Page 340 - Environment
Delhi's air quality slips to 'very poor', two areas severe
Delhi's air quality slipped back to 'very poor' category due to reduced wind speed as authorities warned of further deterioration in the next two days, officials said. The overall air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 343 -- in the 'very poor' category, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Anand Vihar and Mundaka recorded 'severe' air quality. The AQI in 31 areas was registered in the 'very poor' category, the data said. The level of PM2.5 (particles in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres) was recorded at 194, and the PM10 level was recorded at 354. In the NCR region, Ghaziabad recorded the worst air quality with an AQI of 415 which falls in the 'severe' category. Faridabad and Noida's air quality was registered in the 'very poor' category. Gurgaon recorded 'poor' air quality, according to the CPCB data. 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
Act against those who didn't act against polluters: SC to CPCB
The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to take action against the officers who did not act on its information about polluters in Delhi and NCR.
CM launches Rs 85160 cr project to link Godavari-Pennar rivers
: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu Monday launched a Rs 85,160-crore project to link Godavari with Pennar rivers to supply water to drought affected Rayalaseema region, part of the government's overall plan to link five main rivers in the state. "We are going ahead with linking the five main rivers in the state Godavari, Krishna, Nagavali, Vamsadhara and Pennar. There will be no drought in the state once the interlinking of rivers is completed," an official release quoted him as saying at the foundation stone-laying ceremony. By already linking the Godavari and Krishna rivers in 2016, history had been created in the state, he said. The Chief Minister laid the foundation stone at Nakarikallu for the first phase of the interlinking project, under which water will be pumped into the Nagarjuna Sagar right canal using five lifts. This phase would cost Rs 6,020 crore, under which an ayacut of 9.61 lakh acres in the upland regions of Guntur and Prakasam ...
Most air pollution complaints relate to construction & demolition activities, CPCB informs SC
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) informed the Supreme Court on Monday that "highest number" of air pollution complaints in the Delhi-NCR pertain to construction and demolition activities, followed by burning of waste and road dust. Unpaved roads, traffic congestion and industrial emissions constitute other sources of pollution. In an affidavit filed in the top court, the CPCB has said that spatial distribution of different types of air pollution complaints in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) indicated that the construction and demolition related pollution problem was more prominent in western and south-western parts of Delhi. It said that while incidents of waste burning were highest in the eastern part of the city, in trans-Yamuna area, incidents of industrial emissions and illegal industrial activities were prominent in north-west areas followed by north-eastern part of Delhi. The board said that garbage dumping incidents were high in eastern part of Delhi. "As per ...
Forest officials arrest poacher, seize leopard skin
Forest officials in Odisha's Cuttack district arrested a poacher from a jungle and seized a leopard skin from his possession, a senior official said Monday. "We have seized a leopard skin and a double-barrel gun from his possession," said Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Athagarh, Sasmita Lenka. Ruling out any connection of this case with the recent death of a Royal Bengal tiger in Satakosia Tiger Reserve in Angul district, the DFO said the poacher has been identified as one Ichhananda Jani of Patrabhag village and he is now being questioned. The DFO also informed that the poacher has admitted of killing the leopard in the Narasinghpur jungles about a year ago. Although the leopard skin is now polished but there is a clear-cut gunshot injury mark found on it. Involvement of others in this case is now being verified, she added.
Pb CM announces Rs 965 cr infra projects for Gurdaspur
Chief Minister Amarinder Singh announced on Monday infrastructure projects worth Rs 965 crore for the holistic development of the historic Dera Baba Nanak town and adjoining areas of Gurdaspur in Punjab. On the occasion of foundation laying of Dera Baba Nanak-Kartarpur Sahib corridor, the chief minister made the announcement of the infrastructure projects as part of the year-long celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev's 550th birth anniversary. The Kartarpur corridor, would facilitate Sikh pilgrims in visiting the 16th-century Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan. The gurdwara, on the banks of Ravi river, has historical significance for Sikhs as Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism, spent 18 years there. Established by the Sikh Guru in 1522, it is about three-four km from the international border. The opening a corridor to the historical shrine was a long-pending demand of Sikhs. Divulging details of projects to be undertaken by the state government, Singh said a Government Medical College and
Andhra CM lays foundation for Godavari-Penna linking
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday laid the foundation for the first phase of Godavari-Penna linking project at Nakarikallu in Guntur district to make Rayalaseema region drought-free.Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is "initiating steps to link Godavari and Penna rivers to supply water to parched lands of Rayalaseema region," reads an official statement."Penna river flows through Anantapur, Kadapa, Kurnool, Chittoor and Nellore districts. But the meagre water resources in the river are not enough to cater to the needs of these districts. Meanwhile, a major share of Godavari water is flowing to the sea without any usage," adds the statement."If Penna and Godavari rivers were linked, it will benefit in a big way by providing water resources for all the regions of five districts in Rayalaseema region," the statement further reads. The five lifts will be set up at various locations in Harischandrapuram, Lingapuram, Vyyandana, Gangireddypalem, and Nakirekal.The ..
HC stays Centre's notifications exempting building projects from EC
The Delhi High Court on Monday stayed two notifications of the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) granting exemption from environmental clearance (EC) for building projects up to 50,000 sq. metres built up area and 1,50,000 sq. metres in case of industrial sheds, educational institutions and hospitals. A bench of justices Ravindra Bhat and Prateek Jalan passed the interim order on a plea by an NGO challenging the November 14 and 15 notifications of the ministry, alleging that they were violative of fundamental rights to protect life and personal liberty and equality before law. The court sought response of the MoEF on the petition and listed the matter for further hearing on February 19, next year. The petition filed by NGO Social Action for Forest and Environment (SAFE) pleaded that the government be directed to follow the principle of non-regression in both letter and spirit and not to dilute or relax environment norms without any reasonable basis. The plea said that by the .
Prosecute govt officials for not acting on air pollution complaints: SC to CPCB
The Supreme Court Monday asked the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to initiate prosecution against government officials who have not acted on 249 complaints received on its official social media and e-mail accounts with regard to pollution in Delhi. A bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta said that officials who have failed to act on the complaints were required to be prosecuted. "Why do not you prosecute these officials? You should prosecute them. Let these people realise what they have done," the bench told Additional Solicitor General A N S Nadkarni, who was appearing for the CPCB. Nadkarni said that from November 1-22 this year, they had received 749 air pollution complaints on their social media accounts and action was taken on around 500 such complaints. Regarding the court's suggestion to prosecute the officials responsible for not acting on the complaints, he said that the CPCB would look into it. The CPCB had on November 1 told the apex court that it has ...
Guj: Elderly woman becomes third victim of leopard in Dahod
A 64-year-old woman was killed Monday by a leopard on the prowl in Vasiya Dungri forest range in Gujarat's Dahod district, the third such incident involving the big cat in the region in last five days, officials said. The incident occurred when Mathuriben Ganava was collecting wood in the forest near Bhanpur village in Dhanpur taluka, a senior Forest official said. Meanwhile, Devgadhbaria MLA Bachubhai Khabad claimed that the state forest department has granted a permission to Forest officials to shoot down the leopard on his request. However, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) A K Saxena said he was not aware about this. Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), Dahod, J L Zala said the Forest department has stepped up its efforts to trap the roaming big cat. "One Mathuriben Ganava (64) was attacked and killed by the leopard Monday morning when she was picking wood in the Vasiya Dungri forest area near Bhanpur village. This is the third such incident in the area ...
Govt encouraging development of indigenous cows: HP CM
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur Monday said the government was encouraging development of 'desi' breed cows and promoting natural farming in the state. Chairing the second meeting of Himachal Pradesh Gau Vansh Samvardhan Board held here, Thakur said, "The state government was contemplating to constitute Gau Samvardhan Aayog to recommend policies for protection of Gau Vansh and programmes for development of indigenous breed of cows in the state.' In the first cabinet meeting of the state government, it was decided that at least 15 per cent offerings to temples would be earmarked towards construction, maintenance and management of Gau Sadans in the state, he added. Further, the government has decided to levy cess of Rs 1 on sale of every bottle of liquor in the state, he added. The CM said the government would establish cow sanctuaries in all the districts of the state. The deputy commissioners of all the 12 districts have been directed to identify suitable land for the ..
SC asks CEC to look for reduction of mules to zero at Vaishno Devi shrine
The Supreme Court Monday asked the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to look into the aspects of reduction of mules, implanting of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and disposal of solid waste management at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir. The top court asked the CEC to file its response in eight weeks. A bench of Justices M B Lokur and Deepak Gupta said that the CEC would also look into the allegations that dead mules are thrown into the river after throwing them from the cliff. Senior advocate Krishnan Venugopal, appearing for petitioner activist Gauri Mulekhi said that a committee should be constituted to look into all these aspects. The bench also asked Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Jammu and Kashmir government, Mata Shri Vaisno Devi Shrine Board to file their responses on the issues flagged by the petitioner. Venugopal said that the RFID tags used are of plastic and can be easily tampered. The bench said that CEC will look into the
Maha govt to order survey of Bandra slum pocket: Minister
The Maharashtra government will ask the state housing development body (MHADA) to conduct a survey of the Nargis Dutt Nagar slum in suburban Bandra to determine the exact number of slum-dwellers eligible for rehabilitation, the Legislative Council was told Monday. In his reply, Minister of State for Urban Development Ranjit Patil stated that a total of 49,000 small and big fires had been reported in the last ten years in the slum, of which over 33,000 fires were caused due to short-circuits. The minister was replying to a calling attention notice moved by Hemant Takle (Nationalist Congress Party) and others. As per the police reports, there are no illegal Bangladeshi immigrants staying in the slum, he stated. "A survey will be conducted by the MHADA (Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority) in the 1,600 slum dwellings of theNargis Dutt Nagar slums to find out how many of them are eligible for rehabilitation," he stated. Replying to a query raised by Ashok alias
Assembly passes bills increasing fine for throwing waste
The West Bengal Assembly Monday passed a bill which empowers municipalities in the state to charge a fine of maximum Rs one lakh if the residents fail to comply with the measures for prevention of mosquito breeding and spreading of vector borne diseases. The West Bengal Municipal (Second Amendment) Bill, 2018 also has provision which increases the fine for depositing and throwing solid waste in public places to maximum of Rs 50,000. According to state Municipal Affairs minister Firhad Hakim, the penalty has been increased in both the cases to raise awareness among the masses. "Despite several awareness programme in various municipalities we are seeing that there is tendency to neglect various norms for prevention of mosquito breeding and throwing of solid waste in public places. This has to stop so we have decided to increase the amount of fine. Our intention is not to fine the residents but to raise awareness through it," Hakim told reporters. Among the other ...
Chardham project: SC asks Centre why NGT order should not be stayed
The Supreme Court on Monday sought the Centre's response as to why it should not stay the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order clearing the ambitious Chardham project, which proposes to provide all-weather connectivity to the four holy towns of Uttarakhand. A bench of Justices R F Nariman and Navin Sinha said that the Centre should file its response in two weeks. The four towns of the hilly state to be connected by all-weather roads are: Yamnotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. Advocate Sanjay Parekh, appearing for the petitioner NGO -- 'Citizens for Green Doon' -- said that the NGT has cleared the project and set up a committee to oversee the project. To this, the bench said that the petitioner can go before the committee with its grievances. Parekh said that if the project is allowed to go on then an irreversible damage will be done to the ecology which will be equal to damage done by 10 hydro power projects. He said that NGT of late has been allowing the projects to go on after .
Himachal government mulling steps to promote native cow species
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Monday said that the state government was contemplating setting up a commission -- Gau Samvardhan Aayog -- for the development and conservation of indigenous cow breeds.
Seven nations to participate in 2-day farm and food meet in Ranchi
Seven countries will participate in a 2-day Global Agriculture and Food Summit here at Khelgaon, beginning November 29, an official said on Monday.
Scientists to undertake 'most detailed whale poo expedition ever'
A team of scientists are preparing to set sail for seven weeks to the Antarctic so they can collect blue whale faeces and examine its impact on biodiversity and climate change, the media reported.
50 Indian star tortoises rescued from Singapore: NGO
At least 50 Indian star tortoises were rescued from Singapore after they were smuggled from India, said a wildlife NGO on Monday. The tortoises were confiscated by Singapore authorities. They will now be repatriated to India and returned to their natural habitat in the forests of Karnataka with cooperation from the Indian and Singapore governments, a statement from the Wildlife SOS India said. Investigations confirmed Karnataka was the origin of these tortoises. A team of senior forest officers travelled with the Wildlife SOS to Singapore to conduct physical inspection of the tortoises housed at an NGO, ACRES Singapore's rescue centre, the statement added. Singapore Airlines contributed to the cause of wildlife conservation by transporting the tortoises for free, it said. A three-member team from the Wildlife SOS India and a three-member team of Acres Singapore rescued the tortoises from Singapore to India. Once the tortoises have completed their quarantine period of 3 months, the ...
3 poachers nabbed in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve
Officials of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR)have nabbed three poachers and recovered eight traps laid in the forest to capture wild animals. The poachers were held from Nauniya beat of Majhgain range on Sunday, DTR field director Ramesh Kumar Pandey told PTI. "A team led by DTR buffer zone deputy director Anil Kumar Patel along with special tiger protection force (STPF) men during their routine patrolling came across eight traps laid in the jungle to capture wild animals and some poachers hiding nearby," Pandey said. "While three poachers were caught, others managed to flee. A team of around 50 forest and STPF men has been formed to identify and nab the absconding poachers," he added. Pandey further said that the "drive against poachers and forest criminals" to safeguard the tiger reserve will continue.
