A team of heritage experts from the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) inspected dilapidated Lansdowne Building, located opposite KSRTC Bus Stand, yesterday. The inspection has renewed hopes for a pragmatic resolution to the prolonged legal and conservation dispute surrounding the 133-year-old structure, which has long hung in the balance due to divided expert opinion on whether to restore or rebuild it. The visit was conducted in accordance with the recent Supreme Court (SC) directive, issued while hearing a Special Leave Petition (SLP). The Apex Court has sought comprehensive reports from both INTACH and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) after directing inspections of both the Lansdowne Building and Devaraja Market. The INTACH team, led by retired Professor Raghunath and comprising experts Manish, Siddarth, Jeevita and Amrita, thoroughly examined the first and second floors, foundation, beams, pillars, ceilings, doors and windows of the now-defunct structure. The team assessed the structural integrity, identifying portions weakened by age and water seepage. To support their analysis, the team recorded photographic and video documentation and collected sand samples from areas originally constructed using lime and mortar. During the inspection, officials from the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) — Deputy Commissioner K.J. Sindhu and Assistant Executive Engineer A.N. Madhusudhan — provided technical and historical data regarding the building’s construction, maintenance history, number of shops and details of previous collapses.

The expert team made detailed observations about structurally sound and weak portions, weighing the feasibility of restoration and discussing engineering methods appropriate for heritage conservation. They also examined whether reconstructed portions — particularly damaged shops on the first floor — could visually and architecturally match the original design. The flaking remnants of lime-and-mortar sections were collected for further analysis. Refusing to comment on the specifics of the inspection, Prof. Raghunath told reporters, “We have conducted the inspection as per the Supreme Court’s directions and will submit a detailed report to the Court.” The team concluded its Mysuru visit with the Lansdowne Building inspection and indicated plans to inspect the Devaraja Market building on Sayyaji Rao Road on another day. Meanwhile, ASI experts are also expected to carry out their inspection soon, though the schedule is yet to be confirmed.

Legal battle so far In December 2024, the Supreme Court issued an interim order following a Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by heritage advocate and author G. Sathyanarayana (popularly known as Gouri Sathya) and Raja Chandra, the son-in-law of late Maharaja Jayachamaraja Wadiyar. The SLP was filed against the Karnataka High Court’s judgement dated Aug. 8, 2023, in Writ Petition No. 15215/2020 (PIL). The petition sought to restrain authorities from demolishing or reconstructing the Devaraja Market and Lansdowne Building, citing their classification as heritage structures under Section 2(1ea) of the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act, 1961, and their inclusion in the Master Plan – 2031 for the Mysuru-Nanjangud Local Planning Area (Revision – II). A Bench, comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Ashanuddin Amanullah, ordered a halt to any demolition or reconstruction work and directed that notices be served to INTACH and ASI. The matter was re-listed for hearing on Jan. 8, 2025.

Tender spurs fresh move
The State Government had recently floated a tender worth Rs. 35.95 crore for reconstructing the Lansdowne Building. In response, some individuals moved the Supreme Court challenging the Karnataka High Court’s ruling, prompting the apex court to seek expert opinions from INTACH and ASI. The Supreme Court will take a final decision — whether to raze or restore the structure — based on these expert reports, aiming to ensure a balanced approach to conservation and development of Mysuru’s built heritage.

https://starofmysore.com/to-restore-or-raze-intach-surveys-lansdowne-building/, June 2, 2025

The Ferozepur Fort, built during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, is significant in the history of the freedom struggle, has now become the focus of attention. Efforts are underway to secure the fort’s reopening. For years, the fort’s gates remained closed, their grandeur hidden behind overgrown vegetation and the passage of time. The fort, surrounded by high walls and thick foliage, was once a strategic military location.

Local citizens believe that if the fort is opened to the public, it will not only become a tourist attraction but also an educational resource. The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) Ferozepur Chapter, under the leadership of Dr. Anirudh Gupta, Convenor, Ferozepur Chapter, has been working tirelessly to revive this symbol of the city’s heritage. Dr. Gupta, who has long championed the cause of historical preservation in Ferozepur, emphasised the fort’s importance in the annals of Indian history. He said, “The Ferozepur Fort is not just a relic of the past; it is a reminder of our collective struggle for independence and resilience. We aim to ensure that this fort stands proudly as an educational and cultural landmark for future generations.” Dr. Gupta’s efforts, supported by INTACH and local heritage enthusiasts, have included cleaning the fort’s pathways, removing encroachments, and carefully documenting its architectural features.

These initiatives have paved the way for the fort’s eventual opening to the public, offering a glimpse into the region’s rich history and its role in the 1857 uprising. While the fort is not yet open for regular visitors, officials are optimistic that these continuing conservation efforts will soon allow residents and tourists to explore the fort’s magnificent gateways and learn about its storied past. The restoration plans also envision guided tours and educational programs to help visitors understand the fort’s historical significance. Residents have expressed excitement at the prospect of seeing this monument restored to its former glory. Residents of Ferozepur are hopeful that with the efforts of Dr. Anirudh Gupta as Convener, INTACH, this fort will soon become a place of learning and pride for the community.

https://www.babushahi.com/view-news.php?id=205049&headline=Ferozepur-Fort%E2%80%99s-historic-gates-likely-to-open-for-public-with-efforts-by-INTACH, June 2, 2025

In a significant step to conserve Punjab’s fading intangible cultural legacy, the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has launched a new initiative focussing on the preservation of Gurmat Sangeet, the original form of Sikh devotional music. The INTACH Punjab Chapter, under the leadership of its state convener Maj Gen Balwinder Singh (Retd) and the Kapurthala Chapter led by Advocate Kanwal Jit Singh Ahluwalia, recently organised the first in a series of events titled “Conserving Intangible Heritage – Gurbani Sangeet and its Journey.” The programme featured an enlightening presentation and a live performance by Bhai Baldeep Singh, a 13th-generation exponent and renowned scholar of Gurmat Sangeet. Gurmat Sangeet, the traditional musical system established by the Sikh Gurus, is based on a strict raga framework and performed using rare string instruments like the rabab, taus and saranda.

It stands apart from modern kirtan styles, which have increasingly moved away from the original discipline. Recognising the risk of this heritage being lost, INTACH has stepped in to raise awareness and inspire revival efforts. Bhai Baldeep Singh, who has spent decades documenting oral histories, notations and manuscripts linked to Sikh sacred music, shared rare insights into the spiritual and historical roots of Gurbani Sangeet. He also demonstrated the intricacies of traditional raag-based renditions, while emphasising the urgency of preserving these oral traditions for future generations. Maj Gen Balwinder Singh (Retd), INTACH Punjab Convener, recalled his student days in Amritsar when he would listen to original Gurbani renditions at Harmandir Sahib several times a week. He underlined the importance of preserving this spiritual art form, saying, “Our identity stems from Guru Nanak Dev Ji and the sacred ‘Sur’ that was passed on orally.

We must ensure this continues in its true form.” He also referenced Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s month-long stay in Amritsar in 1873, where the profound impact of kirtan at the Golden Temple inspired him deeply. Tagore later translated Sikh scriptures and was deeply moved by Guru Nanak’s aarti “Gagan Mein Thaal Rav Chand Deepak,” which envisions the cosmos itself as an offering to the divine. Advocate Kanwal Jit Singh Ahluwalia emphasised INTACH’s broader mission, noting that the organisation’s work goes beyond restoring monuments — it also aims to safeguard oral, musical and linguistic traditions that form the essence of regional identities. He called on spiritual institutions and the younger generation to engage actively in such efforts. Maj Gen Balwinder Singh said this event marked the beginning of a series planned by INTACH to spotlight Punjab’s rich spiritual music heritage and ensure its continuity through documentation, awareness and mentorship.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jalandhar/heritage-body-calls-to-preserve-gurmat-sangeet-legacy/, June 3, 2025

On World Environment Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi underlined the importance of the Aravalli Green Wall project. But what are the other key initiatives India has in place to combat ecological degradation? On the occasion of World Environment Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi planted a sapling at the Bhagwan Mahavir Vanasthali Park in Delhi, strengthening the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign and underlining the importance of the Aravalli Green Wall project – a large-scale land restoration project to combat the degradation of the country’s longest mountain range. The 700-km Aravalli mountain range acts as a natural barrier against the incursion of sand and dust from the Thar desert. But it has suffered extensive degradation due to deforestation, mining, urbanisation, agriculture practices and development.

Notably, the degradation of the Aravallis is not an isolated phenomenon, rather a broader part of extensive ecological damage largely driven by human-induced factors such as deforestation, habitat loss, and climate change. Earth is experiencing biodiversity loss at an alarming rate. Studies have estimated that species are now going extinct at rates 10 to 100 times higher than the natural rate. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), over one-third of the world’s tree species are now threatened with extinction. Around 40 per cent of the world’s population is already adversely affected by land degradation, while up to $577 billion in annual crop production is at risk due to the loss of pollinators. A recent report by IPBES (Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services) warns that continued biodiversity decline will directly undermine the progress of Sustainable Development Goals related to Poverty, Hunger, Health, Water, etc. The degradation of rivers, forests, wetlands, and coastal zones is not only accelerating ecological collapse but also widening social and economic inequities, particularly in the global south, including India.

Amidst this, a shift towards ecological restoration – one that actively revives degraded land and diminishing biodiversity – is the need of the hour to support well-being and climate resilience. This imperative is especially relevant for India, where the combined pressures of rapid development and climate change are accelerating the degradation of forests, wetlands, rivers, and other fragile ecosystems.

Ecological restoration in India
Currently, about 30 per cent of the land in India is degraded, and 25 per cent is undergoing desertification. Although the National Forest Policy mandates a minimum of 33 per cent forest cover, the country’s current forest cover stands at only 24.62 per cent. Considering these problems, India has steadily recognised the significance of environmental conservation and restoration. The Aravalli Green Wall project is a case in point. In addition, it enacted laws such as the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, and the Biological Diversity Act 2002 to protect its diminishing forest cover and biodiversity. The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, aims to prevent and control water pollution and restore the wholesomeness of water. In 1990-1991, the National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA) was launched, which aimed to restore the ecological balance in degraded rainfed regions by promoting green cover. Other programmes like the National Afforestation Programme (2000) and the National Mission for a Green India (2014) were launched to protect and restore the diminishing forest cover of India. In 2016, the Compensatory Afforestation Act (CAMPA) was enacted to ensure that forestland diverted for non-forest purposes is compensated through afforestation and ecological regeneration. To restore the degraded land and promote sustainable land management practices, the National Action Plan to Combat Desertification, 2022, was launched, which aims to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030 through forestry interventions.

Furthermore, flagship programmes like Namami Gange, Yamuna Action Plan, and National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA) were put into effect to protect and revive aquatic and wetland ecosystems. Additionally, the polluter pays principle under Indian Environmental Jurisprudence mandates ecological restoration by the defaulting entity in case of industrial degradation. In this context, the European Union’s Nature Restoration Law merits attention, which is a key part of its biodiversity strategy and broader European Green Deal.

European Union’s Nature Restoration Law The European Union’s Nature Restoration Law, which entered into force on June 17, 2024, aims to reverse biodiversity loss and build resilient ecosystems. It seeks to contribute to the broader goals related to climate change mitigation and adaptation, land degradation neutrality and enhancing food security. To achieve these objectives, the regulation sets out qualitative and quantitative targets to restore terrestrial, coastal, marine, and freshwater ecosystems. It covers forests, wetlands, grasslands, rivers, and lakes for improving and restoring biodiverse habitats. The regulation also aims to reverse biodiversity loss by halting the decline of pollinators like bees and butterflies by 2030. It seeks to enhance biodiversity in agricultural ecosystems through measures such as boosting grassland butterfly populations and increasing high-diversity landscape features. To increase the green cover, member states are expected to plant at least three billion additional trees by 2030 and to ensure no net loss of green urban space by 2030. On the implementation front, the regulation requires the Member States to submit National Restoration Plans by September 1, 2026. It will cover the period up to 2050, with intermediate deadlines, and will be monitored by the European Commission, which will report progress to the European Parliament. Global efforts for ecosystem revival In addition to this regional initiative, considerable efforts at the global level are also being invested towards the cause.

Over the past few decades, various international initiatives have been taken to address environmental degradation, particularly biodiversity loss. One of the earliest global efforts was the establishment of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 1948, which has played a pivotal role in the conservation and restoration of nature. Since 1964, the IUCN has been maintaining the Red List of Threatened Species as a key tool for monitoring ecosystem health and identifying restoration priorities. Global emphasis on restoration inclination is also evident in key international agreements like the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

Global efforts for ecosystem revival
In addition to this regional initiative, considerable efforts at the global level are also being invested towards the cause. Over the past few decades, various international initiatives have been taken to address environmental degradation, particularly biodiversity loss. One of the earliest global efforts was the establishment of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 1948, which has played a pivotal role in the conservation and restoration of nature. Since 1964, the IUCN has been maintaining the Red List of Threatened Species as a key tool for monitoring ecosystem health and identifying restoration priorities. Global emphasis on restoration inclination is also evident in key international agreements like the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Lastly, while ecological restoration offers undeniable socio-economic benefits, it may not be reduced to a utilitarian exercise that serves just human needs but needs to be guided by the recognition of nature’s intrinsic value and the principle of biocentrism, which places all forms of life at the centre of moral concerns.

Post Read Questions
Examine the status and challenges of land degradation and desertification in India.
How do national policies address these issues? How does the European Union’s Nature Restoration Law serve as a model for global ecosystem restoration efforts?
What lessons can India draw from it? Given that India’s forest cover stands below the mandated 33%, how can restoration strategies be integrated into national development plans without compromising ecological integrity?

Why is ecological restoration emerging as a global imperative in the face of accelerating environmental degradation? Illustrate with examples. What is the concept of ‘rights of nature’ and how does it challenge traditional anthropocentric environmentalism?

On World Environment Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi underlined the importance of the Aravalli Green Wall project. But what are the other key initiatives India has in place to combat ecological degradation? On the occasion of World Environment Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi planted a sapling at the Bhagwan Mahavir Vanasthali Park in Delhi, strengthening the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign and underlining the importance of the Aravalli Green Wall project – a large-scale land restoration project to combat the degradation of the country’s longest mountain range. The 700-km Aravalli mountain range acts as a natural barrier against the incursion of sand and dust from the Thar desert. But it has suffered extensive degradation due to deforestation, mining, urbanisation, agriculture practices and development. Notably, the degradation of the Aravallis is not an isolated phenomenon, rather a broader part of extensive ecological damage largely driven by human-induced factors such as deforestation, habitat loss, and climate change. Earth is experiencing biodiversity loss at an alarming rate.

Studies have estimated that species are now going extinct at rates 10 to 100 times higher than the natural rate. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), over one-third of the world’s tree species are now threatened with extinction. Around 40 per cent of the world’s population is already adversely affected by land degradation, while up to $577 billion in annual crop production is at risk due to the loss of pollinators. A recent report by IPBES (Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services) warns that continued biodiversity decline will directly undermine the progress of Sustainable Development Goals related to Poverty, Hunger, Health, Water, etc. The degradation of rivers, forests, wetlands, and coastal zones is not only accelerating ecological collapse but also widening social and economic inequities, particularly in the global south, including India. Amidst this, a shift towards ecological restoration – one that actively revives degraded land and diminishing biodiversity – is the need of the hour to support well-being and climate resilience. This imperative is especially relevant for India, where the combined pressures of rapid development and climate change are accelerating the degradation of forests, wetlands, rivers, and other fragile ecosystems.

Ecological restoration in India

Currently, about 30 per cent of the land in India is degraded, and 25 per cent is undergoing desertification. Although the National Forest Policy mandates a minimum of 33 per cent forest cover, the country’s current forest cover stands at only 24.62 per cent. Considering these problems, India has steadily recognised the significance of environmental conservation and restoration. The Aravalli Green Wall project is a case in point. In addition, it enacted laws such as the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, and the Biological Diversity Act 2002 to protect its diminishing forest cover and biodiversity. The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, aims to prevent and control water pollution and restore the wholesomeness of water. In 1990-1991, the National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA) was launched, which aimed to restore the ecological balance in degraded rainfed regions by promoting green cover.

Other programmes like the National Afforestation Programme (2000) and the National Mission for a Green India (2014) were launched to protect and restore the diminishing forest cover of India. In 2016, the Compensatory Afforestation Act (CAMPA) was enacted to ensure that forestland diverted for non-forest purposes is compensated through afforestation and ecological regeneration. To restore the degraded land and promote sustainable land management practices, the National Action Plan to Combat Desertification, 2022, was launched, which aims to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030 through forestry interventions. Furthermore, flagship programmes like Namami Gange, Yamuna Action Plan, and National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA) were put into effect to protect and revive aquatic and wetland ecosystems. Additionally, the polluter pays principle under Indian Environmental Jurisprudence mandates ecological restoration by the defaulting entity in case of industrial degradation. In this context, the European Union’s Nature Restoration Law merits attention, which is a key part of its biodiversity strategy and broader European Green Deal.

European Union’s Nature Restoration Law The European Union’s Nature Restoration Law, which entered into force on June 17, 2024, aims to reverse biodiversity loss and build resilient ecosystems. It seeks to contribute to the broader goals related to climate change mitigation and adaptation, land degradation neutrality and enhancing food security. To achieve these objectives, the regulation sets out qualitative and quantitative targets to restore terrestrial, coastal, marine, and freshwater ecosystems. It covers forests, wetlands, grasslands, rivers, and lakes for improving and restoring biodiverse habitats. The regulation also aims to reverse biodiversity loss by halting the decline of pollinators like bees and butterflies by 2030. It seeks to enhance biodiversity in agricultural ecosystems through measures such as boosting grassland butterfly populations and increasing high-diversity landscape features. To increase the green cover, member states are expected to plant at least three billion additional trees by 2030 and to ensure no net loss of green urban space by 2030. On the implementation front, the regulation requires the Member States to submit National Restoration Plans by September 1, 2026.

It will cover the period up to 2050, with intermediate deadlines, and will be monitored by the European Commission, which will report progress to the European Parliament. Global efforts for ecosystem revival In addition to this regional initiative, considerable efforts at the global level are also being invested towards the cause. Over the past few decades, various international initiatives have been taken to address environmental degradation, particularly biodiversity loss. One of the earliest global efforts was the establishment of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 1948, which has played a pivotal role in the conservation and restoration of nature. Since 1964, the IUCN has been maintaining the Red List of Threatened Species as a key tool for monitoring ecosystem health and identifying restoration priorities. Global emphasis on restoration inclination is also evident in key international agreements like the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

Global efforts for ecosystem revival
In addition to this regional initiative, considerable efforts at the global level are also being invested towards the cause. Over the past few decades, various international initiatives have been taken to address environmental degradation, particularly biodiversity loss. One of the earliest global efforts was the establishment of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 1948, which has played a pivotal role in the conservation and restoration of nature. Since 1964, the IUCN has been maintaining the Red List of Threatened Species as a key tool for monitoring ecosystem health and identifying restoration priorities. Global emphasis on restoration inclination is also evident in key international agreements like the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Lastly, while ecological restoration offers undeniable socio-economic benefits, it may not be reduced to a utilitarian exercise that serves just human needs but needs to be guided by the recognition of nature’s intrinsic value and the principle of biocentrism, which places all forms of life at the centre of moral concerns.

Post Read Questions Examine the status and challenges of land degradation and desertification in India. How do national policies address these issues? How does the European Union’s Nature Restoration Law serve as a model for global ecosystem restoration efforts? What lessons can India draw from it? Given that India’s forest cover stands below the mandated 33%, how can restoration strategies be integrated into national development plans without compromising ecological integrity? Why is ecological restoration emerging as a global imperative in the face of accelerating environmental degradation? Illustrate with examples. What is the concept of ‘rights of nature’ and how does it challenge traditional anthropocentric environmentalism?

https://indianexpress.com/article/upsc-current-affairs/upsc-essentials/environment-day-how-india-pushes-for-ecological-restoration-10048210/, June 4, 2025

These early communities inhabited a mangrove-dominated landscape and relied on shell species (both bivalves like oysters and gastropods), naturally adapted to such environments, as a significant food source. Ahmedabad: A recent study by the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) is reported to have found evidence suggesting that even before Harappan or Indus Valley Civilisation, "the vast expanses of the Kutch region in Gujarat were home to thriving prehistoric hunter-gatherer communities."

The study conducted by researchers at IITGN, in collaboration with experts from IIT Kanpur, Inter University Accelerator Centre, Delhi, and Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) Ahmedabad, is said to have found archaeological evidence that pushes back the human presence in this region by at least five thousand years before the arrival of the Harappans. These early communities inhabited a mangrove-dominated landscape and relied on shell species (both bivalves like oysters and gastropods), naturally adapted to such environments, as a significant food source. “While British surveyors had previously noted shell accumulations in the area, these were not recognised as shell-midden sites, the heaps of discarded shells from human consumption,” professor VN Prabhakar, an Associate Professor at the Archaeological Science Centre in the department of Earth Sciences at IITGN, said, as per the institute Prabhakar, who is the lead investigator of the study, said, “Our study is the first to identify these sites, confirm their cultural significance, and establish a chronological context.” To determine the age of these archaeological sites, the researchers used Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS), a method used for measuring the radioactive isotope values of Carbon-14 (C-14) from the shell remains, which is absorbed by all living organisms.

The institute explained that after death, C-14 begins to decay and is reduced by half every 5,730 years. Measuring the remaining amount in the shell samples allows scientists to estimate the time of the organism's death. As atmospheric C-14 levels have varied over time, the results were calibrated using tree-ring data. It said that trees form one ring per year, and these tree-ring sequences can be matched and extended back over thousands of years, allowing scientists to construct an accurate reference timeline of atmospheric C-14 “The shell samples collected from Khadir and nearby islands were analysed at PRL Ahmedabad, with support from professor Ravi Bhushan and J S Ray, and at IUAC, Delhi, with help from Dr Pankaj Kumar,” mentioned Professor Prabhakar. Khadir is known as the site of Harappan city of Dholavira. The results confirmed that the midden sites date back to a period significantly earlier than the Harappan era, providing rare evidence of human settlement in this region from a much earlier time. According to the researchers, the findings also show similarities with coastal archaeological sites in the Las Bela and Makran regions of Pakistan and the Oman Peninsula, suggesting that early coastal communities across this broader region may have developed comparable strategies for food collection and survival. In addition to the shell scatters and deposits, the team discovered a variety of stone tools used for cutting, scraping, and splitting.

Used cores from which tools were manufactured were also found. “The presence of these tools and associated raw materials suggests that the communities engaged in the prolific manufacture of implements for daily tasks,” said Shikha Rai, a postdoctoral researcher at IITGN and co-author of the study. The findings offer new insights into the region’s cultural evolution. They challenge the commonly held view that urbanism in Kutch developed primarily under the influence of the Sindh region. “Instead of abrupt external influence, what we see here is a gradual, locally rooted process of adaptation and cultural development,” said professor Prabhakar. “This accumulated knowledge of local geology, water resources, and navigation may have later helped the Harappans plan their settlements more effectively and engage in long-distance trade,” he said. The findings from this study were presented at the 17th Annual Workshop on South Asian Archaeology (Hartwick College and University of Chicago), the Seminar Series on the Archaeology of the Indo-Iranian Borderlands (Sorbonne University, Paris), and the 50th Annual Conference of the Indian Society for Prehistoric and Quaternary Studies (ISPQS), Raipur, all in 2025. The research team included professor Vikrant Jain of the Earth Sciences Department, IITGN, professors Javed Malik and Debajyoti Paul from IITK, Pankaj Kumar of IUAC, Delhi and Mahendrasinh Gadhavi from LD College, Ahmedabad.

https://www.deccanherald.com/india/gujarat/archaeological-evidence-reveals-human-habitation-in-kutch-predated-harappans-by-5000-years-study-3572252, June 5, 2025

A team of archaeologists, in collaboration with the District Museum, Haflong, has retraced its steps to Daojali Hading — an ancient Neolithic site in Assam's Dima Hasao district — and unearthed a fresh cache of artefacts. The rediscovery of the site, which was first excavated in the 1960s, has led to a breakthrough: the discovery of iron elements for the first time, potentially marking it as the earliest known site with evidence of iron use in the northeast. The reconnaissance survey, which took place during March and April, happened around 5-6km away from the commercial town of Langting along the NH 27 route. It unearthed artefacts that included a double shouldered Celt — a chiselled stone tool — chord marked potteries, pastels-mortars, a polished stone arrowhead, and more which dated around 2,700 years old.



"The range of domestic and utilitarian artefacts confirms the importance of this region, as it is an important archaeological site of the state, which indicates signs of early human population, likely by the Austroasiatic speaking communities, who were among the early settlers, based on archaeological and linguistic data. These discoveries collectively offer valuable insights into the region's prehistoric lithic and emerging metallurgical traditions," said Shring Dao Langthasa, one of the archaeologists, who had led the survey. Among the assemblage, an iron slag and other ferruginous (containing iron ore) materials, were found for the first time. "Until now, the earliest scientifically dated evidence of iron usage in the region came from Meghalaya, estimated to be around 2,300 years old. However, items currently undergoing testing in Dima Hasao district may predate this. If the dates are confirmed, it could mean that the first traces of iron usage in India were discovered in Dima Hasao....," he said. It is one of the eight Neolithic sites identified in the region — Daojali Hading and Sarutaru from Assam, while the others sites are from Meghalaya, two from Manipur, one from Arunachal, and one from Nagaland.

"Early findings revealed that the site had ties to other eastern and southeast Asia, likely through ancient trade networks. The discovery of jadeite stones, also found in China and uniquely discovered from Daojali Hading supports the theory," Shring Dao Langthasa said The team involved Shring Dao Langthasa and Bhubanjoy Langthasa of the department of archaeology in collaboration with Bidisha Bordoloi, District Museum officer, along with professors Sukanya Sharma and Marco Mitri.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/rediscovery-of-assams-daojali-hading-site-unveils-iron-elements-2700-yr-old artefacts/articleshowprint/121540311.cms, June 6, 2025