Page 191 - Environment
Panic in Bhubaneswar after leopard spotted near city airport
Panic gripped the residents of Palaspalli in Bhubaneswar, around 2km from the city airport, after some locals claimed to have spotted a leopard entering a business establishment in the area, official sources said. A CCTV footage collected from the upscale area, which is also close to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's residence, corroborated their claims, they said. According to the locals, the leopard scaled the boundary wall and entered the premises of the commercial establishment Sunday night. City Divisional Forest Officer Ashok Mishra said a team of 25 personnel has been sent to Palaspalli Monday after verification of the footage. "I have requested people to stay calm and not disturb the animal if it is spotted again. Disturbing the leopard might turn it hostile," he said. Stating that sighting of a leopard is "unusual" in Palaspalli, he said the animal might strayed into the area from nearby Chandaka forest.
Bangladesh blocks 2,000 sites in online crackdown
Bangladesh has blocked nearly 2,000 pornography and gambling websites in an online crackdown ordered by the country's High Court.
Scientist who popularized term "global warming" dies
A climate scientist who popularized the term "global warming" has died. Wallace Smith Broecker was 87. Columbia University said the longtime professor and researcher died Monday at a New York City hospital. A spokesman for the university's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory said Broecker had been ailing in recent months. Broecker brought "global warming" into common use with a 1975 paper that correctly predicted rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere would lead to pronounced warming. Broecker was also first to recognize what he called the Ocean Conveyor Belt, a global system of ocean currents circulating water and nutrients. Broecker was born in Chicago in 1931 and grew up in suburban Oak Park. He joined Columbia's faculty in 1959 and was known in science circles as the "Grandfather of Climate Science.
Climate change threatens 2 of Ecuador's 7 glaciers
Ecuador could lose two of its seven glaciers over the next few years thanks to global warming, a phenomenon that worries experts because it would alter the paramo ecosystem and its effect on the nation's water supply and humidity, media reported.
Brazil bans upstream mining dams after deadly Vale disaster
RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Brazil's government on Monday banned new upstream mining dams and ordered the decommissioning of all such dams by 2021, targeting the type of structure that burst last month in the town of Brumadinho, killing hundreds of people.
India needs to be 'absolutely active' in Latin America: Argentine foreign minister
If India has to compete with China in Latin America, then it has to be "absolutely active" in the region, Argentine Foreign Affairs Minister Jorge Faurie said Monday. China has been in the region for over two decades now and pumps a lot of financial resources, aided with technology, in the Latin American countries, he said. "India has to be absolutely active in Latin America. The Chinese have been in the region for many years already, for almost 20 years. "China is doing something relevant not only for Argentina, but also for all Latin American countries. China comes with an idea, the project they want to develop, they come up with money. That is extremely important because we are all lagging behind in financing," Faurie said in response to a question on what should India in South America do at a time when China has already spread its influence in the continent. Faurie said if India is slated to be one of the top three economies in next two decades, then it has to "assume the role it .
Paddy procurement to continue in Odisha
Under attack for its move to halt paddy procurement two months ahead of schedule, Odisha government Monday said the procurement will continue in the state as long as farmers desire to sell their produces. Farmers in different parts of the state had protested the decision of the government last week to stop the process from February 28. In a letter to collectors of different districts, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare department asked them to visit paddy procurement centres (mandis) and take stern action in case of deliberate delay in procurement process by any official. The collectors have also been asked to take action in case of any irregularities are noticed during the paddy procurement process. They were asked to keep the mandis open as long as farmers are willing to sell their paddy and directed Primary Agriculture Cooperative Society (PACS) officials to provide tokens to farmers on procuring their paddy, he said. The collectors have also been asked to take ...
India, Argentina ink MoU for cooperation in nuclear energy
India and Argentina Monday inked a Memorandum of Understanding to boost cooperation in the sector of nuclear energy. Minister for Foreign Affairs, Argentina, Jorge Faurie said his country has expertise in building small-capacity reactors and was looking to work with India in some third country in tripartite projects. "They (Prime Minister Narendra and Argentine President Mauricio Macri) also noted that the MoU signed on the occasion between the Department of Atomic Energy, India and National Atomic Energy Commission, Argentina for cooperation within the framework of Global Center for Nuclear Energy Partnership would bolster institutional linkages in civil nuclear research, development and capacity building," a joint statement said. The countries also wished to enhance and explore cooperative ventures in the area of nuclear power and its societal uses in health, agriculture, industrial application, training and capacity building, the joint statement said. India and Argentina had signed
As BJP wins over sulking Sena, Nanar project to be relocated
Announcing a fresh tie-up with the Shiv Sena, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Monday ceded one of its demands: shifting of the proposed mega oil refinery from Nanar in the ecologically sensitive Konkan. State-run oil majors have tied up with Saudi Aramco and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company for the refinery project in Ratnagiri district, which entails an investment of Rs 3 lakh crore. Significantly, the announcement comes on the eve of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to India. The 60-million tonne per annum refinery-cum- petrochemical complex has been conceived as the largest such facility in the world, to be set up on over 15,000 acres. However, it was facing stiff resistance from the local populace, and the Sena, the ruling BJP's bickering ally, had said it was with the locals. "Shiv Sena presented this aspect (of local opposition) and we have accepted it. It (the project) will be come up at a place where it is acceptable to people," .
Honda to close UK car plant in 2022 with the loss of 3,500 jobs - Sky News
LONDON (Reuters) - Japanese carmaker Honda is set to announce the closure of its Swindon car plant with the loss of 3,500 jobs, Sky News reported on Monday.
Steel minister dedicates SAIL's Bettiah steel processing unit to nation
Union Steel Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh on Monday dedicated SAIL's steel processing unit (SPU) to the nation at Bettiah in West Champaran, Bihar, the government said. The unit, set up at a cost of Rs 116 crore, will churn out high-quality steel tubes and pipes. He was accompanied by Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister Ram Vilas Paswan. "Speaking on this occasion, Chaudhary Birender Singh said that the steel ministry is making all efforts to bridge the gap in steel consumption between rural and urban India. The SPU at Bettiah is a step towards this direction and will also fulfil local steel requirements," the Ministry of Steel said in a statement here. The minister further said the National Steel Policy 2017 is expected to lead to doubling of the capacity and taking the steel production to 300 million tonne by 2031. Singh said trial production from the unit began in January with technical expertise from Bokaro and Rourkela Steel Plants. "This SPU has been set .
Lion cub dies in Gir sanctuary
A female lion cub died in Gir Wildlife Sanctuary Monday, officials said. The cub, between 8 to 9 months old, collapsed and died shortly after it was sighted by a team of forest officials and a veterinary doctor, they said. The officials had gone to the forest under the Gir-West division to rescue another animal when they came across the cub, said D T Vasavada, Chief Conservator of Forests, Junagadh Wildlife Circle. The carcass was sent to the Sasan Rescue Centre for autopsy so as to ascertain the cause of death, he added. No external injuries were found on the cub's body. On February 15, a lion, aged between 5 to 9 years, had been found dead in Tulsishyam range of Gir-East division of the sanctuary. Over 30 lions, including cubs, have died in and around Gir Forest since September last year due to various reasons including viral infections, territorial fights or being hit by trains. Gir Forest is home to over 600 Asiatic lions.
Govt making all efforts to provide uninterrupted power supply:
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu Monday said his government is making all-out efforts to provide uninterrupted power supply in the state. The Centre has already sanctioned an amount of Rs 3,500 crore to bring the off grid connections in far flung villages of the state under grid, he said while inaugurating a 50 kw solar power plant at Tawang. "Works are being taken up for this in a phased manner," Khandu said. He congratulated the Arunachal Pradesh Energy Development Agency (APEDA) for installing the 50 kw solar power plant at the DC office, an official release said. Khandu while terming the government employees as 'backbone' of the state said that it is the duty of the government to take care of its employees. "The state government is ready to give some more benefits to the government employees in days to come depending upon the state exchequer, but at the same time they should also reciprocate and give their service sincerely in delivering service to the ..
Projects worth Rs 1387.71 crore in Yamuna towns approved under Namami Gange
NMCG also approved projects on tributaries for Firozabad, Etawah, Baghpat and Meerut
Chinese traders cut Australian coal imports over customs delays - sources
BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese coal traders are halting purchases of Australian coal and coking coal as clearing times through China's customs have at least doubled to 40 days or more, four traders at major buyers told Reuters on Monday.
Tiny nylon, polyester fibres behind unseen plastic pollution
Polyester, nylon and other synthetic fibres are a major contributor to the microplastics pollution in the environment, according to scientists who suggest that switching to biosynthetic varieties may help tackle the global menace. Unlike natural fibers like wool, cotton and silk, current synthetic fibres are petroleum-based products and are mostly not biodegradable. While natural fibres can be recycled and biodegrade, mixed fibres that contain natural and synthetic fibres are difficult or costly to recycle. "These materials, during production, processing and after use, break down into and release microfibers that can now be found in everything and everyone," said Melik Demirel, from Pennsylvania State University in the US. Islands of floating plastic trash in the oceans are a visible problem, but the pollution produced by textiles is invisible and ubiquitous. In the oceans, these microscopic plastic pieces become incorporated into plants and animals. Harvested fish carry these ...
Electric buses to ply in Shimla
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Monday flagged off an electric bus for Shimla city.
Synthetic fibres contribute to plastic pollution in environment: Study
Polyester and other synthetic fibres like nylon are major contributors of microplastics pollution in the environment, say researchers and suggest switching to biosynthetic fibres to prevent this.
JS-level recruitment from pvt sector: Only 89 of over 6,000 candidates short-listed
Only 89 of the 6,000-odd private sector specialists, who had applied for 10 posts of joint secretary in central government departments, have been short-listed, officials said Monday. The Personnel Ministry had in June last year called for applications for the joint secretary-rank posts through "lateral entry" mode. These posts are in revenue, financial services, economic affairs, agriculture and farmers welfare, road transport and highways, shipping, environment, forest and climate change, new and renewable energy, civil aviation and commerce departments. The deadline to apply for the posts was July 30. A total of 6,077 applications were received in response to the government's advertisement. However, the Personnel Ministry had in December decided to entrust the task of selecting the candidates for these posts to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), that conducts examination to select the country's bureaucrat, diplomats and police officers. The UPSC had then asked all such ...
Common meteorites come from two debris fields: Study
The most common meteorites that fall to Earth -- known as L chondrites -- come from at least two different debris fields in the asteroid belt, a study has found. According to the study published in the journal Meteoritics and Planetary Science, the belt contains many debris fields created from former dwarf planets, or those in the making, that collided long ago. These fragments, called asteroids, continue to collide, producing the meteorites that fall to Earth today. "When meteorites fell near Creston, California on October 24, 2015, they initially seemed to be from the same debris field as those that fell three years earlier in Novato, 200 miles to the North," said Peter Jenniskens, a researcher at NASA's Ames Research Center in the US. "Both meteorites were classified as L chondrites of type L6 and shock stage S3," said Jenniskens. L chondrites are the most common type of meteorites, but they come in two varieties: meteorites like Novato that long ago, at the dawn of the solar ...
