Description

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Picture Courtesy: PIB

Context

The Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) chaired a high-level meeting on the NIRANTAR platform.

What is NIRANTAR?

The National Institute for Research & Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build Resilience (NIRANTAR) is a collaborative platform launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

Objectives

Enhance synergy among the Ministry's expert institutions, breaking down administrative silos to ensure the balanced and sustainable management of natural resources.
Promotes a "Whole of Government" approach, integrating scientific research directly into policymaking for more effective conservation and development outcomes.

Key Verticals and Lead Institutions

NIRANTAR operates through four specialized verticals

Vertical	Focus Area	Lead Institution
Research and Management of Ecosystem Services	Achieving ecological stability and sustainable development through the scientific management of ecosystems.	Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun
Assessment of Bioresources	Systematic assessment, documentation, and conservation of India's rich biodiversity.	Botanical Survey of India (BSI), Kolkata
Resource Valorization for Green Economy	Developing strategies for the sustainable utilization of natural resources to fuel a green economy.	Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal
Coastal and Marine Resources Management	Conservation and sustainable management of coastal and marine ecosystems to build resilience.	National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Chennai

Significance of NIRANTAR Platform

Balancing Growth & Conservation

India needs a coordinated platform to balance rapid economic growth with natural resource protection, linking environmental health to long-term economic and geopolitical stability.

Climate Change Adaptation

Fragile ecosystems, such as the Himalayas and coastal areas, are highly susceptible to climate change. Resilient strategies require an integrated approach for these zones..

Evidence-Based Policymaking

NIRANTAR aims to bridge the gap between scientific research and policy formulation, ensuring that environmental decisions are backed by robust data and analysis.

Optimizing Institutional Synergy

The platform combines specialized institutions' expertise and infrastructure to address complex environmental challenges efficiently and avoid duplicated efforts.

Source: PIB

Attempt Daily Quiz

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. What is the primary objective of the NIRANTAR platform?

(a) To create a new central institution for environmental research.

(b) To provide financial grants for afforestation projects under MGNREGA.

(d) To fast-track environmental clearances for all industrial projects.

Answer: c

Explanation:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

NIRANTAR stands for the National Institute for Research & Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build Resilience.

The NIRANTAR platform is an initiative under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

Its primary purpose is to enhance synergy and coordination among the various expert institutions of the MoEFCC to ensure the balanced and sustainable utilization of India's natural resources, avoiding work in silos.