Page 39 - Environment
Chattisgarh: Bhupesh Baghel reviews on-going development work done by his party in Raipur
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel reviewed the on-going development and work done by his party in Chattisgarh during a social programme organised here on Tuesday."We will soon be starting our pilot project in several villages to fight with malnourishment. Bastar, Adivasi tribe area has limited doctors in their region, for which we will be launching a project to send sufficient doctors in that area, providing with proper medicines and treatment to the tribal people residing there" Baghel said.He also said that his party is working on another project where they will be supplying an adequate amount of nutritious food for the malnourished children in several villages.They will take care of their needs and demands and work accordingly for the betterment of several villages.Earlier on Sunday, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel had said that he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence and requested him to include Chhattisgarh Forest Rights Act, 2006 leaseholders in .
Punjab urges Centre to allow construction of foodgrain godowns under FCI guarantee
Facing acute shortage of covered space for foodgrain stocking, the Punjab government Tuesday urged the Centre to allow construction of godowns with a total of 20 lakh tonne capacity, which will help in storing grains in a scientific manner. Amarinder urged the prime minister to direct the Union Ministry of Food to allow construction of 20 lakh tonne capacity covered godowns under seven year guarantee by the Centre/FCI (Food Corporation of India) so that foodgrains may be scientifically stored in the state. The FCI generally hires godowns for a guarantee period of certain periods for private parties. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh sought his intervention for permission to construct scientific storage units in the state. The chief minister pointed out that the bumper crops during the last few seasons coupled with slow pace of evacuation of foodgrains in the state had resulted in shortage of covered storage space. As a result, more than 100 ...
Mumbai man held for possession of Rs 1.7 cr worth whale vomit
A 53-year-old man who had come to sell 1.3 kg of ambergris (whale vomit) worth Rs 1.7 crore, was arrested in Mumbai, police Tuesday. Ambergris is a waxy substance that originates as a secretion in the intestines of the sperm whale, found floating in tropical seas and used in perfume manufacture. Acting on a tip-off, a joint team of police and forest department officials laid a trap Saturday in the Cama Lane of suburban Vidyavihar area and nabbed Rahul Dupare, police said. "We seized 1.3 kg of ambergris, worth Rs 1.7 crore, from him. It is a prohibited item. We have registered a case under relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act and have arrested Dupare," a police official said. The sperm whale is an endangered species protected under the Wildlife Act. Ambergris is soluble in alcohol, chloroform, ether and certain volatile and fixed oils.
Federal system prevents people from using state's water:KTK CM
With parts of Karnataka reeling under drought, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Tuesday blamed the country's federal system which, he claimed, restricted the people of Karnataka from using water of their state. "It is the misfortune of our state that even if we fill our tanks, if we have to use our water, the federal structure of the country is such that we are obligated to abide by the court and (river water) tribunal's directions," the chief minister told reporters at Mandya. Kumaraswamy was speaking after meeting the kin of a farmer at a village in Mandya who allegedly committed suicide. Before dying, Suresh took a selfie-video addressed to the chief minister where he blamed loans and the lack of water in the water bodies in the locality, for his taking the extreme step and asks the CM to ensure filling the tanks. He urged farmers not to take such extreme steps because government was looking into their problems. Kumaraswamy said the government has allocated Rs 213 crore .
Govt plans to train fishermen, coastal people for seafarer jobs: Minister
The government is considering imparting special training to fishermen and people living in coastal areas to facilitate them in taking up seafarer jobs, Union Minister Mansukh Lal Mandaviya said Tuesday. Fishermen and people across India's 7,300-km coastline have been traditionally dependent on sea for livelihood but the percentage of Indian seafarers in the global trade is low, the Minister of State for Shipping (Independent Charge) said. "We are planning that the fishermen and people across India's 7,300 km coastline, traditionally dependent on sea be imparted training ... It has huge job potential. After the initial 10-15 days training, certificates can be provided by DG Shipping and this could facilitate them to pursue the job of seafarers with separate training for different wings," the minister said in his maiden interaction with media after assuming charge as shipping minister. He said there is huge potential in this area as globally about 50 lakh seafarers are required. He said
Kangra aims to enroll all eligible farmers for PM-KISAN by June 25
The Himachal government has decided to enroll all eligible farmers for PM-KISAN scheme in Kangra district by June 25, an official said Tuesday. About 2.50 lakh farmers families of the district are expected to be benefited from the PM-KISAN scheme which provides for an annual grant of Rs 6,000 to eligible farmers, he said. "For Prime Minister's Kisan Samaan Nidhi Yojna, the target is to register all eligible farmers' families of Kangra district by June 25," said Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Prajapati. He said all sub-divisional officers have been asked to launch a special campaign to get the requisite forms filled up by eligible farmers through patewaris. Prajapati said about 1.5 lakh farmers of Kangra district have applied for it till now. "Under this scheme, farmers will get 6,000 rupees every year in three equal installments," he said, adding a sum of Rs 2,000 shall directly be deposited in farmers' bank accounts every four month. The Deputy Commissioner said under this scheme, a ...
TN largely dependent on groundwater to meet its needs: CM
Amidst the ongoing severe water crisis in parts of the state, Tamil Nadu government Tuesday said it was largely dependent on ground water to meet the requirements till the onset of north east monsoon in October. Chief Minister K Palaniswami said drought and deficient monsoon had resulted in depletion of groundwater levels, but claimed the issue was not as big as was being made out, especially in the media. Speaking to reporters here after reviewing the progress of work on the Jayalalithaa memorial, he urged the media not to create an "illusion" of water scarcity based on a few reports. "The (northeast) monsoon will arrive only by October-November. Till then we have to meet the requirements only from groundwater sources," he said. The northeast monsoon brings the bulk of rainfall for Tamil Nadu, especially Chennai, which is facing a very severe water shortage. Krishna water from Kandaleru in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh was also not being realised in its full capacity, the
Cyprus expects 'stronger' EU stand on Turkey's drilling
Cyprus said Tuesday it expects the European Union to adopt a firmer stance over Turkey's bid to drill for oil and gas inside the island's exclusive economic zone. President Nicos Anastasiades said he was not optimistic about Turkey changing its tact, but he does expect Brussels to bare its teeth when dealing with the issue. "I'm optimistic that the EU will at least show decisiveness in sending a stronger message than it has done up until today. This is our objective," he told reporters. "And I believe after the summit of the seven southern EU member states that there will be a stronger EU stance," he added. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday said Ankara would not back down from its gas exploration. "We continue and will continue to search in those areas that are ours," Erdogan said during a televised speech in Istanbul. Cyprus has issued arrest warrants for crew members of Turkey's drilling ship, Fatih. After a summit of southern EU countries in Valletta, the seven ...
Forest fire a serious issue, pray for rain: SC
The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear on June 24 a plea seeking urgent steps to protect forests, wildlife and birds from wildfires in Uttarakhand, saying "it is an serious issue and in the meantime, pray for rain". A vacation bench of justices Deepak Gupta and Surya Kant listed the matter for June 24 after the petitioner, advocate Rituparn Uniyal, sought urgent listing of the matter. "We are listing the petition for Monday (June 24). It's a serious issue and in the meantime, you pray for rain," the bench observed. Uniyal moved the apex court last Friday to seek urgent steps to protect forests, wildlife and birds from wildfires in Uttarakhand, saying forest blazes have increased over the years and cause huge loss to the environment. The petition sought directions to the Centre, the Uttarakhand government and the principal chief conservator of forests in the state to make pre-fire arrangements and frame a policy to prevent forest fires. It also sought an investigation into the ...
Wabag secures one-city, one-operator contracts in Uttar Pradesh worth Rs 1,477 crore
Va Tech Wabag, a water technology Indian multinational company, said on Tuesday it has secured Rs 1,477 crore worth order from State Mission for Clean Ganga in Uttar Pradesh towards operation, maintenance and management of sewage treatment and network infrastructure in Agra and Ghaziabad for 10 years.The order is expandable for five more years. Wabag will manage, operate and maintain 22 sewage treatment plants, 22 pumping stations and underground network of over 3,000 km with the objective of providing round-the-clock uninterrupted operations.The contract will ensure treatment of over 650 million litres of water per day in both cities of Agra and Ghaziabad put together, adhering to national treatment standards thus providing cleaner and healthier ecosystem to three million people.The company will also improve, rehabilitate and upgrade facilities related to systems, structures and equipment associated with the sewage treatment plants and underground collection systems."With our ...
Karnataka: CM Kumaraswamy meets family members of farmer who committed suicide
Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy paid a visit to late farmer Suresh's family in Krishnarajapet, Karnataka here on Tuesday.Suresh, a farmer from the southern state of India committed suicide after sending a video message to the chief minister on the acute water scarcity in his region. Kumaraswamy in response said, "I am pained by the death of the farmer Suresh who had demanded to fill the lakes in the areas. I urge the farmers not to take such extreme steps."The minister informed the public present at the location and said, "We are trying to fill all lakes and wells as soon as possible and have allocated Rs 253 crores to do so. This will also help raise the groundwater level simultaneously, not only in Mandya but in all the districts of the state."The minister also has announced a sum of five lakh for the family as compensation, stating that officials are to stay at villages and talk to villagers to resolve the problems from next week on.The minister acknowledged the crisis and .
IIT-M studying methods to extract methane from 'gas hydrates'
The Indian Institute of Technology-Madras Tuesday is working on techniques to extract methane from 'gas hydrates' stashed within the country. The move is aimed at making natural gas locally available and reducing its imports. It is believed that energy content of methane occurring in hydrate form is immense, possibly exceeding the combined energy content of all other known fossil fuels, a statement from the institute said. Gas hydrates, crystalline water-based solids, are promising methane sources present in shallow sediments along the country's continental coastlines. There is nearly 1,900 trillion cubic meters of methane gas lying untapped in these hydrates within the waters of the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone, it said. "Controlled extraction of methane from gas hydrates can not only meet the enormous demand for energy all over the world, but can also reduce detrimental geological release of greenhouse gas into the environment from these sources," professor of ...
Punjab seeks Centre's help in foodgrain storage
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention for permission to construct covered godowns for scientific storage of foodgrains to address the acute shortage of covered storage space in the state.
Karnataka's Irrigation minister meets Nirmala Sitharaman, seeks co-operation in key projects
DK Shivakumar, Karnataka's Water Resources Minister, met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman here on Tuesday to seek cooperation in Krishna Water Disputes issue and other projects, including Mekedatu balancing reservoir.The Mekedatu balancing reservoir-cum drinking water project, to be constructed across the Cauvery river basin, has been at the centre of controversy between the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.Last year, Karnataka government got approval from Central Water Commission (CWC) for preparing a detailed project report for the proposed multipurpose project at Mekedatu on which Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly passed a resolution, urging the CWC to withdraw the permission given to Karnataka.
Ireland to ban sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030
Ireland has announced it will ban the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030 as part of its new climate change plan. The government hopes to have 950,000 electric vehicles on Irish roads by then, supported by a network of charging stations. The measure is one of 180 proposals covering business, construction, transport, agriculture and waste management intended to put Ireland on a path to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. "Our approach will be to nudge people and businesses to change behaviour and adapt new technologies through incentives, disincentives, regulations and information," said Prime Minister Leo Varadkar. "Our objective... is to transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient society. Our call to action in the fight to save our planet," he added. Dublin hopes to increase its level of electricity generated from renewable energy from 30 percent of the total mix to 70 percent by 2030. The "Climate Action Plan" also includes the elimination of non-recyclable ..
World's first 'Green concrete' trial begins in Sydney
In a world's first, 'green' concrete" which is made using industrial waste from coal-fired power stations and steel manufacturing is being used in a road trial in Sydney.
Goa Dy CM warns firm engaged in garbage tussle with civic body
Goa Deputy Chief Minister Vijai Sardesai Tuesday threatened to dump garbage at the doorstep of a private firm which has been overseeing waste management at a dumping yard in Margao near here. Private firm Fomento Green, which has a contract to handle garbage in Sonsodo waste dumping yard, has been embroiled in a dispute with the Margao Municipal Council, following which the former refused to accept garbage at the yard. Speaking at a function in south Goa, Sardesai said, "I am the people's representative here. The company must accept garbage from the civic body or else we will dump it at the company's doorstep," he claimed.
Camera traps to study snow leopards in Himachal's national park
In a first scientific study of its kind, the state Wildlife Department, in partnership with the Nature Conservation Foundation, is laying camera traps to study the elusive and highly endangered snow leopard in the alpine and high-altitude regions of the Great Himalayan National Park -- a Unesco World Heritage site.
Crocodile strays into farm in Gujarat; rescued
A huge crocodile strayed into an agricultural field at a town in Gujarat's Vadodara district, triggering panic, an official said Tuesday. Farmer Sanjay Patel heard a dog barking near his farm in Itola village here around Monday midnight and when he went there, he was shocked to see an around 4.6 feet-long crocodile near some papaya trees in the field. Patel immediately contacted a wildlife rescue team which rushed to the spot and caught the reptile within half- an-hour. "The animal might have ventured into the farm from the nearby Dhadhar river which has a large number of crocodiles," a member of the rescue team said. The rescuers later handed over the crocodile to the forest department. The reptile was released in the Vishwamitri river here on Tuesday morning, range forest officer A A Makrani said.
Farmer attempted suicide before Maharashtra minister
A farmer attempted to commit suicide by consuming poison in the presence of State Energy MoS, MM Yerawar's in Buldhana on Saturday.The man identified as Ishwar Kharate told ANI that he took the step as the government had failed to provide electricity connection for his household."My grandfather had applied for electricity connection in 1980 but we still do not have it despite our constant efforts we are not getting the connection," he said.He also said that he had notified the local administration about his intention to commit but they did not bother. "So I drank the poison before the minister."Responding to Bawankule's complaint, Deepak Devhate, Buldhana Electricity Department official, admitted that the farmers' family had applied for the connection in the 1980s but said that Kharate failed to pay for the demand note."Sriram Kharate who had applied for connection in 1980 died in 2006 we had sent a demand note to Ishwar Kharate but he failed to pay the amount for it, if he pays the .