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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Thackerays’ ‘Taandav’ for trees, tigers

AI generated image Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray launched a sharp attack on the government for the systematic degradation of the state’s environment under the garb of development, even as the climate change poses a direct threat to the environment, economy, agriculture, public health and the future of both rural and urban centres. Questioning the state government’s claims of having planted millions of trees, he rued how the World Environment Day has been...

Thackerays’ ‘Taandav’ for trees, tigers

AI generated image Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray launched a sharp attack on the government for the systematic degradation of the state’s environment under the garb of development, even as the climate change poses a direct threat to the environment, economy, agriculture, public health and the future of both rural and urban centres. Questioning the state government’s claims of having planted millions of trees, he rued how the World Environment Day has been reduced to an annual ritual of tree-planting drives and clicking selfies for social media, though 90 pc of the saplings don’t survive even a day. “Only the government knows where those trees really are,” said Raj sternly. He recalled a "Blueprint of Maharashtra’s Development" he had proposed in 2015, in which he advocated how development without environmental sensitivity is hollow. Justifying, he said that the consequences are visible where roads, bridges and infrastructure projects are hailed as achievements, but even a short spell of rainfall can paralyze entire cities. Referring to recent reports on farmers returning from the fields after 10 am due to the scorching heat, Raj said that the worsening climate crisis has become an everyday reality. Citing official statistics, Raj claimed that extreme heat has caused productivity losses of nearly USD 159 billion and slashing of 160 billion work-hours annually in recent years. He mentioned the World Bank estimates that India’s GDP could plummet by 2.5-4.5 pc while 57 pc of the country’s districts sheltering 76 pc of the population stare at serious climate-related crises. Taking a swipe, he said while the governments boast about growth figures and economical rankings, they are silent on the staggering costs of environmental destruction. He questioned the development model “whether flooded cities, washed-away crops and unbearable summers” genuinely indicate progress. Claiming that Maharashtra was increasingly becoming unliveable for upto 8 months in a year, he said excessive monsoon rains disrupt rural life and urban floods cripple cities, while extreme heat make normal life a torture in summers in both urban-rural areas. Targeting the Centre, Raj alleged that nearly 173,984 hectares of forest lands were diverted in the past 11 years for mining and infrastructure projects to benefit the PM’s single favourite Adani Group. He said that these lands amount to 1,730 sqkm, or equivalent to the area of 16 Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) that is spread over barely 104 sqkm. Dissolve state wildlife board: Aaditya Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray has accused the Maharashtra government for issuing a permit to carry out mining activity in the sensitive tiger corridor between the Tadoba-Andhari and Indravati sanctuaries housing the big striped cats. In a strongly-worded letter to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) Member-Secretary Sanjay Kumar, Thackeray sought his immediate personal intervention, sacking the Maharashtra State Board for Wild-Life (SBWL), revoking the permit, and probe against the Chief Wildlife Warden & Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) M. Srinivasa Reddy for the alleged lacunae. Aditya’s two-pager says the permit has been granted for “scientific exploration and excavation/systematic recovery of low-grade iron ore in existing mines in villages Hedri, Bande, Parsalgondi and Round Parsalgondi, in the Etapalli taluka of Gadchiroli district”. Last January, Aditya – MLA from Worli – had first raised the issue saying that the proposed mine would create only 120 jobs, including 32 permanent, and the estimated output is pegged at 1.1 million tons in a year. Referring to two letters of Reddy – on April 28 and May 21 – the SS (UBT) leader claimed that in communications to the state government, the PCCF had changed his stance on the issue. Aditya said that in the first letter, Reddy had effectively opposed the government plans for mining activity but in the second letter, he took a somersault, ostensibly due to government pressures or some commercial interests, “the U-turn is disgraceful and detrimental to India’s national interest” – and this abrupt shift in stance must be investigated thoroughly. In view of the contrary stance of the PCCF Reddy, entrusted with protecting the wildlife but failing to defend the NTCA and NBWL, point to serious malfunctioning of the SBWL, and hence it must be dissolved, besides reviewing all its decisions in the past three years, particularly those pertaining to hazardous activities in sensitive areas, demanded Aditya. 444 tigers roam in 11,000 sq.km As per the Status of Tiger Report (2002), and the Maharashtra Economic Survey 2025-2026, the state boasts of 444 tigers prowling in the wild along with other menacing creatures. The state’s total protected wildlife network of 88 Notified Areas of National Parks, Sanctuaries, and Conservation Reserves - including 6 dedicated to the striped big cats – is spread over 11,092 sq. kms as per current data.

Travel Starts with Documents, Planning, and Preparation

In moments of crisis, a dependable travel agent becomes an anchor.

Behind many smooth international journeys stands a reliable travel agent. International travel involves complex layers—visa regulations, flight connections, accommodation standards, insurance requirements, and foreign laws. A trustworthy travel agent offers accurate guidance, prevents documentation errors, and creates itineraries that match the traveller’s comfort and needs. During emergencies such as flight cancellations, medical issues, or sudden changes in plans, a dependable agent becomes an anchor, offering timely solutions when travellers feel most vulnerable. So, reach out to us at goglobalvoyages. in for your travel assistance. Thousands of travellers have enjoyed their tours with us for more than 25 years!


With this vast experience in the tourism industry, I have worked across multiple roles—sales, operations, finance, passport and visa documentation, itinerary planning, foreign exchange and travel insurance, and as a domestic & international tour leader. Each role has given me a deeper understanding of how travel documents truly work behind the scenes.


Over the years, I have witnessed and handled countless unexpected situations—missed documents, urgent visa issues, medical emergencies, and last-minute changes. These real-life experiences have taught me one important lesson: the success of any journey depends heavily on proper documentation.


Through this series of three articles, I will share practical experiences and insights related to travel documents—lessons learnt on the ground, not from theory—so that travellers can prepare better and travel with confidence.


Every memorable journey begins long before a traveller boards a flight or crosses a border. It starts quietly at home, with a set of documents that often go unnoticed until something goes wrong. Passports, visas, tickets, permits, and insurance papers may look like routine paperwork, but in reality, they form the backbone of every journey—domestic or international.


For any traveller stepping out of their home country, the passport becomes the most powerful possession. It establishes identity and nationality, opening doors to new lands. Visas complement it by granting permission to enter, stay, or transit through foreign territories. Along the way, boarding passes, hotel confirmations, and travel tickets guide movement, while travel insurance stands silently in the background, ready to protect against unexpected illness, accidents, or sudden changes in plans.


This is why careful handling of travel documents is not a choice but a responsibility. Originals should always be kept secure, while photocopies or digital backups are stored separately. Simple habits—such as using document folders, secure wallets, or money belts—can significantly reduce the risk of theft or loss. Scanned copies saved in email or cloud storage often become lifesavers when originals are inaccessible.


Preparation plays an equally important role. Well before travel, documents must be checked for validity, correct personal details, and expiry dates. Many countries require passports to be valid for at least six months beyond the travel date, and in practice, renewing the passport a year in advance ensures smoother visa processing. Though digital boarding passes and electronic documents have added convenience, physical copies remain essential, especially when technology fails or internet access is unavailable.


One of the most distressing situations any traveller can face is losing a passport in a foreign country. Panic is natural, but calm and quick action makes all the difference. The first step is reporting the loss to the local police and obtaining a police report. This document becomes the foundation for all further procedures. The next step is approaching the nearest embassy or consulate—the only authority that can issue a replacement or emergency travel document. Providing photocopies, digital records, or personal passport details helps speed up the process. If a visa is lost along with the passport, local immigration authorities must be contacted for reissuance or transfer. Airlines and travel insurance providers should also be informed, as many insurance policies cover expenses related to passport loss. Until the issue is resolved, police and embassy documents must be carried at all times.


Simple habits at home can prevent future stress. Storing documents in transparent folders makes them easy to find, while avoiding tight passport covers helps prevent moisture damage. Writing passport details, such as the number and expiry date, on the folder serves as a useful reminder for timely renewal and smooth visa processing.


In the end, travel is much more than visiting destinations. It is a journey of trust, preparation, and responsibility. When documents are handled mindfully, support systems are in place, and emergency procedures are understood, travellers gain something priceless—peace of mind. With strong groundwork, the world opens up more freely, allowing travellers to focus on discovery, connection, and meaningful experiences, letting memories—not mishaps—define their journey.


Stay tuned to read about challenging situations during Global Travel! 


(The writer is a tourism professional and runs a company, Global Voyages. She could be contacted at goglobalvoyages@gmail.com. Views personal.)

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