Page 278 - Environment
Manali Petrochemicals stops operations at its plant
Manali Petrochemicals Ltd has stopped operations at one of its plants here following a directive from Central Pollution Control Board citing "certain shortcomings." The city-based company, in a filing to the stock exchanges said it received a notice from the Central Pollution Control Board under the Environment Protection Act, 1985 seeking to stop operations of plant 1 "citing certain shortcomings". "The company is addressing the issues and also has taken necessary actions for suspension of the order," it said. Following the initiative to suspension of the order, the operations of the have been stopped in compliance with the notice sent by CPCB, it added. However, the operations of the Plant II remain "unaffected". The company's plant one is located at Ponneri High Road, Manali while the unit II at Sathangadu village, Manali, Chennai. Manali Petrochemicals produces propylene glycol and related chemical substances. It is the only Indian manufacturer to produce propylene .
To save crops, Aligarh farmers locking up stray cows in govt buildings
Unhappy over stray cows destroying their crops, farmers in the district are driving them away and locking them up in government buildings, especially in Iglas and Khair tehsils. The development comes at a time when Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed the officials concerned to make immediate arrangements for proper care of stray cows. He has also ordered clearing of grazing grounds in different parts of the state from encroachments. During the last 48 hours, the district authorities have had to deal with locals, mostly belonging to villages falling under Iglas and Khair tehsils, driving away the stray cattle to compounds of different government buildings,including schools and hospitals. Unconfirmed reports said several schools in the area have been closed as farmers turned the compounds into temporary cow shelters. District Magistrate Chandra Bhushan Singh and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajay Kumar Sahni held an emergency meeting of district officials to take stock ..
Kyocera contributes to clean environment
Solar farms installed by Japanese Company 'Kyocera' and Thai Company 'SPCG Public Company' are attracting attention nowadays as a source of renewable energy.Solar panels lined up on the roof of factories are called 'solar farms'. At the 'Aman Nakkorn Industrial Estate' in Thailand, many factories belonging to Japanese companies are using 'solar farm'.SPCG is equipped with solar panels manufactured by Kyocera and manages the power supply by solar farms.Wandee Khunchornyakong Juljarern, the CEO of SPCG Public Company says, "SPCG is the first company that started solar energy business in Thailand back in 2010 with great support from Kyocera Corporation. We have also improved solar roof business for Japanese industry in Thailand with great support from the Thai government's Board of Investment (BOI)."She further mentioned, "That helped reduce 50% of investment from corporate tax, so right now we are heading for solar roof business for Japanese industry in Thailand with 7,000 companies and
ECB sees global economic slowdown in 2019
FRANKFURT (Reuters) - The global economy is set to slow down in 2019 and stabilise thereafter, the European Central Bank said on Thursday.
Over 700 stray cows locked up in school, health centre in Aligarh
Over 700 stray cows were locked up inside a government school and primary health centre in Gorai area in Aligarh by farmers on December 24 and 25 to save their crops from being damaged by the cattle."The cows are destroying our crops. For long, we have been demanding cow shelters from the government but no action is being taken," a farmer said.Taking note of the issue, Aligarh District Magistrate CB Singh said that they have directed the officials to visit the site. "The process of constructing cow shelters in various villages is underway," he said."We have received complaints that villagers locked up stray cows in school and health centre. I have directed Sub-Divisional Magistrate to visit Gorai. Village heads will be given the responsibility to resolve the issue," he added.Farmers in Bulandshahr have also been facing a similar problem for long and they are spending nights in their farms to protect their crops from being destroyed by stray cattle. "Our crops are being damaged ...
Amazon announces record sales for holiday season in 2018
US-based online retail giant Amazon on Wednesday announced a record-breaking holiday season as tens of millions of people have signed up for its Prime membership either by making paid service or on a trial basis.
Gadkari to lay foundation stone for 11 projects for Yamuna rejuvenation
In order to conserve the river Yamuna, Union Minister for Water Resources Nitin Gadkari will lay foundation stones for eleven projects under the Namami Gange Programme by National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) on Thursday, a government said on Wednesday.
Gadkari to call CMs' meet on Karnataka's water project
Union Minister for Water Resources Nitin Gadkari will convene a meeting of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers on the implementation of the controversial Cauvery river project at Mekedatu for drinking water supply, said an official on Wednesday.
Delhi Environment Minister directs authorities for combating pollution
Delhi's Environment Minister Imran Hussain on Thursday convened a high-level meeting to review the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) mandated by Supreme Court of India for combatting and mitigating air pollution in Delhi in view of the prevailing metrological conditions in the whole of northern India.He was informed by the concerned department that the main reasons for the present conditions in Delhi are temperature inversion, meteorological conditions, and low wind speed which do not allow the pollutants to disperse easily in the atmosphere.Officials in the meeting stated that with the forecast of an increase in wind speed, the AQI is likely to improve in coming days.During the meeting, DPCC informed that different actions are being taken by the agencies concerned including increased frequency of mechanized road sweeping and water sprinkling especially at pollution hot spots, stopping usage of DG sets, increasing the frequency of bus and metro services, ban on
Karnataka CM meets Gadkari, holds discussion on Mekedatu project
Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy met with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday and discussed various issues including Mekedatu Project.Kumaraswamy brought to the notice of Union Minister the objections raised by Tamil Nadu against the project while outlining that it is beneficial to both states, especially for the Tamil Nadu. He requested Gadkari to resolve the issue by calling the meetings of Chief Ministers of both the states."The Union Minister has said that he will call the meeting of Chief Ministers of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to discuss over the implementation of Mekedatu Project," informed Karnataka's chief minister's office.During the meeting, the duo also discussed various highway projects."Union Minister Gadkari has also agreed upon the construction of an elevated highway between Hubballi and Dharwad and has asked the State Government to complete the land acquisition to begin the works," said the press release from Chief Ministers Office (CMO), ...
Delhi air quality to improve in coming days: EPCA chairperson Bhure Lal
Environment Pollution Control Authority Chairperson Bhure Lal on Wednesday said the air quality of the national capital would improve in the coming days. After 'severe' pollution was observed for the past four days in Delhi, the air quality in the national capital slightly improved Wednesday, but was still in the 'very poor' category as weather conditions marginally favoured dispersion of pollutants, authorities said. Lal said the air quality would improve in the coming days with improvement in meterological conditions. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed the overall air quality index (AQI) at the 'very poor' level of 378, while the Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR) showed an AQI of 364, which too falls in the 'very poor' category.
Delhi's air quality 'very poor'; authorities predict improvement in coming days
Delhi's air quality improved slightly Wednesday and was in the 'very poor' category due to improved meteorological conditions even as the state government warned of strict action against officials who fail to comply with its directions of mitigating pollution emanating from dust and waste burning. After battling severe pollution for four consecutive days, the authorities predicted that the air quality will improve by Thursday as good wind speed will continue to disperse pollutants faster than accumulation caused by the cold condition and fog. EPCA Chairman Bhure Lal said the conditions will get better in the coming days with improved meteorological conditions. Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain convened a high-level meeting to review the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), a strategy mandated by the Supreme Court to combat and mitigate air pollution in Delhi, and warned of strict action against officials failing to comply with directives. The Central ...
Elephants enter part of Korba city, one injured
The local administration banned people's movement in parts of Korba town in Chhattisgarh Wednesday after a herd of wild elephants entered a residential area and injured a person. After learning that four elephants had strayed into a plantation near a helipad in Mudapar area, teams of forest officials and police rushed to the spot, said Collector Mohammad Qaiser Abdul Haque. The herd had been spotted in a forested area of Dadar Khurd village Tuesday night, he added. The officials were trying to chase away the animals back into forest, he said. In the meantime, to avoid anyone getting attacked by the elephants, section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (prohibiting movement) was imposed in Mudapar and surrounding areas, he said. The order will remain effective till the elephants are driven back into the jungle, he added. A man identified as Dilip Vishwakarma was injured when he went near the elephants despite warning, the collector said, adding that he was shifted to .
Delhi environment minister directs authorities to control local polluting factors
Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain Wednesday asked authorities to control local polluting factors such as garbage burning and dust, and warned of action against senior officials if they fail to comply with the directions. The national capital recorded its second highest pollution level of the year on Sunday with an AQI of 450. The air quality remained 'severe' Monday and Tuesday before moving to the 'very poor' category Wednesday morning. Hussain urged the citizens of Delhi to minimise use of private vehicles and use public transport during this period. He convened a high-level meeting here to review the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which was mandated by the Supreme Court to combat and mitigate air pollution in Delhi in view of the prevailing meteorological conditions in the whole of northern India. He directed senior officers of municipal corporations to monitor mechanical sweeping of roads, including PWD roads, to prevent suspension and ...
Dense fog to cover Delhi; air improves to 'very poor'
After four consecutive days of "severe" air pollution, Delhi's air quality improved to "very poor" and according to the weatherman, it is likely to remain in the same zone for the next three days, with dense fog engulfing the city.
Delhi's air quality 'very poor', MeT conditions slightly favourable for pollutant dispersion
After 'severe' pollution was observed for four days in Delhi, the air quality in the national capital slightly improved, but was still in the 'very poor' category as weather conditions marginally favoured dispersion of pollutants, authorities said. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed the overall air quality index (AQI) at the 'very poor' level of 378, while the Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR) showed an AQI of 364, which too falls in the 'very poor' category. According to CPCB data, eight areas recorded severe pollution, while 26 areas witnessed 'very poor' air quality. In NCR, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gurgaon, Greater Noida 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 micrometer -- was recorded at 220 and the PM10 level at 341 here, the CPCB said. The national capital recorded its second highest pollution level of the year Sunday with an AQI of
More bears needed to sustain Pyrenees population: activists
The release of additional bears into the Pyrenees mountains straddling France and Spain is needed to ensure the fledgling population's survival, the activist group charged with the bears' protection said Wednesday. "The good news of 2018 is without doubt the release of two bears in the Bearn region in October," the Ferus association said, referring to the border region. "But there's still a long road ahead of us," it added. Government officials have pushed ahead with plans to reintroduce brown bears in a bid to boost biodiversity, despite fierce resistance by sheep and other livestock producers. Around 40 bears currently roam the mountains since France began importing them from Slovenia in 1996, with Ferus hoping the two newest, Claverina and Sorita, will have cubs sometime next year. Environmental activists say they are crucial for maintaining a fragile ecosystem threatened by human activity and climate change. Some farmers, however, have vowed to shoot the bears on sight, saying ...
Jyoti Randhawa held on poaching charges in UP
Ace golfer Jyoti Randhawa was arrested Wednesday on charges of poaching in the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve's protected area in Uttar Pradesh, an officer said. Equipment used for hunting, a .22 bore rifle and a deer hide were seized from the international golfer, field officer Ramesh Pandey said. Randhawa, ranked among the top 100 of the Official World Golf Ranking several times between 2004 and 2009, has a farm house in Dudhwa-Katarniaghat forest area and was said to be staying there for the past few days. The officer said a luxury vehicle with registration number HR-26 DN-4299 was also seized from the golfer whose full name is Jyotinder Singh Randhawa. Police slapped serious charges under various sections of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and the Indian Forest Act, 1927 against him. He was later produced before the chief judicial magistrate, Bahraich. Pandey said another person, identified as Mahesh Virajdar, was arrested along with Randhawa near the Motipur range of Katarniaghat in the
World's largest floating LNG platform starts production in Australia
SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Royal Dutch Shell said on Wednesday it has begun output at its Prelude floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facility in Australia, the world's largest floating production structure and the last of a wave of eight LNG projects built in the country over the last decade.
Golfer Randhawa held for poaching in UP
International golfer Jyoti Singh Randhawa was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh forest department on Wednesday for poaching in the Katraniaghat wildlife sanctuary in Bahraich district, officials said.