As part of the initiative, participants explored a diverse range of ecological sites, including the Godrej Mangrove Park in Vikhroli, Maharashtra Nature Park in Dharavi, Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan & Zoo in Byculla, and ecological corridors across Chena Village, Yeur Bhendi Naala, and the Bhandup Pumping Station. These engagements offered insights into urban biodiversity, wetland ecosystems, climate resilience, and the role of natural infrastructure in shaping cities.

The programme also included interactions with circular economy and waste management practices through waste segregation and paper recycling initiatives in Chembur and Thane. Complementing these were on-ground activities such as a tree plantation drive at the Miyawaki Garden in Powai, a clean-up drive in Kharghar, and a mangrove clean-up activity at Sarsole Jetty in Nerul.

Collectively, the 15 initiatives provided students with a well-rounded understanding of contemporary environmental concerns and responses, spanning urban ecology, coastal and mangrove systems, biodiversity conservation, and community-led action. By linking classroom learning with real-world contexts, the programme encouraged participants to view design education as something shaped equally by observation, engagement, and experience.

Commenting on the initiative, Dr. Prof. Anand Achari, Principal, VESCOA, said, “At VESCOA, we believe the best learning happens when theory meets practice. This initiative was designed to encourage participants to engage directly with the spaces, communities, and systems that shape our cities. We are glad to have been able to facilitate such experiences, as they help build a deeper understanding of the responsibilities involved in shaping the built environment.”

VESCOA, one of the largest architecture colleges under Vivekanand Education Society (VES), continues to advance a pedagogy rooted in experiential and context-driven learning. The institution remains focused on shaping future-ready architects equipped to respond to evolving urban realities.

Marks International Biodiversity Day 2026 with ecological restoration, awareness programs and marine biodiversity engagement

Mumbai, 20th January 2026: Animal welfare in India sits at the intersection of public health, climate resilience, livelihoods, and sustainable development yet it continues to receive just 1.5% of corporate CSR funding. At a time when the country is rethinking how development is funded and delivered, the India Animal Welfare Forum (IAWF) will bring together the people shaping the future of this under-supported sector. Scheduled for 31st January 2026 in Mumbai, IAWF is a first-of-its-kind national convening designed to strengthen animal welfare as a serious, strategic development priority. The Forum will gather philanthropists, NGOs, researchers, policymakers, technologists, movement builders and media in one room, many of whom rarely intersect, creating space for shared learning, honest conversations, and long-term collaboration.

Hosted by the Upadhyaya Foundation, IAWF goes beyond discussion to focus on action. It will mark the launch of the INR 13 Crore India Animal Welfare Funding Circle, a collective of philanthropists supporting initiatives across the country.  The Forum will spotlight high-impact models, emerging research, and practical solutions across the animal welfare spectrum, from community animals and farmed animals to wildlife conservation, human-wildlife coexistence, and policy reform. Participants will engage with evidence-backed approaches, innovative funding mechanisms, and scalable interventions that have the potential to transform how animal welfare is supported in India.

“Animals, like us, are children nurtured by mother Earth. Societal progress is incomplete without the shared wellbeing of all our sentient siblings. Animal welfare is not an isolated charity; it is a critical pillar of holistic growth that dictates how our cities breathe, how our ecosystems function, and how our communities find balance.” said Brinda Upadhyaya, Co-founder of Upadhyaya Foundation. “The India Animal Welfare Forum is designed to bridge the gaps between funders and practitioners, data and narrative ensuring that our path forward is inclusive of every life, moving us toward a future of clarity, confidence, and collective strength.”

The Forum’s agenda reflects the diversity and complexity of the sector. Parallel tracks will explore wildlife and habitat loss, farmed animal welfare, coexistence models, technology and AI applications, public narratives, reptile conservation, and recent legal developments shaping animal welfare governance, including a session on Supreme Court directives on street dogs in Delhi. Together, these conversations aim to provide a comprehensive view of both the challenges and the opportunities ahead.

“In India, where animal welfare faces layered challenges from stray overpopulation and urban cruelty to wildlife poaching, bringing NGOs, funders, researchers, and veterinary institutions onto a single platform is critical,” said Mr. Nawshir Mirza, Trustee of FIAPO (Federation of India Animal Protection Organisations) and Mentor of AMTM (Animal Matter To Me). “Such collaboration bridges gaps between grassroots realities and data-driven solutions, enables funders to direct resources more effectively, and encourages innovation in areas like disease control, sterilisation, and emergency care. A unified forum also reduces duplication, strengthens advocacy for laws such as the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, and amplifies public awareness accelerating progress toward humane policies and sustainable conservation amid rapid urbanisation”, he added. 

By convening diverse stakeholders and amplifying underrepresented perspectives, the India Animal Welfare Forum seeks to shift animal welfare from the margins of philanthropy to its mainstream by encouraging more informed, intentional, and sustained investment of multiple formats in the sector.

This esteemed recognition underscores the AGPL’s unwavering commitment to sustainable development, environmental conservation, and responsible infrastructure development. The Port has consistently adopted innovative green practices, energy-efficient technologies, and community-driven environmental programs to minimize ecological impact and promote responsible growth.

Over the past three years, AGPL has received six national awards for environmental excellence, reaffirming its position as a leading contributor to environmental development and sustainable operations in the maritime sector. These initiatives reflect AGPL’s commitment to creating a cleaner, greener, and more efficient port ecosystem—strengthening its vision of shared progress and long-term well-being.

Key sustainability initiatives at AGPL include:

• Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Facilities for real-time compliance with air quality standards.
• Mechanised Cargo Handling Systems to reduce dust emissions and improve operational efficiency.
• Integrated Truck Tarpaulin Covering Facilities to prevent spillage and minimize environmental impact during cargo movement.
• Mechanised Road Cleaning Solutions to maintain clean, dust-free port roads, enhancing air quality and worker safety.

Speaking on the occasion, Adani Gangavaram Port Limited Management said, This award recognition reflects our entire team’s dedication and hard work in ensuring that our operations are conducted with the utmost respect for the environment. We remain committed to continuously improving our environmental performance and setting new benchmarks for sustainable port operations in India.

Mumbai, October 16, 2025: Cosmo Foundation, the community outreach arm of Cosmo First Ltd., in a significant display of its commitment to climate action, has launched a large-scale “Miyawaki & Fruit Bearing Forestry” plantation drive in collaboration with the 25 Battalion Border Security Force (BSF) at its Chhawla campus in New Delhi. The initiative marks yet another major milestone in creating an extensive green cover within the BSF campus, strengthening Cosmo Foundation’s continued dedication to environmental sustainability.

Every day, I get up, and the first thing on my mind is how AI changed the world while I was asleep. Companies and governments are very aggressive when it comes to AI usage. Artificial intelligence is changing how industries operate, how people interact with technology & even how economies grow. The scale of adoption is remarkable, but so is the energy behind it. Training robust AI systems demands enormous computing resources & running them every day adds another layer of energy use. This has started to raise a difficult but important question—what is the real carbon footprint of AI & can it be managed in line with global climate goals?

The scale of the problem

Building AI models is not a small task. Large language models and deep learning systems need weeks of training on hundreds or even thousands of processors. Studies have shown that developing one of the biggest models today can release carbon emissions equal to those produced by several cars over their lifetime.

And training is only the start. Once the model is ready, it needs to be deployed. Billions of queries, conversations, or searches are processed every day. Each interaction on its own might use little energy, but when multiplied at scale, the demand is huge. Add to that the cooling required in data centres & the footprint becomes even more serious.

Why businesses should care

The carbon impact of AI is not just a technical side issue. It cuts across regulation, cost, reputation & strategy. Governments are moving quickly to make emissions disclosure mandatory. The EU’s new reporting rules are a clear signal of where things are heading.

Investors also want more transparency. They expect companies to demonstrate that innovation and sustainability can coexist. For customers, there is a risk of mistrust if a company promotes its green credentials but runs highly energy-intensive AI systems without addressing the impact.

There is also the cost factor. Energy prices are rising & inefficient AI workloads are not only unsustainable for the environment but expensive to maintain over time.

What companies are doing about it

The organizations are inclined to use more specialized models to get results, and they are ditching the bigger models with less efficacy.

Lighter, more specialised models can deliver good results without the same energy drain. Research into pruning and optimisation is opening new ways to reduce computational needs.

Cloud providers are investing heavily in renewable power for their data centres. Solar, wind & hydropower are being integrated to run AI workloads more cleanly. Hardware innovation is also moving forward—better chips, liquid cooling systems & improved energy management are all making a difference.

For businesses that depend on AI services, choosing partners and vendors with strong renewable commitments is starting to become part of procurement and vendor selection.

What leaders should keep in mind

Here, it helps to think in simple terms. The following points are shaping how executives respond:

• Sustainability cannot be separate from digital strategy. AI adoption must sit inside the broader climate agenda.
• Governance needs cross-functional input. CIOs, CFOs & sustainability leads should work together rather than in silos.
• Transparent reporting builds trust. Showing the emissions linked to AI use signals accountability.
• Efficiency can be a source of advantage. Offering or using greener AI services may become a point of differentiation.

The paradox of AI and sustainability

There is also an irony here. While AI has its own carbon costs, it can also be a tool to help reduce emissions elsewhere. AI systems are already being used to optimise supply chains, improve energy grid management & support precision agriculture. All of these applications can drive measurable sustainability gains.

This creates a balancing act. The challenge is not to stop using AI but to ensure that the value it creates for sustainability outweighs the emissions it generates. That means being selective, thoughtful & transparent about how AI is applied.

Looking ahead

The demand for AI will keep growing. Generative models, automation & real-time analytics are moving into more industries & with them, the energy required to support this technology will also rise. The key is not to slow down innovation but to scale it responsibly.

Companies that act early will be better prepared. Those who invest in greener AI infrastructure, in renewable energy sourcing & in transparent disclosures will find it easier to navigate future regulation and investor scrutiny. They will also gain credibility in markets where sustainability is a major concern.

Final thought

AI has incredible potential, but the environmental impact cannot be ignored. The carbon footprint of AI is now a strategic issue. While we struggle to keep the carbon emissions down, we also want to excel in the AI race.

It’s peculiar to see how the West is responding to this threat. While they have been very vocal about the carbon emissions through industrialization in developing countries, they are almost quiet on AI-emitted/caused carbon.

Leaders have an opportunity to demonstrate that technology and climate responsibility can progress in tandem. The ones who succeed will not only manage risks but also set themselves apart as real innovators in the next phase of sustainable growth.

The PGDM in Rural Management is a flagship program with Vision to create corporate managers with Rural insights that prepares managers for both global and local (“GLOCAL”) markets through a variety of initiatives that span grassroots development to international collaborations. One such transformative initiative in the sustainability space involved aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in partnership with ConnectFor is a homegrown volunteering platform that matches skilled volunteers with NGOs across India. It aims to provide comprehensive resource solutions for the social sector by creating symbiosis amongst NGOS, volunteers and corporates, and adding value and structure to these associations.

The projects are under 12 cause verticals which includes: women empowerment, Education and Literacy, children, persons with disabilities, Health, seniors,  Environment and Sustainability, community development etc.

As part of this initiative, students from the PGDM Rural Management program collaborated with 87 NGOs across India, voluntered a total of 2,387 hours on management-focused projects and saving the amount of Rs. 13,17,862 for the NGOs. On an average Rs. 28,964 saved by each student.

The core skill sets that the students have been able to develop and worked on projects focused on: Business Development, Digital Marketing, Social Media Marketing/Management, Human Resource (HR), Content Writing/Blogging, CSR Research, Fundraising Strategy, Operations, Accounts & Admin, Graphic Design, Outreach., Translation and Research.

Recognizing the significant impact of this contribution to society the ConnectFor team — led by Ms. Aishwarya Bhulawala and Ms. Sloni Doshi — felicitated Prof. Dr. Uday Salunkhe, Group Director of WeSchool. The event was attended by Dr. Rachana Patil, Program In-Charge of Rural Management, and Dr. Vandana Panwar, Associate Professor of Rural Management.

This path-breaking initiative is a testament to the visionary leadership of Dr. Salunkhe, who strongly believes in giving back to society. WeSchool remains committed to creating ethically sensitive and socially responsible leaders and leveraging education to drive sustainable development.

SOCIAL invites guests to play the thrilling and high-stakes game as ‘Innocents’ or ‘Traitors’ and immerse themselves in an evening of strategy, suspicion, and surprise. In this psychological game of trust and betrayal, players are split into two groups: ‘Innocents’ and ‘Traitors’. The Traitors secretly plot to murder the Innocents, while the Innocents must identify and eliminate the hidden Traitors. Gameplay unfolds in real time with selfish alliances, betrayals, and dramatic reveals, bringing the show’s energy straight to the game table.

For guests not playing, the evening still promises an engaging watch with mini challenges, thematic interactions, and exclusive giveaways, ensuring the energy is immersive across the space.

·        Where: Mindspace SOCIAL

·        When: 12^th June, 19^th June, 26^th June & 3^rd July

·        Time: 5:00 PM

·        Book now: https://www.district.in/events/the-traitor-thursday-hyderabad-jun12-2025-buy-tickets

The game is on. Trust no one.

Bengaluru, 05 June 2025 – Council for Green Revolution, a Hyderabad-based Non-Profit Organisation (NPO), has successfully raised approx. Rs. 69 lakhs on the NSE-SSE platform and has listed on June 4, 2025, on the eve of the globally significant World Environment Day as the 14th project listing on its social stock exchange platform (NSE-SSE). This also represents the listing of the first project working for the environment and climate action.

This project fund raising will support their “Young Youth Leadership Programme” enabling it to plant saplings, establish kitchen gardens and conduct climate education trainings with domain experts with an outreach and benefit to over 45,000 student earth leaders.

The successful fundraise marks a significant milestone for both Council for Green Revolution and the NSE SSE platform as it has attracted over 150 retail donors contributing to the issuance with as small as Rs. 1,000/- This is a testament to the SSE’s potential to unlock large pools of retail investment and democratise philanthropy.

NSE-SSE has recently enabled e-IPO via both ASBA and UPI mechanisms. Following the same, this ceremony also acknowledged and felicitated the efforts and initiatives of one of trading members – Fyers, which has championed this initiative by developing and enabling the UPI mechanism on NSE-SSE, resulting in over 50 organic donations in the current issuance. This will inspire and encourage other trading members to enable the UPI mechanism and donation seamlessly.

Speaking on this momentous occasion and on the impact of the project of Council for Green revolution, Shri Sriram Krishnan, Chief Business Development Officer, NSE elucidated, “In order to contribute to the vision of the Government of India to bring capital markets closer to the masses and to facilitate social inclusion through NSE’s SSE, the exchange platform under the guidance of SEBI has been taking steadfast and concrete steps to this effect. The listing of the Council for Green Revolution is a significant milestone, as it represents the first environment and climate action-focused initiative on the platform, reinforcing our dedication to sustainability and social impact”.