Destruction of mangrove forests, encroachment of the sea coast, massive uprooting of trees and displacement of people without a rehabilitation plan are some of the issues of the NH-66 road widening project. Officials claim mitigation measures will be taken to reduce ecological damages.

About 59 per cent of India’s land area is under the threat of moderate to severe earthquake intensity.

The fire in the Seshachalam forest in Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh destroyed 1300-1400 hectares of forest land belonging to Andhra Pradesh, and about 100 hectares of forest land belonging to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam.

The 73rd Amendment Act of 1992 provided constitutional status to the panchayati raj institutions, formalised with a three tier pyramidal structure.

The centrally sponsored scheme launched in March 2013 to strengthen the panchayati raj system across the country addresses critical gaps that constrain it. It aims to break the cycle of low capacity and lack of devolution, which lead to disempowerment of the panchayat in several states, by a strong multi-pronged intervention.

V Kishore Chandra Deo, the Minister of Panchayati Raj and Tribal Affairs, lighted up a gloomy January morning with his cheerful and warm disposition as he chatted with Sulagna Chattopadhyay, editor G’nY, about the changing roles of women in panchayat. While outlining the positive effects that programmes and schemes of the Ministry have had on empowering women in rural areas, he indicated the need to strengthen the entire system.

Grass root leaders who relentlessly work towards the betterment of their respective villages in different yet similar ways.