Page 337 - Environment
6 African spurred tortoises seized in MP; two arrested
Two West Bengal residents were arrested with six rare African spurred tortoises here in Madhya Pradesh, an official said. The arrest and seizure were made duirng a vehicle checking drive Monday night in the Dunda Seoni area of the district, he said. Forest officials said each of the six seized tortoise costs Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh in the international market. Seoni's Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) T S Sulia said these tortoises were found in a car coming from West Bengal and going towards Maharashtra. The rescued African spurred tortoises are of rare species who live up to 150 years, he said, adding they appear to be aged 60-70 years and weigh 12-15 kg each. These tortoises are used in medicines and for witchcraft, the forest officer said. A four-member Special Task Force (STF) of the forest department has reached Seoni from Bhopal for investigation, Sulia said. It is being ascertained if the arrested persons have any links with international smuggling gangs, he ...
Thick haze engulfs city, CPCB says action by agencies 'inadequate'
A thick haze engulfed Delhi as the air quality deteriorated on Tuesday, while the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), after the Supreme Court's stern observations, asserted that the enforcement bodies have been asked to pull up their socks as their response to public complaints was found "grossly inadequate". These agencies have been again directed to join social media platforms to speedily address the grievances, the CPCB said while revealing details of an earlier meeting, a day after the Supreme Court asked it to prosecute government officials for not acting on around 250 complaints received from citizens. Authorities, meanwhile, said using artificial rain to reduce pollution may not be possible in the near future due to unfavourable meteorological conditions and pending clearance to fly an aircraft for cloud seeding. The overall air quality index (AQI) of Delhi was recorded between 350-360, which falls in the 'very poor' category with four areas recording severe pollution ...
India should focus on sustainable, inclusive urbanisation: Envoy
Pointing out that India will witness a steady surge in urbanisation during the next two decades, a senior German envoy on Tuesday said a sustainable, inclusive and socially balanced process of urbanisation is required in the South Asian country to achieve the current government's smart cities aspiration.
Global warming outpaces efforts to slow it: UN
Humanity is falling further behind in the race against climate change, with the gap between greenhouse gas emissions and levels needed to achieve the Paris climate treaty temperature goals continuing to widen, the UN said Tuesday. With only a single degree Celsius of warming so far, the world has seen a crescendo of deadly wildfires, heatwaves and hurricanes. On current trends, temperatures are on track to rise roughly 4C by the century's end, a scenario that would tear at the fabric of civilisation, scientists say. To cap global warming at two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit), national carbon-cutting pledges annexed to the 2015 Paris Agreement must collectively triple by 2030, according to the UN Environment Programme's (UNEP) Emissions Gap report. To hold the rise in Earth's temperature to 1.5C above the preindustrial benchmark, such efforts would have to increase fivefold. "The emissions gap is much bigger than last year," UNEP's Philip Drost, one of several coordinators ...
Thick haze engulfs Delhi, air quality 'severe' in four areas
A thick haze engulfed Delhi as the air quality deteriorated and four areas of the national capital recorded 'severe' pollution level, authorities said Tuesday. The overall air quality index (AQI) of Delhi was recorded at 347, which falls in the 'very poor' category, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data. The CPCB said Ashok Vihar, Mundaka, Narela and Wazirpur recorded 'severe' air quality, while 22 areas of Delhi recorded 'very poor' air quality. The level of PM2.5 -- particles in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres -- was recorded at 211 and the PM10 level was recorded at 390, it said. An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'. In NCR, Ghaziabad, Greater Noida, Gurgaon, Faridabad and Noida recorded 'very poor' air quality, the CPCB data said. According to the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, a haze has engulfed the ..
Mekedatu project has to come into effect, says Kumaraswamy
A miffed Tamil Nadu Tuesday demanded that the Centre withdraw its permission to Karnataka for preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a proposed balancing reservoir-cum-drinking water project at Mekedatu across the Cauvery. Reacting to the neighbouring state's demand, Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy asserted that the project has to come into effect. "No need to panic, Mekedatu project has to come into effect," Kumaraswamy said in response to a question about Tamil Nadu writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue. Speaking to reporters here, he said, "The State government within the framework of law....how it plans to implement the project by petitioning the central government... we will share with you in the days to come." Kumaraswamy's comments come amid reports that the Central Water Commission (CWC) has given its go-ahead to Karnataka for preparing a DPR. Bringing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's notice that the Central Water Commission has ..
Farmers don't need to worry about lack of water: Mahapatra
West Bengal Irrigation minister Soumen Mahapatra Tuesday said farmers don't need to worry about lack of water for cultivation of Bodo crops in the state. The amount of rainfall this year has been much lower in several parts of the state, so there is a sense of anguish among farmers about cultivation of Bodo crops in the winter season, Mahapatra said. "We have formed a high level committee comprising of additional chief secretary of Irrigation department and Agricultural department. The amount of accumulated water might be less but we can manage things with this specific amount of water," he said while taking to reporters. If the farmers follow few steps then there won't be any problem. If they change the crop pattern and agricultural pattern a bit then it won't be problem for farmers, he said. "We have also decided to request the Electricity department to provide temporary connection to those who may have defaulted in payment of electricity bills so that the they can ...
Air pollution: Over Rs 15 lakh in penalties on rule violators in Noida
A penalty of over Rs 15 lakh was imposed on individuals and contractors involved in building constructions who were found violating the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order on containing pollution, the Noida Authority said Tuesday. The action comes a day after the Supreme Court directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to initiate prosecution of government officials who have not penalised polluters despite receiving complaint against them. "A total penalty of Rs 15.58 lakh has been imposed on violators (whose construction materials were uncovered) today. As many as water tankers have been pressed into service across the city for sprinkling water to check dust and air pollution," Chairman and CEO, Noida Authority, Alok Tandon said. "I have asked authority officials for toughest action on violators of NGT orders. Officials, including junior engineers, assistant engineers and executive engineers have also been warned to ensure compliance as per court orders," he said. Amid ...
Two-day Global Agriculture & Food Summit to be inaugurated on
Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh will inaugurate the two-day Global Agriculture & Food Summit here on coming Thursday, a senior state government official said Tuesday. Jharkhand Agriculture Secretary Puja Singhal told reporters that the Summit starting from November 29 at the Tana Bhagat Indoor Stadium is being organised in the state for the first time. So far 1800 delegates have registered. The farmers from Jharkhand who had been to Israel will also join. Governor Droupadi Murmu will be the Chief Guest for the closing ceremony (on November 30), Singhal said. A total 10,000 farmers from the state will participate in the Summit, she said, adding pavilion of all the 24 districts of the state would be set up. She said other states will also set up pavilions, adding an exhibition of agriculture tools and other technology will be show cased across 40,000 square feet. A technical session will be organised on November 30, she said. Experts in agriculture, ...
Failure to utilise treated waste water: NGT directs Delhi CS, DJB to deposit Rs 1 cr each with CPCB
The National Green Tribunal on Tuesday directed the Delhi Chief Secretary and the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to deposit Rs 1 crore each with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for their failure to prepare an action plan for utilisation of treated waste water from the sewage treatment plants (STP) in the national capital. The green panel said failure of the Chief Secretary as well as DJB to prepare an action plan on the issue was detrimental to environment and also to the rule of law. "There is thus clear failure on the part of the DJB as well as by Chief Secretary Delhi to carry out the directions of this Tribunal and also to utilise the treated waste water. This is also failure of their duties, entrusted to them under the law resulting in continuing waste of available treated water," the NGT said. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said water is scarce resource and proper utilisation of waste water was necessary to reduce the pressure on the ground water ..
Thick haze engulfs city; CPCB says action by agencies "inadequate"
A thick haze engulfed Delhi as the air quality deteriorated on Tuesday with eight areas recording severe pollution level, while the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), after the Supreme Court's stern observations, informed Tuesday that it had conveyed to the enforcement bodies that their response to public complaints was "grossly inadequate". These agencies have been again asked to join social media platforms to speedily address the grievances, the CPCB said while revealing details of an earlier meeting, a day after the Supreme Court asked it to prosecute government officials for not acting on around 250 complaints received from citizens. Authorities, meanwhile, said using artificial rain to reduce pollution may not be possible in the near future due to unfavourable meteorological conditions and pending clearance to fly an aircraft for cloud seeding. The overall air quality index (AQI) of Delhi was recorded between 350-360, which falls in the 'very poor' category, according to ...
Treat Mekedatu project as a special case: Yeddyurappa to Ktk
Karnataka BJP President B S Yeddyurappa Tuesday said the state government should consider the Mekedatu project as a special case and allocate funds on priority basis to complete it in a time-bound manner. The government should go ahead with the project including preparation and submission of Detailed Project Report, besides starting construction works, he said in a statement here. "The government should consider this (project) as a special case and allocate funds on priority basis to complete this project in a time-bound manner," the former chief minister added. Complimenting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his team for clearing the balancing reservoir-cum-drinking water project at Mekedatu across the Cauvery river, Yeddyurappa said it would be a relief for people living in villages located in the water-starved Kolar district and Bengaluru. These villages, which have been suffering due to scanty rainfall for many years, would get drinking water due to this project, he .
Withdraw permission for DPR for Mekedatu reservoir across Cauvery
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami on Tuesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to withdraw the permission given to Karnataka for the preparation of a project report for Mekedatu reservoir across the Cauvery river.
Goa govt may consider allowing small fishermen to import fish
The Goa government Tuesday said it may consider allowing small-time fishermen from the villages bordering Maharashtra and Karnataka to import fish into the state. The Health Department had last month imposed a ban on the import of fish in the wake of reports that formalin, a toxic chemical, was being used as a preservative. Talking to reporters, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, however, made it clear that the ban on import of fish would not be lifted, and only those who comply with the FDA guidelines would be allowed to bring fish into the state. Rane said several delegations of Maharashtra and Karnataka MLAs were coming to Goa with a request to lift the ban. "There are a few instances, wherein fishermen from neighbouring Shiroda (Maharashtra) and Karwar (Karnataka) catch the fish in small canoes and bring it into the state," the minister said. "We might give a relook at the ban on the import of fish from these areas as they transport the fish within an hour of catching .
HC calls senior officials of civic bodies, AAP govt to court over dirty Kushak drain
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday asked senior officials of three civic bodies and the AAP government's urban development department to be present before it next month for an "interaction" on how to clean up the Kushak drain under the Barapullah flyover. The court said it wanted the senior officials of the four authorities to be present before it together on the next date of hearing so that there was "no passing of the buck" between them. A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao issued the direction after noting that various orders of the court to clean up the drain "were not being implemented in letter and spirit" and the time frame to do the work was not being complied with. The court asked the Engineer-in-chief of the Public Works Department (PWD) and South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), the Member (Water Supply) of Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and Principal Secretary of Urban Development Department to be present before it on December 11, the next date of ...
Blue economy crucial for India's economic development: Gadkari
Highlighting India's strategic advantages in the Indian Ocean Region, Union Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari has said the blue economy is crucial for the country's economic development. The minister left for Nairobi on Tuesday to attend the Sustainable Blue Economy Conference, organised by Kenya with Canada and Japan as co-hosts. He will address the conference on Wednesday. The Blue Economy refers to sustainable use of ocean resources for growth, jobs and improved living standards, while preserving the ecosystem. It encompasses areas like maritime transport, fisheries, renewable energy, waste management and tourism, according to the World Bank. "Gadkari said India has a strategic location in the Indian Ocean Region, and on this basis, it endorses the growth of the blue economy in a sustainable, inclusive and people-centred manner through the framework of the Indian Ocean Rim Association," the shipping ministry said in a statement. The minister said India is developing maritime ...
Pollution increases in Delhi despite negligible stubble burning
Air quality has yet again dropped in the national capital and neighbouring areas on Tuesday, with more places suffering 'severe' pollution levels even as stubble burning is negligible.
Russian scientists share tips on water management
: Scientists from the Russian Academy of Sciences Tuesday said several of their water management practices have great relevance in the Indian context. Four scientists from the academy and another from Environment Canada are here to participate in a two-day India-Russia consultation on 'water management for human welfare and environment protection' at Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences here. Highlighting the issues related to Moscow water supply system depending on surface water systems on Moscow, Vazuaza and Volga rivers, Dr Polyianin Vladislav Olegovich of Water Problem Institute of the Academy said it was interesting to note that several of their practices have relevance to the urban water supply schemes of India. The academy has established a scientific data collection network to monitor water quality change, to identify and eliminate source of pollution and to adhere to water quality standards. Stating that they have evolved scientific operation rules to .
Climate change wiped out 'Siberian unicorn': Study
The Siberian unicorn was wiped out about 36,000 years ago due to the reduction in grassland resulting from climate change, rather than the impact of humans, according to a study unveiled Tuesday. The research, published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution, sheds light on the origin and extinction of the giant, shaggy Ice Age rhinoceros known as the Siberian unicorn because of its extraordinary single horn. An international team led by London's Natural History Museum, settled a long-standing debate about the relationship of the Siberian unicorn to living rhinos. The researchers revealed that the Siberian unicorn survived much later than previously believed, overlapping in time with modern humans. They found that the Siberian unicorn became extinct around 36,000 years ago. This was most likely because of reduction in steppe grassland where it lived due to climate change rather than the impact of humans, the researchers said. Today there are just five surviving species of rhino,
TN CM asks PM Modi to rescind nod for DPR on Mekedatu dam
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami Tuesday urged the Centre to withdraw its permission to Karnataka for preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a proposed balancing reservoir-cum-drinking water project at Mekedatu across the Cauvery river. Bringing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's notice that the Central Water Commission has this month given its go-ahead to Karnataka for preparing a DPR, Palaniswami said Tamil Nadu had already opposed a feasibility report in the matter. The chief minister, in a letter to Modi, said he had urged him in September to stop any further processing of Karnataka's feasibility report to construct a balancing reservoir at Mekedatu. He added that he had also urged the prime minister to not give consent to any projects across the Cauvery without obtaining the prior concurrence of Tamil Nadu and other co-basin states. It was reiterated in a memorandum presented to him on October 8 as well, the chief minister said. Tamil Nadu had already conveyed to the
