Page 12 - Environment

Beyond Joshimath: How not to make the future a repeat of the past

Can we have stronger regulatory and associated institutions to ensure environmental protection? If not, the shock effect of Joshimath won't last much more than a week, cautions T N Ninan

MV Ganga Vilas cruise could threaten endangered river dolphins: Experts

'World's longest river cruise' will take the maiden journey from Varanasi and travel 3,200 km over 51 days to Dibrugarh in Assam, passing through 27 different river systems

Explained: How PSInSAR satellite technique helped detect Joshimath sinking

A Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is a form of radar that is used to create two-dimensional images or three-dimensional reconstructions of objects, such as landscapes

Rs 1.5 lakh ex gratia for affected families in Joshimath, says U'khand CM

Earlier today, Dhami held a cabinet meeting in Dehradun in which key decisions for the area were discussed

Demolition of Joshimath's 2 'unsafe' hotels underway, evacuation continues

A total of 169 families consisting of 589 members have so far been shifted to relief centres

Rehabilitate people from Joshimath, re-evaluate hydro projects: Experts

Uttarakhand's Joshimath is facing a catastrophe with houses developing cracks due to land subsidence

Joshimath crisis: People will get the best compensation possible, says CM

Dhami said the interim assistance would reach the bank accounts of the families affected by this evening or Friday

Electric vehicles steal the limelight on first day of Auto Expo 2023

EVs hogged the limelight on the first day of India's flagship motor show Auto Expo 2023 with the likes of Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Kia, Tata Motors and MG Motor showcasing their futuristic products

India, Japan to unite for digital transformation in green mobility: Gadkari

India, Japan will undertake joint projects for digital transformation in the areas of ITS and eco-friendly mobility, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Wednesday

Govt apathy to repeated warnings reason for Joshimath crisis: Activist

Geological factors apart, the failure of successive governments to act on the warnings by experts about possible hazards in Joshimath and adjoining areas has emerged as a major reason behind the land subsidence crisis that has now grips the town, environmentalist Chandi Prasad Bhatt said on Monday. Yet another effort has been made by the state government for a scientific study with the help of satellite imagery of the crisis in the sinking town, Bhatt, who is associated with the Chipko Movement, said. However, a detailed zonation mapping of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, warning of the lurking dangers in Joshimath, had been submitted to the state government more than two decades ago, he said. The study carried out using remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) by around twelve leading scientific organisations of the country including the National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA) had been submitted to the state government way back in 2001, he said. The

RBI announces green bonds, to be auctioned in 2 parts of Rs 8,000 cr each

The proceeds from the bonds will be deployed in public sector projects which help in reducing the carbon intensity of the economy, said RBI

Assam CM flags off 100 CNG buses, inaugurates 1st green fuel station

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday flagged off 100 new CNG-run buses, as part of the Smart City Mission. He also inaugurated the city's first CNG fuel station. The CM said the launch of the CNG-run buses and the inauguration of the fuel station were decisive steps for "gradual but firm mitigation" of the impacts of climate change and global warming. The CNG buses were gifted by Guwahati Smart City Ltd to Assam State Transport Corporation. The passenger vehicles are equipped with air-conditioning, fire-detection, global positioning systems and several other features, and will be operated by ASTC. Noting that excessive use of fossil fuel, such as petrol and diesel, is the prime reason for global warming, the CM said the carbon emission from the use of such energy is creating climatic imbalances in many parts of the globe, including Assam. It is important that "all must unite to mitigate the impacts of climate change and work out a long-term and permanent solution",

Delhi govt to study jeans dyeing, washing units' impact on environment

The Delhi government will study the environmental impact of units engaged in dyeing or washing of garments and metal surface treatment activities such as electroplating and phosphating. According to officials, effluents from such small scale units operating in non-conforming and residential areas in Delhi flow directly into the Yamuna, increasing its pollution load. Most of these units operate without permission and effluent treatment plants. Their effluents have high concentrations of ammonia and phosphates, one of the primary reasons behind the thick foam on the river water. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has called for proposals from academic institutions in this regard by February 28. According to a notice on the DPCC website, the study will ascertain how much water is being used by these units and the capacity of the treatment plants and water bodies in their areas. Activities such as dyeing or washing of jeans and other garments or metal surface treatment -- ..

SC notice to govt on plea alleging violation in Polavaram project clearance

The Supreme Court has sought the response of the Centre and others on a plea alleging violations in environmental clearance granted to the Polavaram multi-purpose irrigation project. A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and M M Sundresh issued notices to the Centre, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Odisha while seeking their replies. "Issue notice, returnable in the month of February, 2023," the bench said. The top court was hearing a plea filed by economist Pentapati Pullarao against an order of the National Green Tribunal which directed him to approach the apex court with his plea. The petition filed through advocate Sravan Kumar alleged that the NGT, without considering the report of the Joint Committee of the Ministry of Environment and forests, Ministry of Jal Shakti, the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board and the Polavaram Project Authority (Project Proponent), has abruptly closed the case. "It is the submission of the appellant that the allegations pertaining to violations

JK Tyre best in 'ESG' rating in industry, targets carbon net zero by 2050

The company is working on being more environmentally responsible by producing more from less and reducing energy intensity, greenhouse gas emissions

India takes on the task of reversing climate change, 2022 a crucial year

India set ambitious climate goals in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's promises made in Glasgow and took crucial steps for environment protection and wildlife conservation in 2022, including the launch of Mission LiFE and the reintroduction of Cheetah 70 years after the species became extinct in the country. The country established Asia's largest Ramsar Sites network in the 75th year of Independence, introduced a ban on harmful single-use plastic items, and passed the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2022 to strengthen the protection of endangered species and enhance punishment for illegal wildlife trade. The government strengthened air pollution reduction targets under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) and implemented a comprehensive policy to fight winter pollution in Delhi-NCR. Calling on people to adopt an environmentally conscious lifestyle that focuses on mindful and deliberate utilisation instead of mindless and wasteful consumption, Prime Minister Narendra

India plans $2 billion incentive for green hydrogen industry, says report

The 180-billion-rupee ($2.2 billion) incentive aims to reduce the production cost of green hydrogen by a fifth over the next five years, said a senior government official

Green hydrogen will not be limited by borders: ReNew Power Founder & CEO

'People are looking to get into the manufacturing supply chain, governments are looking at expanding transmission infrastructure,' said ReNew Power founder & CEO, Sumant Sinha

VP urges joint global action on climate change, environmental destruction

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar praised makers of Indian Constitution for including protection of forests in directive principles of state policy

Pollution levels remain high in northern India due to rain deficit: Experts

Bad air quality days continue to haunt the Indo-Gangetic Plains with the air quality Index (AQI) oscillating between 'poor' and 'severe' categories