Page 209 - Environment
Sri Lanka to brace for thunderstorm, heavy rains
Sri Lanka's Meteorology Department on Wednesday warned of severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in several parts of the island country in the coming days.
MeT Dept warns of hailstorms, snowfall in U'khand
The MeT Department Wednesday warned of hailstorms at isolated places in Uttarakhand and heavy snowfall in the hill areas of the state over the next 36 hours. Heavy to very heavy snowfall is likely to occur at places located at a height of 2500 metres and above, mainly in the mountainous districts of Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Bageshwar and Pithoragarh, MeT Office Director Vikram Singh said. This weather condition has been caused by movement of western disturbance over the western Himalayan region and formation of an induced system over north Rajasthan and neighbouring areas during the period, he said. Authorities here are advised to take precautionary measures to control the movement of commuters and tourists in the hills, especially on Thursday, he said. Commuters and tourists are also advised to co-ordinate closely with the authorities, Singh said.
Palghar:Agri Sena to hold protest against Bullet Train project
The Agri Sena Wednesday announced that it would block a section of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway in neighbouring Palghar district on February 8 in protest against the Bullet Train Project. The Agri Sena wields clout in some pockets in the coastal Thane, Raigad and Palghar districts of Maharashtra. The 'Agri' community members are mainly engaged in fishing and rice farming activities. The MumbaiAhmedabad high-speed rail corridor is an under-construction high-speed rail line connecting the country's commercial capital Mumbai with Ahmedabad in Gujarat. Sections of farmers in Thane and Palghar districts are opposing acquisition of their land by authorities for the project. "This project should be scrapped as it would adversely affect the landless and the project-affected farmers in the tribal belt," Agri Sena president Rajaram Salvi told reporters in a press conference. Listing out a number of "unfulfilled" demands, Salvi said thousands of people from villages in Palghar and .
Scientists discover flying squirrels that turn hot-pink
Squirrels are cute, and it turns out that one flying type of squirrel also turns pink. A new study reveals that scientists have discovered that the North American flying squirrel or Glaucomys turn pink at night.The study in the Journal of Mammology describes that these flying squirrels fluoresce at night. It was during an investigation led by Jon Martin, a professor in the forestry department at Wisconsin's Northland College, who was scanning his backyard with an ultraviolet flashlight to see which lichens, mosses and plants fluoresced, Cnet reported.The flying squirrel was spotted then, which glowed hot pink under the ultraviolet light. This led to further research leading to the discovery of all North American flying squirrel species fluoresced.It is unclear as to why these flying squirrels fluoresce, but researchers attribute it to the survival instinct. The bright night flashes may be to alert other squirrels as they glide through trees.
Gadkari launches highway projects in Odisha
Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari Wednesday launched three major highway projects entailing an investment of Rs 2,345 crore in Odisha, saying it will go a long way in ensuring speedy development in the state. The projects will considerably improve connectivity of mineral-rich Angul and Dhenkanal districts with the rest of Odisha, Gadkari said while laying the foundation stone for the projects here. The three national highway projects, with a total length 132 km, will cost Rs 2,345 crore. Gadkari was accompanied by Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. "The cooperation and assistance of the state government will be essential for proper implementation of a number of projects being taken up by the Centre for overall economic development of the region," Gadkari said. The projects for which the foundation stone were laid include four-laning of the 41.7-km Talcher-Kamakhyanagar section of NH 200/23 (new NH 53) at a cost of Rs 795.18 crore, 51.1-km Kamakhyanagar-Duburi section ..
Domestic Cement Consumption Around 235 KG Per Capita Against Global Average of 520 KG Per Capita
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu noted in a speech yesterday that cement consumption in India is still around 235 kg per capita against global average of 520 kg per capita, which shows significant potential for the growth of industry. The Commerce Minister highlighted that Government's focus on Housing for all by 2022, Make in India, World Class Cement Concrete Highways, Creation of 100 Smart cities, Dedicated Freight Corridors, Clean India Mission, Ultra Mega Power Projects, Connectivity improvement including Water Transport will bring required boost in infrastructure and housing sectors. The Minister also urged the cement industry to think of recycling of material used in production of cement.
Bet everything on electric: Inside VW's radical strategy shift
WOLFSBURG, Germany (Reuters) - If Volkswagen realises its ambition of becoming the global leader in electric cars, it will be thanks to a radical and risky bet born out of the biggest calamity in its history.
Climate change threatening underwater forests: Study
Climate change could lead to decline of underwater kelp forests by impacting their microbiome, according to a study. In humans, it has been observed that changes in the microbes in the gut can result in poor health, said researchers at the University of Sydney and the Sydney Institute of Marine Science in Australia. A similar process happens in kelp. Predicted ocean warming and acidification can change microbes on the kelp surface, leading to disease and potentially putting fisheries at risk, they said. Climate change is affecting biodiversity at a global scale. In the marine realm, ocean warming and acidification are pushing dominant habitat-forming species, such as corals and large seaweeds, into decline, affecting biodiversity. The study, published in the journal Proceedings of The Royal Society B, shows these two processes can cause changes in the microbiome on the surface of large brown seaweed leading to disease-like symptoms. Blistering, bleaching and eventually degradation of .
Saudi announces launch of first communications satellite
Saudi Arabia on Tuesday announced the launch of its first satellite for communications from the French Guiana Space Centre, Saudi Press Agency reported.
India successfully launches latest communication satellite GSAT-31
India's latest communication satellite GSAT-31 was successfully launched by European launch services provider- Arianespace rocket from French Guiana in the early hours of Wednesday. Blasting off from Ariane Launch Complex at Kourou, a French territory located in northeastern coast of South America at at 02:31 am (IST), the Ariane-5 vehicle injected GSAT-31 into the orbit in a flawless flight lasting about 42 minutes. "It gives me great pleasure on the successful launch of GSAT-31 spacecraft on board Ariane-5, this is the third mission for ISRO in 2019," Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) Director S Pandian said at Kourou soon after the launch. "Congratulation to Arianespace on the successful launch and precise injection of satellite into the orbit," he added. Arianespace CEO Stphane Isral tweeted: "2019 is off to a roaring start for #Arianespace! Flight #VA247, carrying Saudi Geostationary Satellite 1/Hellas Sat 4 and GSAT-31, is a confirmed
Telangana government reshuffles 200 officers in Forest Department
Telangana government on Tuesday reshuffled nearly 200 officers of the Forest Department.As per the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), on the orders of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, officers with a commitment to protecting forests and afforestation in forest areas have been given important positions."Recently the CM instructed to initiate steps for forest rejuvenation in forest lands with a slogan 'Jangil Bachavo-Jangil Badavo" (Save the forest and improve the forest). The Chief Minister made it very clear that the responsibility of saving the forest should be entrusted to officers with a commitment," read the statement issued by the CMO.Telangana Chief Minister Rao has also said that instead of most of the officers working at headquarters they should be moved to the field."With this about 200 officers from Chief Conservator, level to beat officers have been transferred. The CM approved and signed on concerned file on Tuesday. 21 officers who are working currently at the ..
Japanese firms ready to invest in Karnataka industrial township
Japanese firms are keen to invest in Karnataka's industrial township being developed in Tumakuru district, Japan's Ambassador to India Kenji Hiramatsu said on Tuesday.
HC asks TNPCB to study impact of Sterlite effluent on river
The Madras High Court Tuesday directed the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) to inspect the effluent of Sterlite plant and its impact on the Uppar river in Thoothukudi (Tuticorin). A division bench of the court's Madurai bench, comprising Justice N Kirubakaran and Justice S S Sundar, gave the direction to the chairman of the board while hearing a PIL alleging pollution caused by the copper smelter plant to the rivers and water bodies in the region. Also, the bench wanted the pollution board officials to find out ways to rectify the impact of pollution, if any, on the Uppar River. At least 13 people were killed and several injured on May 22 and May 23 when police had opened fire on a massive crowd protesting against environment pollution allegedly being caused by the plant. Following this, the state government had decided to shut down the unit. In December, the National Green Tribunal had set aside the government's order, calling it unsustainable. The state government filed a .
NTPC agrees not to regulate power supply to AP, Telangana, K'taka
Power producer NTPC has agreed not to regulate electricity supply to Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka over pending dues after assurance by distribution companies to clear the arrears soon, sources said. The state-run entity on January 30 had issued notices to various discoms in the three states for not clearing bills of more than Rs 4,200 crore pending for over 60 days. Notices were issued that power supply would be regulated from February 6 until the dues for over 60 days are cleared. The dues from the three parties were Rs 5,838.04 crore and the amount overdue by 60 days was Rs 4,228.39 crore. However, the issue has been resolved after getting a satisfactory reply from discoms, the sources told PTI. Chairman and managing director of Transmission Corporation of Andhra Pradesh Limited K Vijayanand said they were in the process of raising some funds through bonds and once that is done pending bills would be cleared. Chairman and managing director of TS-Transco and Genco D ...
Delhi contributes 79 per cent to Yamuna pollution, Haryana tells HC
Delhi contributes 79 per cent of pollution load in the Yamuna river, Haryana government told the Delhi High Court on Tuesday.
Adani Green Energy arm bags 390 MWac hybrid renewable project
Adani Green Energy on Tuesday said its arm Mahoba Solar (UP) Private Ltd has bagged a 390 MWac capacity hybrid renewable energy project. The Solar Energy Corporation of India had floated the tender for the project. The project is expected to have a solar generation capacity of 360 MWac and wind generation capacity of 100 MWac, it said in a BSE filing. With this order, Adani Green Energy's portfolio of renewable generation capacity in India stands at 4.16 GWac with 1.97 GWac operational projects and the rest 2.19 GWac in development stage. The company's another arm Adani Renewable Energy (KA) Ltd commissioned 12 MWac wind power project on February 4 in Gujarat, it said.
India, Monaco to enhance cooperation in climate change, renewable energy
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held talks with Monaco's ruler, Prince Albert II, with the two exchanging views on enhancing cooperation, especially in environment and climate change and renewable energy.
Finance panel to visit Telangana
: The N K Singh headed 15thFinance Commission will be in Telangana on a three-day visit from February, an official release said Tuesday. The commission members will meet stakeholders of rural local bodies, urban local bodies, members of trade and industry on February 18 and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and senior officials of various departments on February 20, an official release said. Telangana Principal Finance Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao convened a meeting with other senior officials on the proposals to be submitted and issues to be raised during the Commission meeting. All the departments of the state should prepare reports to be submitted to the 15thFinance Commission, the official said. The members will undertake a filed visit after meeting some of the economic experts on the next day.
200 forest dept officials shifted in Telengana
In a major reshuffle in the forest department, the Telangana Government Tuesday transferred around 200 officials. Officers with good record and name in protecting the forests have been appointed at important places," a release from the office of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said. Rao made it very clear that the responsibility of saving the forest should be entrusted to officers with commitment. Around 200 officers from the Chief Conservator level to beat officers have been transferred, it said. As many as 21 officers who are working currently at district level as Chief Conservators, Conservators and DFOs have been entrusted with the responsibility of the districts, it added.
Centre neglected backward areas of Odisha: Patnaik
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday held a public meeting in Nabarangpur and attacked the Centre over alleged negligence of backward areas of the state, even as Congress activists tried to disrupt his rally, demanding jobs for local youths. Patnaik's meeting comes a day ahead of Congress president Rahul Gandhi's visit to adjacent Kalahandi district. The Congress president is set to address a public meeting on Wednesday at Bhawanipatna, the district headquarters of Kalahandi. Over 100 activists of the grand old party were detained by the police Tuesday as they tried to enter the rally venue, seeking jobs for local youths, police said. Kalahandi-Bolangir-Koraput (KBK) region, spread across southern and western regions of Odisha, is among the most backward areas in the country. The CM inaugurated several development projects in Koraput and Nabarangpur districts and tom-tomed his government's achievements in the less-developed areas. Attacking the BJP-led NDA ...