Page 17 - Environment

IISc, Shell India partner to promote R&D in energy and environment

Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Shell India have entered into a partnership to promote research and development in the areas of energy and environment. The partnership seeks to build on cutting-edge energy and environment related research being carried out at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Energy Research (ICER), IISc, an IISc statement said. A research agreement was signed at the institute in the presence of IISc Director Prof Govindan Rangarajan and Chief Technology Officer at Shell, Yuri Sebregts, on Thursday. The key aspects that the partnership will focus on include reducing Green House Gas emissions and promoting decarbonisation through innovations such as low-carbon fuels, distributed electrification, carbon sinks, hydrogen generation, efficient power and refrigeration cycles using supercritical carbon dioxide. Structured research projects will be initiated under this research agreement involving Shell scientists as well as faculty members and students at the ...

Climate Change intensified rain that fueled Pakistan floods, heatwave

In addition to the rainfall, a heat wave in India and Pakistan earlier this year, also fueled by climate change, worsened the flooding that left a third of Pakistan under water, the scientists found.

Vembanad lake continues to shrink, under threat of ecological decay

Vembanad lake, the second largest wetland system in India after the Sunderbans in West Bengal, is shrinking and its unique biodiversity is under threat of ecological decay despite it being declared as a Ramsar site 20 years ago. The lake, which is a source of livelihood for farmers of Kuttanad and the fisherfolk community, continues to undergo ecological degradation due to pollution and unauthorised constructions on its banks, with experts calling for "committed efforts" to save its wetland ecosystem. With a gradually shrinking area of over 2,000 square kilometres and a length of around 96 km, it is one of the largest lakes in Kerala and the longest in the country and is bound by the districts of Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulam. According to ecological experts and various studies conducted over the years, the lake is facing serious environmental degradation due to recurring floods, increased pollution, reduction in water spread area and increased weed growth. Experts like E J Jam

All you need to know about India's first dark sky reserve in Ladakh

Government plans to promote astronomy tourism at the reserve, which is located in Hanle in Ladakh

Environment-driven taxes: An interesting challenge for policymakers

The question of designing and imposing environmental taxes with specific objectives remains challenging due to the complexities involved

Concord Enviro Systems gets SEBI go-ahead to raise funds through IPO

Concord Enviro Systems, an environmental engineering solutions firm, has received Sebi's go- ahead to raise funds through an initial public offering (IPO). The proposed IPO comprises fresh issuance of equity shares worth Rs 175 crore and an offer-for-sale (OFS) of 35,69,180 shares by promoters and an investor, according to the draft red herring prospectus (DRHP). Those selling shares in the OFS are promoters Prayas Goel and Prerak Goel, promoter groups Namrata Goel, Nidhi Goel, and Pushpa Goel and investor AF Holdings. Concord Enviro Systems, which filed preliminary IPO papers with the capital markets regulator in July, obtained its "observation" letter on August 30, an update with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) showed on Monday. In Sebi's parlance, issuance of observation letter implies its go-ahead to float an IPO. Going by the draft papers, proceeds from the fresh issue will be used for investment in the company's arm Concord Enviro FZE in relation to financ

SC raises ceiling limit of iron ore mining for three Karnataka districts

The Supreme Court on Friday raised the ceiling limit of iron ore mining for Ballari, Chitradurga, and Tumakuru districts in Karnataka, saying conservation of the ecology and environment must go hand in hand with the spirit of economic development. The apex court raised the ceiling limit of iron ore mining from 28 MMT to 35 MMT for Ballari district, and from 7 MMT to 15 MMT for Chitradurga and Tumkur districts. "Conservation of the ecology and the environment must go hand in hand with the spirit of economic development and the fine balance between the two goals is what is sought to be achieved even now," a bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana said. The bench, also comprising Justices Hima Kohli and C T Ravikumar, passed the order on pleas seeking lifting of the ceiling limits of iron ore mining in these districts. It referred to the May 20 this year order passed by the apex court which had granted certain reliefs relating to the sale and export of iron ore in these three distric

Reuse and recycle water to become 'aatmanirbhar': Union minister Shekhawat

Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Friday stressed the need to reuse and recycle water in order to become 'aatmanirbhar' or self-sufficient in its supply. Speaking at the 'Har Ghar Jal Utsav' programme organised by the Goa government to mark 100 per cent piped water supply coverage in rural households of the state, the minister also called for harvesting rainwater. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the event via video conferencing. "We should work on reusing and recycling water to become 'aatmanirbhar' in its supply," Shekhawat said. On the occasion, he remembered the freedom fighters who fought for the country's independence and for the liberation of Goa from Portuguese rule. "People of the country should introspect, where they lacked in creating the India of the dreams of those people who laid their lives for its freedom. The world is looking at India with expectations that we need to fulfil," he said. Shekhawat said the Har Ghar Jal programme of the Jal

Australian party to introduce bill to close state coal plants by 2030

Australia's environmentally forward political party, the Greens, is set to introduce a bill that would close the three remaining coal plants in the state of Victoria by 2030

'Increased tiger reserves show Centre's commitment to tiger conservation'

The government has demonstrated its commitment to tiger conservation by increasing the number of tiger reserves from nine in 1973 to 52 at present, said Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav

India backs UN resolution to recognise human right to healthy environment

India has voted in favour of a UNGA resolution that recognises the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment as a human right

Climate change made deadly UK heatwave at least 10 times more likely

The UK's heat wave earlier this month fueled so many blazes in London that the city's fire service was busier than any day since Nazi attacks in World War II

Protect environment for future generations: Prez Kovind in farewell speech

The president said the nation is working with the objective of providing better housing, and access to drinking water and electricity for every family

Govt's plastic straw ban to curb pollution leaves Indian consumers thirsty

With 19 single-use plastic items banned from July 1, including the straws, companies including Dabur India Ltd. and Parle Agro Pvt, have been racing to replace them with imported paper versions

Gopal Rai to hold review meeting on 'Paryavaran Mitra' campaign

Delhi Environment Minister will hold a review meeting on the government's campaign to register people working or willing to work for environmental protection as 'paryavaran mitras'

Punjab to Odisha, single-use plastic ban has little effect in towns

Small businesses say they were not consulted about the restriction and they can't refuse customers

AAP's Gopal Rai slams Centre over decriminalising environment laws

Development should not come at the cost of nature and there is a pressing need to find a balance between the two, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has said

Kerala Forest Minister to meet Union Minister over ESZ issue, seeks support

Kerala Forest Minister AK Saseendran will meet Union Minister Bhupender Yadav later on Thursday seeking the Centre's support on Eco-Sensitive Zones issue

UNGA President calls for action to return world to sustainable development

UN General Assembly President Abdulla Shahid has proposed action in five areas to bring the world back on track toward sustainable development

India preparing to submit new climate targets to UN ahead of COP27 talks

India's delay has been striking given Prime Minister Narendra Modi's surprise announcement at COP26 that his country would reach net-zero emissions by 2070