Page 257 - Environment
Pak captures 15 fishermen off Gujarat coast
At least 15 fishermen from Gujarat were apprehended early Wednesday by the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) near the international maritime boundary in Arabian sea, the second such incident in the last five days, officials said. The PMSA also seized three fishing boats during the operation, said officials of the Porbandar-based National Fishworkers' Forum (NFF). "The seized boats, which were registered at Porbandar, had set sails a few days back," NFF Secretary Manish Lodhari said, adding that PMSA apprehended the fishermen near the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) off the Gujarat coast. On January 4, five fishermen from Porbandar were apprehended by PMSA claiming that they have crossed the IMBL. The IMBL jurisdiction is a contentious issue between India and Pakistan. Fishermen from both the countries eyeing big catch often stray across the line.
Lucknow Metro completes final trial run
The Lucknow Metro on Wednesday completed the successful trial run on the remaining section of the North-South corridor, signalling an early start of the service, an official said.
Joshua Tree National Park to close amid US government shutdown
The Joshua Tree National Park in California, one of the most popular in the US, will be temporarily closed from Thursday due to damage caused by visitors during the ongoing partial federal government shutdown, officials said.
Elephant tramples Sabarimala pilgrim to death
A Sabarimala pilgrim was trampled to death by a wild elephant in a forest area, 60 km from here early Wednesday, police said. Paramasivam, 35, from Salem in Tamil Nadu was attacked by the jumbo as he along with his seven-year-old son and 13 others were going to the Lord Ayyappa shrine through the forest route from Erumely to Pamba at around 1 am, they said. While others managed to flee the spot, Paramasivam, who was said to be carrying his son on his shoulder, could not. His son managed to escape.
China's new naval radar can monitor areas size of India: Report
China has developed an advanced compact size maritime radar which can maintain constant surveillance over an area of the size of India, media reported Wednesday. The domestically-developed radar system will enable the Chinese navy to fully monitor China's seas and spot incoming threats from enemy ships, aircraft and missiles much earlier than the existing technology, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported, quoting the scientist who took part in China's Over-the-Horizon (OTH) radar programme. Liu Yongtan, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) from the Harbin Institute of Technology, is credited to have upgraded the China's radar technology and developing an advanced compact size radar for the PLA Navy's carrier fleet to "maintain constant surveillance over an area the size of India," the Post reported. President Xi Jinping conferred the country's top science award, carrying a prize money of USD 1.116 million,
How locusts switch colours in different settings found
Scientists have discovered how locusts change their body colour to adapt to different environments. The findings, published in the journal eLife, reveal a novel 'palette effect' mechanism in locusts, whereby a red pigment complex acts as a switch to coordinate between the insects' green and black colouring. Changes in body colour are important for many animals to adapt and survive in changing environments. In the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria, solitary insects living in low population numbers typically display a green colour, while more sociable (or 'gregarious') locusts living in larger swarms develop a striking pattern of black/brown colouring. However, the molecular mechanism underlying these colour changes was largely unknown. "The green colour of solitary locusts is likely due to a combination of yellow and blue pigments, helping to camouflage the insects among plants as protection from predators," said Le Kang, a professor at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, ...
Suspicious packages sent to Indian consulate, other missions in Australia
Police in Australia were on Wednesday investigating several suspicious packages sent to the Indian consulate and several other missions in Melbourne.
Odisha seeks increase of tax devolution to 50%
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday requested the 15th Finance Commission to increase tax devolution from 42 to 50 per cent.
Space microbes adapting to survive, not turning into superbugs
Genetic evidence has shown that despite its seemingly harsh conditions, bacteria on the International Space Station (ISS) are adapting to survive, and not turning into dangerous, antibiotic-resistant superbugs, researchers said.
'Woodland buffers help maintain bird communities in forest edges' (Feature)
Bengaluru, Jan 9 (IANS/Mongabay) Woodlands in agricultural fields surrounding a protected area maintain functionality of a wintering bird community, according to a recent study.
Uddhav on tour of drought-hit Marathwada
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday began his tour of the drought-affected Marathwada region in Maharashtra. During his visit to Beed district in the region, Thackeray will hand over 100 cattle fodder-laden trucks and other essential supplies to farmers, a Sena leader said. After the distribution of fodder and other essential supplies, the Sena chief will undertake a tour of the drought-hit region, he said. He will also address a farmers' rally in Beed before leaving for Jalna district, where he will hold talks with farmers, he added. Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also visiting Maharashtra's Solapur district on Wednesday to launch infrastructure and housing projects worth Rs 3,168 crore.
US-China trade talks extended till Wednesday
The trade talks between US and Chinese officials that began in Beijing on Monday, has been extended till Wednesday, according to a spokesperson for the American Trade Representative.
Factbox: China approves new GMO soybean, corn and canola traits
CHICAGO (Reuters) - China approved five genetically modified crops for import on Tuesday, the first in about 18 months, as representatives from the Asian country and the United States met in face-to-face talks to try to resolve trade disagreements.
Gadkari stresses on need to implement successful water conservation practices
Union Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Nitin Gadkari Tuesday stressed on the need to implement successful practices in water conservation around the world. Speaking at the release of the inaugural issue of Jal Charcha, the monthly magazine of the ministry, Gadkari said several steps in the direction of water conservation have been taken in states like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka. He said positive results were visible in the form of recharged wells, resulting in the improvement in socio-economic conditions of the people. Reiterating the importance of recycling of water and Waste-to-Wealth, Gadkari said in his constituency in Maharashtra, 350 play grounds and 78 gardens have been identified, where recycled water is to be used for sprinkling purposes, automatically conserving fresh water. Recycled water will be used in construction works also, he said.
China gives long-awaited GM crop approvals amid U.S. trade talks
BEIJING (Reuters) - China approved five genetically modified (GM) crops for import on Tuesday, the first in about 18 months in a move that could boost its overseas grains purchases and ease pressure from the United States to open its markets to more farm goods.
Norwegian PM calls for sustainable development of Blue Economy
Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg on Tuesday called for sustainable development of the Blue Economy as more and more people in the world are depending on the oceans for development and prosperity.
Bill soon to give tribal status to six Assam communities: Rajnath
Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday that a bill will be introduced in Parliament soon to give Scheduled Tribe status to six communities in Assam.
PM Modi in Solapur on Wednesday to dedicate 4-laned section of New NH 52 to nation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate the four-laned section of Solapur-Tuljapur-Osmanabad of National Highway-211 (New NH-52) to the nation on Wednesday during his visit to Solapur.The four-laning of Solapur--Osmanabad highway will help improve the connectivity of Solapur, with the important Marathwada region of Maharashtra.Prime Minister Modi will also lay the foundation stone of 30,000 houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, which will primarily benefit poor homeless people. The total cost of the project is Rs 1,811.33 crore, out of which Rs 750 crore will be provided by the Central and the state governments as assistance.According to an official statement, in line with the Swachh Bharat Mission, the Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation an underground sewerage system and three sewage treatment plants in Solapur, which will increase the sewer coverage of the town and improve sanitation in the city.Prime Minister Modi will also lay the foundation stone of the combined
Guj: Lioness drowns in open well in Gir forest
A lioness drowned in an open well in in Gujarat's Gir-Somnath district, 400 kilometres from here, Forest department officials said Tuesday. The incident took place in Pandva village, around 40 kilometres away from the outer limits of the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, in Veraval taluka and the carcass of the lioness was retrieved Tuesday and sent for post mortem, said Deputy Conservator of Forest Junagadh Division Sunil Berwal. Berwal said the bloated condition of the carcass suggests it may have fallen into the well a day prior. He ruled out foul play and said it was possible that the lioness fell into the open well while chasing prey. "Since the lioness tried to stay afloat, which was evident from her brushed nails, we can say that it was not killed and then thrown into the well. It appears to be an accident, not foul play," said Berwal.
2 killed in elephant attacks in C'garh's Surguja region
Two persons were Tuesday killed by an elephant in separate incidents in Chhattisgarh's Surguja division, taking the death toll in such attacks in the region to six in five days, an official said. In the first incident, a teenage girl identified as Ahilya Bai (19), was killed at a brick kiln in Parsa village under Udaipur forest range, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Surguja Division Priyanka Pandey said. The wild elephant, who is believed to have come to the area from neighbouring Surajpur district, later killed a man identified as Bandhan Singh (60) in the same village, she said. The kin of the deceased persons have been provided immediate relief of Rs 25,000 and a forest team was at the spot for further probe, she informed. The elephant was chased away by villagers and the forest team was monitoring its movement, she added. On January 6, two persons, including a woman, were killed in attacks by a wild tusker in Devnagar village of Surguja district while earlier, on ...