Page 414 - Environment
North-East states alerted after landslide on Brahmaputra upstream
Indian states through which the river Brahmaputra flows have been alerted to take precautionary measures following a landslide in the mainstream of the Yarlong Zangbo, as the river is known in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, the External Affairs Ministry said on Friday.
'Statue of Unity' illegal, meant for publicity: Ex Guj CM
Former Gujarat Chief Minister Suresh Mehta Friday claimed that the "Statue of Unity", a memorial dedicated to Sardar Patel, is "illegal" and has been built by the BJP to garner votes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to unveil the 182-metre statue, touted as the world's highest, in Kevadiya in Narmada district on October 31. Mehta alleged that the BJP government in Gujarat went ahead with the construction of the statue despite local tribals registering their protest when the project was first conceptualised some years ago. Mehta, along with several project affected tribals, Friday held a press conference here. He announced that over 5,000 tribals living in the vicinity of the memorial will observe a fast on October 31. Mehta claimed that the state government violated the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) (PESA) Act of 1996, which empowers local residents to take decisions through "gram sabhas". "Under the PESA Act, decisions taken by gram sabhas are ...
109 affected by zika virus in Jaipur
The total number of patients affeted by the zika virus in the city is 109, state health officials said.
Maha: Hundreds of protesting PAPs occupy MLA hostel in Nagpur
Hundreds of people affected by the Gosikhurd Dam project Friday entered the MLA hostel here and occupied it. The protest, which started around 4pm, is being led by Independent MLA from Achalpur Bacchu Kadu. These PAPs, hailing from 40-50 villages in the vicinity of the Gosikhurd Dam, shouted slogans demanding compensation. A large posse of police personnel has been deployed to bring the situation under control. The MLA hostel complex in the city's Civil Lines area here has three wings. Kadu told reporters that an increase in the water level of the dam had affected villages in the vicinity, blocking roads, and farmers were unable to harvest crops. The MLA said that several PAPs had been rehabilitated 25 kilometres away from their original villages. "We demand that PAPs should get full rehabilitation settlement and proper facilities. The PAPs have also not got jobs despite assurances. If not jobs, they should be given money," he said. The Gosikhurd dam is situated in ...
Kejriwal says Delhi will become 'gas chamber' soon, blames Centre, Punjab and Haryana governments
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Friday said the city would soon turn into a "gas chamber" as the central, Punjab and Haryana governments were doing "absolutely nothing" for the farmers burning paddy straw. The national capital's air quality has deteriorated over the last week. Stubble burning in neighbouring states is one of the major reasons behind increasing air pollution levels in Delhi. "V sad that Central, Punjab and Haryana Govts did absolutely nothing for the farmers. As a result, the farmers will suffer on one hand and Delhi will become a gas chamber soon (sic)," Kejriwal tweeted. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia Thursday appealed to the Centre and the governments of Haryana and Punjab to initiate measures in the wake of the deteriorating air quality in north India, including Delhi. "The Centre should intervene. Farmers have not been given subsidy. This is the failure on the part of the central and the state governments. As December and January is nearing, the entire .
Delhi's air quality improves but authorities warn pollution may increase
Delhi's air quality improved Friday after rainfall lashed parts of the national capital, but authorities warned that pollution could increase to "dangerous levels" in the next couple of days. The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi was recorded at 276, which falls in the poor category, according to the data from the Central Pollution Control Board. However, data from the Centre-run System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research showed an AQI of 304, which falls in the very poor category. 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". On Wednesday and Thursday, the air quality had deteriorated to the very poor category, alarming authorities who were planning to roll out more stringent measures to combat pollution. A senior official said rainfall in parts of Delhi on Thursday improved the air quality, cleansing the air of pollutants. But he warned that the air ...
UNICEF warns against Yemen's economic crisis, violence
The United Nations children's agency says Yemen's economic crisis and the relentless violence at a key Red Sea port city risk leaving millions of children and families without food, clean water and sanitation. UNICEF says water and sewage services face the risk of collapse due soaring fuel prices affected by the local currency plunge. It warned in Thursday's statement that families are unable to afford basic food items and that the number of 18.5 million people who are unsure of where their next meal is coming from may soon dramatically increase. The agency also says the violence in the port city of Hodeida threatens choking off essential aid. Yemen's war has been raging for more than three years, spawning what the UN says is the world's worst humanitarian crisis.
India, China in touch over landslide blocking main stream of Brahmaputra
India and China are in regular contact over the situation arising out of a landslide blocking the main stream of Brahmaputra river in Tibet, the Ministry of External Affairs said Friday. MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said all relevant authorities of the central government and state governments concerned have been apprised about the emerging situation to enable them to take necessary precautionary measures. "On October 17, the Chinese side informed us about a landslide blocking the main stream of Yarlung Zangbo/Brahmaputra River in the Tibet Autonomous Region," he said. "Based on the information provided, all relevant authorities of the central government and concerned state governments have been apprised about the emerging situation to enable them to take necessary precautionary measures in this regard. We are in regular contact with the Chinese side for further updates," he said. Kumar was responding to media queries about the landslide in Tibet. Yarlungzangbo river, originating at .
Russia and Uzbekistan launch work on nuclear power plant
TASHKENT (Reuters) - Russia and Uzbekistan began preliminary work on Friday on the first Uzbek nuclear power plant, a project Moscow estimates will cost $11 billion.
Zika cases rise to 109 in Rajasthan
The number of people infected with Zika virus rose to 109 in Rajasthan on Friday. According to a spokesperson of the state medical and health department, the nine new cases confirmed were from Jaipur. However, 91 Zika virus infected patients are healthy now after treatment, he said, adding the department is making all efforts to contain mosquito larvae in the affected area. Most of the cases have been reported from densely populated Shastri Nagar locality of the state capital. The first positive case of Zika virus in Jaipur was reported on September 21 which alerted the authorities both at the state and the centre. In view of the rising cases, the Centre on Wednesday rushed an Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) team to the state to intensify vector control measures. The team of experts from ICMR has changed the insecticides which are being used in the city and neighbouring districts to kill mosquitoes that spread Zika, dengue, and chikungunya viruses as a part of the integrated
Maha: Thousands of protesting PAPs occupy MLA hostel in Nagpur
Thousands of people affected by the Gosikhurd Dam project Friday entered the MLA hostel here and occupied it. The protest, which started around 4pm, is being led by Independent MLA from Achalpur Bacchu Kadu. These PAPs, hailing from 40-50 villages in the vicinity of the Gosikhurd Dam, are shouting slogans demanding compensation. A large posse of police personnel has been deployed to bring the situation under control. The MLA hostel complex in the city's Civil Lines area here has three wings.
Piyush Goyal to receive Carnot prize
Union Minister for Railways, Coal and Corporate Affairs Piyush Goyal will Friday receive the prestigious Carnot prize for his contribution towards sustainable energy solutions, an official statement said. The former power minister will be awarded by the KleinmanCenter for Energy Policy at the University of Pennsylvania School of Design, a statement from the rail ministry said. The Carnot Prize is the Kleinman Center's annual recognition of distinguished contributions to energy policy through scholarship or practice. The award in the energy sector is named after French physicist Nicolas Sadi Carnot who recognised that the power of the steam engine would "produce a great revolution"in human development. The 2018 Carnot Prize is a recognition of India's efforts under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as the nation charts the path towards eliminating energy poverty with sustainable energy solutions, the statement said.
Russia and Uzbekistan start work on nuclear power plant
TASHKENT (Reuters) - Russia and Uzbekistan began preliminary work on Friday on the first Uzbek nuclear power plant project which Moscow estimates will cost $11 billion.
Two Chinese women held for smuggling out Shahtoosh shawls at Delhi airport
Two Chinese women have been arrested by the customs officials for allegedly trying to smuggle out 'Shahtoosh' shawls at Delhi airport, according to an official statement issued Friday. A Shahtoosh shawl is made from the hair of 'Tibetan Antelope' or 'Chiru' (pantholops hodgsonii) -- a medium-sized bovid native to the Ladakh region and the Tibetan plateau. The women -- aged 41 years and 39 years respectively -- were intercepted Thursday when they were proceeding to board a flight from Delhi to Shanghai, the statement said. "Fifteen Shahtoosh shawls were seized by the customs officers from their checked in baggage, following which they were arrested," it said, adding that "international trade in these products is strictly prohibited". The market value of the seized shawls, the statement said, is estimated to be Rs 45 lakh. Tibetan Antelopes are accorded one of the highest levels of protection in India, as well as internationally, through relevant wildlife norms. It is estimated that ...
Copenhagen to host C40 Mayors Summit
Lord Mayor of Copenhagen Frank Jensen on Friday announced to host the C40 Mayors Summit in October 2019.
China's Xuzhou to cut steel, coke output in winter - state media
BEIJING (Reuters) - A city in China's No. 2 steelmaking province Jiangsu plans to cut output of steel, coke and other raw materials in winter, as part of its efforts to improve air quality, state-owned media reported on Friday.
Kullu Dussehra festival begins today amid tight security
The historical week-long Dussehra festival in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu district will begin on Friday amidst elaborate security arrangements, a district official said. The internationally renowned festival is unique as it gets underway when Dussehra festivities culminate in the rest of the country and unlike other places, effigies of Ravan, Meghnad and Kumbhakaran are not burnt here. Governor of the hill-state Acharya Devvrat will formally inaugurate the International Loknritya Utsav Kullu Dussehra 2018 at Lal Chand Prarthi Kala Kendra at 7 pm, the official said. The governor will also take part in the lord Raghunath Rath Yatra which will begin in the afternoon, he added. Elaborate Security arrangements have been put in place for the mega festival, police said. Along with several close circuit television (CCTV) cameras on the ground, the police will have eyes in the sky with the help of drone cameras that will be deployed to monitor suspicious activities, they said. Kullu deputy ...
'New 3D printer can be used in microgravity'
The European Space Agency (ESA) has developed a 3D printer that can be used in weightlessness to make parts on demand for repair and maintenance during long-duration space missions. The Manufacturing of Experimental Layer Technology (MELT) project printer will operate from any orientation -- up, down or sideways -- in order to serve in microgravity conditions aboard the International Space Station (ISS), ESA said in a statement. The printer has been designed to fit within a standard ISS payload rack, and to meet the station's rigorous safety standards, it said. The MELT printer can print a wide variety of thermoplastics from ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), as used in Lego, up to high-melting point engineering thermoplastics such PEEK (Polyether ether ketone), which is robust enough to substitute for metal materials in some cases. "This printer could be used to make parts on demand for the repair and maintenance of a long-duration orbital habitat," said ESA materials and ...
Delhi's air quality improves due to rainfall
Delhi's air quality improved Friday after rainfall lashed parts of the national capital, according to authorities. The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi was recorded at 266 which falls in the poor category, according to the Centre-run System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research. On Wednesday and Thursday, the air quality had deteriorated to the very poor category, alarming authorities who were planning to roll out more stringent measures to combat pollution. 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". A senior official said the reason for improvement of air quality was the rainfall Thursday which lashed parts of the national capital, cleansing the air of the pollutants. The PM10 level (presence of particles in the air with a diameter of less than 10 micrometres) in Delhi stood at 253 and the PM 2.5 level was recorded at 110, according to the SAFAR ...
Piyush Goyal to receive US university award for rural electrification effort
India's Union Minister Piyush Goyal will on Friday receive the prestigious Carnot Prize from the Ivy League University of Pennsylvania in recognition of his work for rural electrification while he held the power and renewable energy portfolios.
