The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a Delhi-based non-profit organization, has founded a coalition of coastal cities to battle marine litter pollution throughout India. The Coalition intends to tackle the severe cross-border problem of marine litter pollution, a primary contributor to the damage of marine ecosystems and harm to marine life. It is estimated that 80% of marine litter originates from the improper management of solid waste on land, which finds its way to the ocean via numerous land-to-sea routes.
The coalition’s main focus will be on mitigating plastic pollution, which makes up a staggering 90% of all waste in the marine ecosystem. With India generating about 460 million Tonnes of plastic – nearly 8 million Tonnes (or 2.26%) of this leaks into the marine ecosystem. Particularly impacted are South Asian seas, absorbing Tonnes of plastic waste daily. This accumulates to 5.6 million Tonnes of plastic waste annually.
With a coastline stretching over 7,517 km across nine states and 66 coastal districts, home to around 250 million individuals and boasting rich biodiversity, India is under significant ecological threat. The CSE has highlighted the urgent need for the rigorous enforcement of policies such as a ban on single-use plastics and an extended producer responsibility.
India’s Milk Prices and Production
Since 2021, milk prices in India have been steadily increasing, with several price hikes across various brands. As of April 2023, the average price for a litre of milk in India had reached ₹57, marking a 12% increase compared to the previous year. The highest milk prices are found in Lucknow and Guwahati, while southern cities like Bengaluru and Chennai offer relatively lower prices.
High inflation in the milk industry is one of the key drivers behind retail inflation with milk inflation showing a continued upward trend. Milk production in India, despite being the world’s largest, is experiencing stagnation due to numerous factors. These include a slump in demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, outbreaks of lumpy skin disease in cattle and buffalo leading to reduced milk yields, and elevated fodder prices increasing the cost of production.
Maa Kamakhya Corridor
The Prime Minister of India has expressed optimism regarding the Maa Kamakhya corridor initiative. Similar to the Kashi Vishwanath Dham (Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh) and Shree Mahakal Mahalok corridor (Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh), the Maa Kamakhya corridor is anticipated to become a significant landmark.
These projects have boosted local economies through increased tourism and enhanced the spiritual experiences of many. The proposed Maa Kamakhya corridor aims to develop and renovate the pilgrimage site of Kamakhya Temple located in Guwahati, Assam, India. The temple is dedicated to goddess Shakti, also known as Kameshwari and is situated on the Nilachal mountain.
SATHI Portal to Address Agricultural Challenges
India’s Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA & FW) Minister has launched the SATHI (Seed Traceability, Authentication, and Holistic Inventory) Portal and Mobile App. This system, developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) in concert with MoA & FW, aims to address challenges in seed production, seed quality identification, and seed certification.
The SATHI portal is aimed at addressing the challenges currently facing the agriculture sector and promises to be a revolutionary step in agriculture when implemented at the grassroots level. The portal will not only ensure a quality assurance system but will also identify the source of seeds in the production chain, and trace the seeds through a QR code.
