Page 238 - Environment

Untrained forest staff, delayed compensation behind rise in leopard poaching: Experts

Untrained forest officials and delayed compensation to victims of big cat attacks are some of the reasons for the steep rise of 40 per cent rise in leopard poaching cases last year in comparison to 2017, wildlife experts say. Terming leopard poaching cases as "revenge killing", an official of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) said man-animal conflict was the primary reason which the government needs to address swiftly. The NTCA is the statutory body under the Ministry of Environment with an overarching supervisory role as provided in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. According to data given by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change during the winter session of Parliament, 260 leopards were poached between 2015 and 2018 with 66 big cats falling prey in 2018 alone. The number of poaching incidents was 47 in 2017. "Humans poach leopards in retaliation to attacks on their livestock and the tedious process of compensating for their loss make them take law

Chhattisgarh watershed project promises better income for small farmers

Eyeing economic gains through ecological work, non-profit organisation Pradan, along with Chhattisgarh government, has launched a watershed project in the state to enhance the income of 1 lakh small and marginal farmers, of whom over 40 per cent belong to Scheduled Tribes. A watershed is a chunk of a land that drains out at a common point. The watershed development approach takes a comprehensive account of the people, land, water and forest resources in that area and makes planned interventions. According to Pradan, the watershed project in the state will lead to year-round food security for about 76 per cent of the families and an increase in earning in the range of Rs 15,000-25,000 per annum. For the project, a consortium of 13 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) will facilitate land and water treatment measures in 26 blocks of 12 districts in Chhattisgarh, that will lead to improvement in the cropping intensity in about 3,50,000 hectare of land. The project was launched in ...

Ladakhi tribe known for liberal customs struggling to preserve cultural legacy

A tribe of Jammu and Kashmir's Ladakh region known for its liberal customs and ornate costumes is struggling to keep its vibrant cultural legacy alive and has requested the central government to make serious interventions. The rich heritage of the Dard Aryans -- believed to be the original descendants of "pure Aryan race" -- is under threat due to rapid mordenisation, migration and religious conversion, experts say. The Dard Aryans inhabit Dha, Hanu, Beema, Darchik and Garkone villages in Leh and Kargil districts. The villages are together called the Aryan valley. The people of this region are completely different from those in other parts of Ladakh. They have unique physical features, social life, ethnic culture, and language. They consume the milk and meat of goat and sheep only and follow the solar calendar for festivals and agricultural activities, the experts say. Many researchers believe that the "Aryans of Ladakh" or the "Brokpas" were part of Alexander's army and had come to .

Gadkari to inaugurate first inter-state bridge in J-K on Jan 22

Union minister Nitin Gadkari will inaugurate the 1.2 km-long Keediyan-Gandiyal bridge on the Ravi river in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir on January 22, officials said Sunday. The inter-state bridge was built at a cost of nearly Rs 150 crore in a span of three and a half years linking secluded areas of Kathua district with Punjab, the officials said. They said the bridge would strengthen the inter-state connectivity besides giving a boost to the social as well as economical development of the people living in the adjoining areas. Advisor to Governor Kewal Kumar Sharma visited the bridge site on Saturday and inspected the arrangements being made for the inaugural event, the officials said. With its commissioning, they said the 60-year pending demand for the bridge will be fulfilled. The travel distance between the two inter-state destinations of Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab will get shortened and at the same time, it will also reduce traffic on the Jammu-Kathua-Pathankot National

'Shocked' over irregularities in Delhi zoo, CZA blames environment ministry for 'no action'

The Central Zoo Authority (CZA), the statutory authority to regulate zoos across the country, has blamed the Environment Ministry for not acting on those responsible for "shocking" irregularities in Delhi zoo, according to official documents. In an affidavit filed on January 8 before the Delhi High Court, it said that certain officers of the zoo, who had pointed out the irregularities, appear to have been harassed as they were dragged as accused in the said illegalities raised by them only. "The recent happenings in the national zoological park (also known as Delhi zoo), as has come to the knowledge of the Central Zoo Authority, is shocking and it is not imaginable and acceptable in any zoo in the country, not to think of it in wild dream, also it should be happening in the national zoo of the country, which is identified as national centre of excellence," CZA said in the affidavit. The affidavit was filed in response to a public interest litigation moved by green activist Ajay Dubey,

RINL unit to start production of forged wheels soon

Production of forged wheels at RINL unit in Rae Bareli will begin soon, Union Steel Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh has said. The expected date of commissioning was September 2019, according to a steel ministry official. "Production will begin maximum within one and a half months at the RINL plant in Rae Bareli (Uttar Pradesh)," Singh said. The production capacity of the plant is 1 lakh pieces of forged wheels per annum. The capacity will be expanded to two lakh pieces per annum, the official noted. Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), the corporate entity of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, is a Navaratna PSE under the steel ministry. Visakhapatnam Steel Plant is also known as Vizag steel. It is the first shore-based integrated steel plant in the country.

Researchers turn carbon emissions into usable energy

A team of researchers has developed a system that produces electricity and hydrogen while eliminating carbon dioxide (CO2), which is the main contributor of global warming.

State-of-the-art milk processing unit inaugurated in Bihar

Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi have jointly inaugurated in East Champaran district a state-of-the-art milk processing plant, which is set to offer "fair and competitive prices" to farmers. The new Mother Dairy unit, a first in the state, is spread over 4.5 acres at Math Banwari village in Kotwa block of the district and has the processing capacity of one lakh litres of milk per day. "Farmers supplying milk to the Mother Dairy plant will get better price in comparison to those who supply their produce elsewhere," Singh said after inaugurating the plant on Saturday. The Narendra Modi-led government is "committed to work for the development of marginal farmers", he said. The pace of development projects has been accelerated under the Modi government, the minister said, adding that free LPG connections and health insurance cover were being provided to the poor across the country by the Centre. Speaking on the ...

Toxic air leaves Delhiites gasping for breath

Air quality in the national capital nosedived to 'very poor' on Sunday morning and is likely get worse in the next couple of days.According to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) data, the air quality of Delhi showed levels of prominent pollutants PM (particulate matter) 10 at 369, which is considered as 'very poor'.An AQI between the range of 51 to 100 is considered as satisfactory, 101-200 is moderate, 201-300 falls under the poor category, whereas 401-500 range is severe.The organisation has advised the people residing in Delhi to avoid all physical activities outdoors and warned asthmatics to keep relief medicines handy. "Stop any activity level if you experience any usual coughing, chest discomfort, wheezing, breathing difficulty, or fatigue," it added.In November last year, SAFAR had conducted a study which revealed that 41 per cent of the pollution in Delhi was caused by the transport sector. It had also stated that "after transport, wind-blown ...

Russian military monitors US missile destroyer in Black Sea

Russia's Black Sea fleet is closely monitoring a US missile destroyer in the sea, the Russian National Defense Control Center has said.

No liquor sale in Rajasthan after 8 p.m

Rajasthan Chief Minster Ashok Gehlot on Saturday issued a strict order to the officials to stop sale of liquor after 8 p.m at all shops in the state.

CM's nod for paying compensation to farmers for project canals

TelanganaChief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao Saturday asked officials to immediately pay compensation to farmers who lost their land in the construction of canals of the Kaleswaram irrigation project. TRS MLA G Vittal Reddy requested Rao for sanctioning compensation for the farmers of Mudhole constituency. Rao responded positively and instructed finance department officials to issue orders pertaining to the payment of compensation, an official release said. Kaleswaram is a major irrigation project being built by the Telangana government on the Godavari.

Ghaziabad facing solid waste dumping problem

With the authorities throwing up their hands, the Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation (GMC) facing an acute problem of solid waste being dumped in the city and its garbage trucks being overloaded.

Ajay, Kajol support initiative to turn plastic 'fantastic'

Actors Ajay Devgan and Kajol on Saturday urged people to segregate plastic from daily garbage in a way that it can be utilised to make a recycled product.

Panther found dead in Rajasthan

A male panther was found dead near a village here on Saturday. The carcass of the panther, aged around one year, was found in the forest area near Jaisinghpura Khor village, officials said. Exact cause of the death will be clear after the post-mortem, Sudarshan Sharma, deputy conservator of forest (wildlife) at the Jaipur Zoo said. The carcass was disposed off in the presence of the officials from forest, the district administration and local police.

Tiger mauls man to death in Shahjahanpur

A 35-year-old man was killed by a tiger in the jungles here, officials said Satrday. "Shiv Kumar went to attend nature's call in the open when a tiger attacked and dragged him into the forest. His body was recovered today morning," SDO Puvayan, Mahendra Nath Singh said. The body was sent for post-mortem examination, the SDO said.

Scientists finally know how long a day is on Saturn: 10:23:38

NASA's Cassini spacecraft has revealed that a day on Saturn is just over 10 and-a-half-hours-long, a finding that solved a long-standing mystery of solar system science.

Meghalaya issues modified coal transportation order

The Meghalaya government has issued a modified order allowing transportation of coal in transit through the state, before a Supreme Court hearing on the issue, an official said on Saturday.

Ajay, Kajol urge people to recycle, reuse plastic

Bollywood power couple Ajay Devgn and Kajol on Saturday urged people to recycle and reuse plastic. The duo inaugurated the on-ground leg of 'Start A Little Good' campaign and launched 'Plastic Banega Fantastic' drive at Mahim creek here. "My heart breaks to see how plastic is littered on beaches, streets, etc. I believe in doing good for a better tomorrow. Though there is a change but the fact is things are getting worse. It's been said that by 2050 we will have more plastic than fish in our sea and we need to do something about it. "It is about segregating plastic. It is a small thing. If we do it then plastic will be recycled and reused," Kajol told reporters here at the event. Ajay part said everyone needs to do their bit for a better future. "We have to act responsibly. If we speak about it some people might listen to it and some might change their thinking and act upon it as well," he said. The initiative 'Plastic Banega Fantastic' by Hindustan Unilever marks the beginning of ...

Goa govt willing to promote integrated farming: Sardesai

Goa Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai Saturday said the state government was willing to formulate a special scheme to promote the concept of integrated farming here. He was addressing a paddy farmers' meet organised by NABARD and Indian Centre for Agricultural Research on 'popularising good post-harvest management practices for field crops of Goa'. "If you start an integrated farming project, then we are ready to design a separate scheme to support it along with NABARD and ICAR. If any farmers' club comes forward, we can help it under community farming or any other scheme," the minister said. "The integrated farming concept will have fisheries, poultry, dairy and agriculture together in one project," he said, adding that the ICAR had developed an integrated farming model which can be followed by the farmers. He said the Centre's plan to double farm income by 2022 will need reduction in post-harvest losses as well as value addition by way of better varieties of ...