Chhattisgarh Forest Department Withdraws Community Forest Rights Order

The Chhattisgarh Forest Department has formally withdrawn its May 2025 advisory which restricted NGOs and external stakeholders from assisting in Community Forest Resource (CFR) management. The reversal came after backlash from tribal communities and civil society, who saw it as a violation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, which legally empowers Gram Sabhas to manage, conserve, and govern forest resources under Sections 3(1)(i) and 5 of the Act.

The earlier order had cited the National Working Plan Code (NWPC), 2023, emphasizing technical forest management. However, this contradicted the Ministry of Tribal Affairs’ 2023 guidelines, which prioritize community-led forest governance. Forest rights activists flagged the order as an executive overreach into legislative space, diluting the intent of the FRA.

The withdrawal restores community rights and revives government programs like Digital India Van Mitra App and DAJGUA, which seek to empower tribal governance in forest conservation and mapping. With climate goals in mind, CFRs hold co-benefits for biodiversity and carbon sequestration. Future governance must harmonize scientific forestry with constitutional mandates on decentralization.

How India’s Toy Industry Became a Global Exporter

India’s toy industry has emerged as a global manufacturing hub with exports to over 150 countries, marking a 40% increase in exports and a 79% fall in imports between FY19 and FY24. Once dependent on imports from China, India’s domestic manufacturing transformation is driven by policy support under Make in India, PLI schemes, and Quality Control Orders.

Traditional eco-friendly toys like Channapatna wooden toys and Kondapalli figurines reflect India’s regional craft heritage. The post-2000 era saw the rise of educational and tech-integrated toys. The toy sector today is valued at $1.9 billion and is expected to more than double by 2033. Though 90% of the market remains unorganized, brand awareness, digital retail, and export incentives are enabling organized players to scale rapidly.

India’s journey from cottage production to global exports shows the importance of policy, cultural capital, and innovation. Expanding R&D, clustering small-scale artisans into digital ecosystems, and integrating heritage elements with STEM learning could cement India’s global toy leadership.

PNGRB Approves Reforms to Natural Gas Pipeline Tariff Regulations

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has amended the Natural Gas Pipeline Tariff Regulations, 2025, simplifying the structure to support the “One Nation, One Grid, One Tariff” vision. Key reforms include reducing tariff zones from three to two, extending the lowest tariff (Zone 1) nationwide—including to CNG and PNG—enhancing affordability.

Pipeline operators are now required to procure 75% of system-use gas through long-term contracts (min. 3 years) to improve supply stability. Additionally, companies using over 75% of their capacity must reinvest 50% of profits into a Pipeline Development Reserve. The remaining surplus will be redistributed to consumers via tariff adjustments.

The move is expected to foster investment, reduce regional disparity in gas access, and transition India toward a gas-based economy. PNGRB’s Hydrocarbon Infrastructure Monitoring System (NHIMS) continues to monitor sector health in real time, strengthening transparency.

Indian Diaspora in Trinidad & Tobago

During his visit to Trinidad and Tobago, PM Modi addressed Indian-origin citizens and announced OCI cards for sixth-generation descendants of indentured labourers or Girmitiyas, reaffirming India’s cultural diplomacy. Trinidad has also become the first Caribbean nation to adopt India’s UPI payment platform.

India’s diaspora in Trinidad dates back to 1845, with migrants largely from Bihar and Eastern UP, who brought Bhojpuri language and customs. Today, Indian-origin citizens make up over 35% of Trinidad’s population. Their role in maintaining India’s cultural legacy abroad is invaluable.

Globally, the Indian diaspora stands at 35.42 million—contributing $129.1 billion in remittances in 2024. Government initiatives like Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, VAJRA Scheme, e-Migrate, and the Madad Portal ensure cultural and economic engagement. The diaspora continues to be India’s bridge to the world, enhancing diplomacy, trade, and soft power.

India Tells WTO It May Levy Retaliatory Tariffs on U.S. Imports

India has informed the WTO of its intent to impose retaliatory tariffs worth $724 million against the United States for extending safeguard duties on auto components and light trucks. The U.S. claims its tariffs are national security measures under Section 232; India contends these violate WTO’s Agreement on Safeguards and GATT 1994.

India’s proposed measures include raising tariffs on selected U.S. imports. The retaliation, legal under Article 12.5 of the Safeguards Agreement, is strategically timed with ongoing India–U.S. bilateral trade deal negotiations.

This move highlights India’s assertiveness in defending its trade interests multilaterally while balancing strategic diplomacy bilaterally. It also raises broader concerns about WTO enforcement and the politicization of trade protections under national security pretexts.

Ham Radio Communication: From Earthquakes to the ISS

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla recently used ham radio to connect with students from the International Space Station (ISS), marking a milestone in space education outreach. Ham radio, also known as amateur radio, is a licensed mode of non-commercial radio communication often used during disasters or educational missions.

Ham radio has proven essential during crises like the 2004 tsunami, the 2013 Uttarakhand floods, and during earthquakes. The Amateur Radio on ISS (ARISS) enables astronauts worldwide to interact with schoolchildren, sparking interest in STEM.

In India, anyone over 12 can apply for a ham license. The Ministry of Electronics and IT regulates usage. As communication networks become vulnerable to cyber and natural disruptions, ham radio offers a resilient and decentralized fallback.

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News in Short – 5 July 2025

Peshwa Bajirao I
Statue unveiled in Pune. Known for his military genius, Bajirao I fought 41 battles—including Palkhed (1728) and Dabhoi (1731)—and played a key role in expanding the Maratha Empire.

Alluri Sitarama Raju
Celebrated on his 128th birth anniversary. He led the Rampa Rebellion (1922–24) against British rule, mobilizing tribal resistance to oppressive forest laws.

Chautal
Performed in Trinidad as a cultural symbol. Chautal is a 12-beat rhythmic cycle used in Dhrupad music, expressing devotional and classical strength.

Roll Cloud
A rare tube-shaped cloud seen in Portugal. Typically forms over coastlines due to atmospheric wave actions and temperature differences.

Trinidad & Tobago
Awarded PM Modi its highest civilian honor and adopted UPI. Country lies near Venezuela in the Caribbean Sea with a large Indian-origin population.

Kariyachalli Island
Part of the Gulf of Mannar, now threatened by erosion. The TNSHORE Project will launch restoration using artificial reefs and seagrass beds.

Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
ECI’s campaign in Bihar to clean and update voter rolls. Mandated under Article 324 and Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

India’s First Globally Recognised Equine Disease-Free Compartment
Established in Meerut, certified by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). Aims to boost equine health, trade, and vaccine testing.

Aluminium and Copper Vision Documents
Launched to scale up production by 2047. Aluminium output to rise from 4.5 to 37 MTPA; Copper smelting capacity to hit 5 MTPA. Focus on recycling, energy transition, and self-reliance.

Durand Cup Tournament
President flagged off the 2025 edition of Asia’s oldest football tournament, originally founded in 1888 for British Indian Army teams.