Page 178 - Environment
Forest fire in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve contained to an extent
The forest fire raging for the past four days in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in Nilgiris district has been contained to an extent and prevented from spreading to nearby areas, officials said. The fire had spread to over 250 acres over this period of time, they said. Following the blaze, the department had banned entry of tourists into the MTR. Meanwhile, a 26-year-old man was arrested Tuesday on charges of setting afire dry leaves and grass in the forest area coming under Nilgiris North division. The officials and some department workers on morning rounds noticed smoke emanating from Ebbanadu area, rushed to the spot and noticed the man lighting a fire in the area, following which he was nabbed. On being questioned, the man said he had lit the fire to prevent elephants, deer and other animals straying into his farmland, where he was growing some vegetables. He was later produced before a court and remanded to 15 days judicial custody.
Delhi govt proposes construction of reservoirs on Yamuna floodplain to store water
Delhi government has proposed construction of reservoirs on Yamuna flood plains to store flood water to meet the increasing demand for water in the national capital, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said on Tuesday. Announcing a slew of initiatives to augment water supply in the national capital in his budget speech, Sisodia announced an allocation of Rs 2,370 crore in 2019-20 for implementation of schemes, programmes and projects of Delhi Jal Board and Rs 467 crore for a 20 KL free lifeline water subsidy scheme. He also proposed an outlay of Rs 215 crore for 2019-20 for implementation of various schemes and projects of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department. "For improving ground water level and water sustainability in national capital construction of reservoir in Palla Yamuna Floodplain for storage of flood water in 1,000 acre of area and rejuvenation of irrigation minors, canals, abandoned for storage and harvesting of Flood water are proposed to be implemented," he ...
Delhi's air quality improves after rainfall
Delhi's air quality Tuesday drastically improved after rainfall washed away the pollutants and brought down the pollution level, authorities said. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) in the city was 119, which falls in the 'moderate' category. An AQI between 100 and 200 comes under the moderate category, 201 and 300 is considered 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', while an AQI between 401 and 500 is 'severe'. On Monday, the air quality was recorded in the poor category. In the National Capital Region, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon and Greater Noida recorded 'moderate' air quality, the CPCB said. The overall PM 2.5 levels -- fine particulate matters in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers -- in Delhi was 61, while the PM 10 level was 106, the Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR) said. The authorities said rainfall washed away the pollutants and brought down the pollution level. The ..
100% household electrification by March 2019, next goal is 24x7 power: Power Minister
Power Minister launches Star Labelling for Energy Efficient Homes aiming to save 90 Billion Unit annually by the year of 2030
India to achieve 100pc household electrification by Mar 31, 24X7 power for all on anvil: R K Singh
India will achieve 100 per cent household electrification by March 31 as envisaged in the Saubhagya scheme and the next goal is to achieve round the clock power supply to all households, Power Minister R K Singh said Tuesday. Under the Saubhagya scheme, 2,52,51,880 unelectrified households were to be electrified by March 31. Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh are in the process of energising the remaining 22,691 families left out. The government had provided Rs 16,320 crore for the scheme. "Country on the path to achieving 100 per cent household electrification by March 31, 2019, and our next goal is 24X7 power for all households, said Singh at state power and renewable energy ministers conference at Gurgaon near here. The government has planned to implement 24X7 power supply from April 1, 2019, and the minister also told the states to do so in the conference. He lauded the states for electrifying 2.52 crore households under the Saubhagya scheme in a record time of 17 months. Elaborating ...
thyssenkrupp inks pact with Babcock & Wilcox for renewable tech for India, others
thyssenkrupp Industries India Tuesday said it has inked a pact with Babcock & Wilcox for renewable energy technology for India and neighbouring countries that would help reduce pollution. The agreement has been signed for B&W Enterprises Inc's water-cooled vibrating grate technology for biomass boilers for India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Bhutan, thyssenkrupp Industries said in a statement. It signed an exclusive licence agreement with Babcock & Wilcox Vlund A/S (B&W Vlund), Denmark in this regard. The company is part of the Industrial Solutions business area of thyssenkrupp. "Burning of crop waste in the field has been one of the primary reasons for pollution in northern India during winter. Through this agreement...we will be able to find a sustainable solution to this issue by utilising this crop waste for clean energy generation," Vivek Bhatia, CEO and MD of thyssenkrupp Industries said. The water-cooled vibrating grate technology for biomass ...
NASA recreates conditions that led to origin of life
NASA scientists have recreated the conditions in which life formed deep in the Earth's ocean four billions years ago, which may offer insights into possible habitats in the cosmos which could host alien life. Astrobiologist Laurie Barge and her team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, are working to recognise life on other planets by studying the origins of life here on Earth. Their research focuses on how the building blocks of life form in hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor. To re-create hydrothermal vents in the lab, the team made their own miniature seafloors by filling beakers with mixtures that mimic Earth's primordial ocean. These lab-based oceans act as nurseries for amino acids, organic compounds that are essential for life as we know it. Like Lego blocks, amino acids build on one another to form proteins, which make up all living things. "Understanding how far you can go with just organics and minerals before you have an actual cell is really ...
NASA replicates deep ocean conditions in lab to study origins of life
Scientists from the US space agency NASA have reproduced deep ocean conditions in the lab to re-create life that could have formed on the sea floor four billion years ago.
Tiger kills leopard in MP's Phen wildlife sanctuary
A seven-month-old leopard was killed by a tiger in the Phen Wildlife Sanctuary under the Kanha Tiger Reserve (KTR) in Madhya Pradesh, an official said Tuesday. KTR Field Director L Krishnamurty said a team of forest officials Monday spotted pug-marks of a tiger in the sanctuary while patrolling the area. "The pug-marks led the team to a tiger which was seen with the carcass of a leopard. The tiger fled after spotting us, leaving the carcass behind," he said. The marks around the spot suggested that it was the tiger who had killed the leopard in a fight, Krishnamurty said. As per procedure, a postmortem was conducted as per the guidelines of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), he added.
Delhi Cabinet approves subsidy on electricity for farmers
The Delhi Cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal to give farmers a subsidy of Rs 105 per kilowatt on the fixed charge of electricity given under the agriculture connection in the national capital, Revenue Minister Kailash Gahlot said.
'Opium-addicted' parrots wreaking havoc in MP
At a time when scattered rainfall is hampering poppy cultivation in the region, farmers claim that in addition to uneven rain, they have incurred massive losses due to a group of "opium-addicted" parrots.In Neemuch district of Madhya Pradesh, farmers have raised concern regarding a spurt in parrots that feed on poppy plants and reduce the final product. Speaking to ANI, Nandkishore, an opium cultivator, said that multiple requests have been made to district officials, but their pleas have fallen on deaf ears."One poppy flower gives around 20-25 grams of opium. But a large group of parrots feed on these plants around 30-40 times a day and some even fly away with poppy pods, thereby reducing the produce. These opium-addicted parrots are wreaking havoc. We are already suffering because of uneven rain, and now this. Nobody is listening to our woes. Who will compensate for our losses?" he asked.In a bid to restrict these parrots, the cultivators and their kin are forced to guard their ...
Telangana CM directs officials to prepare plan for optimum utilisation of minor irrigation water resource
Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Monday instructed concerned officials to prepare an action plan for effective and optimum utilisation of minor irrigation water resources for agriculture in ITDA agency areas and in areas where people belonging to Scheduled Tribe are in majority."Minor irrigation water resources like ponds, canals may be used for the supply of water for cultivation apart from agency areas, areas of Schedule Tribe habitations where water from major irrigation projects is used for cultivation. The land in these areas is uneven with hills and valleys and water may be supplied through a pipeline for cultivation," said Rao in a statement.Furthermore, he stated, that Podu lands issue will be resolved shortly and will get clarity on how much cultivable land is present in these areas. Irrigation plans should be adopted for the Schedule Tribe farmers to raise crops accordingly for the supply of water for irrigation. "There are 46,500 tanks, in these 12,154 are a chain of
Union Min Harsimrat Kaur inaugurates cold chain facility in Jalandhar, targets Amarinder Singh
Union Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Monday inaugurated a cold chain storage to store crops in Jalandhar. "We will set up more than 300 such chains. In absence of this, vegetables and other crops used to get destroyed. 19 cold chain will be built across Punjab," the union minister said.Earlier in the day, she criticised Punjab Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh on Twitter for stalling the cold chain project in the state. "@capt_amarinder help is irrelevant as you don't want to act. You let potato crop rot despite the MOFPI sanctioning 19 cold chains in Punjab, of which 4 deal in potatoes. The Ladhowal MFP, which you are stalling, can also help potato farmers," she tweeted.In another tweet, she said, "@capt_amarinder You let the potato crop in Punjab rot. You refused to procure it through State agencies. You refused to give freight subsidy to farmers to transport seed potato. Pl don't play politics. Help the potato farmers even now. Give them compensation @ Rs 20k
Karnataka: Attempts to control fire underway, says CM on Bandipur Tiger Reserve fire
Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Monday said that attempts continue to contain the fire that broke out in the Bandipur Tiger Reserve and National Park in Chamarajanagar District on Saturday.He said, "We are closely monitoring the forest fire. Forest Minister is overseeing preventive action, forest officials and fire service personnel are trying to contain the fire. I have instructed officials to take preventive measures for the future."Kumaraswamy also asserted that all senior and higher level officers are being deputed for the job.Furthermore, he said, "The central government has also agreed to send four helicopters for our help. I have also spoken to concerned officials in this regard."Reportedly, hundreds of acres of forest area have been destroyed in the fire which has spread to the core area also. However, with fire spreading to the core forest area, huge damage and loss to the wildlife are also expected.Strong wind is giving foresters, firemen, wildlife volunteers and villagers .
CM asks officials to prepare action plan
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao Monday asked officials to prepare an action plan for effective use of minor irrigation water resources for agriculture in Integrated Tribal Development Agencies areas and also at places where STs are in majority. Minor irrigation water resources like ponds and canals may be used for supply of water for cultivation, a release from the CMs office said. The land in ITDA areas and ST habitations is uneven with hills and valleys and water can be supplied through pipelines for cultivation, the chief minister said during a meeting with MLAs and officials, according to the release.
Delhiites pay lowest power bills among large cities: Sisodia
The Delhiites pay the "lowest" power bills among large cities of the country, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said while tabling the Outcome Budget 2018-19 in the Assembly Monday. The national capital has the most progressive tariff structure, rewarding low electricity consumption by providing incentives to consumers, he said. Around 50 per cent of the energy charges are subsidised for domestic consumers consuming up to 400 units by Rs 2 per unit per month by the government. "This has benefited over 38 lakh (90 per cent) of all the power consumers in domestic category," Sisodia said. The AAP leader also read out the power tariff of cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and Chandigarh, adding the electricity rates in Delhi were "lowest" as compared to these large cities. The Outcome Budget of the power department was based on the assessment of a total of 171 performance indicators that included 71 critical indicators. The report showed 65 per cent of the indicators of the department ...
Lion found dead in farmland in Junagadh district
A lion was found dead in a farmland in Junagadh district of Gujarat Monday, with initial observation indicating infighting as the cause, a forest department official said. The carcass of the big cat, aged 4-5 years, was found in the agricultural land of a farmer, Kalu Rathod, said Chief Conservator of Forests, Wildlife Circle, Junagadh, D T Vasavada. The farmland is located under Jasadhar range of Gir East division of forest in Junagadh district, he said. The farm owner informed the forest department after which officials rushed to the spot, Vasavada said. "As per primary observation by staff, the reason of death seems to be infighting," he said. Over 200 lions have died in the Gir forest region in Gujarat in the last two years, the Gujarat government told the legislative assembly Friday last week. To a query by Congress MLA Bhagabhai Barad, Forest Minister Ganpat Vasava, in a written reply, said 110 lions and 94 cubs had died in 2017 and 2018. The government said only 27
ICAR, CSIR to work together in field of food, agriculture
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have agreed to collaborate in the area of food and agriculture. "Both the sides agreed to collaborate and work together on mutually agreed areas of agri-foods, medicinal and aromatic plants, nutraceuticals, precision agriculture, big data analysis, use of artificial intelligence, genetic modifications in cotton, application of sensors in agriculture, post-harvest management and agricultural mechanisation," ICAR said in a statement. The huge network of Krishi Vigyan Kendras available with ICAR will be roped in for technology demonstration and dissemination. A memorandum of understanding was signed on Monday by Trilochan Mohapatra, secretary of Department of Agricultural Research and Education and director general of ICAR, and Shekhar C Mande, secretary of Department for Scientific & Industrial Research and director general of CSIR. A joint working committee will be ...
Scientific disposal of waste should be carried out to check pollution: Delhi LG
Scientific disposal of construction and demolition waste should be carried out to check water and air pollution in the national capital, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal said Monday. Baijal chaired a meeting, also attended by city Environment Minister Imran Hussain, on pollution due to construction and demolition waste and dumping of waste in drains and water bodies. Officials told Baijal that flying squads may be deployed to prevent dumping of construction and demolition waste and garbage along the banks of drains. He said scientific disposal of waste should be done to check water and air pollution. Bhure Lal, the Chairman of the Environment Pollution Control Authority, informed Baijal that during his visit to some nullahs, particularly the Najafgarh and Shahdara Drains, he found their condition was "pathetic and stench was unbearable". "Gases coming out from such stagnating dirty water are causing harm to human health," he said. He also apprised that entire NCR is dotted by ...
Indian company to install underground electric cables in Kathmandu
An Indian contractor company will install underground electric cables in Kathmandu to minimise the risk of electrocution and to beautify the city. KP Industries Ltd will undertake the project worth Rs 6.60 billion with a deadline of 30 months from its initiation. Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has decided to install the underground power lines in Kathmandu. In the first phase of the project, underground cables would replace overhead power line in grids overseen by Majarajgunj Distribution Centre and the Ratnapark Distribution Centre, the NEA officials said. Overhead electricity cables and telecommunications lines have made the streets ugly and increased the risk of untoward incidents, and the project aims to resolve such issues, said NEA Maharajgunj Project Chief Abhishek Adhikari. In June 2017, NEA had said it would place all physical infrastructure of areas that fall under Maharajgunj and Ratnapark distribution centres underground within two years as a pilot project. NEA is ...
