Page 281 - Environment
Delhi BJP chief demands Kejriwal call all-party meet to tackle pollution crisis
With Delhi's air quality remaining in the 'severe' category for the last three days, city BJP chief Manoj Tiwari Monday demanded Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to call an all-party meeting to find a solution to the recurring crisis. He wondered why was the chief minister not calling a special session of the Assembly when he often does so for any "private or external" issue not related to Delhi. Taking a dig at the chief minister, Tiwari tweeted in Hindi, "Arvind Kejriwal ji (are) you still the CM? Why don't you call an all-party meeting and a special session of the Delhi Assembly. Do you want us to believe that you cannot do it." The city is facing its highest pollution level since Diwali. While the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed the overall air quality index (AQI) in the 'severe' category at 448, the Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR) showed an AQI of 468. The 'severe' quality of air was attributed to wind speed and other ...
Delhi's pollution level remains 'severe'; 3-day ban on industrial, construction activities
Delhi's air quality remained in the 'severe' category for the third consecutive day on Monday, prompting authorities to impose a three-day ban on industrial activities in pollution hotspots and construction work across Delhi-NCR. The city is facing its highest pollution level since Diwali. While the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed the overall air quality index (AQI) in the 'severe' category at 448, the Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR) showed an AQI of 468. Based on CPCB task force recommendations, the Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) shut down industries located in hotspot industrial areas of Wazirpur, Mundka, Narela, Bawana, Sahibabad and Faridabad and halted construction activities across Delhi-NCR till Wednesday. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee said the ban comes into force from Monday itself and it is sending letters to industries and construction authorities to immediately halt the ...
Poland climate summit fared much better than expected: Union Env Secy
The recent climate summit in Poland "fared much better than expected" and India has been able to present its successes and concerns at the global level, a top Environment Ministry official said on Monday. Union Environment Secretary C K Mishra said India, which played a "positive" role, was able to get a "fair amount of applause" for its efforts and also recognition to the issues that it raised. He also said the set of rules that was finalised by 200 nations at the summit is "robust, forward looking and from India's perspective embodies what we have been arguing". Negotiators from nearly 200 countries Sunday finalised a set of rules that will make the 2015 Paris deal to curb global warming operational in 2020, after a two-week summit. The outcome of the talks in the mining city of Katowice aims to limit the rise in global temperature to well below 2C. "Katowice fared much better than what we had expected. There were successes. We now have a guideline in place to take things forward. ..
Good management training institute needed for aspiring IAS, IPS officers: Gadkari
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Monday underlined the need for an excellent management training institute for aspiring IAS and IPS officers, as this will help to make qualitative improvements in the system.Addressing management students at Vigyan Bhawan here, Gadkari said: "In today's 21st century, knowledge plays a key role, and along with it, innovation, entrepreneurship, science and technology, and research and development are important parameters. We convert knowledge into wealth, which is the future of the country."Stressing the need for a performance audit to measure the capabilities of aspirants working in district administrations, Gadkari said: "When you give interviews or written tests, you get selected based on knowledge. When a person is deemed good, he is useful in the administration. But, when there is an error in selection, the entire system gets disturbed.""There should be a system for a performance audit. When you expect good postings, ..
'Kavi Sammelan' to be held in Kullu on Vajpayee's birth anniversary
A 'Kavi Sammelan' will be organised in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu district to mark the birth anniversary of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee Tuesday, Forest and Transport Minister Govind Singh Thakur said Monday. Poems written by Vajpayee will be recited in the 'Kavi Sammelan' and cultural programmes would also be held, he said. "Manali always remained a second home for Vajpayee ji and he had special attachment with Kullu-Manali. The people of Kullu-Manali also loved him from the core of their hearts," Thakur said.
Ban on flying lantern kites,use of laser beams near Goa airport
The South Goa district administration on Monday imposed a ban on flying lantern kites and using laser beams within 2 km of the state's only airport, the Dabolim International Airport.
Delhi air 'severe,' EPCA bans industrial activity, construction
With pollution remaining 'severe' for the third consecutive day in the national capital, the Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) on Monday banned construction work and industrial activities in pollution hotspots till Wednesday.
Delhi: Factories in key industrial areas to remain closed till Dec 26
Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority on Monday received recommendations from the Central Pollution Control Board Task force, under the Graded Response Action Plan, directing factories located in hotspot industrial areas to remain closed till December 26 in Delhi-NCR.In a letter written to the Delhi Secretariat, it is mentioned that construction activities in Gurugram, Noida, Delhi, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad too shall remain closed till Wednesday. The letter also mentioned that strict action must be taken against industries failing to comply with these instructions.The decision to direct industries to shut down comes amidst deteriorating air quality in the national capital and surrounding regions. Overall Air quality index (AQI) of Delhi was 468, which falls in the "hazardous" category.Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on December 18 had said his government is mulling over a new electric vehicle policy to reduce pollution in the national capital."We are working on
Elephant enters residential settlement
An adult elephant entered a park in the residential settlement of Abhinav Bidanasi here on Monday after it got separated from a herd while crossing a river, Forest officials said. The park is located on the left embankment of river Kathajodi. The panic striken residents informed the Forest department about the elephant. Forest officials said the pachyderm was separated from a herd of about 15 elephants which was crossing the river and going to nearby Athagarh Forest Range. "The male elephant is believed to be between 12 and 15 years old and it has tusk" said city forest range officer A K Mishra. At least 50 personnel from the Forest department and personnel from local Markat Nagar police station were deployed around the park restricting people coming close to the site. Mishra said the elephant will be chased back to the river during the night.
Delhi pollution: Top env min official says this is a 'temporary phase'
As Delhi chokes amid worsening pollution levels, Union Environment Secretary C K Mishra on Monday said this is a "temporary phase" caused by unfavourable meteorological conditions and insisted that measures to tackle it were on in "full swing". The national capital's air quality remained in the 'severe' category for the third consecutive day on Monday, prompting authorities to impose a three-day ban on industrial activities in pollution hotspots and construction work across Delhi-NCR. The city is facing its highest pollution level since Diwali. While the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed the overall air quality index (AQI) in the 'severe' category at 448, the Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR) showed an AQI of 468. "This is a temporary phase, largely because of meteorological conditions over Delhi and the surrounding areas. It is not as if the level of emissions has suddenly gone up," Mishra told reporters at a press conference. "It is ...
President ends 'southern sojourn', flies back to New Delhi
: President Ram Nath Kovind Monday concluded his four-day customary 'southern sojourn' here and flew back to New Delhi. Kovind and the first lady Savitha Kovind were given a farewell by Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Governor ESL Narasimhan and his wifeVimala Narasimhan at Hakimpet airport here. TelanganaHome Minister Mohd Mahmood Ali, chief secretary S K Joshi and other dignitaries were also present. Kovind had arrived here Friday on the 'southern sojourn. On Sunday, he hosted a 'At Home' party at the Rashtrapati Nilayam. It is customary for the President to visit Rashtrapati Nilayam and conduct official business from there at least once a year. During his visit, the President had discussed with the forest department officials aboutgreening the Rashtrapati Nilayam area spread over 75 acres, an official release said. The President inaugurated a cascade, palmatum and rock garden this morning, the release said. He appreciated the efforts of the forest department in greening .
Will complete Polavaram project by Dec 2019,says AP CM
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu Monday accused his Odisha and Telangana counterparts Naveen Patnaik and K Chandrasekhar Rao of trying to block the construction of the multipurpose Polavaram project on the Godavari. He vowed to complete the project by December 2019 and maintained that Polavaram project caused no problems to either Telangana or Odisha. Naidu asserted that no force could stop the work. "During their meeting in Bhubaneswar yesterday, Patnaik and KCR discussed steps to stop the Polavaram project works. I dont understand why they are trying to block the project that is the lifeline of Andhra Pradesh," Naidu said, addressing farmers. He maintained that there was no problem whatsoever for Telangana while Odisha would get to use five tmcft of water. "We also assured Odisha that people in the submergence areas of the project (falling in the neighbouring state) will be fully rehabilitated," he added. Naidu said he would talk to Patnaik on the ...
Delhi Jal Board approves Rs 453 crore for rejuvenation of 159 lakes, creation of two mega lakes
The Delhi Jal Board has approved Rs 453 crores for rejuvenation of 159 lakes across Delhi and creation of two mega lakes, an official statement said Monday. Out of Rs 436 crores, the board has approved Rs 77 crores for the creation of two mega lakes in Rohini and Nilothi while Rs 376 crores for rejuvenation of 159 lakes, the statement said. With the approval of Nilothi and Rohini mega lakes, the total number of lakes to be created in Delhi goes up to five. Lakes in Dwarka and Najafgarh are already approved and Timarpur will be approved soon, it said. The move to approve Rs 376 crore to rejuvenate the lakes aims to recharge groundwater, create additional reserves of water among other benefits, the statement said. The cumulative lake area will be spread across over 350 acres with water potential to hold 1,581 million litres or 135 million gallons. "The water-bodies will be designed scientifically to recharge groundwater to the maximum extent possible. Apart from rainwater, treated water
Congress betrayed farmers of MP, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Rajasthan: Javadekar
Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Monday launched a fresh attack on the Congress alleging that the Rahul Gandhi led party has betrayed the farmers of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and Rajasthan."It is in Congress' nature not to fulfil its promises. It has betrayed the farmers of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and Rajasthan. They (Congress) have not waived off their (farmers) loans completely. Farmers are getting notice after notice," he asserted.He further alleged, "The Congress party had told the nationalised banks to forego the loans but did not pay them the money. When the banks did not agree the party paid them a very small amount."Elaborating upon the plight of farmers, the minister accused the Congress of having anti-farmer policies and blamed it for their bad condition."397 farmers have committed suicide in Karnataka, earlier some 3000 farmers had taken their life in the state. Farmers of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan will also suffer in their .
Delhi-NCR: EPCA shuts industries in hotspots, bans construction activities for 3 days
The Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) on Monday imposed a three-day ban on industrial activities in pollution hotspots and construction work across Delhi-NCR in view of the national capital's 'severe' air quality. Delhi is facing its highest pollution level since Diwali. The city's air quality remained in the 'severe' category for the third consecutive day on Monday as the wind speed and other meteorological factors remained "highly unfavourable" for dispersion of pollutants. Industries located in Wazirpur, Mundka, Narela, Bawana, Sahibabad and Faridabad will remain closed until Wednesday, EPCA Chairperson Bhure Lal said in a letter to Delhi Chief Secretary Vijay Kumar Dev. The EPCA has also banned all construction activities in Delhi, Faridabad, Gurugram, Ghaziabad and Noida till Wednesday. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee said the ban comes into force from Monday itself and it is sending letters to industries and construction authorities to .
Bangladesh tenders to import 50,000 tonnes of wheat for early 2019
DHAKA (Reuters) - Bangladesh's state grains buyer issued an international tender to import 50,000 tonnes of milling wheat, officials said on Monday, as it looks to secure supplies.
Delhi's pollution level remains severe, 3-day ban on construction activities
Delhi's air quality remained in the severe category for the third consecutive day on Monday, prompting authorities to impose a three-day ban on industrial activities in pollution hotspots and construction work across Delhi-NCR. The city is facing its highest pollution level since Diwali. While the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed the overall air quality index (AQI) at 'severe' level of 448, the Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR) showed an AQI of 468. In view of prevalence of severe pollution in the national capital, the CPCB recommended to the Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) to shut down industries located in hotspot industrial areas of Wazirpur, Mundka, Narela, Bawana, Sahibabad and Faridabad. They will remain closed until Wednesday, said EPCA Chairperson Bhure Lal. In a letter to Delhi Chief Secretary Vijay Kumar Dev, Lal also directed him to ban all construction activities in the national ...
Rabi sowing down 4.6%, sharp fall in acreage under coarse cereals
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Delhi's air quality severe for third day, condition to prevail till Christmas evening
Delhi's air quality remained in the severe category for the third consecutive day as wind speed and other meteorological factors remained "highly unfavourable" for dispersion of pollutants, authorities said, adding hazardous pollution would continue to plague the national capital till Christmas evening. Delhi is facing its highest pollution level since Diwali. People have been advised by the authorities to minimise outdoor activities and avoid use of private vehicles. While the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed the overall air quality index (AQI) at 'severe' level of 448, the Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR) showed an AQI of 468. An AQI between 100 to 200 comes under the 'moderate' category, 201 and 300 is considered 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', while that between 401 and 500 is 'severe'. On Monday, 30 areas of the national capital recorded 'severe' air quality while five areas recorded very poor air quality, according to the ...
2018: A year when climate change hit closer to home
Warnings of the disastrous effects of climate change not just dominated scientific discourse but also hit uncomfortably close to home this year with consequences such as extreme weather events, floods and wild fires seen across the world. Teen climate activist Greta Thunberg caught the world's attention this month at the 24th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP24) in Katowice, Poland, with a fiery speech shaming global leaders for being "too immature" to confront the truth of climate change. "You only talk about moving forward with the same bad ideas that got us into this mess, even when the only sensible thing to do is pull the emergency brake," she said in her speech. The 15-year-old's passionate plea to save the planet for the sake of future generations was an apt climax to a year peppered with research reports warning that inaction is turning the only known planet with life into a "hothouse". A report, released ahead of ...