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Koraput, July 8 (UDN): The decades-old border dispute between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh has resurfaced after a team of Andhra Pradesh government officials reportedly carried out census-related verification in several villages under the disputed Kotia Gram Panchayat in Koraput district.

 Representational Image

According to local sources, the Andhra Pradesh team, led by Salur Tehsildar Suresh Babu from Parvathipuram Manyam district, visited Upper Sembi, Lower Sembi and Nedibalasa villages. The delegation reportedly included Booth Level Officers (BLOs), Anganwadi workers, education officials and other government functionaries.

During the visit, officials are said to have undertaken door-to-door verification, collecting previously issued census forms and reviewing the status of digitisation of demographic data. Local representatives from the Andhra Pradesh side also reportedly accompanied the team during the exercise.

The reported administrative activity has once again drawn attention to the long-pending territorial dispute over the Kotia cluster of villages, claimed by both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. While Odisha has already completed its census-related work in the region, the latest exercise by Andhra Pradesh has triggered fresh concerns over competing administrative claims.

The development comes barely a month after a visit by an Andhra Pradesh minister to Nedibalasa village for the inauguration of a road project, an event that had also sparked political and administrative debate in both states.

Although the situation remained peaceful, the latest visit has reignited discussions over the recurring administrative interventions by both states in the disputed villages. Residents of the Kotia region have frequently witnessed welfare programmes and official visits from both governments as the boundary issue remains unresolved.

The border dispute over the Kotia villages is currently pending before the Supreme Court, where both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have staked their claims over the territory. Officials said any long-term resolution will depend on the outcome of the legal proceedings.

Meanwhile, the Odisha district administration is monitoring the situation closely. An official statement on the reported visit was awaited at the time of filing this report.

New Delhi, July 8: As India’s urban population continues to grow and climate-related challenges intensify, Smiling Tree has urged educational institutions to treat green campuses as long-term investments that generate environmental, economic, and social returns. The organisation believes schools, colleges, and universities can play a pivotal role in building climate-resilient communities while reducing their own operational costs.

According to government projections, nearly 40% of India’s population is expected to live in urban areas by 2036, increasing pressure on infrastructure, natural resources, and air quality. Research also shows that well-planned urban green spaces can reduce surrounding temperatures by 2°C to 8°C, helping lower energy consumption for cooling while improving thermal comfort and air quality.

Dr. Mukesh Kwatra, Founder of Smiling Tree, said, 

“Green spaces are not just environmental assets—they are economic assets. Trees help reduce energy consumption, improve air quality, support biodiversity, and create healthier learning environments. Every educational institution should view investment in nature as an investment in its students, its community, and its future.”

He added, 

“Universities have the power to transform climate awareness into climate action. By integrating tree plantations, biodiversity conservation, water harvesting, waste management, and sustainability education into campus life, institutions can become living laboratories for environmental innovation and responsible leadership.”

Through its ‘From Classrooms to Climate Action: Building Green Campuses’ initiative, Smiling Tree is encouraging educational institutions to undertake tree plantation drives, create biodiversity zones, promote waste segregation, reduce single-use plastics, conserve water, and actively involve students in sustainability projects.

Dr. Kwatra emphasized that India’s commitment to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2070 requires active participation from educational institutions. “Every green campus becomes a model for sustainable urban development and inspires thousands of young people to adopt environmentally responsible lifestyles,” he said.

Smiling Tree believes that investing in urban green spaces not only contributes to climate resilience but also enhances institutional reputation, supports Environmental, Social and Governance goals, and creates healthier, more productive campuses. The organisation has called on universities across India to make nature an integral part of education, demonstrating that environmental stewardship and economic progress can go hand in hand.

July 8: In a move aimed at providing greater financial relief to the fishing community, the Gujarat Cabinet has approved a key amendment to the state’s diesel Value Added Tax (VAT) relief scheme by removing the boat length criterion, allowing more fishermen to benefit from the subsidy.

The revised policy is expected to make the scheme more inclusive by extending eligibility to a larger number of fishing vessel owners, irrespective of the size of their boats. The decision is intended to ease the financial burden of rising fuel costs, one of the biggest operational expenses for fishermen.

State government officials said the amendment reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening the fisheries sector and improving the livelihoods of coastal communities. By broadening the scope of the scheme, the government aims to ensure that welfare benefits reach more beneficiaries engaged in marine fishing.

The Cabinet believes the revised policy will not only support fishermen economically but also encourage greater participation in the fisheries sector, which plays a vital role in Gujarat’s coastal economy. The updated diesel VAT relief scheme is expected to come into effect as per the government’s notified guidelines.

New Delhi, July 8: The Centre has intensified its preparedness measures to address the potential impact of El Niño while expressing confidence over the progress of the ongoing kharif season, aided by improved monsoon conditions across several parts of the country.

According to official data, kharif sowing has reached 350.85 lakh hectares, reflecting steady progress in agricultural activities following the revival of monsoon rains. The increase in cultivated area is expected to support crop production and provide relief to farmers after concerns over delayed rainfall in some regions.

The government is closely monitoring weather patterns and their possible impact on agriculture, with a special focus on mitigating risks associated with El Niño. Ministries and state governments have been directed to maintain preparedness and ensure timely interventions to safeguard crop health, water availability, and farmers’ livelihoods.

Officials said contingency plans are in place to respond to any weather-related challenges, including the availability of quality seeds, irrigation support, and other agricultural inputs. Regular coordination is also being maintained with state authorities to review rainfall distribution, reservoir levels, and crop conditions.

The Centre reiterated its commitment to supporting farmers through proactive planning and continuous monitoring, while emphasizing that favourable monsoon conditions in recent weeks have significantly improved the pace of kharif sowing across the country.