Page 264 - Environment
E-challan project launched in J&K
The Jammu and Kashmir administration Friday launched an e-challan project which will help in improving service access and transparency in the traffic management system. Talking to reporters here, Transport Commissioner S P Vaid said it is a data integrated system linked with 'Vahan' and 'Sarathi' applications which cover all major functions of transport and traffic enforcement wings with number of user-friendly features. He expressed hope that the project will bring transparency, accountability and swiftness in the existing system and provide ease of operations for transport enforcement officers and traffic policemen to increase visibility in operations. Jammu and Kashmir has become sixth state in the country to implement the project, he said. He said connecting all the stakeholders through a common system would ensure data integrity, reliability and transparency in the traffic management.
Andhra Pradesh Minister receives award for Polavaram Project
Andhra Pradesh Water Resources Minister Devineni Umamaheswar Rao has received the 'Central Board of Irrigation and Power Award' for better planning and construction of Polavaram Irrigation Project in the state at Lodhi Road, New Delhi.Rao was honoured by the Minister of State (IC) Power and New and Renewable Energy Raj Kumar Singh.The function was held Scope convention Centre Lodhi Road, New Delhi.The Polavaram project on river Godavari in Andhra Pradesh is a multi-purpose irrigation project which has been accorded the status of a national project.The project is under the final phase of construction in West Godavari district and East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh and its reservoir spreads to parts of Chhattisgarh and Odisha.The apex court had earlier sought the Centre's response to a plea alleging a violation of rights of Scheduled Tribes (STs) and forest dwellers due to the Polavaram Project.The petition has claimed that the project will submerge about 600 habitations in Andhra
Customs destroy seized heroin worth over Rs 300 crore
The customs department here has destroyed over 100 kilogram of seized heroin worth more than Rs 300 crore, according to an official statement issued Friday. The heroin as seized in 10 cases of smuggling by the customs officials. The customs preventive (Delhi zone) destroyed around 122 kg of heroine Thursday by way of incineration at a centralised bio-medical waste facility in Nilothi, Delhi, the statement said. The value of the destroyed heroin was more than Rs 300 crore in the international market, it said.
Centre sanctioned projects worth Rs 66,300 cr in Rs 80,068 cr special package for J-K: Officials
The Centre has sanctioned projects worth Rs 66,300 in the Rs 80,068 crore special package for Jammu and Kashmir announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, officials said Friday. They said there are 63 projects in the package covering various sectors namely Road, Power, Renewal Energy, Health, Education, Water Resources and Tourism among others. "Till date, an amount of Rs 66,300 crore has been sanctioned. Thirteen projects have already been completed, 44 are under implementation and six very complex projects are under various stages of processing," an official said. The major projects cleared by the centre include two AIIMS like institutions at an estimated cost of Rs 4,000 crore, an IIT and IIM at an estimated cost of Rs 2,000 crore, construction of Zojila tunnel connecting Srinagar with Leh at an estimated cost of Rs 9,000 crore, Jammu-Akhnoor-Poonch Road at an estimated cost of Rs 5,100 crore, construction of tunnels at Lachulunga pass and Tanglang pass at an estimated cost of Rs ..
9-ft long python rescued near Delhi Secretariat
A nine-foot long Indian Rock Python was rescued on Friday morning from the vicinity of the Delhi Secretariat, said a wildlife NGO. The python was sighted in the green fringes of the neighbourhood and people immediately informed the nearest police control room, which in turn contacted Wildlife SOS for assistance. A two-member team from the NGO arrived at the location. The reptile weighing around 12 kg was transferred into a snake bag, a statement from the Wildlife SOS India said. The python is currently kept under observation and will be released back into its natural habitat, once deemed fit by the veterinary staff, the statement said. "Indian Rock Pythons though commonly found across India, face extreme threat due to prevalent misunderstanding and ignorance amongst people. They are often confused with the venomous Russell's viper and these reptiles often get killed when they venture into human habitations," said Kartick Satyanarayan, CEO and Co-founder of Wildlife SOS.
Leopard kills farmer in Chhotaudepur, Gujarat
A 50-year-old farmer was killed by a leopard in Chhotaudepur district of central Gujarat Friday, a forest official said. The incident took place when Balu Rathwa (50) and his wife were plucking cotton in his field in Vavdi village of Pavijetpur tehsil, around 180 km from here. "When Rathwa was plucking cotton, a leopard suddenly attacked him and grabbed Rathwa by his neck. The farmer died on the spot," said Deputy Conservator of Forest Nilesh Pandya. "His wife sustained minor injuries when she tried to save her husband," he said. The leopard vanished into nearby forests as some villagers rushed to rescue Rathwa. The field is very close to the protected forest under the Pavijetpur Range. Following the incident, forest personnel have set up five cages near the village to catch the leopard, said Pandya. It is estimated that over 80 leopards live in forests of Chhotaudepur.
AP govt bags CBIP award for Polavaram project
The Andhra Pradesh government on Friday bagged the Central Board of Irrigation and Power (CBIP) award for speedy execution of Polavaram multipurpose project on the Godavari river. AP Water Resources Minister Devineni Umamaheswar Rao received the award in the category of "Best Implementation of Water Resources Project" for better planning, implementation and monitoring at an event here. "So far, 64 per cent of the project work is completed. Our government has planned to complete the project by December 2019," the minister told reporters. So far, about Rs 15,380.97 crore has been spent on the project. Out of which, an amount of Rs 6,727.26 crore has been reimbursed by the central government and the remaining Rs Rs 3,517.84 crore is still awaited, he said. The Polavaram project is a lifeline of Andhra Pradesh and the state government is implementing it on a mission mode.
Proposed 'Bhim Mahasangam' has rattled AAP, Cong: Manoj Tiwari
The BJP's proposed assembly of people from backward classes, 'Bhim Mahasangam', at Ramleela Ground on January 6 has rattled the AAP and the Congress, the party's Delhi unit president Manoj Tiwari said Friday. At the event 5,000 kg of 'samrasta khichdi' will be cooked in one utensil using rice and lentils collected from around three lakh Dalit households in the national capital with an aim to create a world record. The programme is meant for spreading positive energy, Tiwari said. "The 'samrasta khichdi' is meant for creating positive energy and wellbeing of people, but it has rattled AAP and Congress," Tiwari said in a press conference. "A world record of cooking 3,000 kg khichdi in one utensil is in the name of Nagpur chef Vishnu Manohar. The same person will create a new record by cooking 5,000 kg of samrasta khichdi in one utensil at the event," Tiwari said. The event is being organised by the BJP's SC Morcha. SC Morcha activists distributed 14 lakh pamphlets during the collection .
Centre allows K'taka to complete process for red sanders wood exports by Apr 30
The government has allowed Karnataka to finalise the modalities and complete the process of export of red sanders wood by April 30 this year. "Time up to April 30, 2019 has been allowed to state government of Karnataka to finalise the modalities and complete the process of export of balance quantity of red sanders wood," the directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT) has said in a notification. The wood is an endangered species of flora protected under the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna. It is illegal to possess and sell the same. Red sanders are found mainly in the Seshachalam Hill ranges spread across Kadapa, Chittoor and Kurnool in the Rayalaseema region and parts of Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The wood has huge demand abroad, especially in China and Japan, where it commands a good price. As per a media report, the wood fetches Rs 25 lakh a tonne in the international market. It is a valued item in traditional ...
Govt urges farmers to use 'green form' for inclusion in KALIA
The Odisha government Friday urged all the small and marginal farmers, cultivators, vulnerable agriculture households and landless gricultural labourers to enroll their names to become beneficiaries of the newly launched KALIA scheme. The farmers may visit the office of gram panchayats (GP) across the state and check the published draft list of beneficiaries under the Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) scheme. Launched on December 31, the scheme, according to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, is an innovative package for farmers welfare. It aims to accelerate agricultural prosperity and reduce poverty across the state. As per the provision of the scheme, all the small and mariginal farmers' families will get Rs 10,000 per annum as input assistance for cultivation during Rabi and Kharif crop. Even the landless and agricultural farmers have opportunities to get benefit from the scheme. The draft list of beneficiaries under the scheme have been .
Delhi's air quality improves; EPCA pulls up authorities over traffic congestion, garbage burning
Delhi's air quality improved slightly with increased wind speed but remained "very poor" on Friday, as the Supreme Court-appointed EPCA came down heavily on authorities over pollution caused by continuing traffic congestion and garbage burning activities. According to Central Pollution Control Board data, the overall Air Quality Index in the city reached 386, which falls in the very poor category. Eleven areas in Delhi recorded 'severe' air quality, while it was "very poor" in 25. Environment Pollution Control Authority chairperson Bhure Lal, in a meeting with representatives of Delhi Pollution Control Committee, DSIDC, civic bodies, police and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, asked police to strictly regulate traffic and ensure its smooth passage. Ghaziabad and Greater Noida recorded 'severe' air quality while Faridabad, Gurgaon and Noida recorded 'very poor' air quality. The overall PM2.5 level (fine particulate matter in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers) in Delhi ..
3 Traffic Police officials suspended for dereliction of duty on J-K highway
Three officials of the Traffic Police department were suspended for dereliction of duty by allowing vehicles on the Jammu-Srinagar highway despite one-way traffic restriction, officials said Friday. One inspector and two assistant sub inspectors allowed vehicles from Kashmir to Jammu in violation of the traffic restriction from Jammu to Srinagar on the highway, they said. The Traffic Police officials were suspended, the officials said, adding that there are charges against them that they allowed vehicles after taking bribes.
Persuade states not to impose water cess on hydro power plants: Par panel to Power Min
The power ministry needs to persuade states not to levy any water cess on hydro power projects, as the states get free power from such plants in their jurisdiction, said a parliamentary panel Friday. Some states have levied water cess for each cubic metre of water which is used by the hydro power plants, according to a report by the panel. The committee wants the ministry to "persuade the states not to levy any water cess on hydro power projects", a parliamentary panel on energy said in its report tabled in Parliament Friday. However, the committee observed that there is no sound rationale behind this, as there is no consumptive use of water by hydro power plants because water just passes through the turbines and goes to the river again. The panel found that imposing water cess is not fair considering the provision of 12 per cent of free power to the respective states from these projects. It also suggested that the long-tenure finances at a cheaper rate should be provided to all the ..
Projects worth Rs 66,300 cr sanctioned for J&K's development: Government
The government has so far sanctioned projects worth Rs 66,300 crore as part of the Rs 80,068-crore special package for development of Jammu and Kashmir announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2015, the Union Home Ministry said on Friday.
Bihar turns around, now 6th on power sector development:Sushil
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi Friday said the state has turned around in the power sector and now in the sixth position in a ranking by the NITI Aayog. After electrifying the state's all the 1.6 lakh villages and hamlets, the state government has been able to make power connections available to 1.39 crore households, Modi said. In 2005, when the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government took reins of the state for the first time, only 24 lakh households had power connections, he added. "Till a few years ago, Bihar was at the bottom in the development and growth of power sector but the state has ranked sixth among states in the overall development of power sector. The ranking among states was carried out by NITI Aayog vis-a-vis their performance in power sector," Modi said. He was addressing a gathering while inaugurating a four-day 'Electric Trade Show' organised by the Bihar Electric Traders Association here. The peak hour power demand has gone upto 5,139 MW from
Conservationists in Nepal remove artificial lights from historic Buddhist shrine
Heritage activists, environment conservationists and representatives from civil society on Friday removed the electric lights that were placed around the historic Bouddhanath Stupa, in the outskirts of Kathmandu, as it were causing luminous pollution in the area. Luminous pollution or light pollution is the presence of anthropogenic light in the night environment. It is exacerbated by excessive, misdirected or obtrusive uses of light, but even carefully used light fundamentally alters natural conditions. It compromises health, disrupt ecosystems and spoil aesthetic environments. The Bouddha Ghyang Guthi that looks after the Bouddhanath -- the centuries-old largest Bouddha Stupa in the world -- had added colourful lights to the dome-shaped structure a month ago. However, following widespread criticism from heritage conservationists and locals against the move, the Department of Archaeology (DoA) gave the Ghyang Guthi a three-day ultimatum to remove the lights and the generator, which ..
Par panel asks Oil Min to explain 'zero' gas output from KG D6
A Parliamentary panel has asked the oil ministry to explain "in lucid terms", zero gas production from KG D6, noting that the estimated 80 mmscmd output from the gas block led to setting up of gas-based power plants which are stranded now due to no fuel supply. "The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas should come out with the reasons, in the lucid terms, for zero production of gas from KG D6 as the estimated production of 80 mmscmd that was envisaged earlier and the steps taken by the Government against those who are responsible for this gross miscalculation about the production of gas from KG D6 which has put the reliability of the Ministry at stake," said the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Energy in its 42nd report on /Non-Performing Assets in Gas based Power Plants. The committee also recommend that the banks/lenders (to these stranded gas projects) should own responsibility and work towards finding the appropriate solution in the national interest. It pointed out that the
India on track to meet NDC targets under Paris Agreement: Minister
The carbon stock for 2017 has been estimated at 7,083 million tonnes and there is an increase of 39 million tonnes when compared to the estimates of the previous assessment, the government told Lok Sabha Friday. Minister of State for Environment Mahesh Sharma said in a written reply India is committed to creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030 as per the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the 2015 Paris Agreement. He said the average annual increase of carbon stock has been worked out to be around 35 million tonnes and at this rate India would reach around 1.9 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2030. He said India is on track to meet the NDC targets. In the context of forests, carbon stocks refer to the amount of carbon stored in the world's forest ecosystem, mainly in living biomass and soil, but to a lesser extent also in dead wood and litter. Sharma said the Forest Survey of ...
Six-year-old Sambar, civet cat rescued from wells in Maharashtra
A six-year-old Sambar deer and a civet cat have been rescued from deep wells in separate incidents in Maharashtra, a wildlife NGO said Friday. The deer, nearly six-year-old was recently rescued from a 25-ft-deep well by the staff of the Maharashtra Forest Department and five-member Wildlife SOS team at Vanewadi, located near Junnar area in the state, the NGO said. The terrified animal was first "mildly tranquillised" and then safely extricated from the well with the help of a harness, the NGO said in a statement. The rescue operation took almost two hours. The adult antelope was deemed medically fit to be released back into the natural habitat. Ajay Deshmukh, Senior Veterinary Officer at the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre said, "The 6-year-old Sambar deer was a male and was distressed in its struggle to stay afloat. Thankfully, the deer displayed no external injuries." In another incident, an Indian civet cat was rescued from a 20-ft-deep well in Khamgaon village, in Junnar. Locals ...
TN rules out laying underground cables
Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister P. Thangamani on Friday ruled out the possibility of laying underground cables instead of installing High Tension (HT) transmission towers through farm lands, saying such a technology did not exist.