Tourism vs. Ecology: The Impact of Vehicle Caps in Ooty & Kodaikanal
Carrying capacity must serve as a tool for long-term sustainability rather than a restrictive measure that disproportionately affects vulnerable communities
Tikender Singh Panwar
Former Deputy Mayor of Shimla and Visiting Senior Fellow at IMPRI
Lost in the Pursuit of Profit: The Dimming of Himalayan Heritage
Norway’s Parliament issued a formal apology for its assimilation policies targeting the Sami, Kven, and Forest Finn peoples. These policies, known as Norwegianisation, were implemented between the 1850s and 1960s to suppress indigenous languages and cultures. Alongside the apology, the government proposed measures to address ongoing discrimination, such as protecting indigenous languages and monitoring inclusion efforts starting in 2027.
India’s Urban Odyssey: Dreams, Struggles, and the Power of Aspirations
Whether it is a farmer from rural Bihar seeking a stable income in Delhi, or a young graduate from a small town aspiring to join Bengaluru’s tech ecosystem, the magnetism of urban centres lies in their perceived ability to transform lives.
Budget Breakdown: What’s in Store for Cities and Infrastructure?
The story so far: In 2015, the NDA government positioned urban development as a key pillar of its growth strategy as cities contribute nearly 67% to the GDP. However, in the government’s vision for a “Viksit Bharat,” cities seem to be conspicuously absent.
The Rise and Fall of India’s Smart Cities: A Case Study of Shimla
Almost a decade has passed since the Indian government announced the concept of “smart cities” as the new lighthouses of urbanisation. The June 2015 announcement of 100 smart cities aimed to create models of urban development. However, these lighthouses of urbanity have now been relegated to the annals of India’s urbanisation history.
Bhopal Gas Tragedy: A Lingering Crisis of Waste and Governance
Recent plans to incinerate this waste at Pithampur, around 250 kilometres from Bhopal, have met with significant opposition, reigniting debates over accountability, environmental justice, and public trust.