Tag: Environment

EduConnect

ICAR-CCARI Goa Bags ‘Best Institution Other Than School & College’ Award at 6th National Water Awards 2024

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The ICAR–Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute (CCARI), Goa, has achieved national recognition by bagging the prestigious ‘Best Institution Other Than School & College’ award at the 6th National Water Awards 2024. The award, announced by the Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, acknowledges the institute’s remarkable efforts in advancing water management, conservation, and sustainable agricultural practices in India’s coastal regions.

A total of 46 winners, including joint winners, have been selected across ten categories for the 2024 awards, which include Best State, Best District, Best Village Panchayat, Best Urban Local Body, Best School or College, Best Industry, Best Water User Association, Best Institution (other than school or college), Best Civil Society, and Best Individual for excellence in the water sector. Maharashtra was declared the Best State, followed by Gujarat and Haryana in second and third positions respectively.

The award ceremony is scheduled to be held on 18th November 2025 at 11:30 a.m. at Plenary Hall, Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, will grace the occasion as Chief Guest, alongside Minister of State for the Ministry of Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Chaudhary, Secretary of DoWR, RD & GR V.L. Kantha Rao, Secretary of Drinking Water and Sanitation Ashok K.K. Meena, and other senior officials.

Union Minister of Jal Shakti, C.R. Patil, highlighted that the National Water Awards reflect the government’s commitment to recognizing and promoting water conservation efforts nationwide. The awards are part of a broader initiative under the Ministry of Jal Shakti to build a sustainable and water-secure future for India under the guidance of the Prime Minister.

Introduced in 2018, the National Water Awards aim to create public awareness about the importance of water and motivate individuals and organizations to adopt best practices in water management. The awards were not conferred in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but they resumed thereafter with renewed focus on sustainable water practices. For the 2024 edition, launched on 23rd October 2024 via the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the department received 751 applications. These were meticulously scrutinized and evaluated by a jury committee, followed by on-ground verification by the Central Water Commission (CWC) and Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), leading to the final selection of 46 awardees.

The recognition of ICAR–CCARI Goa underscores the institute’s long-standing contributions to coastal agriculture and water sustainability. The National Water Awards continue to serve as a powerful platform to encourage innovation, collaboration, and community engagement in water conservation efforts across India — strengthening the nation’s journey towards a ‘Jal Samridh Bharat’.

Events in Goa

MRAI Sustainable Steel Conference 2025 Opens in Goa with a Strong Call for Green Transition in India’s Steel Sector

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Goa, November 9, 2025 — The MRAI Sustainable Steel Conference 2025 (MSSC 2025), organised by the Material Recycling Association of India (MRAI), opened today at ITC Grand Goa, marking the state’s first major ferrous-focused steel and recycling conference. Supported by the Ministry of Steel, Government of India, and the National Institute of Secondary Steel Technology (NISST), the two-day event drew over 300 delegates, including steelmakers, recyclers, policymakers, and sustainability experts from across India.

The conference, themed “Green Steel and Sustainable Growth,” aims to accelerate India’s transition toward low-carbon steelmaking, aligning with the government’s roadmap for 300 million tonnes of sustainable steel production by 2030. The inauguration began with the traditional lamp lighting, followed by a welcome address by Mr. Zain Nathani, Vice President, MRAI, who emphasized that the discussions held at MSSC 2025 would define the next decade of India’s steel industry, particularly in the domains of standards, sustainability, and innovation.

Mr. Keyur Shah, Managing Director, Mono Steel (India) Ltd. and MRAI Board Director, noted that this marks Goa’s first ferrous conference by MRAI and highlighted the association’s evolution from 45 members to over 1,800. He also discussed significant policy wins such as zero import duty on ferrous scrap, simplified PCI procedures, and India’s vehicle scrappage policy under NITI Aayog, while announcing plans for green circular recycling parks and skill development programs.

Mr. Yogesh Mandhani, President of the All India Induction Furnace Association (AIIFA), reaffirmed the industry’s commitment to sustainability, citing that 17 companies have already received Green Steel Certificates from NISST. He stressed that collaboration between the industry and government will be crucial in ensuring affordable, sustainable steel production.

MRAI President Mr. Sanjay Mehta lauded the Ministry of Steel’s proactive engagement, noting that MRAI now operates across 11 recycling verticals in partnership with NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Environment. He also announced plans for upcoming vertical-specific conferences across India, covering both ferrous and non-ferrous sectors.

Addressing the conference, Shri Parmjeet Singh, Director of NISST, outlined India’s Green Steel Taxonomy, introduced in December 2024, which provides the framework for classifying low-carbon steel. He highlighted that 47% of India’s 200 million tonnes of steel capacity comes from the secondary sector and 38% of this production uses ferrous scrap — underscoring recycling’s pivotal role in sustainability.

In a virtual address, Shri V. K. Tripathi, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Steel, noted that India, now the world’s second-largest steel producer with 152 million tonnes of crude steel output, must focus on producing steel sustainably. He outlined the ministry’s strategy of short-term energy efficiency, medium-term hydrogen and carbon capture, and long-term net-zero steelmaking by 2070.

The inaugural day featured technical sessions on BIS standards and the evolving green steel market. BIS Director Shri Dwaipayan Bhadra emphasized the organisation’s collaborative and research-driven approach to standards, while a second session moderated by Mr. Abhijit Kulkarni of EY–Parthenon explored green steel procurement, financing, and policy frameworks.

Panellists from CII, RMI India Foundation, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, and Metalogic PMS discussed the importance of supportive policies and concessional financing to enable MSMEs to join the green transition. The day concluded with a networking dinner, fostering collaboration among government officials, industry leaders, and sustainability experts against Goa’s coastal backdrop.

The MRAI Sustainable Steel Conference 2025 continues on November 10, featuring discussions on carbon credits, recycling technology, and policy roadmaps for India’s sustainable industrial future.

Goan Personalities

MLA Kedar J. Naik Appointed Chairman of Goa Tourism Development Corporation

Tanisha Cardozo

Kedar J. Naik, Hon’ble MLA of Saligao, has officially assumed charge as the new Chairman of the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC). His appointment heralds a new era in Goa’s tourism sector, focusing on Regenerative and Responsible Tourism, community engagement, and sustainable growth.

With extensive administrative experience and a deep understanding of grassroots governance, Shri Naik is expected to strengthen GTDC’s efforts in promoting sustainable tourism infrastructure, enhancing connectivity, and developing experiences that preserve Goa’s cultural and natural heritage. His leadership aims to position Goa as a year-round global destination that balances tourism growth with environmental and community welfare.

Speaking on his appointment, Shri Naik said, “I am honoured to take on this responsibility and contribute towards shaping Goa’s tourism landscape in line with our vision for Regenerative Tourism. Our focus will be on improving infrastructure, fostering community participation, and developing experiences that preserve Goa’s heritage while creating long-term benefits for our people.”

Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, congratulated Shri Naik, stating that under his leadership, GTDC will continue to diversify Goa’s tourism offerings, empower local communities, and enhance the state’s reputation as a model of sustainable tourism. The Director of Tourism also expressed confidence in Shri Naik’s vision and administrative acumen to accelerate Goa’s tourism growth responsibly.

GTDC Managing Director Shri Kuldeep Arolkar welcomed Shri Naik and reiterated the corporation’s commitment to innovative tourism experiences, community participation, sustainable infrastructure, and cultural preservation.

Shri Kedar J. Naik’s appointment signals a renewed commitment to curating Goa’s cultural, hinterland, and heritage circuits, fostering harmony, hospitality, and long-term sustainable benefits for both visitors and residents. Under his guidance, GTDC is poised to strengthen Goa’s position as a global model for Regenerative and Responsible Tourism.

Human Interest

Goa Records Fifth Highest October Rainfall in a Century

allycaralgoa

Goa experienced one of its wettest Octobers on record, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reporting 374.6mm of rain during October 2025. This makes it the fifth highest October rainfall total in the state in nearly 100 years of data.

The wettest October on record for Goa remains 2019, when 546.8mm of rain was recorded, followed by 2006 (423.8mm), 1955 (413.2mm), and 1985 (394.3mm). The latest figure places 2025 in fifth position, highlighting the unusual intensity of this year’s late monsoon surge.

Meteorologist and retired NIO chief scientist M. R. Ramesh Kumar explained that about 60% of the month’s rain fell during the last week of October, driven by a depression system over the southeastern Arabian Sea that caused widespread precipitation across Goa.

Rainfall, however, was uneven across the state. IMD data showed Pernem and Mormugao received the highest totals at 498mm each, while Valpoi recorded the lowest at 209mm till the morning of October 31.

Kumar described the pattern as “lopsided,” noting that most rain was concentrated in the second half of the month. “There was no rainfall on October 12 and 13, and only trace amounts were recorded on the 8th, 14th, and 18th,” he said.

The other years that make up the top 10 rainiest Octobers in Goa include 2009 (351.8mm), 1931 (344mm), 1928 (332mm), 2010 (325.5mm), and 2024 (300mm).

The data underscores how unpredictable the post-monsoon period can be — with global weather systems and sea surface conditions increasingly influencing local rainfall extremes.

Science

CSIR-NIO Hosts National Science Seminar on Marine Research and India’s Future Prospects

Tanisha Cardozo

CSIR–National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR-NIO), Goa, hosted a two-day National Science Seminar in Hindi at its Dona Paula campus on the theme “Contribution of Marine Research in India’s Development and Future Prospects.” The seminar brought together experts, researchers, and scholars from across the country to discuss the current landscape and future opportunities in ocean science and its impact on India’s development.

The Chief Guest for the seminar was Prof. Dr. Sujata Kadam, Dean of the All India Institute of Ayurveda, Goa Campus, who spoke about the importance of integrating Ayurveda into lifestyle and shared key initiatives taken by her institution. Dr. Ramanuj Narayan, Director of CSIR-IMMT, Bhubaneswar, graced the event as the Guest of Honour and emphasised the importance of such national-level scientific seminars in furthering research dialogue. He also acknowledged the critical role that CSIR institutions, including NIO, have played in advancing national goals through scientific excellence.

Among the highlights of the seminar was a keynote lecture by Dr. Arun Deo Singh, Senior Professor, Department of Geology at Banaras Hindu University, who presented insights into the utility of microfossils in ocean exploration. CSIR-NIO Director Prof. Sunil Kumar Singh addressed the gathering and spoke about the immense potential that ocean science holds in contributing to socio-economic growth and national progress. He stressed how marine research outcomes can directly support the objectives of nation-building.

The seminar concluded with a valedictory function attended by Dr. Asha B. Gehlot, Member of the Hindi Language Advisory Committee, NITI Aayog, and Head of the Hindi Department at Government College, Khandola, Goa. In her address, Dr. Gehlot underscored the importance of conducting scientific seminars in Hindi and other Indian languages, stating that this would help bridge the gap between complex scientific research and public understanding, ultimately making a stronger impact on the blue economy.

The seminar featured four key scientific sessions across the disciplines of Chemical Oceanography, Biological Oceanography, Geological Oceanography, and Physical Oceanography & Ocean Engineering. Over the course of the two days, 34 oral presentations and 20 poster presentations were made by delegates from 12 institutions across the country. The event saw enthusiastic participation from over 150 delegates, creating a vibrant platform for knowledge exchange and collaborative thinking.

The seminar successfully highlighted the transformative role of marine research in India’s present and future, while also promoting science communication in Indian languages to foster broader outreach and societal benefit.