titles stand distributed against 2,90,874 claims received, with an integrated land-record and welfare-delivery model linking the Giribhumi FRA portal with the State's revenue and banking systems.

Telangana: 2,30,735 Individual and 102 Community titles have been distributed against 6,55,249 claims received, supported by a fully digitised Online RoFR Title Granting System integrated with the BhuBharathi revenue portal, conferred the SKOCH Award of Excellence (Gold, 2024).

Kerala: 29,545 Individual and 286 Community titles have been recognised, with pendency of 1,616 individual and 108 community claims attributed mainly to survey and verification processes, and six Forest Villages converted into Revenue Villages.

Way Forward

The Ministry called upon the Southern States to ensure time-bound disposal and reconciliation of pending and rejected claims, accelerate recognition of Community Forest Resource Rights and PVTG Habitat Rights, complete incorporation of recognised rights in revenue and forest records, and strengthen convergence with livelihood and welfare schemes, with State-specific roadmaps and timelines which were worked out by the respective States.

Upcoming ESTIC-2026 (Emerging Science, Technology & Innovation Conclave) to be held from 27–29 October 2026 at Bharat Mandapam Delhi with inauguration by PM Shri Narendra Modi; faculty to include three Nobel Laureates and several international award-winning speakers: Dr Jitendra Singh

ESTIC was conceived last year as part of a new approach to bring together multiple components of the science and technology ecosystem on a common platform rather than having several fragmented events throughout the year, says the Minister.

50-60 percent of Startups are now coming from small towns and not metros; they greater access to experts, entrepreneurs, business leaders and markets to scale up: Dr Jitendra Singh

India’s Next Innovation Wave Must Come from Beyond Metros: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh

Break Silos, Build Bridges from Labs to Markets: Dr Jitendra Singh Calls for Stronger Research-Startup-Industry Connect at ESTIC-2026 Curtain Raiser event

Dr Jitendra Singh also emphasises Wider Integration of Management, Communication with Science to Scale Innovation

Dr Jitendra Singh Seeks ESTIC Roadmap with Short- and Long-Term Milestones, Says Conclave Must Go Beyond Stand-alone Annual Event

Posted On: 10 SEP 2026 5:02PM by PIB Delhi

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, and MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, today disclosed that ESTIC-2026 (Emerging Science, Technology & Innovation Conclave) will be held from 27–29 October 2026 at Bharat Mandapam with inauguration by PM Shri Narendra Modi and the eminent faculty will include three Nobel Laureates, Prof. Joachim Frank, Sir Richard J. Roberts and Prof. Kostya Novoselov, in addition to several international award winning speakers.

Addressing the Curtain Raiser of ESTIC-2026, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that with science and technology evolving at unprecedented speed, the ecosystem must increasingly draw upon expertise from management, communication and other domains alongside scientific capabilities.

Dr. Jitendra Singh said ESTIC was conceived last year as part of a new approach to bring together multiple components of the science and technology ecosystem on a common platform rather than having several fragmented events throughout the year. He said the Conclave provides an opportunity for closer interaction among researchers, innovators, Startups, entrepreneurs, industry and policymakers, with the objective of creating a more integrated ecosystem for science and technology.

The Minister said, time has come for breaking institutional silos and creating stronger linkages between scientific research, Startups, industry, markets and society to accelerate innovation and translate India’s scientific capabilities into wider economic and societal impact.

Dr Jitendra Singh said the theme of ESTIC-2026: “Creative Minds, Catalyzing Science, Empowering Technologies”, captures the importance of creativity and imagination in scientific innovation. Dr. Singh said creativity and imagination strengthen innovative capabilities, while an enabling ecosystem is necessary to translate ideas into meaningful outcomes.

Referring to India’s startup growth, Dr. Jitendra Singh said the country had around 350-400 Startups in 2014, whereas the number has now crossed 2.3 lakh, making India the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem. He said more than 50-60 per cent of Startups are now coming from small towns and not metros, reflecting the widening reach of entrepreneurship and innovation across the country. He said such emerging Startups deserve greater access to experts, entrepreneurs, business leaders and markets to scale up.

The Minister said future editions of ESTIC could bring in management and communication institutions more extensively. Management expertise can help Startups and potential entrepreneurs develop strategies for market access, while communication expertise can help take scientific achievements to young people and wider sections of society through the language and mediums they understand.

Dr. Jitendra Singh said the Government’s efforts to create such an enabling ecosystem include initiatives such as the National Research Foundation and the ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund. He said the convergence of different ministries and stakeholders can help strengthen the journey from research and innovation to technology development, entrepreneurship and market applications.

The Minister also referred to India’s recent achievements in emerging areas of science and technology, including the Deep Ocean Mission and the country’s expanding focus on the blue economy. Referring to the launch of India’s first indigenous research vessel, he said India is now moving in a major way to explore the opportunities offered by the blue economy. He also cited achievements in space and biotechnology as examples of the scale of India’s expanding scientific capabilities.

Calling for continuity beyond the three-day Conclave, Dr. Singh asked the scientific advisory and organising teams to prepare a roadmap with short-term and long-term milestones based on the deliberations and learnings of ESTIC. He said the experience of one edition should feed into the next and that inter-ministerial efforts should continue so that the Conclave does not become an isolated annual event.

Dr. Jitendra Singh also called for greater awareness among young innovators about procedures related to startup registration, patents and other innovation processes. He said many potential entrepreneurs may possess ideas and capabilities but remain unfamiliar with the procedures required to take their innovations forward, and that easier access to such information can help unlock this potential.

Speaking about the rapidly evolving technology landscape, particularly Artificial Intelligence, the Minister said technology is increasingly becoming a facilitator for young people to create new possibilities, rather than merely seek opportunities created by technology. He said ESTIC should become an event of interest to every generation and segment of society, particularly the youth.

The Curtain Raiser was attended by Prof. Ajay K. Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India; Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) and Director General, CSIR; Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology; Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology; and Dr. Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, besides senior officials and representatives of participating ministries and departments.

Prof. Ajay K. Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, said ESTIC-2026 builds on the success of its inaugural edition, which brought together 13 ministries, leading institutions, industry partners and more than 5,000 delegates. He said the Conclave embodies a whole-of-government approach and brings together young innovators, policymakers, institutions and industry around a common national vision, with 12 thematic areas covering important emerging opportunities for India.

Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Secretary, DSIR & Director General, CSIR, said CSIR has taken up the responsibility of organising ESTIC-2026, with CSIR-NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram, as the nodal laboratory, and 13 ministries joining hands for the initiative. She said the Conclave will strengthen coordination across the science, technology and innovation ecosystem and contribute to the national objective of building Viksit Bharat by 2047.

ESTIC-2026, organised by CSIR under the guidance of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, with CSIR-NIIST as the organising partner, will bring together Nobel laureates and global scientific leaders, deep-tech Startups, women entrepreneurs, young scientists and researchers, industry leaders, policymakers and representatives from academia, PSUs and R&D institutions.

The three-day Conclave will feature plenary talks, 12 thematic technical sessions, panel discussions, presentations by science and technology leaders and deep-tech Startups, exhibitions, poster presentations and B2B/B2G connect meetings. The thematic areas span emerging fields including advanced manufacturing, energy technologies, synthetic biology, ocean and maritime technologies, quantum communication, semiconductors, agri-tech, generative and autonomous AI, robotics, advanced healthcare, immersive technologies and space science.

Three Nobel laureates: Prof. Joachim Frank, Sir Richard J. Roberts and Prof. Kostya Novoselov, are among the eminent scientific personalities participating in ESTIC-2026. The Conclave will also feature a technology-oriented exhibition showcasing India’s emerging startup and deep-tech ecosystem, which will be open to the public from the second day.

ESTIC-2026 will be held from 27–29 October 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The Hon’ble Prime Minister of India will inaugurate ESTIC-2026 on 27 October 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Registration is open and will close on 15 September 2026.

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NKR/AK

Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal reviews preparations for Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 with States/UTs

Campaign to be observed from 17th September to 17th October 2026

‘Swachhata Mein Sahbhag, Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat’ to be the theme of SHS 2026

States/UTs urged to ensure wide Jan Bhagidari and visible cleanliness outcomes

Posted On: 10 SEP 2026 6:00PM by PIB Delhi

Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs and Power, Shri Manohar Lal, today chaired a high-level meeting with State Urban Development Ministers, Principal Secretaries, Urban Development and State Mission Directors to review the preparedness of States and Union Territories for Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2026.

The meeting reviewed preparations for the nationwide campaign, which will be observed from 17th September to 17th October 2026. This year’s theme, ‘Swachhata Mein Sahbhag, Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat’, underlines the role of collective participation and shared responsibility in advancing the vision of a Swachh and Viksit Bharat.

The key focus areas of SHS 2026 include transformation of Cleanliness Target Units (CTUs) and high-footfall public places; Swachh Paathshala -Yuva for Swachhata; SafaiMitra Suraksha Evam Samman Shivirs; Jan Bhagidari for Swachhata; and Swachhata se Samriddhi, with a focus on circular economy and Waste-to-Wealth initiatives.

During the meeting, States/UTs were briefed on the key focus areas of the campaign and the need to undertake coordinated action across the nation. Emphasis was laid on ensuring extensive citizen participation, effective implementation at the local level and visible cleanliness outcomes during the campaign period. States Departments should take a lead in ensuring cleanliness drives across each office premises, tourist spots and water bodies.

In his remarks, Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Manohar Lal, called upon Citizens to begin the Swachchata hi Seva campaign from their own homes on 17th September. He urged citizens to clean their homes themselves, and thereafter light a Diya in their homes in the evening, symbolising a clean home, healthy family and positive energy; while also representing a commitment to sustain the cleanliness achieved. He said that the campaign should be taken forward in the spirit of ‘Seva Sankalp’, with the objective of making cleanliness a sustained people-led commitment rather than a month-long activity.

Referring to the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Union Minister said that the campaign begins on 17 September, the Prime Minister’s birthday, and seeks to connect his spirit of service and resolve with the cause of cleanliness.

Recalling the Prime Minister’s message in Mann Ki Baat, Shri Manohar Lal said that when keeping a place clean becomes the resolve of its people, the change goes beyond cleanliness and transforms the very identity of that place. He emphasised that the endeavour should therefore be to make Swachhata a collective resolve of citizens.

The Minister emphasized that 25th September, the birthday of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, should mark cleanliness drives across all segments of society, with particular focus on inclusivity and social welfare.

In particular, States were urged to undertake extensive planning and advocacy activities leading up to 1st October, for nation-wide Shramdaan for Ek Din, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath, where State Education and Sports Departments were asked to engage youth and sportspersons for Swachchata activities at scale. The Minister appealed to all Ministers, MPs/MLAs, Mayors, Deputy Mayors, Ward Councillors, Commissioners, Eminent personalities of each State to lead this nation-wide Shramdaan from their respective areas/constituencies and ensure mass mobilisation for the same.

He also urged all municipalities to engage Residential Societies and RWAs by organising inter-ward and inter- RWA Swachchata Competitions to further bolster their efforts, and promote key Swachchata messaging in prominent RWA locations.

On 2nd October, or Swachch Bharat Diwas, Special Council meetings and special cleanliness drives would be organised by the ULBs at Public places to share the message of Mahatma Gandhi, and conduct advocacy drives on Solid Waste Management Rules. In addition, tree plantation activities would be conducted under ‘Ek Ped Maa ke Naam’.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of ensuring the welfare, safety and recognition of sanitation workers through SafaiMitra Suraksha Evam Samman Shivirs, including linkages with eligible welfare schemes, preventive health check-ups and provision of safety gear. It was emphasized that these Shivirs be organised recurrently across the year for maximum impact.

The Minister further urged States to organise Special Swachchata Programmes on 7th October, to mark the completion of Hon’ble PM’s 25 years of Public Service.

States/UTs were also advised to undertake effective and innovative advocacy and outreach with Jan Bhaagidaari, sports events, playing spiritual/soulful songs and Swachchata Anthems, around SHS 2026 and ensure regular reporting of activities undertaken during the campaign; and take pro-active measures to ensure that the Campaign translates to measurable outcomes on the ground and strong behaviour change in every citizen of the Nation. While the campaign officially ends on 17Th October, States were urged to carry the Swachchata momentum forward throughout the year.

Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal to Participate in G20 Energy Abundance Ministerial Meeting in Houston, USA

Posted On: 11 SEP 2026 8:41AM by PIB Delhi

Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs Shri Manohar Lal will participate in the G20 Energy Ministerial Meeting to be held in the Houston, United States of America from 14–16 September 2026. The meeting, hosted under the U.S. G20 Presidency, will bring together Energy Ministers and senior representatives from G20 members to deliberate on key issues concerning global energy security, affordability, infrastructure development and resilient energy supply chains.

The Minister will participate in ministerial sessions under three key pillars - “Energy Security and Affordable Baseload,” “Permitting and Regulatory Efficiency,” and “Critical Minerals & Resilient Supply Chains.” The discussions will focus on strengthening energy security and affordability, facilitating timely development of energy infrastructure through efficient regulatory frameworks, and building secure, resilient and diversified critical-mineral supply chains.

During the meeting, Shri Manohar Lal will seek to highlight India’s approach towards building a resilient and future-ready energy system capable of meeting its rapidly growing energy needs while sharing India’s experience in enhancing permitting and regulatory efficiency through institutional and policy reforms as well as highlighting India’s focus on diversification, circularity, and strengthening the entire value chain of critical minerals.

The Minister’s participation will reaffirm India’s commitment to constructive international engagement and collective action in addressing evolving global energy challenges. India will continue to advocate pragmatic, inclusive and technology-neutral approaches that respect diverse national circumstances and advance secure, affordable, reliable, resilient and sustainable energy systems for all.

BEE Showcases Commercial Electric Cooking Solutions to Accelerate India's Transition from LPG to Electricity

Invites stakeholders to register for the Go Electric Commercial Electric Cooking Vendor Directory

Posted On: 10 SEP 2026 7:33PM by PIB Delhi

Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Power, Government of India, organized the “Commercial Induction Cooking Showcase & Chef Challenge” in New Delhi, under the theme “Accelerating India’s Electric Cooking Ambition: From Technology Demonstration to Real-World Adoption.” The event brought together policymakers, public sector enterprises, manufacturers, technology providers, chefs, hoteliers, and commercial kitchen operators on a common platform to advance the adoption of energy-efficient electric cooking in India’s commercial and institutional kitchens.

Shri Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power, was the Chief Guest. He inaugurated an exhibition featuring commercial e-cooking appliances and technologies from seven leading manufacturers. Shri Krushna Chandra Panigrahy, Director General, BEE, delivered the keynote address, and Ms. Neha Dhingra, Director, CLASP, delivered the welcome address.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Pankaj Agarwal noted that energy security is the real driver behind India's shift to electric cooking. Due to the ongoing global conflict and rising price of LPG, transitioning to e-cooking is not only a strategic shift but also an operational choice. He stated that the enabling base for this transition already exists, citing schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (SAUBHAGYA) and PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, which provide a strong foundation for promoting e-cooking appliances in the residential sector. At the same time, he acknowledged that the barriers to wider adoption have been behavioural and infrastructural, ranging from chef and consumer comfort with the taste of food cooked on induction to gaps in local distribution capacity. Looking ahead, he identified awareness creation as the fastest lever to drive demand and accelerate the mainstreaming of electric cooking across the country.

In his keynote address, Shri Krushna Chandra Panigrahy, Director General, BEE, welcomed representatives from the Ministry of Power, CLASP, industry, hospitality, PSUs, manufacturers, and chefs, and thanked them for their role in advancing India's e-cooking ecosystem. He said India's energy transition isn't just about cleaner energy sources; it is also about using energy more efficiently, and electric cooking brings together efficiency, energy security, convenience, and sustainability in one shift. He announced that BEE is inviting manufacturers, distributors, system integrators, and solution providers to register for the Go Electric Commercial Electric Cooking Vendor Directory, a public platform that will help hotels, restaurants, canteens, hospitals, and institutions find credible providers. He also shared that BEE is working with the Bureau of Indian Standards to develop a Standards & Labeling framework for commercial induction hobs. Shri. Panigrahy informed that BEE’s objective is to move beyond individual demonstration projects towards a mature commercial e-cooking ecosystem, "where users have confidence in the technology, manufacturers understand market requirements, and policymakers have the evidence needed to support its scale-up."

The inaugural session was followed by a Commercial Induction Chef Challenge, where three chefs prepared dishes using induction cooktops. The demonstration enabled participants to observe the cooking performance, ease of use, heat control, and cooking time of induction technology.

The event concluded with closing remarks from BEE, reiterating the Bureau’s commitment to working with the Ministry of Power, CLASP, manufacturers, industry associations, public sector enterprises and commercial kitchen operators to accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient electric cooking across India.

The event reaffirmed the shared responsibility of the Government, industry and hospitality sector to move India’s commercial kitchens from technology demonstration to real-world adoption, in line with the vision of a Viksit and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

About BEE

The Government of India set up the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) on1st March, 2002 under the provisions of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001. The mission of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency is to assist in developing policies and strategies with a thrust on self-regulation and market principles.

A key objective is reducing the energy intensity of the Indian economy. BEE coordinates with designated consumers, designated agencies and other organizations. It recognises, identifies and utilises the existing resources and infrastructure, in performing the functions assigned to it under the Act. The Act also provides for regulatory and promotional functions.

Small Hydro Power has a distinctive role in India’s clean energy transition: Shri Shripad Yesso Naik

India’s assessed Small Hydro Power potential stands at around 21 GW across more than 7,100 identified sites

Small Hydro Power Session to Feature at Bharat Renewable Energy Summit & Expo 2026; Curtain Raiser Organised

Posted On: 10 SEP 2026 3:08PM by PIB Delhi

Small Hydro Power has a distinctive role in India’s clean energy transition, said Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy and Power while addressing the Curtain Raiser Programme for the dedicated Small Hydro Power (SHP) session at the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit & Expo 2026 held today in New Delhi. Addressing the gathering, he said that Small Hydro Power can contribute to energy security, decentralised generation, employment and socio-economic development in remote areas.

Shri Naik said that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India’s clean energy journey has undergone a remarkable transformation, propelling the country to the forefront of the global energy transition. He said renewable energy has emerged as a powerful instrument of energy security, economic growth, technological progress and employment generation.

The Minister highlighted that India has crossed the milestone of 300 GW of installed non-fossil-fuel capacity. He said the strength of India’s energy transition lies in building a diverse, balanced and resilient energy portfolio suited to the country’s geography, resources and development needs.

Shri Naik emphasised the significant potential of Small Hydro Power in this context. He said India’s presently assessed Small Hydro Power potential is around 21 GW across more than 7,100 identified sites, of which only about 5.2 GW has been harnessed. He noted that this represents a significant opportunity for further development of the sector.

Shri Naik said the significance of Small Hydro Power goes beyond adding generating capacity. He noted that, wherever technically and environmentally feasible, appropriately designed run-of-river projects can provide a renewable energy option requiring relatively less land and avoiding the large-scale submergence and displacement associated with major reservoir-based projects.

He said Small Hydro Power can provide dependable renewable electricity closer to the point of consumption, strengthen decentralised generation and contribute to the resilience of the power system, particularly in geographically challenging regions. The sector can also create employment, support local enterprises and generate economic opportunities in remote areas while maintaining sensitivity towards ecology and local communities.

The Minister highlighted the Government’s proposed Small Hydro Power Development Scheme for the period 2026-27 to 2030-31, with an outlay of ₹2,584.60 crore and a target of approximately 1,500 MW of new Small Hydro Power capacity. The Scheme will also incentivise States to prepare Detailed Project Reports for about 200 projects, thereby creating a pipeline of Small Hydro Power projects for future development.

The Minister stressed that Government support alone cannot unlock the full potential of the sector and called for a strong partnership among the Central Government, State Governments, developers, financial institutions, technology providers and investors. He emphasised the need for policy certainty, streamlined approvals, improved ease of doing business, stronger Centre-State coordination and better bankability of projects.

Shri Naik said that the Curtain Raiser Programme marks the beginning of an important national conversation on how India can make fuller and smarter use of its Small Hydro Power potential. He said the dedicated Small Hydro Power session at the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit & Expo 2026, to be held from 2nd to 5th November 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, will provide an important platform to deliberate on policy reforms, investment, financing, technology and partnerships.

The Minister invited all stakeholders to participate in this national endeavour and work together to harness India’s river systems, geographical diversity, indigenous technological capabilities and modern innovation to build a cleaner, stronger, more self-reliant and sustainable India.

Shri Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), extended a warm invitation to participate in large numbers in the forthcoming Bharat Renewable Energy Summit and Expo 2026.

The Secretary highlighted the long lead time in starting hydropower projects as a key challenge, noting that delays in obtaining forest, environment and right-of-way clearances adversely impact timely project execution. He said that while the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has been assured by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) of timely clearances, particularly for small hydropower projects, a mechanism should be developed to generate and escalate alerts in cases of undue delays.

Emphasising the need to improve the bankability of small hydropower projects, the Secretary said that their unique cash-flow profile necessitates access to long-term patient capital. He urged the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) to take the lead in working with banks and multilateral development institutions, including the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank, to facilitate greater availability of patient capital for project developers.

He urged the stakeholders to share their ideas and experiences and suggest what else could be done to promote hydropower, particularly small hydropower, in the country.

Several stakeholders, along with senior officials, delegates from research and industry sectors, were present during the Curtain Raiser.

***

Nihi Sharma/ Laxya Lohan

Union Environment Minister inaugurates National Workshop on ‘Leveraging Latest Technologies in Assessment of Forest and Tree Resources’, in New Delhi

India must leverage Latest Technologies while strengthening Indigenous Capabilities for Forest Assessment: Shri Bhupender Yadav

Sound SOPs and Standardised Parameters essential for Quality Green Cover and Effective Forest Conservation: Union Environment Minister

Posted On: 10 SEP 2026 3:15PM by PIB Delhi

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change organised a national workshop on ‘Leveraging Latest Technologies in Assessment of Forest and Tree Resources’ in New Delhi today. The inaugural session was presided over by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav. The occasion was also graced by the presence of Union MoS (EFCC), Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh.

The Workshop brought together State Forest Departments, scientific institutions, scientists, technology experts and other stakeholders to explore technology-led approaches for strengthening assessment, monitoring and management of forest and tree resources. It witnessed three technical sessions on the topics - Digitization of Forest Boundaries; Forest and Tree Cover assessment; and Estimation of Carbon Stock.

In his address, Shri Yadav emphasised that humans are not above Nature and must respect it by working towards coexistence with it. He stressed the need to harness technology to strengthen data on natural resources, improve decision-making and accelerate India’s climate commitments, particularly through nature-based solutions.

The Minister highlighted that increasing carbon sink through forest and tree cover is the third NDC (Nationally Determined Contributions) target under the UNFCCC and underscored the important role of the Forest Survey of India (FSI) as a premier institution for forest conservation and documentation of green cover. India has undertaken regular biennial assessment of forest and tree resources through FSI since 1987, with the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) serving as an important scientific basis for monitoring changes and supporting national and international reporting.

Shri Yadav called for standardisation of parameters across institutions to enable coordinated action on forest conservation and stressed that the purpose of compensatory afforestation must be clearly aligned with preserving plantations and improving the quality of green cover. He also emphasised the need to classify forest fire-prone regions according to the frequency of incidents and identify hotspots for targeted prevention strategies. He noted that wetlands are critical ecosystems for conserving biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance, and called for maintaining an appropriate balance of wetlands, woodlands and grasslands.

The Minister encouraged innovation and adoption of the latest technologies while stressing the importance of indigenous technologies and capacity building of forest staff. He called for improved quality of data and integration of field experience into a robust Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for preparation of the ISFR, so that the report can serve as a stronger base document for forest conservation and management. He emphasised that achieving India’s enhanced ambition of creating a 3.5–4.0 billion tonne CO₂-equivalent carbon sink by 2035 will require technological innovation alongside strong institutional capacities, effective policies and active participation of people and communities.

The Ministry continues to provide technical and financial support to States and UTs for enhancing forest and tree cover through initiatives including Green India Mission, MISHTI, Nagar Van Yojana, Namo Van and Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam. During the Workshop, deliberations were carried out on technologies and strategies that can be adopted and scaled up through strengthened institutional capacities, with the objective of bolstering forest governance, supporting climate action and ensuring sustainable management of India’s natural resources.

India Today is hosting a global "BRICS Roundtable" program to decode and analyse the upcoming 18th BRICS Summit, which India is officially hosting in New Delhi on September 12–13, 2026

India Today is hosting a global "BRICS Roundtable" program to decode and analyse the upcoming 18th BRICS Summit, which India is officially hosting in New Delhi on September 12–13, 2026. [1, 2, 3]

As India chairs the newly expanded 11-member bloc, the India Today broadcast brings together leading international voices to discuss how the Global South is shaping the global order and exploring trade in national currencies. [1]

🗓️ Summit Schedule & Venue

Host Venue: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Pre-Summit Event (Sept 11): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the BRICS Business Forum, attended by corporate heads from Russia, China, Brazil, and the UAE.
Main Summit (Sept 12–13): The two-day leadership summit focusing on multilateral reforms and core strategic issues. [1, 2, 3, 4]

🎯 Key Agenda & Theme

The official theme driven by India's chairship is “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”. The core discussions on the program highlight: [1]

Geopolitical Divides: Navigating West Asian tensions (specifically involving member states like Iran and the UAE) to secure a unified declaration. [1, 2]
Economic Strategy: Strengthening critical supply chains, food and energy security, and trading alternatives to the US dollar using national currencies. [1, 2]
Multilateral Reform: Demanding structural changes to make the United Nations, IMF, and World Bank more representative of the Global South. [1, 2]

👥 Expected High-Profile Attendees

The news program highlights critical bilateral engagements taking place on the sidelines of the mega meet: [1, 2]

Bilateral Meetings: PM Narendra Modi is scheduled for high-stakes talks, including a highly anticipated meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (their first formal bilateral since the 2020 Galwan clash) and a Friday meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. [1, 2]
New Members & Invitees: Leaders and delegates from new members (Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE, and Indonesia) along with outreach country heads from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres