3 Things Kamala Hydel project, an Aussie sport gains ground, and the robodog debacle
Feb 19, 2026
Shivani Naik, sports reporter who covers Footy’s rise in India. Nikhil Ghanekar, environmental reporter explaining the Kamla hydro project's scale and impacts. They discuss Footy’s growth, Jharkhand’s role and barriers to recognition. They also cover the Kamla project's benefits, tree felling, displacement and downstream risks. A separate segment tackles the robodog controversy at an AI expo.
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Compensation Moved Hundreds Of Miles
- Compensatory Afforestation rules require equal-area afforestation or doubling on degraded land, but Arunachal lacks available land.
- Authorities identified Madhya Pradesh districts for the compensatory plantations under amended rules allowing out-of-state afforestation.
How Footy Entered India
- Aussie Rules Football (Footy) was introduced to India by about 150 enthusiasts and Australian coaches in the mid-2000s.
- They trained athletes from basketball, volleyball and rugby and spread the sport across regions like Calcutta and tribal belts.
Jharkhand Suits Footy's DNA
- Jharkhand's tribal belts supply fast, enduring athletes whose sprinting and stamina suit Footy's demands.
- Existing success in rugby and strong running traditions made the region fertile for rapid Footy adoption.