Page 210 - Environment
Prabhu pitches for improving energy efficiency, quality standards in cement industry
Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu Tuesday pitched for improving energy efficiency, environmental excellence and quality standards in the Indian cement industry. He said per-capita cement consumption in India is still around 235 kg, against global average of 520 kg, which shows significant growth potential for the sector. Housing for all by 2022, creation of 100 smart cities, dedicated freight corridors, clean India mission and ultra mega power projects will boost growth of the sector, he added. The minister also urged the cement industry to think of recycling of material used in the production. Prabhu said this while releasing a compendium on 'The Cement Industry India 2018' here. The compendium has been prepared by the National Council for Cement and Building Materials (NCCBM), in association with cement section of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). "It contains key information about technology development, challenges and opportunities ...
NTPC to curtail power supply to Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra from midnight for payment default
State-run power giant NTPC will regulate power supply to Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh from Tuesday midnight for not clearing dues outstanding for over 60 days from issue of bills to discoms of these states. According to three separate notices issued to the power distribution companies (discoms), as much as Rs 4,138.39 crore is due for over 60 days and as per the power regulator CERC's guidelines, the generators can serve notice for regulation of power to defaulters. In the notices, the NTPC has asked to pay the total amount. These dues include bills pending for supply of solar as well as thermal power by NTPC. NTPC has cited the CERC guidelines on regulation of power supply. It said: "In case of outstanding dues or in case the required letter of credit or any other agreed payment security mechanism is not maintained as per the agreement, the generating company may serve a notice for regulation of power supply on the defaulting entity, for reducing the drawl schedule." NTPC has
Gopal Rai meets farmers on implementing Swaminathan Committee Report
Development and Irrigation Minister Gopal Rai Tuesday held a meeting with farmers in outer Delhi's Narela area for devising a mechanism to implement MSP for crops on the basis of recommendations of the Swaminathan Committee Report. According to an official statement, the meeting was attended by senior government officers, farm experts and farmers from nearby villages. Rai would meet Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh on Wednesday on implementation of the Swaminathan Committee's recommendations. The statement said Rai has ordered formation of a committee comprising farmers, officers and sought its report within seven days. Rai will also hold another meeting with farmers in outer Delhi's Najafgarah, dominated by farm areas, on February 7. On January 29, the government had organised a meeting to devise a mechanism to implement the minimum support price as per the recommendations of the Swaminathan Committee Report. Higher wages, input costs, transport charges and cost of other .
One confrontational incident reported with Sentinelese tribe in 10 years: Govt
In the past 10 years, only one confrontational incident has occurred with the Sentinelese in the Andaman and Nicobar islands, where a total population of 50 of the community live, Lok Sabha was informed Tuesday. In response to a question, Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Gangaram Ahir also said that during past 10 years, 19 confrontational incidents have been reported with Jarawas in the region. The Jarawa tribe has a population of 514 as per latest census. "The Sentinelese are still in isolation practicing primordial hunting and gathering way of life. The government respects their way of lifestyle, therefore, has adopted an 'eyes-on and hands-off' practice to protect and safeguard the Sentinelese tribe," he said. The entire North Sentinel Island along with 5 km coastal sea from high water mark is notified as tribal reserve, the minister said. "Apart from the land territory the coastal sea up to fixed extent of 1 Km to 5 Km abutting the tribal territory has also been ...
Haryana concerned over pollution in Yamuna by Delhi
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal has expressed concern over the release of highly polluted water into the Yamuna river and the Gurugram canal by Delhi.
Khattar writes to Kerjiwal, expresses concern over release of 'polluted' water into Yamuna
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday wrote to his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal expressing serious concern over the release of "highly polluted" water into the Yamuna river and Gurugram canal. He urged Kejriwal to direct all the departments concerned of Delhi government to ensure that no untreated or partially treated effluent is released into the river and the canal. In the letter, Khattar said Yamuna enters Delhi at Palla in Sonipat district and then again near Okhla Head in Basantpur village in Faridabad district. It travels at a stretch of 52 kms in the NCT of Delhi. "During this course, more than 60 drains having partially treated or untreated effluent of industrial or domestic sources, outfall into it. This causes severe pollution of the river before its re-entry into Haryana," he wrote in the letter. According to an official release, Khattar highlighted that Bio-chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) in the river at Basantpur village during July-December, 2018 has ...
India, Monaco resolve to fight climate change, step up trade and investment
India and Monaco on Tuesday vowed to deepen ties in trade and investment, as well as collaborate on combating climate change, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with Monaco's reigning monarch Prince Albert II. The head of state of Monaco, who arrived here on Monday, also held talks with President Ram Nath Kovind, who said the visit imparts a strong impetus towards taking the relationship to newer heights. After the talks, it was announced that diplomatic visa waiver will be granted to Monaco for visiting India and officials from both sides will be working to finalise this agreement, a joint press communique on Prince Albert's visit said. "Economic and technical cooperation are important facets of our existing bilateral relations. It was agreed that India's rapid economic growth offers an enhanced investment opportunity for companies from Monaco in various sectors. There is also scope for business cooperation," the statement said. During the discussions, it was .
NTPC resolves issue over payment dues from discoms in 3 states
: Power producer NTPC Limitedhas sorted out issue over payment dues with various discoms of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, sources said Tuesday Also, the NTPC said it would not regulate power supply as it had indicated in its notice earlier, the sources said. The dues from the three parties were Rs 5,838.04 crore and the amount overdue by 60 days was Rs 4228.39 crore. The power producer had, on January 30, issued notices to the discoms saying it would regulate the supply to various power utilities of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka from February 6 for not clearing bills pending for over 60 days. Notices have been issued that power supply would be regulated until the dues for over 60 days. However, the issue has been resolved after getting a satisfactory reply from them, the sources told PTI. According to the notices issued by the public sector undertaking, the discoms in Telangana owe Rs 2152. 92 crore of which Rs 1,356.06 crore was overdue by 60 ...
Anti-mining stir: Govt alleges 'external forces' interference
As the mass agitation against mineral sand mining in the coastal hamlet of Alappad is set to enter the 100th day this week, Kerala Industries minister E P Jayarajan Tuesday flayed protesters and alleged interference by "external forces" in the anti-mining stir. Extending support to mineral sand mining, he said mineral sand for Kerala is what petrol is like to Gulf countries and the LDF's stand was to mine it without causing harm to the environment. While replying to a notice for adjournment motion moved by the opposition UDF over the issue in the state assembly, Jayarajan said he failed to understand why the agitators were protesting against an industry which had provided jobs to thousands of people. The minister also rejected the protesters' claim that Alappad in Kollam district was 'disappearing' from the map due to mining activities by the Indian Rare Earth (IRE), a central Public Sector Undertaking, and state government-owned Kerala Minerals and Metals Limited ...
Indian communication satellite GSAT-31 set for launch on Wednesday
All is set for the launch of India's 40th communication satellite GSAT-31 early on Wednesday by an Ariane 5 rocket belonging to Arianespace, said the European space agency.
Climate change, renewable energy priorities in India-Monaco ties: President
India and Monaco can further augment their ties by focusing on areas such as environment and climate change and renewable energy where they have a "strong meeting of minds", President Ram Nath Kovind said on Tuesday.
Punjab govt sets up committee to boost dairy sector
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh Tuesday announced setting up a high-powered committee to boost dairy sector for supplementing farmers' income in a result-oriented manner. During a meeting to review the progress of various development projects and schemes related to animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries, the chief minister asked additional chief secretary of animal husbandry department to complete the formalities for setting up the committee, an official statement said. The committee will consist of the Chairman of the State Farmers Commission, Director Animal Husbandry, Director Dairy Development and a representative of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU). It will suggest measures to promote diversification of agriculture with an aim of enhancing farmers' income from allied sources, the statement said. Amarinder asked the chairman of the State Farmers Commission, Ajay Vir Jakhar, to engage the services of Israeli dairy farming expert Yehuda ...
Trump picks former energy lobbyist to be next Interior Dept secy
United States President Donald Trump has picked David Bernhardt, a former energy lobbyist, to be the Interior Department's next secretary."I am pleased to announce that David Bernhardt, Acting Secretary of the Interior, will be nominated as Secretary of the Interior," Trump tweeted on Monday."David has done a fantastic job from the day he arrived, and we look forward to having his nomination officially confirmed!" he said.Trump will have to send Bernhardt's nomination to the Senate, where a majority of senators will have to approve him."It's a humbling privilege to be nominated to lead a department whose mission I love, to accomplish the balanced, common sense vision of our President," Bernhardt said in a statement Monday.Bernhardt will lead an agency that oversees about 500 million acres as well as the energy production on that land.He became the agency's deputy secretary in 2017 and has led the department on an interim basis since former Secretary Ryan Zinke resigned amid ethics ...
Spectrum Metro gets clearance from National Green Tribunal
Spectrum Metro, a high street retail development in Sector 75 gets a green signal from NGT. The project is in the advanced stage of construction and is being carried out in accordance with the Environment Clearance.The application for Environment Clearance was duly made on 11.02.2018. After following due procedure, EC was granted on 11.06.2018.On 8.10.2018, the Tribunal asked for a report from the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), to which it stated that the construction of the project was completed in the end of 2017 before filing an application on Environment Clearance. In affect to the statement, a compliance report has been furnished recently by email on 22.12.2018 presenting that the project had yet not been completed.The project is centrally located with excellent social and civic infrastructure and is expected to cater to a footfall of almost 8 lakh people with over 100 plus international brands present. The entire project is a green building development ...
US national pays over $1 lakh to hunt Pak's national animal
An American has hunted Pakistan's national animal and rare wildlife species markhor after paying a record USD 110,000 permit fee during a trophy hunting season in the country's northern Gilgit-Baltistan region. Markhor, a distinctive species of wild goat identified by its long hair and spiralled horns, is a protected species in Pakistan unless permitted by the government to kill it under trophy hunting programmes. US national Bryan Kinsel Harlan hunted the highest-priced, flared-horned animal Monday from the Sassi-Harmosh community conservation area in Sassi village of Gilgit, Dawn news reported. According to the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) wildlife department, Harlan paid a whopping USD 110,000 for hunting the rare wildlife species in the region under a conservation programme. This is the highest permit fee ever paid in the country. The foreign hunter managed to hunt the 41-inch markhor trophy, which is considered a good-sized trophy, the report said. "It was an easy and close shot and I ..
India, Moncaco should prioritise renewable energy, climate change for mutual benefit: Prez
Asserting that India-Monaco ties are doing well, President Ram Nath Kovind Tuesday said the two nations need to prioritise areas like renewable energy and climate change for mutual benefit, according to an official statement. Welcoming Prince Albert II of Monaco, who had called on Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President said that India and Monaco have always enjoyed a relationship of trust, friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation. The current visit imparts a strong impetus towards taking the relationship to newer heights, he said. The President said that India-Monaco ties are doing well. "However, there is scope to do a lot more together. On issues such as renewable energy, climate change and the environment, there is a strong meeting of minds between us. We must prioritise these areas for bilateral cooperation," Kovind was quoted as having said in the statement issued by his office. The President said India is the fastest growing major economy in the world. "Monaco's ...
Monaco's tech companies can tie up with India: President
Monaco's technology and investment companies can significantly benefit from the Indian growth story, President Ram Nath Kovind said on Tuesday, when Prince Albert II of Monaco called on him at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
3-day agriculture, cattle festival near Pollachi from Feb 8
Over 1,000 head of cattle and livestock would be on show at the three-day agriculture and cattle festival to be held near Pollachi, about 45 kms from here, from February 8. Almost all the 37 breeds of bulls and cows, including the traditional Kangeyam bull from this region, from across the country would be on display at the 5th edition of festival titled 'Kongunadu Naatu Velan and Kalnadai Thiruvizha' (Kongu Region Agriculture and Animal Festival), the coordinator of Vanavarayan Foundation Vellingiri told reporters here Tuesday. Besides bulls and cows, over 200 hen and roosters, buffaloes, horses and dogs would participate in the festival which would emphasise on preserving Konguland's (Western Tamil Nadu) ancient culture of rearing cattle for the future, and spread awareness on the technological advancements in agriculture, he said. The event has a model integrated farm for the benefit of the farmers in and around Pollachi, whose main cultivation is coconut, he ...
India's April-December rice exports drop 10 percent, pulses surge
MUMBAI (Reuters) - India's rice exports between April and December dropped 10.2 percent from a year earlier to 8.46 million tonnes, as leading buyer Bangladesh trimmed purchases due to a bumper local harvest, a government body said.
Gadkari to lay foundation stone for Rs 2,345 cr highway projects in Odisha on Wednesday
Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari will Wednesday lay foundation stone for three highway projects, entailing an investment of Rs 2,345 crore, in Odisha. The projects will ensure better connectivity of the mineral-rich Angul and Dhenkanal districts of Odisha with the rest of the state, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said in a statement Tuesday. Gadkari will be in Kamakhyanagar in Dhenkanal district of Odisha on Wednesday to do Bhoomi Pujan for three national highway projects of total length 132 km, worth Rs 2,345 crore, it said. The minister will be accompanied by Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The projects for which the foundation stone will be 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, the 51.1-km Kamakhyanagar-Duburi section of NH 200 (new NH 53 ) at a cost of Rs 761.11 crore and 39.4-km Duburi-Chandikhole section of NH 200 (new NH 53) at a cost of Rs 789.23 crore. The ...