NEW HORIZON BLOG

Drylands, covering approximately 40% of Earth's land surface and home to over 2 billion people , play a crucial role in global ecosystems, agriculture, and biodiversity. Presently it faces significant challenges due to climate change, land degradation, and socio-economic pressures. Thus, the Global Strategyfor Resilient Drylands (GSRD) 2030, launched by CGIAR at the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP16) in Riyadh , aims to transform agriculture in arid regions. Source: https://www.icarda.org/media/news/cgiar-2030-gsrd-bold-vision-unveiled   This initiative focuses on enhancing food security, conserving biodiversity, and building resilient livelihoods for the 2.7 billion people inhabiting drylands, particularly in Asia and Africa . Traditionally seen as fragile ecosystems, drylands house one in three people, nearly half of the livestock, and 44% of global food systems . About 20-35% of these areas are degraded, facing water scarcity, land degradation, and d...

India’s rural regions face a significant technology gap, which hinders socio-economic development and perpetuates inequalities between urban and rural areas. Bridging this gap is essential for achieving inclusive growth, improving living standards, and fostering resilience in rural communities.   Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2081493   Thus, the Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG) , established by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA), serves as a pivotal mechanism . It is responsible for delivering tailored science and technology solutions to meet the needs of rural communities. Operating through centers at seven IITs—Madras, Guwahati, Kharagpur, Roorkee, Delhi, Mumbai, and Kanpur , it focuses on demand-driven innovations to address grassroots technological gaps, aiming to improve livelihoods, reduce labor-intensive work, and foster sustainable rural development.   The approach is characterized by its emphasis on identifying and...

In recent years, India's tourism sector has witnessed a significant resurgence, with international tourist arrivals reaching 14.3 million in 2022, representing 1.47% of the global inbound tourism market share . A substantial portion of these visitors comprises the Indian diaspora, which accounted for 26.9% of foreign tourist arrivals in 2023 . Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/india-to-participate-in-the-world-travel-market-in-london-3262818 Recognizing this potential, the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, participated in the World Travel Market (WTM) in London held in 2024 between November 5 to November 7 , aiming to strengthen ties with the diaspora and promote India as a premier travel destination. The United Kingdom, hosting approximately 1.9 million individuals of Indian origin, is the second-largest source market for inbound tourists to India . At WTM 2024, India's delegation, comprising nearly 50 stakeholders—including state governments, inbound to...