Page 167 - Environment
Maharashtra leaders shudder as drought tightens grip ahead of LS polls
As the most severe drought in nearly half a century has gripped parts of Maharashtra, politicians, especially from the ruling combine, are worried over its ramifications in the Lok Sabha elections.
1.11 MWp solar plant installed in Lucknow medical institute
In a move to curb carbon dioxide emissions and reduce the burden on conventional energy resources, a 1.11 MWp solar plant was installed at the Sanjay Gandhi Post-graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI) here on Wednesday.
HC rejects plea of 2G scam accused for relief from nurturing trees
The Delhi High Court here on Wednesday rejected plea of Swan Telecom promoter Shahid Usman Balwa and others seeking relief from nurturing trees, which they have to plant as part of the punishment for failing to file responses on investigating agencies' appeal challenging their acquittal in the 2G case.
EU, India to step up cooperation in research and innovation
India and the European Union will step up cooperation in research and innovation, according to a statement. On areas for future cooperation, health research and bio-economy will remain high on the agenda, it said. Jean-Eric Paquet, Director-General of Research and Innovation, European Commission, co-chaired the 12th EU-India Joint Steering Committee meeting on science and technology along with Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary of DST, here according to an official statement. India and the EU will step up cooperation in research and innovation, Paquet said here. To build upon the robust cooperation of the past 20 years, the EU and India intend to renew the India-EU Science and Technology Agreement for another five years, the statement said. It was also agreed to explore new areas of cooperation to fill the knowledge gap on climate change, on renewable energy in line with Mission Innovation aiming at reducing CO2 through concentrated efforts on energy. On artificial intelligence, importance of
Gurugram artists create eye-opening art installations from plastic trash
"For one sip of water, we create permanent plastic junk," artist Arunkumar H.G. remarked about 100-ml bottles that are part of our high-consumption lifestyle.
Sugar mills offered to supply 51 cr litres of ethanol: ISMA
Sugar mills have offered to supply 51 crore litres of ethanol, produced from B heavy molasses/sugarcane juice for the first time, which will lead to a reduction in sugar production by five lakh tonnes, the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) said on Wednesday.
Gahirmatha beach gets elongated
The Gahirmatha beach in Odisha, which is currently playing host to lakhs of female olive ridley turtles for their annual mass nesting, has got elongated to 2.6 km stretch following natural accretion process, Forest officials said. The beach at the unmanned Nasi-2 Island of Gahirmatha in Kendrapara district provides perfect and congenial ambience for the nocturnal visitors to lay eggs because of the elongation of its profile, said Srirampada Arabinda Mishra, Assistant Conservator of Forest, Rajnagar Mangrove (Wildlife) Forest Division. The beach has become a favourite nesting address of the turtles and as many as 4.63 lakh turtles have so far converged on the beach for mass nesting, a unique natural heritage that commenced on February 27, he said. Its natures gift to marine animals as the beach which often encounters battering of sea waves and resultant erosion has got longer by 2,600 metres. In past years, length of the nesting ground was measured at 1,200 metres, he ...
Australian researchers say dingo is not a dog, but own species
Researchers in Australia have determined that the dingo is not a dog but a native species of its own -- a classification they say requires a conservation rethink of the animal. Twenty researchers from a number of Australian Universities found the dingo has many characteristics that differentiate it from domestic and feral dogs, and other wild canids -- a family that includes wolves and foxes. In a paper published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Zootaxa Tuesday, they argue that due to its geographic isolation and lack of domestication in Australia for over a millennia "little evidence exists" to show the wild animal is a dog. "There is no historical evidence of domestication once the dingo arrived in Australia, and the degree of domestication prior to arrival is uncertain and likely to be low, certainly compared to modern domestic dogs," Bradley Smith, from Central Queensland University, said in a statement. The classification of the dingo has provided contentious debate among .
10 pc amount proposed from MLA fund for crop loss by wildlife
Maharashtra Finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar on Wednesday instructed officials concerned to prepare a proposal for seeking 10 per cent amount from the MLA fund for its chain-link fencing scheme aimed at preventing crop losses by wild animals. The scheme, implemented in the state under the 'Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee Jan Van Vikas Yojana', provides for 90 per cent payment of the amount for crop loss by the state government and the remaining by beneficiaries. Mungantiwar, who also holds charge of the forest department, instructed officials to prepare a proposal asking that this remaining 10 per cent amount be paid from the MLA fund. "Changes should be made in the proposal and it should be sent to the planning department for considering it positively," he said. The chain-link fencing scheme is being implemented in the buffer areas of tiger projects, wildlife sanctuaries and national parks and villages that fall within a distance of five km of forest borders and have ...
UN finds herpes killed millions of Iraqi carp
The sudden death last year of millions of Iraqi carp, used in the country's signature dish, was caused by a strain of herpes harmless to humans, the United Nations said Wednesday. Iraqi fish farmers south of Baghdad were left reeling in late 2018 after piles of dead carp were found washed up on the banks of the Euphrates River or floating in their cages. Rumours swirled over whether the fish were sick or the river had been poisoned, and Iraqi politicians put the issue at the top of their agenda. On Wednesday, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) said a months-long international investigation had pinned down the slippery source: the Koi Herpes Virus. "KHV is a very serious and lethal disease that is known to cause almost 100 percent mortality rates in carps," said Dr. Thomas Wahli, who heads the Swiss Reference Laboratory for Notifiable Diseases. Flame-grilled carp seasoned with sauces made from onions and tomato and known as masgoof, is Iraq's national delicacy. The mass ..
SunSource Energy to develop 70 MW solar project in Uttar Pradesh
SunSource Energy Wednesday said it will develop a 70 MW solar power project under the open access scheme in Uttar Pradesh. The power generated by the project will be sold to commercial and industrial customers through long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), a company statement said. The project, once commissioned, will be one of the largest open access solar power projects in Uttar Pradesh and will offset over 85,000 tonne of carbon emissions every year, the statement said. The project is expected to be launched on March 8 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kanpur, along with various other development projects in Uttar Pradesh. The project will help industries and commercial establishments reduce their energy bill and meet Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) targets, the company said. "With the launch of our first open access solar power project in the state, we are glad to contribute towards realisation of Prime Minister's and Uttar Pradesh's clean energy targets," SunSource ...
India and World Bank Sign $250 Million Agreement To Boost Rural Incomes
The World Bank and the Government of India signed a $250 Million Agreement for the National Rural Economic Transformation Project (NRETP) which will help women in rural households shift to a new generation of economic initiatives by developing viable enterprise for farm and non-farm products.
China's Hainan province to end fossil fuel car sales in 2030
China's southern Hainan island will end sales of fossil fuel-only cars in 2030, officials said, becoming the first province to announce a target end date for a transition away from gas guzzlers. Beijing announced plans in 2017 to phase out petrol vehicles across the nation, but it did not set a date, as the country aims to cut pollution and reduce its dependence on imported oil. Starting in 2030, sales of fossil fuel cars will be prohibited in Hainan, the provincial government said Tuesday, with officials saying they aim to hit President Xi Jinping's goal for the island to become a "civilised ecology test zone." Known as China's Hawaii thanks to its resorts and tropical beaches, Hainan is set to become the country's largest free trade zone. It also hopes to serve as a test area for some of Beijing's ambitious policies like fostering hi-tech industries and attracting international tourist dollars. China remains at the forefront of the electric car revolution, with hundreds of homegrown
Moon shot: Toyota, Japan space agency plan lunar mission
Toyota is teaming up with Japan's space agency on a planned mission to the Moon, with the Japanese auto giant expected to develop a lunar rover, officials and local media said Wednesday. It will be the car manufacturer's first full-fledged entry into space exploration, after the company jointly developed a small robot sent to the International Space Station. "We are planning to cooperate with Toyota in an exploration mission to the Moon," said a spokesman with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Details will be announced by JAXA and Toyota Tuesday next week when the space agency hosts a symposium in Tokyo, the spokesman told AFP. Toyota also confirmed plans to announce a joint project with JAXA "on mobility and a space probe" but declined to comment further. Jiji Press news agency said the car giant is expected to jointly develop a "mobility method" to be used on the lunar surface for the mission. The mission is part of renewed global interest in the Moon, sometimes called .
South Korea proposes clear-air project with China
South Korean President Moon Jae-in has proposed a joint project with China to use artificial rain to clean the air in Seoul, where an acute increase in pollution has caused alarm. Moon also on Wednesday instructed government officials to quicken the retirement of old coal-burning power plants. Seoul has been struggling to tackle the rise in air pollution that experts have linked to China's massive industrial activity and emission from South Korean cars. Fine dust levels in South Korea have hit new highs over the past week, leaving people wearing masks while commuting under thick-gray skies online users have compared to the scenes of the movie "Wall-E.
Belur goes green, says no to fireworks
Authorities at Belur Math, the global headquarters of Ramakrishna Math and Mission in West Bengal's Howrah district, have cancelled the traditional firework that accompanies the birth anniversary celebration of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa in order to curb pollution.
Israeli spacecraft snaps ultimate selfie on way to moon
An Israeli spacecraft has taken the ultimate selfie on its roundabout journey to the moon. Organizers for the privately funded mission released the photo Tuesday, 1 weeks after its launch. It shows the spacecraft Beresheet, Hebrew for Genesis, orbiting some 23,300 miles (37,600 kilometers) away, with the entire Earth as the stunning Apollo-style backdrop. Australia easily stands out. A plaque reads: "Small Country, Big Dreams" and "The people of Israel live." The spacecraft is shooting for a moon landing April 11. It rocketed from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Feb. 21 and has been circling Earth in ever bigger loops. Despite some early problems, Beresheet should be close enough to enter lunar orbit in early April. A touchdown would make Israel the fourth country to pull off a moon landing.
PM Modi to launch several development projects in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Kalaburagi in Karnataka and Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu today.The Prime Minister will launch several development projects related to health, energy, education and transport sectors.Modi will also interact with the beneficiaries of Ayushman Bharat at both places.At Kalaburagi, the Prime Minister will launch development projects in various sectors like energy, health and education.In a major boost to the health care sector in Karnataka, the Prime Minister will dedicate the ESIC Hospital and Medical College, Bengaluru to the nation. He will also dedicate the Super Specialty Block of KIMS, Hubballi. These projects are meant to ensure quality and affordable healthcare for the people in Karnataka.Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also lay the foundation stone of the resitement of BPCL Depot Raichur to Kalaburagi. In addition, the Prime Minister will dedicate the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal Terminal at Bengaluru to the nation.Modi will also
Maha cabinet clears 29 km Thane metro project
The Maharashtra cabinet Tuesday cleared a 29-kilometre metro line for Thane which will be implemented by the Maha Metro on behalf of the Thane Municipal Corporation. A statement from the Chief Minister's office said the project will take four years to be completed and will be built at a cost of Rs 13,095 crore. Of the 29 kilometres, 2.2 kilometres will be underground and the rest will be elevated, it added. Guardian Minister of Thane Eknath Shinde said the cabinet has approved the proposal and it will help decongest the densely populated areas of the city. It will have 22 stations and is projected to have a daily ridership of 5.76 lakh once commissioned and its fares will range from Rs 17 to Rs 104, an official said. The metro will start from the New Thane metro station in the old city area and will connected to Wadala-Kasarvadavli Metro at two places, namely the New Thane station and Dongripada. It will also have a link to the Thane-Bhiwandi- Kalyan Metro Line 5 at ...
Maha approves 660 MW coal-based units at Koradi power station
The Maharashtra cabinet Tuesday granted in-principle approval for setting up two more 660 MW coal-based supercritical units at the Koradi Thermal Power Station. The state cabinet also approved the raising of equity capital to the extent of 20 per cent of the cost of the project once it gets the go-ahead from Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC). The project would be developed in phases with the work on the first unit of 660 MW scheduled to be completed in 45 months. The second unit is expected to be completed in 51 months from the date of commencement of work. State-run Maharashtra State Generation Company (Mahagenco) is likely to raise funds partly by debt, which is to the extent of 80 per cent of the cost, and partly through equity to fund the project. Currently, four old units of 115 MW each are shut and there are plans to dismantle them and build new facilities there. Energy minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule emphasised the need for the project saying
