Page 268 - Environment
China's space probe lands on Moon's far side
China's Chang'e 4 space probe on Thursday became the first spacecraft to make a soft landing on the far side of the moon, Xinhua news agency reported.
BEST to extend 677 MW PPA with Tata Power for next 5 years
The process of power tie-up was undertaken by BEST in 2017-18 for its Discom consumers for the period of next five years starting 1st April 2019. The existing power tie-up of 677 MW between BEST & Tata Power is scheduled to expire on 31st March 2019.
Need to overcome difficulties of data shortage in food, agriculture sectors: KCR
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao asserted that there is a need to overcome the difficulties arising out of non-availability of appropriate statistical data pertaining to food and agriculture sectors."Greater results can be achieved if a farmer is brought into organised sector. The state needs to be divided into crop colonies. Crores of people are dependent on agriculture and horticulture in the state and hence these two departments should work to fulfill their needs and aspiration," KCR said in a statement.Rao asserted that in agriculture, horticulture, food processing and in exports of processed food products Telangana should be on top among all other states in the country. He also claimed that Telangana is a role model for the cause of farmer.Earlier this week, Chief Advisor to Government Rajiv Sharma, advisor Anurag Sharma, chief Secretary SK. Joshi, CMO officers S Narsing Rao, Smita Sabarwal, principal secretary of finance Rama Krishna Rao, principal secretary for ...
Ship loses potentially dangerous cargo in North Sea: Coastguard
A cargo ship caught in rough North Sea weather lost at least 270 containers, including four holding potentially dangerous substances, the Dutch and German coastguards said Wednesday. The Panama-registered MSC Zoe shed the containers containing mostly toys, furniture and auto spare parts while battling a storm off the Frisian Islands, an archipelago off the northwestern Dutch coast also known as the Wadden Islands. The Dutch coastguard tweeted that three of the containers contained, in powder form, highly flammable, potentially dangerous organic peroxides used in making plastics which can cause irritation if breathed in. German coastguard sources said they had located one container holding organic peroxide among six containers that reached the country's coastline. They also warned the public not to touch the containers if found, but to call police or the fire brigade. The Dutch coastguard, which said the containers went overboard not far from the German island of Borkum, added they ...
Delhi to get more water supply this summer
The Delhi government on Wednesday gave its nod to four new projects in the city for a better water supply in the coming summers.
Env Min says taking steps to improve fund utilisation for pollution abatement
The Environment Ministry said it was taking steps to improve utilisation of funds after it was pulled up by a parliamentary panel which observed "unsatisfactory" trend of fund utilisation for pollution abatement during the last few years. The panel had said as per documents furnished by the ministry, in 2016-17, to the BE allocation of Rs 20 crore for this scheme (pollution abatement) was reduced to Rs 9.60 crore at RE stage, and the ministry could utilize only Rs 6.22 crore during the year. This trend of reduction in allocation at RE stage and unsatisfactory utilisation of funds seem to reflect that pollution abatement is not among the priority areas of the ministry, it had said. "The rising environmental pollution in the country not only results in a number of pollution-related human diseases and health conditions, but negatively impacts our ecology too. This scenario of environmental pollution is indeed very grim and has been affecting one and all. "This committee, NGOs and civil ..
Govt gives ex post fact approval to India's negotiating stand at Poland climate summit
The government Wednesday gave its ex post facto approval to India's negotiating stand at the recent climate change summit in Poland. The 24th Conference of Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was held in Katowice in Poland during December 2-15 and the Indian delegation was led by Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan. "This is in continuation to the earlier approval dated November 28, 2018," an official statement said. The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave its ex post facto approval to the Indian delegation's approach. The key focus of the summit was to finalise guidelines for the implementation of the Paris Agreement in the post-2020 period. At the summit, negotiators from nearly 200 countries finalised a set of rules that will make the 2015 Paris deal to curb global warming operational in 2020. The outcome of the talks in the mining city of Katowice is to limit the rise of global temperature to well below 2 .
Tamil Nadu moves SC challenging NGT order for reopening of Vedanta's plant
The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday moved the Supreme Court challenging the National Green Tribunal's order for reopening Vedanta's Sterlite copper smelting plant in Thoothukudi, which was shut down by the state government for causing irreversible water pollution.
Telangana CM reviews irrigation project works
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao Wednesday asked officials and agencies to complete irrigation project works on a war-footing and reviewed the progress as the state government was spending thousands of crores of rupees to provide irrigation facility to one crore acres. Rao, who inspected the Kaleswaram irrigation project works for the second day, directed that the works be carried out in three shifts, an official press release said. The Chief Minister, who took stock of the work on the canal from Kannepalli pumphouse to Annaram barrage, inquired if there were any problem in carrying out the work, the release said. Saying that orders have been issued not to let any delay in payment of bills to work agencies, the Chief Minister asked officials to quickly resolve if there were any problem. He said there should not be any compromise in the quality of work. Tourism would also develop in the nearby Karimnagar region with the completion of Kaleswaram project, he ...
Haryana govt approves 11 projects to revive mythical Saraswati river
The Haryana government on Wednesday approved 11 projects for the rejuvenation of the mythical Saraswati river. These include the construction of Somb Saraswati barrage, Saraswati reservoir and Adi Badri dam on Somb river, a tributary of the Yamuna that originates in the Shivalik Hills. Some experts argue that this is part of the original course of the Saraswati. Chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar said it is the state government's priority to ensure fresh water flow into the Saraswati. The projects were approved at a meeting of the Haryana Saraswati Heritage Development Board (HSHDB) chaired by the chief minister. The board also approved construction of bridges at different locations and a Saraswati ghat. The construction of Somb Saraswati barrage and Saraswati reservoir would enable the storage of 1,000 hectare metres of water. The Haryana plan also involves interlinking of the Markanda river with what is said to be the course of the Saraswati through the Kainthla supply channel.
Yes Bank to develop Triveni Ghat, Astha Path
Private sector Yes Bank, which joined hands with the Centre for clean Ganga Mission, has come forward for development and modernisation of Triveni Ghat and Astha Path in Uttarakhand, an official said Wednesday. In a letter to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Yes Bank MD and CEO Rana Kapoor has expressed commitment to work closely with the National Mission for Clean Ganga. "To reinforce the shared commitment, it is a privilege for Yes Bank to extend this partnership with NMCG on ... development of Triveni Ghat and Astha Path," Kapoor said in a letter to Water Resources and Ganga Rejuvenation Minister Nitin Gadkari. The bank has proposed to work on modernisation/ beautification of Triveni Ghat and Astha Path (3 km stretch adjoining Triveni Ghat) in the letter, the official said. The bank has already tied up with state-owned WAPCOS for concept development during implementation phase of identified ghats. "We propose a tripartite agreement between Yes Bank, WAPCOS and NMCG for seamless ...
Cabinet okays introduction of bill to amend Arunachal Pradesh's ST list
The Union Cabinet Wednesday approved the introduction of a bill to modify the list of Scheduled Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. 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 cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the introduction of the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2018, in Parliament for certain amendments in the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, so as to modify the list of Scheduled Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh," an official statement read. The bill seeks to include the Mishmi-Kaman (Miju Mishmi), Idu (Mishmi) and Taraon (Digaru Mishmi) tribes in the list. It also proposes inclusion of "Monpa, Memba, Sartang, Sajolong in lieu of the Momba" tribe. The Nocte, Tangsa, Tutsa and Wancho tribes would replace the words "any Naga tribe" in the state's ST list, according to the ...
Bird flu is under control in Bihar, says Minister
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi on Wednesday said bird flu is under control in the state and that there was no need to panic.
20,000 million tonnes of food, allied products irradiated in India annually: DAE
Around 20,000 million tonnes of food and allied products are irradiated in the country annually, the Department of Atomic Energy told a parliamentary panel. Food irradiation is a process used to extend the shelf life and improve the safety of food products by reducing or eliminating microorganisms and insects. According to a report tabled by the Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forests in Parliament Wednesday, "annually, about 20,000 million tonnes (MT) of food and allied products are being irradiated in the country. "These include agricultural produce such as onion, potato, mango, grains and other products such as onion powder, garlic powder, spices, ayurvedic products and animal feed," the report quoting the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) said. The DAE's comments were submitted to the Committee on June 4 last year. The report also quoted the DAE as commenting, "Currently 15 irradiation plants are functional in the country. Recent research and ...
Haryana approves 11 projects for Sarasvati river revival
To revive the ancient Sarasvati river in the state and ensure regular flow of fresh water into it, the Haryana Saraswati Heritage Development Board (HSHDB) on Wednesday approved 11 major projects, including restoration of various heritage sites along the course of the mythical river.
MERC nod to extend BEST, Tata Power agreement for 5 years
The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) has given the green light to BrihanMumbai Electric Supply & Transport Undertaking (BEST) to extend its existing power purchase agreement with Tata Power Co. Ltd. for five years, officials said on Wednesday.
Perimeter Protection and Command Control Systems being installed in nuclear power stations: Govt
Perimeter Protection and Command Control Systems, including CCTVs, were being installed at all the nuclear power stations in the country, the government told the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. In a written response to a question, Union minister Jitendra Singh said the activities in this regard were carried out in line with the Department of Atomic Energy's (DAE) security manual and the requirements of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board. "Perimeter Protection and Command Control Systems including CCTVs have been/are being installed at all the nuclear power stations including the Madras Atomic Power Stations (MAPS)," he said. The minister said there were delays in execution due to administrative reasons at the MAPS, but at present, the CCTV and the Perimeter Protection and Command Control System were functional and the final integration testing was in progress. "The total expenditure incurred during the last three years at MAPS was Rs 24.35 lakh," said Singh, who is the Minister of State for ..
Cabinet's ex-post facto approval for India's stand at COP24
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday gave its ex post facto approval to India's negotiating stand at COP24 where it reiterated its commitment to Paris Agreement, but added that the actions of developing countries must be supported by developed nations.
BEST extends 677 MW PPA with Tata Power for next five years
The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission has allowed Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking to extend its existing 676.69 MW power purchase agreement with Tata Power for another 5 years. "Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) has allowed Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) to extend its existing Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with The Tata Power Company Ltd (TPC-G) for 677 MW supplied from its Trombay Thermal and Hydro plants for five years from April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2024," a Tata Power statement said Wednesday. According to the statement, after the due diligence for ensuring the reliability of supply and cost competitiveness for the BEST consumers in Mumbai, the commission, in its order on January 2, 2019, approved the extension. The commission's order came after BEST inter alia submitted that the cheapest option before it is the extension of its present PPA with Trombay Thermal Power Station and Hydro plants of .
Vikram Solar bags 140 MW solar project from NTPC
Solar module manufacturer Vikram Solar Wednesday said it has bagged 140 MW solar plant project from National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) in Uttar Pradesh. NTPC plans to install 225 MW solar plant in Uttar Pradesh and Vikram Solar has been awarded first allotment of 140 MW project, the company said in a statement issued here. The project is expected to be completed by September 2020. ****************************** TPC, BEST extend PPA for 677 MW * Tata Power Wednesday said it has extended its power purchase agreement with the BrihanMumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) for 677 MW for five years till March 2024. State electricity regulatory commission MERC has allowed BEST to extend its existing PPA with Tata Power for 677 MW, which will be supplied from its Trombay thermal and hydro plants for five years from April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2024, the company said in a statement issued here. The existing power tie-up of 677 MW between BEST and Tata ...