Historical solar eclipse turns day into night in parts of Europe

Delhi Deputy Governor Tarnajit Singh approved the 'Delhi Master Plan 2047' on Wednesday. This plan paves the way for increasing the supply of affordable housing and banning the construction of concrete structures in the main flood zone of the Yamuna River. The plan was revised to align with the central government's vision of 'Developed India 2047,' as it previously functioned as MPD 2041 after the completion of MPD 2021.

At the meeting chaired by Singh, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) also approved amendments to the 'Unified Building Regulations 2016' to simplify the process of approving building plans. Officials noted that this measure aims to reduce administrative burden, decrease procedural delays, and accelerate project approvals.

Under these amendments, applicants will no longer need to obtain building permits from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, the Chief Inspector of Factories, the Delhi Jal Board, and the Forest Department. The goal of this step is to improve the 'ease of doing business.'

The new master plan is intended to shape the capital over the next two decades, providing for an increase in housing stock under the 'Transit-Oriented Development' (TOD) policy. This policy allows for the construction of high-rise buildings along metro and railway corridors. According to sources, a significant population growth in Delhi is expected by 2047, and approximately 1.7 million housing units will be developed within ten years under the TOD policy.

A part of the new MPD will be the large-scale development of new sectors in the city's green zones using a land pooling model. In July, the DDA opened applications for real estate developers under its TOD policy. This corridor approach covers an area of 207 square kilometers, including a 500-meter zone on both sides of the metro corridor, as well as within a 500-meter radius of RRTS and railway stations, primarily for affordable housing.

To further reduce the housing deficit, the MPD 2047 may include high-rise residential buildings within 250 meters on both sides of Urban Extension Road II (UER II).

The DDA also approved the demarcation of the Yamuna zone (O-Zone). The construction of any concrete structures will be prohibited in the main floodplain, while the remaining area, described as Part Two, will be exclusively designated for recreational activities.

One official stated that according to MPD 2047, the O-Zone will be divided: concrete structures are not allowed in the main floodplain, but some recreational facilities, such as parks, are permitted in Part 2. Furthermore, the official added that under the land pooling policy, the DDA will develop road networks where the lane width is 30 meters or more. Sources also reported that MPD 2047 will see the development of more green spaces in 174 villages of the national capital.

Singh emphasized that the new master plan 'will create a roadmap for sustainable and inclusive urban development with greater ease of doing business, ease of living, and a clean, green capital for all. Delhi plays a crucial role in this journey.' He noted that the goal of these reforms is to reduce bureaucratic delays and speed up project approvals. During the same meeting, Singh decided to introduce a unified policy for the redevelopment of old two-story residential buildings constructed by the DDA.

The DDA reported that many two-story houses built under older DDA plans, designed according to MPD-1962, are located on various plots, are over 50 years old, and are structurally weakened. Although there were clear guidelines for redevelopment near vacant residential plots according to existing MPD norms, there was no uniform structure for the constructed two-story objects. Officials clarified that the number of apartments in such residential complexes can be increased within redevelopment projects. The DDA stated that with the approval, it is now granted the right to redevelopment equivalent to a vacant residential plot, even for constructed two-story buildings.

This plan will be submitted to the central government's Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for final approval and publication. The first Delhi Master Plan was adopted in 1962 under the Delhi Development Act of 1957, followed by plans in 2001 and 2021, which provided the foundation for the planned development of the capital over a 20-year period.

Two young lions, Benzur and Ori, were rescued in Israel from the illegal wildlife trade and subsequently transported to the Animal Defenders International (ADI) reserve in the Free State.

These lions had been isolated for a long time due to the conflict in the Middle East, which led to the suspension of most flights. Eventually, they were able to travel with the ADI team on a cargo flight from Tel Aviv. The journey took 50 hours and included stops in Cairo and Frankfurt, concluding with a landing in Johannesburg.

According to ADI, these 16-month-old cubs were seized by the Israeli Nature and Parks Service (NPA) over a year ago during an operation against animal smuggling. The organization noted that the cubs were separated from their mothers so that instead of nursing, they could be used as 'trophy pets' for photos and social media, a trend fueled by social media culture.

The organization expressed relief when the young lions were released and began exploring their new habitat. ADI President Yan Krimmer stated that trophy pets are animals, such as lions and tigers, taken from their mothers and kept in cruel and unnatural conditions as status symbols.

Krimmer emphasized that such animals are used as accessories for likes on social media, and then discarded when owners get bored or when the animals become too large, dangerous, and expensive to keep. He added that these young animals live in terrible conditions, in cages and small spaces, deprived of maternal love and interaction with their peers, living in basements and on chains, despite needing to roam freely.

It was found that Ori was kept in a basement, while Benzur was tied to a tree in the backyard with a short rope. ADI had previously rescued six young cubs in Kuwait, as well as trophy pets abandoned in the desert or left in cities, tied to lampposts.

The organization pointed out that social media serves as free advertising for cruel and abusive trade, noting that 'influencer' accounts with over six million followers deal in exotic animals, normalizing and monetizing animal cruelty.

Benzur and Ori miraculously avoided danger and undertook the journey of their lives this week. Due to the conflict, very few flights were available. They flew from Tel Aviv to Cairo with a two-hour layover, then to Frankfurt, Germany, where they waited 12 hours before flying to Johannesburg.

ADI founders, Yan Krimmer and Tim Phillips, accompanied the lions to monitor them, replenish water supplies, and give them small pre-prepared pieces of meat through a small opening in the cage.

Krimmer reported that the lions tolerated the long journey well and were very happy when finally released into the ADI reserve home. They rubbed heads, made sounds, and then curled up together on soft straw bedding. Other lions in the reserve immediately noticed the newcomers and announced their presence with roars, causing Benzur and Ori to stand up and listen. Since they were very young, they had never heard the communication of a lion pride.

Measures were taken to adapt the young lions to the transition from Israel's hot climate to mid-winter in South Africa. At night, they were kept in a heated house and given light food.

The organization reported that on Wednesday morning, the moment of opening the doors arrived, and Benzur and Ori stepped onto the land intended by nature, onto the grass under the African sky, surrounded by the sights and sounds of wildlife.

The lions quickly adapted to the new routine, responding to the voices of their caretakers and coming into the house to eat. They enjoyed toys such as giant durable balls and bags of catnip.

Krimmer noted that all the stress associated with bringing them there and the fatigue from the journey vanished when they stepped onto African soil. They had never walked on grass before and were initially cautious, but then began walking together across our dry, golden winter grass, gaining confidence and surveying their surroundings, listening to the voices of other lions; it was clear that they were where they belonged.

Thanks to the efforts of IFS officer Sandip Kumar, the fight against organized rhino poaching in Kaziranga National Park has been significantly strengthened. Previously, 27 cases of poaching were recorded annually.

The nature conservation team reinforced anti-poaching operations using methods such as drones, surveillance systems, intelligence gathering, forming stronger teams, and involving the local community. These measures led to a historic achievement: in 2022, zero cases of rhino poaching were registered in Kaziranga, which had not been seen for almost 45 years.

Nevertheless, successes in nature conservation cannot be taken for granted. Questions are arising regarding proposed changes to the Ecologically Sensitive Zone of Kaziranga, which casts doubt on the possibility of maintaining the achieved protection.