The Indore Insider

Cultivating progress: Malwa farmers to adopt market-led forestry | VVK Indore Malwa farmers to gain from market-linked forestry tech By Tina Khatri Agricultural specialists and local authorities have confirmed that farmers in the Malwa region will soon access high-yield planting material and modern forestry technologies. The initiative, spearheaded by the Van Vigyan Kendra (VVK) in Indore, aims to establish a science-driven, scalable model for forestry-based livelihoods across India. The centre is scheduled for inauguration at the social forestry office on the Malwa Demo Nursery Campus. This facility serves as a critical link between laboratory research and field application. "Van Vigyan Kendra bridges the gap between forestry research and practical application. Farmers can test plant varieties under local conditio...

Crunch, Craft & Countdown Snack happy. Get crafty. Start curious. New Year celebrations are filled with fun traditions from around the world — in Spain, people eat grapes at midnight for good luck, and everywhere else fireworks light up the sky. Each culture celebrates fresh beginnings in its own joyful way. Churros-Style Toast Sticks A student-friendly snack that tastes like a carnival in every bite! Ingredients: 6–8 slices thick bread, 1/2 cup melted butter, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 tbsp cinnamon. Step 1: Preheat oven to 180°C. Cut bread into thick strips. Step 2: Dip strips into melted butter, then roll in the cinnamon-sugar mix. Step 3: Bake for 10–15 minutes until golden and crunchy. Serve with Nutella or chocolate dip! Glitter Prop Sticks Save money on photo booth props by making your own with upcycled materials. Materials: Cereal box cardboard, aluminum foil, straws or chopsticks, mar...

Leopards Lead Predator Comeback in Indore Forests | Multi-Carnivore Recovery From fragmented forests to leopard strongholds: Indore sees 51% expansion TINA KHATRI Leopards are leading charge in Indore forests. In an eight-year transformation, leopard occupancy expanded by 51% , while tigers reclaimed 21 beats—showing coexistence between apex predators and humans is possible. In 2018, Indore Forest Division had no tiger signs , and leopards were confined to fragmented habitats. By 2026, leopards spread across nearly every suitable habitat, creating a functioning multi-carnivore ecosystem without endangering local communities. Pradeep Mishra, IFS, Divisional Forest Officer, Indore, explained: “By 2018, Indore was below ecological threshold for tigers. Leopards survived, tigers could not. Eight years of habitat restoration, connectivity planning, and community engagement changed that. Tigers returned, and people became part of system...

Tiger territory takes root as signs surge | AITE 2026 Report By Tina Khatri | Indore Forest Division Tiger territory takes root as signs surge Indore forest silence is being broken by heavy footfalls of an expanding tiger population, as first 48 hours of All India Tiger Estimation (AITE) 2026 confirmed region is no longer just transit corridor. Documentation of 21 tiger signs on day one followed by 18 signs on day two has already eclipsed total of 10 signs recorded during entire 2022 survey, signalling division has transitioned into permanent stronghold for big cats. Divisional forest officer Pradeep Mishra stated current findings are significantly more verifiable and robust than previous data. Mishra noted meticulous monitoring, aided by camera traps and scientific field surveys, has confirmed tigers are now using forests with greater consistency. Choral range em...

Winter Solstice Activities for Kids – Cinnamon Sugar Toast & Fun Learning Winter Solstice Magic on Dec 21, 2025: Light, Magic & Winter Fun TINA KHATRI Winter Solstice marks the longest night of the year and the slow return of sunlight. This activity sheet brings the season to life with hands-on, creative, and educational experiences for kids. Children can start by making Cinnamon Sugar Toast , a simple, warm treat. Next, they can read and colour a short winter poem, capturing the quiet magic of snowy nights. Finally, the “Magical Winter Solstice at the North Pole” fill-in-the-blank activity blends Arctic facts with imagination, building vocabulary and grammar skills. Together, these activities offer a fun, engaging way to celebrate the solstice, explore winter wonders, and enjoy a taste of seasonal magic at home or in ...

20 Tiger Signs Recorded in Indore Forest Division | AITE 2026 20 Tiger Signs on Day One: Indore Forests See Stronger Tiger Presence 20 tiger signs were recorded on Day 1 of the All India Tiger Estimation ( AITE 2026 ) in the Indore Forest Division , showing a significant increase in tiger activity compared to the 10 signs recorded during the 2022 survey . These findings indicate that tigers are now using these forests more consistently, leaving stronger and more reliable evidence of their presence. Among the ranges, Choral led with 18 tiger signs across 33 beats , followed by Mhow with 2 signs in 20 beats , and Indore with 1 sign in 26 beats . The results indicate active tiger movement and suggest a higher likelihood of long-term habitation than in previous years. DFO Pradeep Mishra said, “Compared to earlier surveys, tiger presence in 2026 is stronger and more verifiable. Camera traps, fie...

When leopards become urban neighbours: How Indore is redesigning wildlife governance When leopards become urban neighbours… By Tina Khatri | Indore More than 500 human–wildlife conflict incidents and over 300 wildlife rescue operations in just three years were reported in Indore. These numbers are a wake-up call, marking a shift in how a rapidly growing urban area must govern wildlife in urbanising forest landscapes. For a single forest division, the scale is unusually high, comparable to conflict levels typically seen in far larger districts. Wildlife encounters here are no longer sporadic disruptions — they have become a persistent urban reality. Human–wildlife interaction is now a structured feature of Indore’s urban landscape. Key data at a glance Parameter Number ...

Caged no more: Madhya Pradesh leads race to register exotic pets Caged no more: Madhya Pradesh leads race to register exotic pets By Tina Khatri Indore Madhya Pradesh has outpaced all other states, becoming the first in India to complete registrations for exotic pet ownership within the stipulated timelines. Following the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022 , state authorities moved quickly to document species that previously thrived in a legal vacuum. Gujarat and Maharashtra followed as runners-up in the national compliance drive. Between 2011 and 2020, over 70,000 native and exotic animals were trafficked through Indian airports alone. Madhya Pradesh is recognised as a major hub and transit route for wildlife trafficking, alongside states such as West Bengal, Rajasthan, and Assam. In the Indore division, a crackdown on und...

Indore's Clean Streets Begin with Professor Nilima Srivastava’s Morning Ritual Indore Every morning, long before the first rays of the sun, a woman in her 50s begins her day not with a cup of tea, but with a broom in hand. For over thirty years, Professor Nilima Srivastava, a History professor at Jagannath College, has been sweeping the streets around her home in Subhash Marg, Indore. Her routine—unbroken by weather, fatigue, or personal circumstances—has become more than just a daily task. It is a manifestation of her belief in purity, discipline, and the power of small acts to bring about change. "I wake up at 4:30 AM every day, and for the next hour, I clean the 500-meter stretch around my house," Srivastava recalled. “No matter what the season—whether it is scorching heat or chilling winter—I never miss a day. This habit was instilled in me by my mother, who always taught...

Hanukkah 2025: Light, Latkes & Laughter Hanukkah 2025: Light, Latkes & Laughter Tina Khatri On Sunday, December 14, 2025 , the first Hanukkah candle flickers to life, marking the start of eight nights of light, joy, and tradition. Golden latkes sizzle in the kitchen, their warm aroma filling the home, while colorful origami spinning tops whirl in playful celebration. As the menorah glows and the dreidel spins , families gather to share stories, blessings, and laughter. Hanukkah is not just about food or games — it is a celebration of hope, heritage, and togetherness , shining bright through every night. Potato Latkes Ingredients Four large russet potatoes, peeled One medium onion 1/4 cup flour or chickpea flour One teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 2-3 tablespoons oil Instructions 1. Prep Grate potatoes and onion. Squeeze liquid out of the mix; s...

From reels to real-world bazaars: 80% shoppers using AI to buy gifts! From reels to real-world bazaars: 80% shoppers using AI to buy gifts! Tina Khatri Indore Christmas and the festive season are fast approaching, and shoppers in Indore are scrolling before they stroll. As festive shoppers scroll, click, and then step into the market, Indore’s local bazaars are quietly evolving — proving that even in tier-2 cities, digital influence is reshaping the way India celebrates its festivals. Across India, new research shows that consumers are increasingly turning to generative AI, Instagram Reels, and social media influencers to plan their holiday purchases — a trend that is now reaching mid-size cities and local markets. A 2025 report by Meta in collaboration with IPSOS revealed that 80% of festive shoppers used AI tools to get gift ideas, while 65% engaged with platforms like Instagram and Facebook , often influenced by Reels and creator-led content. Nearly half of shoppe...

Indore prepares for India’s biggest tiger census: AITE 2026 Indore prepares for India’s biggest tiger census: AITE 2026 The Indore Forest Division is gearing up for the All India Tiger Estimation (AITE) 2026 , the country’s largest wildlife survey, scheduled from 18 to 24 December. Conducted every four years under the guidance of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) , the survey provides critical data that informs India’s tiger conservation strategies. Across approximately 700 square kilometres of forest, nearly 200 square kilometres have been earmarked for camera-trap surveys , divided into 2-square-kilometre grids. Each camera trap will record tigers and other wildlife, with technical support from the Wildlife Conservation Trust (WCT) , led locally by wildlife biologist Shri Vivek Tumsare, ensuring strict adherence to national scientific protocols. AITE 2026: more than counting tigers The AITE methodology...

```html 🥕 Veggies, Vibes, and Vibrant Lines! ✍️ From Cheesy Gratin to Dancing Pendulums—Weekend Time Shines! By TINA KHATRI This weekend, why not swap a little screen time for some hands-on magic ? Imagine your kitchen smelling like golden, bubbling Cheesy Vegetable Gratin while your brain dances with geometry as a Popsicle Stick Harmonograph traces hypnotic patterns on paper. As Bodhi Day on December 8 reminds us, even small sparks of curiosity can lead to big awakenings—just like Siddhartha under the sacred fig tree. Light a candle, try a new recipe, or experiment with your own pendulum art; every stir, push, or swing is a step toward discovery. So grab your ingredients, sticks, and paper—let the weekend be your playground of taste, creativity, and wonder. Who knows? Between golden gratin bites and swirling harmonograph patterns, you might just discover a new fav...

December 2025: National & International Observances December 2025 features key national events, international awareness days, weekly observances, and monthly campaigns covering social issues, culture, health, and patriotic tributes. Table of Contents Date-Wise Observances Weekly & Monthly Observances Date-Wise Observances Date Observance December 1 World AIDS Day December 2 National Pollution Control Day December 2 International Day for the Abolition of Slavery December 3 International Day of Persons with Disabilities December 4 International Bank Day December 5 International Volunteer Day December 5 World Soil Day December 6 National Microwave Oven Day December 7 Armed Forces Flag Day December 7 International Civil Aviation Day December 8 Bodhi Day December 9 International Anti-Corruption Day December 10 Human Rights Day December 11 International Mountain Day December 12 Neutrality Day December 13 National Horse Day December 14 National Energy Conse...

Wild boar trap snares leopard; poacher's backyard yields paws TINA KHATRI Indore A trivial hunt for wild boar escalated into a devastating wildlife crime, adding another casualty to India’s grim ledger of accidental leopard killings. The man responsible, Garhi village resident Dinesh Mewara, 35, now faces charges after investigators recovered the leopard’s severed paws from his property. Police detained Mewara after he confessed to chopping the limbs for financial profit, instantly closing the case that began with the discovery of the mutilated carcass in the Doublechaunki forest range. The death signals a systemic issue: a joint review of enforcement data by wildlife monitoring organisations, including TRAFFIC, documented 446 incidents of wild animals caught in snares between 2018 and 2022, with leopards and sloth bears frequently being the incidental victims. Accidental trap, calculated mutilation The incident began on a Saturday evening when local villagers found the...