Page 265 - Environment
JK highway closed following heavy snowfall
The Jammu-Srinagar national highway was again closed Friday due to heavy snowfall, officials said. Mughal Road, connecting Jammu region's Rajouri district with Kashmir's Shopian, also remained closed for the fourth day Friday. "Snowfall resulted in closure of the highway," an official said. Traffic was allowed Friday morning from Kashmir to Jammu and no vehicle was allowed on the highway from Jawahar tunnel after 3.00 pm, he said. The BRO has been pressed into service to clear the highway.
Bt cotton technology still effective to control bollworms, except pink ones: Govt
Bt cotton technology is still helpful in controlling bollworms, except for pink ones, the government said on Friday. "Bt cotton technology was originally meant for controlling bollworms per se, in cotton and the Bt technology is still offering good control for bollworms (except pink bollworm Spodopetra litura) for the past 16 years," Minister of State for Agriculture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said in a written reply to Rajya Sabha. The minister was replying to a query on whether genetically engineered Bt cotton has failed in the country. In the current kharif season of 2018-19 crop year, he said around 88.27 per cent of the 122.38 lakh hectares cotton area is under Bt cotton. "Farmers are being advised to follow integrated crop nutrient management, integrated pest management and optimum of higher plan density in the fields to get higher yield," Shekhawat said.
Over 25 people killed in tiger attacks in 2018, LS was told
More than 25 people were killed in tiger attacks across the country last year, with the highest number of casualties in Maharashtra, the Lok Sabha was told Friday. Minister of State for Environment Mahesh Sharma said as per the guidelines under the ongoing centrally-sponsored scheme of the Project Tiger, an amount of Rs 2 lakh per person is provided to the victim of tiger attack on request from the states. According to details provided by Sharma, a total of 27 people were killed last year - till December 31 - in various states. Fifteen people were killed in Maharashtra alone, while four people were killed in Uttar Pradesh. In 2017, 24 people were killed in Maharashtra by the big cats. He said the government has initiated an android-based application M-STrIPES (Monitoring System for Tigers' Intensive Protection and Ecological Status) which is a data collection tool for patrolling and ecological purposes, which when analysed helps assess status of welfare factors which foster tiger ...
AAPSU hails Union Cabinet decision to modify Arunachal ST list
The All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) Friday lauded the union cabinet's decision to introduce a bill in Parliament to modify the list of scheduled tribes of the state. The cabinet on Wednesday approved introduction of the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2018, in Parliament for certain amendments in the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, to modify the list of STs of Arunachal Pradesh. "The amendment if duly approved will be beneficial, especially for the numerous indigenous tribes of eastern districts of Arunachal Pradesh who were until today classified under the vague and ambiguous terminology of 'Any Other Naga Tribes'," AAPSU general secretary Tobom Dai said in a statement here. The bill proposes deletion of the Abor tribe from the state's ST list "as it is the same as Adi" tribe. As there is no tribe called "Khampti", the bill replaces it with "Tai Khamti" on the list. The state government has also wrote to the Centre to
9-day programme to be held in Tiruchy for farmers
Eminent farmer Subhash Palekar, known for his zero budget natural farming, Friday announced a nine-day training programme in Tiruchirappalli from February 2-10 for the benefit of farmers. Farmers, who have adopted his popular 'Palekar Krishi' (zero budget natural farming), which is nil use of chemical fertiliser and insecticides, were now earning double for their produce than what the ordinary farmer, who uses hazardous fertilisers and insecticides, is earning, Palekar told reporters here. During the programme, he said, the farmers would be trained on market rate for paddy, sugarcane, coconut and banana and all crop cultivation, starting from the base of natural farming, input preparation, necessity of country breed cattle, importance of traditional seeds, step to enrich the soil and selling the goods with added value. Stating that his cow-based agriculture was gaining popularity across the country where more than 60 lakh hectares were under cultivation for various ...
Sri Lanka to begin work on Light Rail Transit project
Sri Lanka's Cabinet of ministers has granted approval to commence work on a Light Rail Transit (LRT) project here and its surrounding areas in order to ease the traffic congestion in the populated Colombo district, the media reported on Friday.
RSP sets new record in single day crude steel production
Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) Friday said it has created a new record by producing 13,147 tonnes of crude steel in a single day. The plant achieved the feat on Thursday. The earlier record for single day crude steel production stood at 12,778 tonnes which was achieved on December 27, 2018, RSP said in a statement. The performance was largely contributed by the SMS-II (steel melting shop) department which notched up the highest-ever 11,774 tonnes of crude steel on the said day. The New Caster-III helped in the performance by casting the highest-ever 5,148 tonnes of crude steel. The SMS-II department, with the support of Traffic and Raw Materials Department, notched up another feat by pulling out 204 wagons on Thursday, surpassing the earlier record of 168 wagons, it added.
Leopard creates scare in residential area in Rishikesh
A leopard entered the toilet of a house in the thickly populated Muni ki Reti area here early Friday creating a scare. The fully grown three-year-old leopard entered the house of Satya Prakash at around 7.30 am, Narendra Nagar Forest division DFO Dharma Singh Meena said. However, occupants of the house immediately locked the toilet door and reported the matter to forest department authorities who rushed a team to the spot, he said. The leopard was tranquilised and rescued safely after an operation lasting six hours, he said. It was put in a cage and sent to Chidiyapur rescue centre of Haridwar much to the relief of residents who had climbed their rooftops and come out in the streets out of curiosity, the DFO said.
Leopard kills over 20 head of cattle in J-K'S Ramban
A leopard killed over 20 head of cattle in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban district, officials said Friday. The leopard entered into an animal shed belonging to Gulam Nabi Wani in Chakka area in Ramsoo tehsil of the district and killed over 20 sheep overnight, they said. The people alleged that over 100 domestic animals have been killed by wild animals in the past few months. They said despite several requests and protests by locals, the wildlife department has not taken any action.
Fatal fall for baby elephant in TN
: A elephant calf, believed to be 18 months old, died Friday after it fell into a 20-foot deep pit in a forest area in the district, officials said here. The calf, part of a herd of five wild elephants which was in search of food and water, tried to climb down the pit when it slipped and fell into it near the Bhavanisagar reservoir area. On seeing this, the herd surrounded the calf preventing anyone from rescuing it, they said. After two hours, the herd left the spot following which and forest officials, along with a veterinary doctor, examined the calf and found it dead.
Poor air quality: EPCA lashes out at authorities over traffic congestion, garbage burning
The Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) on Friday came down heavily on authorities over continuing traffic congestion and garbage burning activities that are worsening air quality in the national capital. EPCA 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. Various road stretches in Sarai Rohilla, Anand Vihar, Zakhira Najafgarh Road, Soan Park, Azadpur Mandi where heavy traffic congestion is resulting in increase in pollution were identified. In Sarai Rohilla, Lal was told by authorities that the absence of a foot-over bridge is resulting in increase in traffic. "Illegal encroachment further adds to traffic woes in the capital. Guards need to be posted to ensure smooth passage of traffic," Lal said. He also ordered police to ensure traffic regulations are followed strictly, especially in Soan ...
Sugar production rises 6.7% to 110.52 lakh tonnes in Oct-Dec 2018
501 sugar mills operation as end December 2018
J-K admin constitutes air quality monitoring committee
The Jammu and Kashmir administration has ordered constitution of the first-ever air quality monitoring committee (AQMC) in the state following directions of the NGT. According to an order issued by the General administration department (GAD), the committee shall function under the overall supervision and coordination of administrative secretary, forest, Environment & Ecology Department. The members of the committee include transport commissioner, director of Environment & Ecology, director of Industries & Commerce, director of Agriculture Production, director of Urban Local Bodies, member secretary and the State Pollution Control Board. The committee shall prepare an action plan for control of air pollution in non-attainment cities in Jammu and Srinagar within two months, the order said. The panel will recommend measures to bring the standards of the air quality in these areas within the prescribed norms.
SC asks Centre, Meghalaya govt to file status report on miners' tragedy
The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Centre and Meghalaya government to file a status report before it by January 7 on the rescue operation of 15 miners trapped in coal mine in East Jaintia Hills since December 13.During the hearing of the matter, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the central government, told the Apex Court that the mine is illegal, and has no blueprint. "It is a rat hole mine and no one knows which tunnel goes where. It is spread over five square kilometer area. Water is murky in the mine," Mehta informed the court.The top court asked the state government to take action against mining owners.Elaborating about the steps being taken to rescue the miners, the Solicitor General said, "Specialised divers of the Indian Navy were called for the rescue operation. We have been pumping out water but since there is seepage from the nearby river we are not able to get the water out. 12 divers and technical staff are at the spot but they have to get into each rat ...
India's October-December sugar output rises 6.7 percent on year as mills start early: trade body
MUMBAI (Reuters) - Indian sugar mills produced 11.05 million tonnes of the sweetener between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, up 6.7 percent from a year earlier, as mills started crushing earlier than usual in the western state of Maharashtra, a producers' body said on Friday.
Guj: Lioness 'adopts' leopard cub separated from its mother
In what Gujarat forest officials are claiming is a "rare phenomenon", a lioness in the state's Gir Forest has "adopted" a one-and-half month old leopard cub separated from its mother. Along with two of its own cubs, the lioness, spotted in the forests of Gir-West division, is feeding the leopard cub and is also keeping a vigilant eye on lions around who might kill the cub, said Deputy Conservator of Forest, Gir-West division Dheeraj Mittal. This unusual bonding between a lioness and a leopard cub was first spotted by forest staff around six days ago, he said. Mittal has shared pictures and videos of this unique bond with people through social media platforms. "It is indeed a rare phenomenon, as lions tend to kill leopards. In this case, it is quite opposite to what we know about big cats. The lioness is taking extra care of a leopard cub. The lioness is even protecting it from lions present in the area," said Mittal. In the photographs shared by Mittal, the leopard cub .
No evidence of atmosphere on Ultima Thule: NASA
New Horizons spacecraft which explored the ancient Kuiper Belt object nicknamed Ultima Thule, earlier this week, has yielded that the distant object has no evidence of an atmosphere, NASA has said.
New treefrog species discovered in Andes
Scientists have discovered a new treefrog species, with an extraordinary, enlarged claw-like structure located at the base of the thumb, that live on a remote tabletop mountain in the Andes. The discovery, described in the journal ZooKeys, was made during a two-week expedition to a Cordillera del Condor, a largely unexplored range in the eastern Andes. Having conducted analyses of genetic and morphologic data, scientists from the Catholic University of Ecuador concluded that the frog represented a previously unknown species. "To reach the tabletop, we walked two days along a steep terrain. Then, between sweat and exhaustion, we arrived to the tabletop where we found a dwarf forest," said Alex Achig, one of the field biologists who discovered the new species. "The rivers had blackwater and the frogs were sitting along them, on branches of brown shrubs similar in colour to the frogs' own. The frogs were difficult to find, because they blended with their background," Achig said. The frog
'Big data' can help forecast future of Earth's flora
Taking advantage of 'big data' - massive, open-access information resources in research - can help forecast how plant life will fare on an increasingly human-dominated planet. Researchers from the Florida Museum of Natural History in the US issued a "call to action" to use big data to tackle longstanding questions about plant diversity and evolution. In a commentary published in the journal Nature Plants, scientists urged their colleagues to take advantage of massive, open-access data resources in their research and help grow these resources by filling in remaining data gaps. "Using big data to address major biodiversity issues at the global scale has enormous practical implications, ranging from conservation efforts to predicting and buffering the impacts of climate change," said Doug Soltis, a Florida Museum curator. "The links between big data resources we see now were unimaginable just a decade ago. The time is ripe to leverage these tools and applications, not just for plants but
Italy's Eni to acquire 70% operatorship of Alaska oilfield
Rome, Jan 4 (IANS/AKI) Eni has signed an accord to purchase from Caelus Energy a 70 per cent stake in the Oooguruk oil field that it doesn't already own, allowing the Italian energy giant to ramp up its production in Alaska by around 7,000 barrels of oil per day, the company said in a statement.