NIRANTAR Platform

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav on 12 January chaired a meeting of the National Institute for Research & Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build Resilience (NIRANTAR). NIRANTAR is a collaborative platform of institutions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), established to enhance coordination, convergence, and collaboration in the natural resources sector.

Natural Resources at the Core of Geopolitics

Highlighting the strategic importance of natural resources, the Minister noted that contemporary geopolitics is increasingly shaped by the control and utilisation of natural resources. Emphasising India’s inherent strengths, he stated, “Our strength lies in our natural resources, particularly bioresources.”

Nature as the Foundation of Life and Economy

Shri Yadav observed that while India has made significant advances in manufacturing, data, software, and other industrial sectors, the four essentials of life—food, medicine, energy, and oil—ultimately emanate from nature. This underlines the critical need to conserve and sustainably manage natural assets for long-term development.

Four Verticals of NIRANTAR

The Minister explained that the four verticals of NIRANTAR focus on:

• Research and innovation
• Assessment of outcomes
• Application and utilisation of knowledge
• Supporting adaptation and resilience-building

Together, these verticals aim to translate scientific research into practical, policy-relevant outcomes.

Focus on Sustainable Development

Underscoring the importance of India’s rich bioresources, Shri Yadav said that the NIRANTAR platform could play a crucial role in ensuring their sustainable use while balancing environmental conservation and developmental needs. The initiative is expected to strengthen evidence-based policymaking and promote resilience in the face of climate and ecological challenges.