Page 198 - Environment
Spain police seize over 200 stuffed endangered animals
Spanish police said Tuesday they had seized more than 200 stuffed endangered animals, including giraffes, rhinos, lions and tigers, from an illegal taxidermy workshop that was selling them online. Officers found the stuffed animals at a warehouse in an industrial area of Alicante, a city on Spain's Mediterranean coast. They seized others in the nearby city of Monovar, at the home of a man suspected of working as a taxidermist without a licence, police said in a statement. Police placed six people under investigation after the seizing the haul, who could face charges of trafficking in endangered species. The animals seized included "more than 200 specimens of various species" on the United Nation's Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). "The species that were seized included, among many others, African lions, white rhinos, Bengal tigers, African crocodiles, African antelope and giraffes," the statement said. Police began their investigation in May after ...
Patnaik to lay foundation stone of Subarnarekha port tomorrow
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will lay the foundation stone of the much awaited Subarnerekha port in Balasore district on Wednesday, Chief Secretary A P Padhi said. The Subarnarekha port project is being developed by Chennai-based Creative Port Private Ltd (CPPL) which will own 49 per cent stake and Tata Steel with 51 per cent stake. "We have already handed over 692 acre of land to the port developer and remaining 150 acre of land under the ownership of some private persons and the government, will be given soon," Padhi said adding that the developers will start construction work as soon as they get 27 acre required for the approach road to the proposed port site. Tata Steel Managing Director T V Narendran said: "We will soon start construction work for the project and the chief minister will lay foundation stone tomorrow." The proposed port is expected to be built in 4-5 years. Narendran said the Subarnarekha project will be beneficial for the steel plants in ...
Centre's NCAP gets support from TERI, Bloomberg Philanthropies
The Environment Ministry on Tuesday found supporters in international organisation Bloomberg Philanthropies and Delhi-based think-tank TERI on resolving air quality issues under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). An initiative launched at the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS), organised by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), would help mitigate air pollution -- both at the national level and in a group of Indian cities -- a press note issued by the TERI said. The government has collaborated with the TERI, Bloomberg Philanthropies and Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation, aiming to bring together research and civil society organisations to offer technical assistance on air quality issues in support of the NCAP. "The joint project will help address and mitigate air pollution, both at the national level and in a group of Indian cities, by working to develop better understanding and awareness of the sources of air pollution through emissions inventories and source ..
Tiger spotted in Gujarat, makes state home to three big cat species
The Gujarat government on Tuesday announced that a tiger had been spotted in the Lunawada forests in Mahisagar district, making the state the only one in the country to host all the three major big cat species: lions, tigers and leopards.
TERI, Bloomberg join hands with Centre to reduce air pollution in India
With an aim to address air quality issues at the national scale, Bloomberg Philanthropies and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) joined hands on Tuesday to provide technical assistance to the Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry in implementing the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
Former SC judge releases environment think-tank CSE's annual report
The Delhi-based environment think-tank, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), has released its annual State of India's Environment report covering a wide range of subjects including water and sanitation, waste, health, air pollution, forests, wildlife, climate change, renewable energy and agriculture. The report was released by former Supreme Court Judge Justice M B Lokur and CSE Director Sunita Narain at a three-day media conclave in Alwar, Rajasthan which commenced on Monday The briefings are being delivered by environment experts -- K J Ramesh, Director General, Indian Meteorology Department, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Bhure Lal, Chairperson, Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority (EPCA), Ajay Deshpande, former expert member of the National Green Tribunal and others, a statement issued by the CSE said.
Trouble mounts for Vadra in Bikaner land deal
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is said to have made a tight case of money laundering against Robert Vadra, brother-in-law of Congress President Rahul Gandhi who is being probed in a land deal in Bikaner in Rajasthan.
Solid waste generation, management not received due attention from Govt: Parl panel
A parliamentary panel has rapped the government for not giving due attention to the solid waste generation and management despite its "potentially devastating ramifications". The panel also said that waste collection efficiency in the country is also "very low" as it ranges from 70-90 per cent in metros and below 50 per cent in small cities. Standing Committee on Urban Development presented its report 'Solid waste management (SWM) including hazardous waste, medical waste and e-waste' in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. "After carefully examining the prevailing scenario and on the basis of documents and evidence placed before them, the Committee is constrained to conclude that in spite of its potentially devastating ramifications, solid waste generation and its management has not received due attention from the government," it stated. The committee stated that it was "highly disconcerting" to note that door to door collection has reached only up to 82 per cent and source segregation has not ..
Forest degradation: Parliamentary panel asks Centre to act against illegal felling of trees
A parliamentary panel expressed concern on Tuesday over forest degradation in the country, especially in the north-eastern states, and urged the Environment Ministry to take stringent steps to curb the illegal felling of trees. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forests, in its 324th report on "Status of Forests in India" tabled in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, said no action plan was prepared by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) for controlling the illegal cutting of trees in forests. The panel relied on the India State of Forest Report, 2017, according to which the total forest and tree cover in India was 80.20 million hectares, which was 24.39 per cent of the geographical area of the country. However, the report said, there was a reduction of 0.34 million hectares of moderately dense forests, which indicated forest degradation. "The committee is concerned about the decline in the forest cover in the north-eastern states, which
Himachal imports over 7 lakh apple roots to boost output
Himachal Pradesh has imported 7,59,115 high-yield apple planting material (root stock) under the World Bank-funded Rs 1,138 crore ($171.5 million) Horticulture Development Project, the state Assembly was informed on Tuesday.
HC notice to Goa CM's son, others for "destruction of forest"
The Goa bench of Bombay High Court Tuesday issued notice to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's son Abhijat in connection with a PIL accusing him of destroying forest area for his eco-tourism project. A division bench of Justices Mahesh Sonak and Prithviraj Chavan issued notices to Abhijat and several others, including senior government officials, asking them to file replies by March 11. The PIL, filed by local residents Abhijit Satyavan Desai and Prakash Bhagat, alleges rampant destruction of forest, specially in the notified eco-sensitive zone adjoining Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary in Netravali village in Sanguem taluka, by Hideaway Hospitality, a company owned by Abhijat. Notices have also been issued to Secretary, Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Chief Secretary of Goa, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Goa, the state Eco-sensitive Zone Management Committee, Neturlim village Panchayat and the Goa Investment Promotion and Facilitation Board, among ...
Centre releases publication on climate action in India
Union Minister of Environment Harsh Vardhan on Tuesday released a publication on climate action titled 'India - Spearheading Climate Solutions' which mentions the key actions India has taken under various sectors towards combating and adapting to climate change.
China rejects India's study about Belt and Road facing 'push back'
China on Tuesday rejected a report that its ambitious Belt and Road project was "facing a push back" by countries in India's neighbourhood like Pakistan and Nepal.
Environment Minister releases publication depicting steps taken by India to combat climate change
The Centre Tuesday released a publication titled 'India - Spearheading Climate Solutions' highlighting actions taken by the country to combat climate change. The coffee table book was released by Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan who said India has accomplished its ambitious targets to combat climate change. He said the initiatives captured in this publication are a reflection of the government's commitment towards addressing climate change concerns while keeping a fine balance with the sustainable development priorities. "The ambitious goal of generating 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022, smart cities, electric vehicles, energy efficiency initiatives, leapfrogging from Bharat Stage -IV to Bharat Stage-VI emission norms by April 2020 have been undertaken proactively to minimise the impact of climate change," Vardhan said. The minister for environment, forest and climate change unveiled the book in the presence of MoEFCC Secretary C K Mishra and Joint Secretary Ravi Shankar ...
IAF airlift materials for construction of bridge in Arunachal
Indian Air Force helicopters have airlifted more than 80 tonne materials for construction of a vital bridge over Kumney river in Kurung Kumey district of Arunachal Pradesh bordering China, Defence sources said Tuesday. IAF MI-17 helicopters airlifted the materials on Monday, Shillong-based IAF PRO Wing Commander Ratnakar Singh said Tuesday. The bridge which is being executed by the Border Roads Organisation, would connect the settlements of Huri outpost with Damin circle of the district bordering China. Owing to its strategic importance, the bridge would play a crucial role in easing out inconvenience caused to local people and troops deployed in this remote part of the state. The IAF is assisting the BRO in carrying the load to expedite the process. With the aim to connect inaccessible areas of Arunachal Pradesh, the Border Roads Organisation is undertaking massive construction of roads and bridges in such areas of the state.
2,000 unknown bacteria species found in human gut
Researchers have identified almost 2,000 unknown bacterial species in the human gut, an advance that could help understand human health better and even guide diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. The bacterial species discovered by researchers at European Molecular Biology Laboratory and the Wellcome Sanger Institute in the UK are yet to be cultured in the lab. The team used a range of computational methods to analyse samples from individuals worldwide. The results, published in the journal Nature, demonstrate that although researchers are possibly getting closer to creating a comprehensive list of microbes common in the microbiomes of North American and European people, there is a significant lack of data from other regions of the world. The human gut is home to many species of microbes, collectively referred to as the gut microbiota. Despite extensive studies in the field, researchers are still working on identifying the individual microbial species that live in the .
NASA turns Mars sniffer into data-relay satellite for rovers
NASA's atmosphere-sniffing Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission has embarked on a new campaign to tighten its orbit around the red planet to become a data-relay satellite for the US space agency's Mars 2020 rover.
Tiger spotted in Guj after 3 decades, govt confirms presence
The Gujarat government has confirmed the presence of a tiger in the state, days after a man claimed he saw the big cat crossing a road in Mahisagar district. State forest minister Ganpatsinh Vasava said on Tuesday that the carnivore was caught on cameras set up by the forest department in that area. "It has now been confirmed. A tiger in the age-group of 7 to 8 years has been seen in Mahisagar district," Vasava told reporters in Gandhinagar. The striped animal was last seen in Gujarat in 1989. Subsequent surveys carried out every four years by the central government showed no presence of tiger in the state, he said. A local government school teacher had last week claimed that he saw a tiger crossing a road near Boriya village in Mahisagar, around 120 km from here, on February 6. The teacher clicked the animal's picture on his mobile phone and shared it with friends on social media platforms. The photo soon went viral and based on the teacher's claim, the forest department
Special branch: Poignant plea after Japanese bonsai burglary
A Japanese cultivator of bonsai trees appealed on Tuesday for the thieves who made off with his expensive potted plants to take good care of them. Seiji Iimura, a fifth-generation bonsai cultivator who runs a garden in Kawaguchi, north of Tokyo, told AFP the seven tiny trees stolen from his garden were his "family treasure". "It's something I would never sell even if I got 10 million yen (USD 90,000)," he said. "Of course I hate the thief who stole them, but I want to tell him or her: please pour water on them and please take care of them," Iimura said. "I would feel sad if they die." Iimura reported to police last month that seven bonsai trees, worth more than seven million yen in total -- including a 400-year-old gnarled juniper -- had been stolen from his garden. His wife Fuyumi wrote in a recent Facebook entry that the couple had raised the bonsai trees "like our children". "I am filled with sadness and heartache," she wrote. Iimura keeps some 3,000 miniature trees on display at ..
Possible second impact crater under Greenland ice found: NASA
A NASA scientist has discovered a possible second impact crater, with a width of over 36 kilometres (km), buried under ice in northwest Greenland, the US space agency said Tuesday. This follows the discovery of a over 30-km-wide crater beneath Hiawatha Glacier -- the first meteorite impact crater ever discovered under Earth's ice sheets -- announced in November last year. Though the newly found impact sites in northwest Greenland are only 183 km apart, at present they do not appear to have formed at the same time, NASA said in a statement. If the second crater is ultimately confirmed as the result of a meteorite impact, it will be the 22nd largest impact crater found on Earth, according to the findings published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters. "We have surveyed the Earth in many different ways, from land, air and space -- it is exciting that discoveries like these are still possible," said Joe MacGregor, a glaciologist with NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in the US, ...
