Page 244 - Environment
SRBC announces world's first commercial flight using sustainable fuel on Etihad Airways
The Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium (SBRC) on Wednesday announced the world's first commercial flight using locally produced sustainable fuel on an Etihad Airways Boeing 787 powered by GE's GEnx-1B engines.A non-profit entity established by Masdar Institute that is part of Khalifa University of Science and Technology, SBRC stated that the flight from Abu Dhabi to Amsterdam marked a major milestone in the development of clean and alternative aviation fuel to reduce carbon emissions. The initiative also addresses food security in the UAE through the farming of seafood as a core element in the process.The SBRC partners have been working together to prove the concept of a comprehensive value chain that is centred around the Seawater Energy and Agriculture System (SEAS). This is a synergistic industrial platform that supports the aviation sector, the oil and gas industry, food production and the creation of a new agricultural alternative in the UAE.Minister of Climate Change and .
Plastics, consumer goods makers in $1.5 billion pledge to rein in waste
FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Global companies including BASF, DowDuPont, Procter & Gamble and SABIC have formed an alliance to fight plastic waste, pledging to spend $1.5 billion over the next five years.
Issue of climate change already covered, says NGT
Climate change is certainly a matter already covered in the environmental impact assessment, the NGT said on Wednesday as it disposed of a 9-year-old girl's petition alleging inaction by the Centre to mitigate the adverse impact of climate change.
NGT orders audit of all state pollution control boards
Expressing concern over its functioning, the National Green Tribunal on Wednesday directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to conduct within six months a performance audit of all the state pollution control boards and committees.
Firms told to cover construction areas to prevent pollution:
West Bengal Environment minister Suvendu Adhikary Wednesday said construction firms and agencies have been asked to cover construction areas to prevent dust particles from spreading in the air in the city and surrounding areas. The dust generated during construction of buildings was the principal reason for particualate matter hanging on air during November to March, he said. Adhikary told a press meet that only three parameters of environment - PM 10 (particulate matter), PM 2.5 (particulate matter) and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) - remained non-compliant while nine other parameters were compliant in the city and surrounding areas. The nine compliant parameters included SO2, Ozone, CO, Ammonia, Benzene, Lead, Arsenic and Nickel, he said. The minister said a three-pronged action plan has been launched to address the issue. As the first step the department, in collaboration with West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB), would monitor the construction activity of buildings .
Adult blue bull antelope rescued from residential area in South Delhi: Wildlife SOS
An adult blue bull antelope (nilgai) was rescued from a residential area of South Delhi after a three hour-long operation, Wildlife SOS said. The animal had strayed into a residential area park and apparently caused panic amongst the public, a statement by the Wildlife SOS said. The onlookers informed the Forest Department which requested assistance from Wildlife SOS for ensuring the animals safe release. The nilgai was reported to have been occasionally sighted before, as the park is situated adjacent to Sanjay Van. A four-member team from the Wildlife SOS Rapid Response Team, accompanied by three forest officials and a veterinary doctor from the Delhi Zoo, carried out the rescue operation. The antelope was lightly sedated by the zoo veterinarian to reduce stress during restraining and transportation. It was then secured and restrained with a safety rope to prevent it from hurting itself, the statement said. Following a veterinary examination, the nilgai was certified fit for release
Noida to get IT-enabled traffic signals that swap colour to ease vehicular movement
To save people's time and decongest roads in Noida, authorities in the city will install a system which will swap traffic lights on the basis of real-time data at any intersection, officials said Wednesday. Pinning hopes on machine learning to resolve city's road traffic woes, the Noida Authority Wednesday partnered with two private firms for using the "cutting edge" technology which will also help cut down pollution remarkably, they said. The 'Adaptive Traffic Signal System' will swap lights on the basis of real-time data at any intersection, the officials said. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the NOIDA Authority and IT firms Candor Techspace and Junckit Systems LLP for deployment of Adaptive Traffic Signal System. The agreement was signed in the presence of Noida Authority Chairman and CEO Alok Tandon, CEO Junckit systems LLP Shantanu Sharma and CEO and MD Candor Techspace Alok Agarwal. A pilot project for this system would be launched on three corridors in ...
WB to allot 75 acre to Britannia, others in industrial parks
The West Bengal Cabinet on Wednesday gave its nod to allot around 75 acre land to Britannia Industries Ltd and eight other companies in different industrial parks in the state. The biscuit major is likely to invest Rs 300 crore in the state, West Bengal Education Minister Partha Chatterjee told reporters at the state secretariat here. "The state standing committee on industry, infrastructure and employment has decided to allot 75.35 acre of land and 5068.18 sqft...," Chatterjee said. Allotment will be made at industrial parks under the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation, he added.
Funds sanctioned for development of habitats of 2 endangered
The Maharashtra government Wednesday sanctioned Rs 2.05 crore for the development of habitats of two bird species, which are feared to be on the verge of extinction. A government resolution issued by the environment ministry said the funds will be used for "integrated development of wildlife habitats" for the Great Indian Bustards and Lesser Floricans. The population of these birds who live in the grasslands is declining alarmingly. The GR stated that 60 per cent of the funds will come from the Centre while the rest will be provided by the Maharashtra government. Kedar Gore, director of The Corbett Foundation, said, "The Wildlife Institute of India's survey on GIB was quite disappointing as they could not visibly confirm the presence of the bird. But the habitat should be protected because GIB and Lesser Floricans are migratory birds. "There is also a need to set up conservation breeding centres so that we can increase these birds' populations," he said.
Being a himalayan state, U'khand's responsibility towards environment more than other states: CM
Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat Wednesday said since Uttarakhand is a himalayan state, its responsibility towards environment conservation was bigger than others, and asked the newly elected representatives of urban civic bodies to accord top priority to cleanliness. Addressing an orientation workshop for urban civic body representatives here, he said, "Being a Himalayan state, the responsibility of Uttarakhand is more towards the environment." "Cleanliness should be our priority. Most of our civic bodies are located on the banks of rivers. Therefore, their responsibility towards cleanliness and protection of the rivers increases." About the installation of a 'kill waste' machine, recognised by the DRDO and the Central Pollution Control Board, in Doiwala Nagar Palika, he said the state government will provide 50 per cent grant on installation of this machine by all urban civic bodies in Uttarakhand. The 'kill waste' machine burns out all kinds of garbage quickly, causing no ...
KoPT "shocked" as WB govt decides to go solo for Tajpur port
The Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) on Wednesday termed as "shocking" the West Bengal government's announcement to develop the Tajpur deep sea port on its own, saying the techno-economic feasibility report for the project was already underway. The state government had a 26:74 share with KoPT in the project in West Midnapore district. "It is shocking. Ms Howe Engineering has already submitted the inception report, the hydrological and geological testing has also been conducted. The techno-economic feasibility report is expected soon," KoPT sources told PTI. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said the state will develop the Tajpur deep sea port on its own, as the Centre did "nothing" to start work on the project in the past three years. The KoPT sources, however, declined to acknowledge the delay as alleged by the state government. Change of the site of the port from Sagar Island to Tajpur has caused some delay, as all the processes had to be carried out from scratch, .
Aviation sector to be growth engine for development: Rao
Maharashtra Governor Vidyasagar Rao Wednesdaysaid the aviation sector is going to be the growth engine for future progress and development. Speaking at the valedictory sessionof the two-day Global Aviation Summit here, he said the global aviation industry is ushering in an era of rapid expansion. "The civil aviation ministry anticipates that in the next two decades, air passenger traffic in India will grow to 1.12 billion passengers per year from the current 187 million passengers. "Needless to say, this will open up tremendous opportunities for investment in infrastructure development and upgradation in the years to come. The industry will also require a large pool of skilled manpower," Rao said. The key sector is going to be the growth engine for future progress and development, he said. He noted that tourism and aviation industries can complement each other and create numerous opportunities for employment and income generation for people. The governor emphasised the ...
97 bovines rescued from clutches of animal smugglers: Police
The police has rescued 97 bovines from the clutches of animal smugglers at Sithio near here, a police officer said Wednesday. The police intercepted three trucks carrying cows and oxen on Tuesday while the cattle smugglers were taking them, the officer said. However, the cattle smugglers managed to escape, he said, adding that the cattle have been kept at a ground near Dhurwa and being given fodder and water.
Elephant found dead with tusks removed
An elephant was found dead near a railway crossing in Latehar district with its tusks being removed, Forest officials said Wednesday. In a report filed with the local police station, Chhipadohar Forest Ranger Ashok Kumar said the elephant died in unnatural circumstances on Tuesday and its tusks had been cut off, the officials said. The official said that the exact reason behind the death of the jumbo could be ascertained after post mortem report. After getting information about the death of the elephant, senior forest officials reached the spot and post mortem was done, they said.
J-K guv directed officials to expedite dredging of critically silted areas of Wular Lake
Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik reviewed the progress of conservation and eco-restoration of the Wular lake on Wednesday and directed officials to expedite dredging of the critically silted areas for enhancing water-holding capacity and rejuvenation of the lake. In a meeting with the Wular Conservation and Management Authority (WUCMA) at the Raj Bhawan here, the governor observed that the Wular lake, one of the largest fresh water lakes in Asia and a declared Ramsar site, is a lifeline of Kashmir and critical for conservation of bio-diversity. A Ramsar site is a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention of 1971 on wetlands. Malik directed the WUCMA to make all possible efforts for promoting eco-tourism and generate livelihood opportunities from the lake according to its Comprehensive Management Action Plan (CMAP). He also directed the officials to initiate time-bound action for water management of the Wular Lake and its associated wetlands, as it ...
Delhi air turns 'very poor' as wind slows down
The air quality of Delhi and adjoining areas on Wednesday again slipped into "very poor" zone and the experts say it will continue to remain so for at least next three days.
HP govt approves Rs 7,100 cr annual plan for FY20
The Himachal Pradesh Planning Department Wednesday approved the annual plan of Rs 7,100 crore for 2019-20, an official spokesperson said. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur here. The annual plan for 2019-20 has been increased by Rs 800 crore from last year's annual plan of Rs 6,300 crore, thereby, registering an increase of 12.70 percent, he said. Social services sector, transport and communication, agriculture and allied activities, energy, and irrigation and flood control have been given added priority in the annual plan, he added. An outlay of Rs 3,048.15 crore has been proposed for social service sector which is 42.93 percent of the total outlay, the chief minister said. The funds allocated for education and health sector would help in improving the human development indicators and making the growth process in the state more inclusive. Thakur said the transport and communication sectors are being given the second priority with proposed ...
World's permafrost gets warmer; Siberia rises the most
Scientists say the world's permafrost is getting warmer, with temperatures increasing by an average of 0.3 degrees Celsius over a decade. A study published Wednesday found the biggest rise in Siberia, where frozen soil temperatures rose by 0.9 degrees Celsius (1.62 Fahrenheit) between 2007 and 2016. Researchers working on the Global Terrestrial Network for Permafrost collected usable data for the entire period from 123 boreholes in the Arctic, Antarctic and high mountain ranges of Europe and Central Asia. The temperature rose at 71 sites, sank at 12 and remained unchanged at 40. Scientists say the increases track global warming generally. They noted that thawing permafrost already recorded at five of the sites contains organic matter that can release greenhouse gases, further stoking climate change.
Global alliance of companies to eliminate plastic waste launched
Several organisations Wednesday launched a new firm to improve ways to eliminate plastic waste in the environment, especially in the water bodies. The cross value chain Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW), currently made up of nearly 30 member companies, has committed over USD 1.0 billion with the goal of investing USD 1.5 billion over the next five years to help end plastic waste in the environment, according to a joint statement. The global companies alliance will develop and bring to scale solutions that will minimise and manage plastic waste and promote solutions for used plastics by helping to enable a circular economy, it said. "Everyone agrees that plastic waste does not belong in our oceans or anywhere in the environment. This is a complex and serious global challenge that calls for swift action and strong leadership. This new alliance is the most comprehensive effort to date to end plastic waste in the environment," said David Taylor, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO
Karnataka to chalk new plan for IT, biotech sectors
The tech-savvy Karnataka government would soon draw a new plan to consolidate the state's leadership in the IT, biotech and science sectors, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara said on Wednesday.